Chapter Thirty 

What a dolt. James should be rescuing Melinda. She should not be rescuing him. He knew his pride was bruised. James stomped over to the large bonfire.

Someone handed him a mug of ale. Music started playing and people began to dance.

Melinda was dancing with John. James should be glad it didn't cost him any of his gold for his ransom. But he couldn't seem to get over the fact a mere woman had saved him.

He was thinking dark thoughts when she came over, out of breath.

"Will you dance with me?"

He started to grumble. She held up a hand.

"Get over yourself. I didn't pout when you saved me. And how dumb do you think I felt? I don't even know which way is north."

"I am a man. A warrior. A knight. It is my duty to rescue you," he said stiffly.

The wench had the cheek to roll her eyes at him.

"Do you think the damsel in distress likes being in distress?" She poked him in the chest. "No. She doesn't. She feels like an idiot."

And that was all it took. His foul mood left on the wind and he smiled. With the light from the fire turning her hair to burnished copper, the curls looked alive. Her cheeks were pink from dancing. She was the most beautiful woman James had ever seen. He reached out, grabbed her around the waist, and pulled her close to him, kissing her senseless. His unease vanished when her arms came around his neck and she kissed him back.

"I am in your debt. Do you still wish to dance, lady?"

She nodded and he pulled her into the ring of dancers. Here, he did not have to worry about his scars. And as the night turned to full dark, James felt like his old self. He laughed, danced, smiled, and kissed his woman. Repeatedly.

Melinda was his. He loved her with a passion that astonished him. He only prayed she would care enough for him to be willing to marry him. He didn't expect her to love him, not the way he looked. If she would but tolerate him, it would be enough.

The next morning, they were ready to leave.

"I will talk with John, buy your necklace back."

"No. He might make me give you back."

She kissed him on the cheek. And it seemed the magic from the night before was still among them.

"I have never been rescued by a woman before. You are as brave as any of my knights."

"I've never rescued anyone. It is a very powerful feeling."

He followed her gaze. John walked around the camp, wearing the necklace.

"I know Aunt Pittypat is looking down from heaven, giggling. The thought of an infamous outlaw wearing her necklace, believing it to have magical powers. She must be laughing her head off right now."

Renly appeared before him. "The horses are ready."

They said their goodbyes. John kissed Melinda on the cheek.

"'Twas a pleasure to meet you, lady."

She smiled up at the bandit.

"No offense, but I'm just as happy to be leaving."

John laughed, the sound ringing through the wood as they rode out.

James didn't know how he had forgotten to tell her. The kissing had distracted him.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you last night. The things John told me were difficult to hear. It seems I have been wrong my entire life."

Melinda turned in her saddle to look at him.

"What are you talking about?"

"William did not murder my family. I will tell you the tale, but you'll want to hear what else I learned." He hoped Melinda would not want to stay with her sister in Blackford. For he wanted to make her his own.

"Lady Blackford is Lucy Merriweather."

He didn't get to say another word. Melinda let out a yell. Raised her fist to the air and shook it.

"I can't believe I did it! I traveled through time to the right time and now I'll see Lucy."

She urged her horse close to his, leaned across the saddle, and tugged on his arm. He leaned toward her and she kissed him. James ignored the teasing and taunts from his men.

"Tell me everything."

As they rode, James told her what he learned from John Thornton. Told her how wrong he was about William. The lies he grew up believing. And how her sister was at Blackford.

"Are you going to talk to William? Do you think he'll listen?"

"I do not know. If it were me, I would fight first then talk."

One of Melinda's curls escaped from the ribbon where she'd tied her hair back. James wanted to reach out and take it between his hands. But he had endured enough teasing today from his men.

"If he is holding my sister against her will, I will run him through."

James smiled at her, feeling the laugh deep within his belly as it spilled forth.

"He would be wise to fear you, my lady. You are very ferocious."