Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

All through supper that night, Anna kept touching her face. She couldn’t believe she’d found the confidence to kiss John. It was the first time in her life she’d ever kissed a man first. And he hadn’t pulled away or had a disgusted look on his face. He said he’d go to prison to kiss her again. Was it possible? Was she really not as unattractive as she thought? Her worldview shifted ever so slightly.

She had trouble sleeping. Tossing and turning, thinking about him. The two of them together. What her life might be like if she stayed. In the end, she decided it would be up to the fates to decide. She would try to go back, and if she could she would. She owed it to her dad. But if she couldn’t, then she would know she had done all she could, and she would make a life here with a clear conscience.

After being stuck in the bog, she was hesitant to wear a dress to travel. John argued with her, but after she told him her fears, he gave in. She braided her hair down her back, and wore the tunic and hose she had swiped before. How the women got them clean was magic in her book. John assured her the boy had been given a new set of clothes. And when she fessed up about the gold, he smiled. Said he expected her to do nothing less. How would she purchase food and lodging along the way if she didn’t have money?

Full from breakfast, she waited in the courtyard for John to appear. The horses were ready—she would ride her horse this time. The thought made her a little bit nervous, but she was willing to try. It was time to try new things.

She offered a carrot to Black Horse. “I’m going to trust you know what you’re doing. So you’re in control, but don’t throw me off and we’ll be fine, okay?”

The horse twitched an ear, contentedly munching the carrot.

As John approached, she saw he wore his cloak, which was odd, given how warm it was today.

“I know we’re leaving today…if you come back, he will be waiting for you.”

From under the cloak, he produced a small brown dog. The dog ran around in circles when he set it on the ground. He was adorable with his tail wagging a hundred miles a minute and his floppy tan ears. He licked her hand.

“I’ve never had a dog before. He’s very small. Is he a baby?”

“’Tis not quite a year old. I thought he would be company for you.”

When she stood up, wiping her face where the dog had licked her, she saw him watching her.

He spoke in a low voice so no one else would hear. “I know you want to go home, so I wish it for you too. The man could not afford to feed the dog, so I took him. Trust I will take good care of him when you are gone.”

Anna patted the dog, stroking the soft fur. “You’re a beautiful boy. Be good.” She leaned down, kissing him on the top of his head.

“Thank you. It was very kind of you.”

As they made their way through the moors, Anna tensed. It wasn’t until they were away and had traveled another hour or so that she felt like she could relax. The horse was content to follow along or walk beside John’s horse.

“While the countryside is beautiful, I’m already sick and tired of this journey.”

“Do not worry. I will not let you fall into another bog.”

“At least this time I’m with someone who knows how to make a fire. And we have horses.”

“And do not forget. You have me to protect you.”

She smiled at him. “How could I forget?”

They stopped for a late lunch. Afterward, Anna looked for a place to relieve herself. She heard the sound of running water and followed it, happy to find a place to refill her water jug.

During the afternoon, she’d been surprised at how few people they encountered. If it was a well-traveled road, then they saw a good number of people. But on smaller paths, they might not see anyone. Most were friendly, though some seemed wary. And she could understand why John wanted to avoid everyone. More soldiers had been spotted nearby. They were closing in. Yesterday, she’d seen his face on a broadsheet in a town they had to pass through. When she pointed it out, he brushed her concerns away.

“None this close to Blackmoor will turn us in. They are loyal, or at least I hope they are.”

That night as they made camp, she watched how he started the fire.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do that.”

“I will start your fires, my lady.”

They talked deep into the night until Anna found herself yawning and barely able to keep her eyes open.

“Go to sleep. I will take first watch.”

She didn’t think she answered him before she was asleep.