AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nay. He already threatened me and told me to put them away.”
“Don’t forget, I was also standing outside the gate when you sent your cousin and that page to safety.”
“They were just going out for a ride.”
“With your trunks in the cart? Don’t lie to me, Maira. They were escaping the High Sheriff and you will be doing the same thing next.”
How did this man know so much about her when she knew so little about him? She wanted to stay and find out more, but night was closing in fast. Then she heard the bell ringing from the tower of Durham Castle and knew they had discovered she was missing.
“They’re looking for me,” she said, turning and heading back to her horse. “I must return to the castle at once.”
“Stay,” he said, grabbing her by the arm. She stopped and turned and looked up into his steely gray eyes. She saw desperation as well as compassion in his gaze. His outward appearance said he was strong but she saw vulnerability within him. She caught him looking at her lips again. Then, before she knew it, he dipped down and covered her mouth with his. Her head told her to deny him but her heart beat quickly, telling her to trust him. Aye, she wanted to stay with him instead of going back to the High Sheriff – the man she despised. But staying here in the woods with the thief was much too dangerous.
“I can’t,” she said, not at all sounding sure of herself and he was apt to notice.
“I could use someone as skilled with a blade as you to help finish training my army.”
“I don’t understand. You – youwantme to fight?” she asked, just to make sure. “You are urging me to use my weapons?”
“Isn’t that what you want more than anything? Even more than marrying a man?”
“I’m not sure,” she said, suddenly feeling very confused.
“Don’t go back to him, Maira. Please. I know him too well. He will control you and take everything from you that you love. If you marry him, you will be miserable. You will become his puppet and give up everything that makes you feel alive.”
Was he speaking the truth? Maira had no doubt he was. But yet, she couldn’t stay here. She didn’t belong here. And her father would be furious if he knew she was even considering joining this man’s army and plotting to kill the exact man that she was sent to marry to make an alliance.
“You never told me why you are doing this,” she said, needing to know more before she made the decision.
“Stay, and I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”
The bell rang out louder, and with it her nerves rattled. She wasn’t looking forward to having to answer to the High Sheriff. If she stayed here, she would never have to marry him or answer to him again. But if she didn’t return, what would happen to that innocent little sweet boy named Ricker? She kept hearing the child cry in her mind, and kept seeing not only his frightened eyes, but also those of the nursemaid and Cleo and little Tommy without any shoes.
“I’ll think about it,” she said, quickly mounting her horse. Then with one last glance at Jacob, she turned and rode like the devil back to the castle, wondering what lie she would tell the High Sheriff to keep him from punishing her or from searching the forest. The last thing she wanted was to reveal the secret hiding place of Jacob and his men.
“What did she say, my lord?”asked Will, hurrying to Jacob’s side.
“She said she’ll think about it.” Jacob kicked at the dirt. “I thought I could convince her to stay, but it didn’t work. I need more time.”
“Is that why you kissed her?” asked Will.
“Nay. I kissed her because I wanted her to know that I cared about her and that she could trust me. I want her to choose me instead of the High Sheriff. God’s eyes, Will, if she doesn’t come back I don’t know what I’m going to do. I can’t allow that man to take anything else from me. I swear I will do anything I have to so that will never happen again.”
