Chapter 16

As the horse began walking down a lane into the forest, Abrielle looked back at Cedric, who pulled Nedda's litter down a different path near the cottage and disappeared. She found herself wishing she could have stayed behind. Instead she was sharing a too-small saddle with Raven Seabern. Straddling his body with her legs, she felt indecently close to him. To keep their touching as minimal as possible, she was trying not to hold on to him, but she found herself swaying with the movement of the horse, and the awkwardness of the two of them together.

Raven looked over his shoulder at her. "If ye dinna hold on, ye'll find yourself on your backside in the dirt."

Gritting her teeth, she clutched the folds of his cloak in her fists.

"That's better, lass."

She could still hear the amusement in his voice, and she hated being the source of his humor. She needed a distraction from this strange tension. "How did you find us so quickly?"

"A serf named Siward alerted Sir Vachel after he saw a cart being loaded with quilts and pillows near the back entrance of the keep. He watched ta see what they were putting in it, thinking mayhap Mordea was stealing from ye again. Then he saw your maid come out afore being tied up and thrown inta the cart. He began ta suspect what was in the quilt they'd loaded earlier, and told Sir Vachel what he'd just seen."

"I shall personally offer my gratitude and a suitable reward to him for raising up a hue and cry," Abrielle avouched. "Nedda and I were afraid no one would even notice we were gone until the morning."

"Siward claimed ye'd likely saved his son's life by providing better vittles for the children. The lad was barely surviving, but when ye started sending over food, he took ta eating again. Siward said even if the brigands killed him, he couldna keep quiet on the chance that ye'd been taken."

"But what about my stepfather and his knights?" Abrielle asked.

"After Siward's news, Sir Vachel found traces of blood on the floor outside your chambers and within. He sent out riders ta bid the knights who were living fairly close ta come in haste ta the keep. Since it promised ta be a goodly wait afore they arrived, my da and I decided ta ride out ta find the brigands' trail and mark it for Sir Vachel. 'Twould seem ye did that well enough with the scraps ye left. They gave us hope we'd find ye alive."

"I am glad," she said softly, trying to think of Nedda's safety, rather than Raven's broad back and warm thighs.

"So how were ye able ta subdue three large men? Surely ye had help."

"Just Nedda and I and our clever minds," she said with faint sarcasm.

Over his shoulder, his blue eyes touched her. "I never said ye weren't clever, lass."

She frowned, tempted to say that he seemed concerned only with having a wealthy, beautiful bride until she remembered he was escorting her safely home and she was grateful. Instead she told him of their successful overthrow of their captors.

"I am quite impressed," he said afterward. "Ye certainly made things easier on us poor men who thought we were facing danger to rescue ye."

She could not suppress the small smile that turned up a corner of her mouth. For a while they rode in silence, the forest masking the setting sun and a chill beginning to seep upward from the ground. Suddenly she noticed the path they were taking. "We are not traveling the same way that our captors took us."

"Nay," he replied. "In case their leader—"

She could not help but interrupt, eager to know who had done this terrible thing to her, to Nedda, to her family. "Thurstan?" she asked.

He took a moment to reply. "Perhaps. But in case he knew to follow the same roads as his henchmen, ye and I should travel another way."

She nodded with comprehension, and found that simply closing her eyes gave her a start, as if she'd fall off the horse. Raven's voice spoke softly in her ear. "Ye didna sleep much," he said. "Hardly a surprise, considering the circumstances." His voice became even softer. "Sleep now."

She gave a little snort. "And how should I be doing that?"

"I willna let ye fall, lass. Rest yourself against me and sleep." It was so tempting, as the rocking of the horse's gait lulled her, and although she resisted, at last she found her body easing against his, her arms creeping around his waist. What harm could it do to trust him just this once? He was large and warm and so very soothing.

He put a hand on her forearm. "See? I'll keep ye upright."

Her eyes closed for the last time and she drifted off.

Raven knew he would have no such problem, although he had not slept the previous night in his search for her. How could he even grow drowsy when Abrielle was resting warm against his back, her soft breasts encouraging the agony of denying his passion? He was between her thighs, where he longed to be—although he'd prefer them both naked and in a bed, he thought with wry humor.

