Page 31 of Dancing On Air

“Lark is right,” agreed Raven. “Don’t get involved, Eleanor.”

“I told you this was a bad idea,” said Connor, looking as if he’d just lost all hope.

“Nay! I think Rose might know of some herbs that could possibly cure his father’s fever or help his cough,” Eleanor explained to her cousins.

“Mayhap, but Rose isna here,” said Lark.

“We need to send for her. We can’t just let Connor’s father die.” Eleanor felt that this was the right thing to do, no matter how much her cousins might object to the idea.

“Eleanor, if he is that sick, no amount of herbs will be able to save him,” said Raven, her fingers finally releasing the hilt of her sword.

“If his father dies, Connor becomes the next executioner,” Eleanor reminded her cousins. “God’s eyes, we can’t let that happen!”

“You’re right,” Raven finally agreed. “I will send the castle guard to Rookrose Manor with a missive for Rose, telling her she is needed and to come anon.”

“Make sure Rook doesn’t find out about why we want Rose,” said Eleanor. “If he knows what we’re doing, he won’t let his wife come here.”

“Aye, Rook is a stickler for following rules, unfortunately,” said Raven.

“He married a gardener and you think he follows the rules?” asked Connor, with a slight chuckle. “I tend to see things differently, I guess.”

“You need to send the guard at once,” said Eleanor. “It’ll take nearly a day to get back to Devon, and another to return here. There is no telling how long Connor’s father has to live.”

“Are you sure there is nothing that anyone here at the abbey can do to help him?” asked Connor. “Anything at all?”

“I wish there were,” said Eleanor. “If it were under different circumstances—”

“I understand,” said Connor. “You don’t even want to ask, and I can’t blame you a bit. Thank you for any help you can give me. And also for the meat scraps and apples,” Connor said, looking directly at Eleanor. “It meant a lot to my siblings. Alaric is in love with apple pie.”

Eleanor looked around, and saw an empty bushel basket lying on the ground. “While you’re here, let’s pick some more apples for your family,” she suggested. “Everyone is in the refectory eating right now, so we won’t have to worry about being seen.”

“We’ll go find the guard and give him a missive for Rose at once,” said Raven. “Come on, Lark.”

“Is it safe to leave her alone with him?” asked Lark behind her hand.

“I heard that, and I assure you, I will not hurt her. I will protect Eleanor with my life,” Connor promised.

“Go on,” said Eleanor, with a wave of her hand. “I’ll be safe. Don’t worry.”

Once the girls left, Eleanor picked up the empty basket. “I think that tree looks like it has a good amount of ripe apples.” She led the way and Connor followed.

Connoronce again felt as if he were putting Eleanor in an awkward position, and was already starting to regret coming here at all.

“Are you sure Lark and Raven won’t say anything about all this? I don’t want to cause trouble for you.”

“If they do, they know they’ll have hell to pay with me,” said Eleanor with a smile.

“I’ve never known you to be so feisty.”

“A lot has changed over the past five years, Connor. I’m not that same shy girl you once knew.”

“I am starting to get that impression. Here, let me carry the basket.” He reached for the basket, and his hand brushed against hers. When it did, she stopped walking, her eyes looking up at him. The sunshine made her red hair look brighter and her hazel eyes even clearer than he ever remembered them being. “God, you are beautiful.” He couldn’t help himself from reaching out and cupping her cheek. Instead of pulling away from him like anyone would do if someone like him came close, she leaned into the caress and closed her eyes, welcoming his touch.

“Connor, that feels so good,” she cooed.

Connor felt such an attraction to this beautiful woman that he couldn’t stop himself from leaning in closer. “I hope you’ll think this feels just as good,” he whispered, just before pressing his lips up against hers. He had only meant it to be a quick kiss, but when her hands came up to his chest, and instead of pushing him away, she slid her hands up to his shoulders and pulled him closer, he decided to go back for a second helping.

This kiss was even better than the first, since she participated now. Eleanor’s lips melded with his, holding all the passion of a lover. His heart beat rapidly in his chest, and for one moment in his mind, he was a knight. Her lover. Her betrothed. Then the sound of swords and creaking ropes filled his mind and he was reminded of the cruel reality of exactly who he was now. He jerked away from her, his hand going to the raised burn mark on his cheek that told the world he was an executioner.