Page 27 of When I Fall in Love (De Piaget #4)

N icholas left his chamber early the next morning, intent on first visiting the blacksmith to see how Jennifer’s sword was coming along, then moving on to the seamstresses to see if her gowns were finished. He had scarce walked three paces down the passageway, though, before he found his father’s page standing there.

“Aubrey,” he said with a smile. “What is it, lad?”

“Your father wishes to see you in his solar first thing, my lord,” Aubrey said with wide eyes. “Before you break your fast, he said.”

Nicholas put his hand on the lad’s shoulder. “Run on ahead, if you like, and bear the tidings that I follow hard on your heels. It will please him.”

“Aye, my lord!” the lad said happily and scampered off.

Nicholas considered a brief pause at Isabelle’s door, then dismissed the idea. He would humor his father, then bargain with his grandmother. One thing he was certain of: the day would not end without time alone with his lady. The fortnight was passing too quickly and he had wooing to accomplish.

He made his way to his father’s solar, knocked, then entered. Rhys was sitting behind his table, waiting. Nicholas shut the door behind him, walked across the chamber, and sat in the chair opposite his father.

“You summoned me?”

Rhys only looked at him for a ridiculously long time in silence, then lifted an eyebrow. “I spoke to Miles yesterday about your lady.”

“I’ll kill him,” Nicholas growled.

“He was particularly loath to reveal anything he might or might not have known about her,” Rhys said. “I have, however, seen what lies in my trunk. I can only assume that is her gear.”

Nicholas nodded.

“Is your lady of Jake’s ilk?”

There was no point in denying it. “Aye.”

“And you love her.”

Nicholas took a deep breath, then sighed. “Desperately.”

Rhys seemed to consider that for quite some time, then he leaned forward with his elbows on his table. “Where were you the day before yesterday?”

“Talking to Jake.” He paused, then cast caution to the wind. After all, his father knew much more about Jake’s past than he himself did. “Jennifer’s gate did not work for her. I thought it necessary to ask Jake the location of one that did.”

“What did she say when you told her that?”

Nicholas paused. He stood up and walked over to stare out of the window. He found himself incapable of meeting his father’s eyes. The subterfuge did not sit well with him; it wouldn’t sit well with his father, either.

Then again, Rhys had kept his own secrets over the years, so perhaps he had no room to judge.

“I haven’t told her,” Nicholas said, finally. “I don’t intend to tell her, either.”

Rhys made a noise of astonishment. “But why not?”

Nicholas turned around. “Because I don’t want her to know.”

“Son, that’s lying.”

“I’m not lying. I’m simply avoiding discussing the truth with her.”

“I see the difference,” Rhys said dryly.

“I’m avoiding discussing it for the moment,” Nicholas clarified. “I will. Later.”

“Later? When?”

“In a fortnight’s time.”

“Why a fortnight?”

Nicholas pursed his lips. “If you must know, I begged her for a fortnight in which no secrets were to be revealed because I hoped that if I wooed her thoroughly enough, she would fall in love with me and when I finally told her about Jake’s gate, she wouldn’t want to use it. Satisfied?”

Rhys bowed his head briefly. “I am sorry, Nicholas,” he said quietly, looking back up at him. “I should have known you had your reasons for secrecy. But what of your lady? She seems not opposed to you.”

Nicholas shrugged, but he felt anything but disinterested. “I do think she harbors some fond feelings for me. But what will happen when she realizes that she can go home—”

“And that you knew as much, but neglected to tell her.”

“Aye,” Nicholas said, nodding. “Now you see my dilemma.”

Rhys leaned back in his chair. “Aye, you have one, at that. You also have the complication of a keep full of beautifully garbed asps who would sooner stick a knife between your lady’s ribs than speak kindly to her. We must provide her with weapons of her own.”

Nicholas looked at his father in surprise. “You like her?”

“I like what I’ve seen of her,” Rhys said frankly. “I also assume you wouldn’t love her without reason.”

“Nay,” Nicholas said quietly, “I daresay I wouldn’t.”

“Then let us be about our strategy. There’s no hope of ridding my hall of those women Joanna brought, so we’ll simply have to arm your lady against their venom. She is stunning, but her looks won’t aid her. She’ll need proper clothing.”

“I’m having gowns made for her.”

“Are they finished?”

“I was going to check this morning to see. You should note, however, that the gown she is wearing is something I altered with my own two hands.”

“Saved her wearing her gear in my trunk, I suppose,” Rhys said. “Or Montgomery’s clothes.”

“Aye.”