Several hours after sunset, rain began to fall, awakening Abrielle and slowing their journey with the hiding of the moon. Raven had her snuggle beneath his cloak, yet still they both grew wet. She shivered against him, and at last he gave up the idea of continuing on. He found a sheltering copse of trees, and he lit a small fire to warm them both. She had little to say to him and kept a careful distance, although she did gratefully share his meal of cheese and twice-baked bread. Her wariness of him stung all the more after the sweetness of riding with her head on his shoulder and her body pressed to his. The rain finally eased, so he spread a dry blanket near the fire and bade her sleep.

He kept the fire going and watched over her, wondering how long it was going to take to break through her mistrust of him. If it took forever—and after spending the day dampening his body's eager response to hers, he prayed to God it did not—he would make her see she had naught to fear, that he would rip off his own arms and chain himself to the gates of hell before he would do her harm in any way. The sheer pleasure of watching her sleep was marred by her shivering, sometimes so fiercely he'd swear he heard her teeth chatter.

Finally he had all he could take of seeing her suffer so. He had no other blanket, and he would not let illness overtake her in this weakened state. Before he could think better of it, he carefully lifted her blanket and slid in behind her, chest to her back, his thighs hugging hers, giving of his warmth. It was just for a while, he told himself. Just until his body heat seeped into her and let her go into the deep sleep she needed. If he was lucky he could slip away before she opened her eyes in the morn and she'd never need know. He would not allow himself to think of his desire or dwell on the feel of her breasts against his back or her delicate hands curled around his arms. The last thing he wanted was to give her more reason to be suspicious of him. For this night he wanted only to see to her comfort. There would be other days to press his suit. With a grateful sigh, Abrielle relaxed deeper into sleep, and he did the same.

AbrIELLE CAME AWAKEwith a start, wondering what had awoken her from the delicious warmth that eased all along her back. In confusion, she blinked her eyes open to see several dozen men on horseback grouped before her. Her first thought was that Thurstan's men had tracked them there and now had them surrounded. Raven. She raised up on her elbow to see where he was.

When her gaze fell on the lead rider, the visage of her stepfather sent a wave of relief through her. She sagged forward, thanking God in the silence of her prayers, and noticed Vachel was not smiling. Something moved behind her and it was then she realized it was not, as she'd assumed, the sound of hoofbeats that woke her, but the sudden movement of Raven Seabern, who, for reasons she could not begin to fathom, was lying at her back. He stood, and as he did, her sleep-fogged brain slowly began to clear. She had spent the night alone with him, aye, because he'd rescued her. But what was he doing sleeping so close and with his arms wrapped all around her? She had not given him permission for anything of the sort, nor had he sought it, but evidently…

A cold shiver of understanding and dread settled into her chest. She came stiffly to her feet, ignoring Raven's outstretched hand and its offer of help—too late, all too late. Oh, why had she ever let her guard down around this man? She noticed that Vachel was watching her with somber eyes, and she saw behind him several of his knights whispering together. They were loyal to him and would not dare to smirk openly at his stepdaughter, but their silent, sordid suspicions were as clear to Abrielle as if they had.

And what else should she expect? After all, they'd found her in Raven's arms, squashed together under a single blanket as if…as if…A thought began to dawn on her as she pondered how this had come to pass. Her thoughts a jumble of confusion and betrayal and sadness, she turned to Raven and met a steadfast gaze. In a forthright manner he told her, "Ye were so cold in your sleep, lass. I couldna just let ye catch your death."

Her stepfather looked between them. "What has become of Cedric and Nedda?" he asked.

Raven responded, "My father remained behind ta learn the identity of the man who paid the brigands ta kidnap Lady Abrielle. Nedda is injured, so she stayed with him so that I could return Lady Abrielle more quickly ta the safety of the keep." His words echoed hollowly now, for of course he had not kept her safe. "When my father and I first arrived, Lady Abrielle and her maidservant had already knocked their three captors unconscious."

Although Vachel's lips quirked slightly with amusement, he straightened in the saddle and spoke coolly. "And whose idea was it for him to remain behind, leaving my stepdaughter unchaperoned?"

