“A giant’s berries,” Jonathan murmured.And since the three massive granite boulders were covered in moss, he added, “Gooseberries.”
Although they must have been left behind during some glacial movement, they looked for all the world as though they’d been dropped from the sky.Or by the hand of a clumsy giant.
He hadn’t realized he’d stopped in awe until he looked to where Lise had been standing, only to find she and the pack horse had vanished.Spurred to movement, Jonathan continued forward, not wanting to call out to her.But where was she?He saw no trace.
As he rounded the closest boulder, a dark triangular opening appeared where another boulder rested at its back.And there she was, beckoning him.He easily fit into the opening, but the horse balked at going through the close quarters.
“Hurry,” Lise’s voice floated to him as she retreated along the narrow passage.
Brutally, he tugged the reins until the animal had no choice but to duck its head and go with him.Another amazing sight awaited.A stone room, roofless of course, but with bulging rock walls where the other boulders rested around them.It was a small area but not tight.There was room to move and even grass for the horses to graze upon.
“Good God!”he exclaimed, thinking instantly of coming back through the area with his instruments and mapping this wondrous forest.Then his gaze rested on her and beyond at the docile horse.He frowned.“How did you get the pack horse to follow you?”
She shrugged.“I merely spoke to her softly and said we had to hide.Mares are often very reasonable.She didn’t balk at all.”
His companion was not only smart and beautiful, she had a way with the beasts.More importantly, she’d found them the perfect hiding place.“It’s defensible,” he declared, “but I’d like to conceal the opening.Wait here.”
As he turned, she darted forward, reaching out as if to grab him, but letting her hand fall at the last moment.“Don’t go far,” she pleaded.Her eyes were dark, stormy seas of fear, and Jonathan knew he would lay down his life for her.But he hoped it didn’t come to that.
Without thinking, he leaned closer and brushed his lips across hers.“It won’t take long.”Dashing back through the stone passage, he took no more than a few minutes to drag fallen hazel branches and dead yet still thorny brambles to disguise the entrance.Satisfied, he returned to her.“Now we wait.”
It was mid-day, the sun was high, and he was glad he’d poured the beer she’d given him into his wooden flask, slung across his body by a leather strap.Removing it, he handed the small flask, staved like a barrel, to Lise.“It contains your family’s beer.”
She smiled, looking relieved, and took a few sips before handing it back to him to do the same.“I should have thought of bringing provisions,” she admonished herself.
“Nonsense.We thought we would be home by —”
Horses’ hooves silenced him.Lise’s eyes grew large again.Soldiers’ voices, too damn close, were easily heard since their hiding place was open to the sky.Perhaps only two or three men, Jonathan thought, as if the searchers had split up.
Slowly slinging the flask over his shoulder, Jonathan drew his pistol and positioned himself by the entrance.His heart pounded against his ribs.What the deuce was he doing, risking his life and hers in the middle of this blasted forest?He could be in London, in a good chop house with the promise of a warm woman that night.
And Lise ought to be safe under her parents’ roof, dreaming of her wedding day.
Suddenly, he felt her hand on his shoulder.Jumping, Jonathan swore aloud.He’d assumed she’d retreated to the far end of their small hiding space.
“We should be quiet,” she whispered.“Sounds carry strangely in the forest.”
“Then don’t sneak up on me like a cat on a mouse,” he whispered back.
“Hush,” she said, which struck him funny in a moment that otherwise lacked all mirth.He wanted to turn and kiss her gorgeous lips, but he held still, as did she.
And then one of the horse’s whinnied.
Lise gasped before she could stop herself and then winced.Jonathan listened carefully.
“Did you hear something?”came a voice speaking French.Very near.Perhaps on the other side of the boulder, calling out to his comrade in the direction of the oak.
“Yes,” came the reply."Was it something growling?"
Jonathan and Lise turned as one to look at the horses.They were grazing.The mare lifted her head.Lise put a hand up, as if to shush the animal, and the horse went back to grazing.
And then, a miracle happened.“It came from over here!”called out the man who was farther away.Jonathan shook his head as he heard them ride off.Then he looked at Lise.She raised an eyebrow and leaned close.
“I told you the forest does strange things to sounds,” she whispered against his ear, making his groin tighten against his wishes.“Especially voices.”
He nearly pulled her to him, just to give a celebratory hug.Again, he restrained himself.A touch would lead to a kiss, which, given their intimate surroundings, might lead to something else entirely.Instead, he stowed his pistol and moved away, although he didn’t have much space to flee.Hoping not to appear too awkward, Jonathan went to the gelding and stroked its neck.
“How long do you think we must stay here?”she asked.“I wonder if my parents will start to worry.They will have discovered I’m missing by now.”
