Chapter Seventeen
Their escape was tricky.Richard didn’t fit through the hole, so they had to walk out the front door. They used the disguise of monks wearing robes, to cover Mercy and Richard. Surprisingly, no one stopped them. They walked out the front door, through the wards, and since the sun had risen and the gates were open, through the front gates.
They retrieved their horses and collected the boys. Then proceeded to Goodmont.
As night set, Mercy sat beneath a tree, gazing at Kit who slept beside her. She was so grateful and relieved that he was unhurt and at her side again. It was all because of Richard. She would never have escaped if it weren’t for him. Joy and contentment blossomed inside of her.
Kit was safe. It felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She reached out and brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. Her stare shifted to the other children stretched out on the hard ground. Some slept alone, arms stretched out, some huddled with other children. They had saved all of them.
She lifted her stare to Richard who sat opposite her. He was staring at the manacles that still bound his wrists, his brow furrowed in contemplation.
A fond, proud grin slid over her face. If it wasn’t for him, they would still be prisoners of the bishop. He had rescued all of them, her more than the rest. She had been lost without Kit, afraid and alone. She suddenly realized this was the first time they were not planning an escape or hurrying the children to a safe place. They were safe. Desire to be near him, to touch his strong body, filled her like a deep breath of air.
He turned to her as if she had called him.
Flames erupted inside of her. She wanted to kiss him and stroke him and touch him.
As if reading her thoughts, he stood and held a hand to her. His manacles clinked. One of the children turned.
Mercy rose quickly, before she woke any of the children, and crossed to him. When she took his hand, he led her just a few steps from the children but still within sight of them.
She gazed up at his face, so perfectly chiseled, so tempting. “I never got to thank you.”
He brushed a thumb along her cheekbone. “No, you didn’t.”
She grinned, remembering the time he said that to her. Her response had been the same as his. Tingles danced along her skin, following his fingertips. “You came back for us.”
He grinned. “Of course. I’m not really a brute.” His gaze softened and longing filled his stare. “Lord, Mercy. When I heard Devdan had you, I thought my world was done. I had no choice but to help you. I had to see you safe.”
Mercy slipped her arms around his waist, stepping in until their bodies touched. “I’m glad you did.”
Richard lifted his manacled arms and she ducked beneath them.
“We really have to do something about those shackles,” she said. “When we get to Goodmont, Frederick will free you.”
His gaze swept her face with hunger before he dipped his head to claim her lips.
The heated stroke of his lips sent waves of desire pounding through her. She held him close, giving in to his kiss, exploring his mouth with hers.
He groaned and pulled away. “Lord, Mercy. You drive me wild. I want all of you.”
“We’ll be alone soon enough,” she promised.
“I plan to honor my vow of having you in a heartbeat.” He caressed her back, drawing her against his hardness. “But I will wait until the children are safe and we are alone.”
A slight sigh escaped her lips. She couldn’t wait.
Mercy held Kit tightly as they led their horses down the dirt road. The children ran around the horses with an abundance of energy and excitement. They were close to Goodmont.
Richard took up the rear, guarding all of them. He felt like the Pied Piper, leading the children. Of course, he was not leading them to death but to hope. What a group. How he, an excommunicated knight, had found himself responsible for so many children, he could not fathom.
His gaze found Mercy as she set Kit down. The child scampered away to chase another boy.
She watched her boy for a moment before locking gazes with Richard.
He grinned at her, the heat sizzling between them. She swayed her hips and he knew she felt it also. She continued down the road.
He wondered if she would settle in the town again. He knew he would do anything to make her love him as he did her. He’d come to appreciate not only her beauty, but her mind. She had rescued the boys. Without him. Every time he thought of it, it brought a smile of disbelief to his lips.