"'Twas Cedric's idea," Abrielle whispered in surprise.

Raven stood so close beside her that she felt him stiffening, heard the affront in his voice as he said, "My father knew you would need to know the identity of the man threatening Abrielle."

"Yet it was his idea to leave the two of you alone," Vachel pointed out.

Into the silence, they heard someone whisper, "The Scots planned it."

Abrielle wished she were anywhere but in this gloomy forest just after dawn. But she found her gaze drawn to Raven, and she saw his anger and bitter pride.

"Someone dares to slight my own father before me?" he demanded.

Uneasy rumbles were heard among the knights, but no one spoke up.

Abrielle found it interesting that Raven seemed angrier that people would accuse his father than himself alone. She knew father and son were close. Was it possible, she had to wonder bitterly, they had planned this entire escapade? Certainly others would be quick to suspect the Scotsmen of hiring the brigands in the first place. She pondered the notion briefly and dismissed it, believing they had too much honor for such a dastardly deed. She was less quick to discount the possibility they had deliberately taken advantage of the situation once it fell into their laps. She had been so overwhelmed it had not occurred to her how Raven's rescue of her would look to others. Perhaps Raven's true anger was due to the discovery of his own part in the ruse. She felt sick thinking such a thing, and could not even look toward the uncertainty of her future.

"Come, Abrielle," Vachel said heavily. "This is not the place for a discussion of such import. And your mother needs to know you're safe. We will talk later."

A discussion of such import. The ominous words echoed inside Abrielle's head. Of course, what could be of greater import than the rest of her life and the decision as to whom she would spend it with. Was that still a decision for her to make? Or had fate and Raven Seabern conspired to at last land her in a mess she could not get herself out of?

Vachel dealt quickly with his men, sending a half-dozen knights back the way Raven indicated, in support of Cedric and Nedda, and then he reached down to his stepdaughter.

Abrielle gratefully let her stepfather pull her up behind him, and she didn't look at Raven as the troop of knights rode off, leaving him behind.

THE SUN HADpassed midday by a pair of hours when serfs working near the far end of the drawbridge espied the approach of a retinue of mounted knights. Sir Vachel's banner was immediately recognizable, and since the long, reddish hair flying out behind the lady sitting behind him was the same hue as that of their mistress, servants readily raced from the courtyard and moved across the drawbridge to have a closer look. Upon confirming that it was indeed the Lady Abrielle seated behind her stepfather, several serfs rushed about to spread the welcome news from one end of the stone edifice to the other, assuring everyone that their mistress had returned safely to the keep. The news did indeed bring Elspeth flying out of her chambers in her eagerness to be reunited with her daughter. Never slackening her pace, she was nearly breathless as she swept into the courtyard.

"Oh, thank the merciful heavens you're all safe!" she cried in teary relief as she waited anxiously for Vachel. After sweeping a long leg over the stallion's neck, he slid to the ground and lifted Abrielle down beside him.

Elspeth made no effort to halt the profusion of grateful tears coursing down her cheeks as she encompassed her daughter within the circle of her arms. "I was so fearful of what those brigands intended to do with you!" she wept with joy. "I've been nearly beside myself, not knowing if Vachel would find you alive or dead or in what condition you'd be in. An endless eternity has passed since we were told you had been abducted. My greatest fear, of course, was that you and Nedda would be killed. 'Tis now apparent that we owe a debt of gratitude to all of my husband's men for finding where you had been taken and bringing you and Nedda back to us."

"We suffered no harm, Mama," Abrielle assured her parent as she stood back within the circle of the older woman's arms. She knew that Vachel was waiting somberly, but now was not the time for such discussions. She did not want to think about anything but her relief at being home—and somehow this keep had become such to her. "You'll be pleased to hear that Nedda and I laid enough on the dull-witted oafs who abducted us to leave their heads lolling on their shoulders."

Elspeth clasped her daughter's cheeks between her palms and gazed with tear-filled eyes into the face of her only offspring before bestowing a motherly kiss upon her brow. "I am so very, very relieved to have you back, my dearest. I would never have been able to bear your loss if they had found you dead. Who did this to you?"

