Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

John led her to a nearby stream, turning his back while she removed the garments.

“I think I’m going to be brown forever.”

“In time the color will fade from your skin. There is a woman at the castle who has herbs you can add to the bath to remove the coloring.”

He heard splashing. John had to strain to hear the words.

“I’m getting dressed. Don’t look.”

He heard a rustling noise and kept his eyes averted, though he was most curious.

As she fell asleep that night, Anna cried and moaned in her sleep. John stroked her hair, comforting her as he would a spooked horse.

He was unused to spending so much time with a woman. So many years he’d visited a wench to satisfy his needs but never wanted to have speech with them. Never cared what they thought. With Anna, he wanted to know every thought she had.

The next morning, she was quiet, sitting stiffly in the saddle in front of him. The entire day she said less than a handful of words .

Would she not speak the entire way back to Blackmoor? Most women would have babbled incessantly. John never had to work to get a woman to talk. Anna said not a word.

On the third day of travel, John decided he’d had enough of her silence. They sat by the fire.

“I know you do not care for wine, but you must not take a chill after being in the bog for so long.”

She wrinkled her nose but drank it anyway. They ate a simple meal. She had two more cups of wine and still she did not speak.

Anna dropped the cup to the ground. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Ladies’ room?”

She made a face at him. “You know.”

He was perplexed for a moment then laughed. Seeing the displeasure on her face, he shut his mouth with a snap. He held out his hands in front of him.

“I meant no offense.”

John heard her stomping through the brush. If the king’s men had been near, they would have heard her. She swayed a bit as she came to a stop in front of him. Anna leaned down and poked him in the chest.

“I heard what you said to Henry.” She wobbled so he pulled her down beside him, afraid she would fall over. She slapped his hand away.

“Don’t touch me. You said you didn’t care if I stayed or went back to my own time. That you are tired of me being your responsibility.” She belched. “You don’t want me here. So why are you taking me back? I would’ve made it to London eventually.”

“You would? Walking in circles? Would that be before or after you drowned in the bog?”

“Don’t be mean to me. I don’t know why I even care. Someone as sexy and good-looking as you would never look twice at an ugly duckling like me. It was silly for me to hope you might like me for who I am, not what I look like. ”

He was stunned. She cared for him? “I should not have said what I did to my brother. I was an arse.” He pulled her onto his lap. “It was fear. The king’s men will come, I worry what will happen to you.” He stroked her hair. “You rescued me from the tower. The moment I saw you, I thought you were a fairy come to take me away. Anna. I do want you here. I would give all I possess to have someone such as you.”

He kissed her hair, mumbling words of love.

“You are kind and thoughtful. Your skin like fine ivory. The many colors in your hair remind me of the countryside. How can you not see how beautiful you are?”

She sniffed. “You don’t mean it. You’re only saying it because you feel like a big jerk.”

Jerk. Charlotte called his brother such a word. He knew ’twas not flattering.

“I have been too wrapped up in my own cares. I do know what it’s like to be separated from those you love.”

He held up a hand. “I know mine was by choice and yours is not. I do have some understanding of what you feel.”

“You’re only saying these things because you want me to come back without making a fuss. But don’t you see? After what Charlotte told me, I have to believe there is a small chance I can go back. And I must try. If I can’t get back then at least I will know I have done everything in my power to try. But if I don’t try…”

She looked up at him her green eyes full of tears. “I cannot live with myself if I don’t try.”

“You have my word. Once we get back, I’ll send word to my brothers letting them know where we are going, I will take you back to the tower.”

She started to protest, and John said, “I do not delay on purpose. But we must have a fresh horse and pack provisions. My brothers needs know so if anything happens to me, they will know to come for you.”

“Oh. That’s very kind. I won’t forget all you’ve done for me. ”

Seeing the pain in her eyes, her need to go home, John made a choice. He would not tell her he was in love with her. He would think of her instead of himself. And he would let her go. Though he would remember her all of his days.

As they rode through the gates of Blackmoor, John saw a commotion in the courtyard.

“’Tis time you are back.”

He dismounted and lifted Anna off the horse. John turned to his eldest brother.

“’Tis good to see you, Edward.” Was all he got out before Edward’s fist met his face.

John struck back. As he and his brother exchanged blows, he heard Robert’s voice.

“’Tis too early to brawl.” Robert yawned.

Men watched, calling out helpful suggestions and insults.

“This is silly.”

“Aye, lady. Men will be boys no matter how old they are.”

She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

Edward spat blood onto the ground. “Seems I am arrived just in time. The roof looks likely to fall on your heads.”

“I am sorry I did not tell you I was alive.”

Edward clapped him on the shoulder. “I know you thought you were keeping all of us safe. I have missed you, John.”

“And I you.” John cleared his throat, willing the feelings to go away.

“What news do you bring?”

Edward looked askance at Anna, who was sitting on the other side of him .

“Say what you will. I have told her the tale.”

Edward raised his brows. “All you know about him and still you enjoy his company, lady?”

Anna leaned forward across John and looked at Edward, a saucy grin on her face.

“All of you Thorntons are so handsome I find I quite lose my head whenever I’m around you.”

Edward grinned. “Careful, this one here may actually lose his.”

Anna looked horrified for a moment until she realized they were teasing. If you couldn’t make fun of something, what was the point of living?

“So what are you going to do to help him?”

“I quite like her.”

“I’m growing old, Edward.”

Edward rolled his eyes. “’Tis not welcome news. The king is only seventeen. Denby has his ear and his wife is young. Denby parades her in front of the king hoping he will make her his mistress.”

“What about Letitia?”

“Have you not heard? Letitia died three years ago from fever. Denby married again a month later.”

“Then why does he come for me? Why does he care?”

Edward shook his head. “He cared not for his wife. They couldn’t stand each other. But he is a prideful man and seeks to strike back at you.”

His brother was much as John remembered. Full of energy and unable to sit still. When he was thinking, he had to pace. All the Thorntons did.

“What do we do?”

“Denby is on a diplomatic mission. While he is gone, I will seek an audience with the king. Try to reason with him.” Edward scratched at his chin. “And offer him gold.”