Page 74 of The Sword and the Damsel

“Thank you.” Victor followed, anxious to develop a plan for Robert’s baiting and capture.

Sir Elias led him down labyrinthian hallways until they exited the palace. They crossed a wide cobblestone street to enter a low, stone building. The walls were lined with hooks from which hung weapons of every description from clubs to broadswords. A roughhewn table and benches sat in the middle of the room.

“This is Dagobert,” said Sir Elias, gesturing toward a burly, black-bearded man in a simple, rough, woolen cotte. “He leads the Watch. Dagobert, this is Sir Victor de Guestling, a guest of the archbishop. He needs your assistance apprehending someone.”

“It is good to meet you, Dagobert,” Victor said with a nod.

“And you, my lord,” Dagobert answered with a bow. “How can I be of assistance?”

“My cousin, Sir Robert, made an attempt on my life and kidnapped my wife. I have reason to believe he’s here in Canterbury, possibly at an inn called the Black Rooster.”

Dagobert looked to Sir Elias. “The archbishop is aware of Sir Robert,” said Sir Elias. “He has caused some difficulties here in Canterbury. The archbishop wishes to aid Sir Victor’s efforts to seek him out and bring him to justice.”

Nodding, Dagobert said, “As you wish, my lord. Sir Victor, how did you propose to apprehend this Sir Robert? Should we go to the Black Rooster and arrest him?”

“No, he has armed men in his pay. If we are forced to go to the Black Rooster, this will end in unnecessary bloodshed. Better if we could lure him out. I propose taking my wife shopping in the neighborhood of the inn. Sir Robert hates me and wants her. I suspect he won’t be able to resist the bait of both of us walking about unguarded and will attempt to attack us as we shop. I would like to agree with you on a route to take, and I would likeyour men, as well as those that I’ve brought, to wait out of sight and apprehend him when he comes out. If all else fails, we storm the Black Rooster.”

Victor wanted to avoid the Black Rooster at all costs. Robert would have the advantage there. He could hold out with a small number of men against a much bigger force, and the risk to life and limb of taking him on in his chosen warren was so much greater. And then there was Alais. Victor didn’t want her to join him in the inn. She wouldn’t like it, but he would have to insist. If it came to that, she would stay with guards well away from the action.

“Let me get a map of the city,” said Sir Elias, leaving and returning several minutes later with scrolls in hand.

For the next two hours, they sat together and laid out their plan.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Alais opened aneye and squinted at the window to see the light of dawn peeking in. Victor shifted in bed beside her. Nearly every day since being reunited, they had started their day making tender love. She hoped today would be no exception. Her body hungered for him with a ferocity she never thought possible. If she’d thought the marriage bed would tame her appetites, she was wrong. Very wrong.

His hand, resting on her breast, began to move, and she felt hot breath and lazy kisses on her neck and shoulder. His arousal pressed against her bottom in the most delicious way, and she squirmed against him, wanting more. He laughed sleepily, pinching her nipple, and letting his hand drift down.

“Eager this morning, aren’t you, wife?” His hand found its destination. “Oh, and so wet for me. God’s wounds.”

He strained against her as his fingers parted her folds and found that secret spot that sent lightning bolts through her. And with that, she lost the ability to form conscious thoughts. Everything was reduced to a wave of blissful sensation.

Was she making too much noise? Perhaps. And she didn’t care. All that mattered was the man turning her and settling himself between her legs. A moment later, he was inside her, and she lost her mind. Everything was heat and longing and belonging. She was his. His. His.

Each thrust brought her closer to the edge. Soon everything was lost in a burst of heat and light. She felt his spasm within her. They collapsed together, a tangle of arms and legs.

“I love starting my day this way,” she said, enjoying the feel of his chest beneath her hands.

“Are you ready for today?” He tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

“You mean for our shopping expedition?”

“Yes. You don’t have to do this, you know.” He must have said it at least ten times last night. If he thought he was going to talk her out of this, he was sorely mistaken.

“Idohave to do this. I couldn’t stand to stay behind while you faced him. He’s wronged me as much as he’s wronged you.”

He kissed her forehead. “I know. And I think you’re very brave.”

“You say that as if it didn’t require bravery on your part.”

Smiling and pulling her close, he said, “It doesn’t. Not like it does for you. I’m a fighter. I know I’m at least his equal with a sword, if not better. You, however, are defenseless.”

She pulled back and looked at him. Really?

He thought she was defenseless after everything she’d been through? “Not entirely. After all, I did manage to escape his clutches once all on my own, and I didn’t even have a weapon that time. This time, I’ll have a knife.”

Victor laughed. “See what I mean? Brave. When you were in peril beyond any you’d faced in your life, you fought back with every means at your disposal, ignoring how the odds were against you. You’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met.” He kissed her cheek. “And the most intelligent.”

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