"As of yet, we know not who hired such fiends." Abrielle found herself glancing back at the Scotsman, who'd ridden in the rear of their party. "Laird Cedric stayed behind to discover the man's identity while in hiding with dear Nedda, who was injured on my behalf."

"Oh heavens!" Elspeth cried. "Such a good, loyal woman." A troubled frown gathered her brows. "When we had no wealth of our own, there were no threats on your life, certainly none from the men vying for your hand. I don't suppose this new threat will be entirely erased until the men responsible for your capture are caught or killed."

Vachel put an arm around his wife. "The villain may be Thurstan de Marlé, or it may not. We will have to wait and see."

Elspeth nodded and turned back to her daughter. "You must be freezing, child! Come inside where it's warm, and then we'll talk more of this matter."

Abrielle went along with her mother, bathing and changing into dry, clean garments, but her uneasiness about the day yet lingered, and she did not want to leave the great hall to fester with rumors for too long. As it was, when she emerged for supper, she saw that it was too late to stop the gossip, for word had obviously spread of her sojourn with Raven. Heads leaned together, wide eyes looked between her and Raven, who sat alone. Abrielle winced, wishing that Cedric and Nedda had returned, but knowing there was nothing to do, for Vachel's men had been dispatched for assistance.

At the head table, her mother waited for her, not bothering to hide her concern. "Abrielle, your stepfather has informed me what transpired last evening and into this morning," she said softly, reproachfully. "Why did you not tell me of your time with Raven?"

Abrielle sighed. "There is nothing to discuss, Mama. And if there were, I would not want it to be here."

"But there is much to discuss," Vachel said somberly. "You must be prepared for that, my dear. Even now, there is talk, and too much of it. Other suitors will hear of it."

She stiffened. "I have done nothing wrong. I am innocent."

"I know that you are," Vachel said, "but that does not excuse what others will believe. Your reputation has been harmed, Abrielle, though we all wish it were not so. You must prepare yourself for the thought of marriage to young Raven."

With the words said aloud at last, Abrielle felt her heart shatter, and her eyes sting with tears she could not shed in so public a place. If they were alone, she would fly into a rage, giving every excuse why she would not marry such a man. But perhaps Vachel had deliberately chosen such a location for his speech, knowing that she could only protest softly and listen. Elspeth put her hand gently on her arm, but Abrielle was in no mood for her mother's comfort.

She had wanted to choose her own husband, and now her stepfather was saying that yet another man would be forced on her. True, he was no Desmond de Marlé, but his fine face and form hid a man who had only showed his devotion once she had wealth. He had flirted with her when she was betrothed, another mark against him. And he was a Scot, disliked by all her neighbors for the sins of his countrymen. She wondered if she refused to marry him, would he at last hold her accountable for the secrets they shared the night of Desmond's death? She felt humiliated and hopeless. How had this happened to her? She thought she'd been safe from the clutches of one vile man, only to find herself trapped with another.

She could not look at Raven, did not want to wonder whether triumph was banked within his eyes, hidden for now, but there nonetheless.

She was saved from having to speak more of it by the arrival of the rest of Vachel's knights, Cedric, and Nedda. With a glad cry, Abrielle flew to the litter that carried her maidservant. "Nedda, how fare you?" she asked with true worry.

But the woman's color was good, and she smiled, although lines of pain had formed about her mouth. "Well, m'lady. The leg might not even be broken."

Abrielle looked up at Cedric, felt a flash of disappointment, but could not allow herself to think of what would soon come. As Nedda was taken away to be seen by a healer, all gathered around to hear Cedric's story. He told of a small group of mounted men who'd gathered at the cottage, after their failure to find the women and the three men who had captured them. Cedric had cautiously crept to the window in a quest to see if he would be able to recognize any of them. After hiding behind a stack of split firewood that over the years had deteriorated to little more than a pile of pulp, he had peered through a crack between the two shutters that had been nailed shut over a cottage window. In spite of his efforts, the best he had been able to see of the miscreants were their shadows, and only then when they stood in front of the lantern that had been lit behind them. Nevertheless he had overheard their bickering and recognized at least two familiar voices, Thurstan's and Mordea's. Two of the five culprits had been in favor of terminating what had thus far proven to be a fruitless quest and strongly argued their recommendations be accepted, but Thurstan would have none of it. Since this plan seemed to have failed, he would conceive of another to win Abrielle. The culprits had ridden off together in the same direction whence they had come.

Though only an hour had elapsed between the departure of the miscreants and the arrival of Vachel's knights, a sudden heavy downpour washed away all evidence of the trail that Thurstan might have left. Several men had ridden in ever-widening circles around the area in an effort to find some indication of the direction the brigands had taken, but their attempt proved futile after the deluge of rain.

Vachel sighed. "It is not as if we could have done much against Thurstan."

"What are you saying?" Elspeth demanded.

"He is a knight of property, my dear," Vachel explained patiently. "And although he wishes a rich bride, he chose a course that many men have used before him. Possession of the woman until she's forced to marry him."

Raven felt every eye turn to him, and the fact that they all equated him with Thurstan made his blood boil, for he was a man of honor, but he knew there was little he could do to counter the thoughts of those around him. He saw his father give him a wide-eyed glance, and knew the elder was curious, but Raven would have to explain later. For now, all Raven could do was look at Abrielle, who cast him in the same light as men such as Thurstan and Colbert, men who had no honor. He felt anger, nay rage, rising up within him.

One of the knights spoke up. "And the only proof we have that Thurstan is the culprit comes from a Scot." Heads nodded and voices murmured. Raven clenched his fists, but before he could speak in defense of his father, Vachel said, "Enough! Laird Cedric is a valued man in his country. He and his son are both spoken of highly by our own King Henry. I will not hear another slur against a valued guest in my stepdaughter's home." Mere moments later, Vachel approached Raven. "We need to speak in private."

Raven glanced at Abrielle and found her looking at him with true worry. Her expression briefly changed into one of bitterness, but she looked away and did not look back. Raven followed Vachel to the man's private solar. When they were alone within, Vachel paced, as if he didn't know where to begin. At last, he said, "You have presented me with a grave dilemma, Raven Seabern."

"I did not mean ta," Raven answered, hands clasped behind his back. "I but wanted ta see your daughter ta safety. Circumstances conspired ta keep me alone with her."

"And circumstances conspired to have her sleeping in your embrace?" Vachel said dourly.

"Ye have my word that I only thought I was keeping her warm. I did not attempt ta touch her in any other way."

Vachel knew the Scotsman to be a proud and noble warrior, a man who'd earned the confidence of kings. It was dangerous to question the honor of such a man. He decided not to do so and said quietly, "You know you'll have to marry the girl."

Raven stood before Vachel and nodded. "Ye know I will. I'll see your daughter protected from Thurstan and his brigands. Keep her property and possessions hers by right alone."

Vachel gaped at him, wondering about the depths to the man that Abrielle would soon be linked to. "You want none of it for yourself?"

"Be assured, I dinna need nor covet any of what she inherited," Raven replied without hesitation. "Had she come ta me in beggar's rags, I would've wanted her just the same. Were she ta give her consent, I'd take her ta me home in Scotland, where she'd be safe, but I wouldna want ye ta have ta endure her absence until the shock of her being taken has eased. As for her riches, 'tis hers ta do with as she pleases. I only have one request."

Vachel narrowed his eyes. "Go on."

"That ye dinna tell her about this agreement between us."

"You don't want her to know that you've refused her dowry?" Vachel thought he could not be any more surprised, but Raven Seabern was an enigma.

"I don't expect ye ta lie, but if it doesna come up, then nay, tell her not. She believes I only want her wealth, instead of the woman that she is. I want her ta come ta know for herself the kind of man I am and ta trust in me."

Vachel took a deep breath and then held out his hand. "You've eased my mind, Raven." They shook hands. "I cannot guarantee that Abrielle won't hold this marriage against you for a long time."

Raven spoke firmly. "I trust I will win her over."

"If any man can prove himself to her, you can. You have my blessing. But as for the blessing of her mother…"

With a grim smile, Raven said, "Lady Elspeth will be just as difficult ta win over as her daughter. But I intend ta succeed."