Rhys drummed his fingers on his table. “She’ll need those new gowns, new shoes, and she’ll want to be properly coiffed. Your mother likes that sort of rot, you know, when we go to court. I imagine ’tis much like carrying a fine sword—which in your mother’s case is not exactly the safest thing to do.”

Nicholas smiled. “I suppose not.”

“Odd, isn’t it,” Rhys mused, “that Amanda seems to enjoy court so much.”

“Amanda is a hard-hearted wench,” Nicholas said affectionately, “and loves to ply her acid tongue on whomever she can. Accompanying Jake to court gives her opportunity to do so and feel as if she’s bettering the world at the same time.”

Rhys looked at him sharply. “Did you make your peace with her? About Jake?”

Nicholas gaped. “Have I no secrets at all?”

“You have a father who loves you enough to watch you closely. Do the same for your own sons. I assume you and Amanda see eye to eye now?”

“Aye,” Nicholas said quietly.

“Good. Now, in addition to garbing your lady properly, make sure you treat her as you should. Woo her where all can see.”

“I have been—”

“In plain sight,” Rhys interrupted. “Joanna will give you no peace else and you know how irritating that can be.”

“Very well,” Nicholas sighed. He rose. “I’ll go make certain her gowns have been finished. And I’ll see how her sword is coming.”

“You made her a sword?” He laughed. “You poor lad. What will you think of next?”

“I’m desperate for the pleasure of her company and I was willing to cross blades with her to have it.” He paused at the door and turned. “You should see her, Father. I have no idea what they teach those wenches in the Future, but she took out one of the lads yesterday with her bare hands.”

Rhys froze. “The lads yesterday?”

Nicholas cursed, then sighed. “Aye. A pair of lads accosted us near the shore. I think they were in Ledenham’s employ.”

“I think you should tell me everything.”

“Briefly.”

“Take what time you need.”

Nicholas sighed, returned to his chair, and told his father everything that had happened with Ledenham from the time Jennifer had arrived in the past. By the time he had finished, his father’s frown was very severe.

“He’ll have to be watched.”

“I was a fool yesterday,” Nicholas said. “In my defense, I hadn’t slept in a pair of days. I’d walked home the night before from Raventhorpe. That damned horse of yours threw me.”

“The Black?”

“Aye,” Nicholas said shortly.

Rhys lifted one eyebrow. “Want him?”

Nicholas smiled. “Of course.”

“He’s yours, though I wouldn’t take my lady on his back any time soon.”

“I won’t,” Nicholas said, rising. “I’m off to the blacksmith.”

“I imagine you are. Where are you training?”

“The tow—” Nicholas stopped short. He scowled. “Damn you.”

Rhys stretched with a smile. “I’ll fetch your lady and meet you there.”

“Father, a bit of peace,” Nicholas pleaded.

“In plain sight, son.”

Nicholas rolled his eyes and turned for the door. “Very well.”

“I’ll make sure your technique is as it should be.”

“No doubt,” Nicholas muttered and shut the door behind him. Well, if it was what he had to do to have the pleasure of Jennifer’s company, he would do it.

But the day would come ...

He sighed and made haste to the blacksmith’s.

An hour later, he was sitting in the northeast tower chamber with two swords and breakfast. Jennifer opened the door and he jumped to his feet.

Unfortunately, she was followed by his father, Robin, Miles, Montgomery, and John.

He glared at the men. “Is there enough room in here for all of you? I think not.”

Rhys tucked Jennifer’s hand in the crook of his arm. “Here’s something to look forward to: you may kiss her after you’ve worked.”

Nicholas looked at Jennifer. She was dressed in Montgomery’s clothes with her hair braided down her back, looking gloriously beautiful. It was all he could do not to haul her into his arms and never release her. He took a deep, steadying breath. “And what think you of this madness?”

She smiled. “I’m afraid I asked for it, didn’t I?”

“I hadn’t planned on so many chaperons.”

“It is a little intimidating,” she admitted.

“No reason to fear,” Robin said. “I’ll see to your training and be gentle. Trust me, though. By the time I’m finished with you, you’ll be able to best Nick handily.”

“All she has to do is walk into the chamber and she’s bested him,” Miles remarked.

“I don’t deny it,” Nicholas said fervently. He fetched her sword, then handed it to her. “Try this.”

She took it gingerly. “It’s beautiful. Where did you find it?”

“In the smithy,” he said. “Apparently, it was made for you.”

She looked up at him quickly. “You’re kidding.”

He shook his head with a small smile. “I’m not.”

“But, Nicholas,” she said, holding on to it gingerly, “it’s so beautiful.”

“I imagine ’tis also damned sharp,” Robin said, looking at it with interest. “And that is the part that is beautiful.”

Nicholas had to admit the sword was lovely. The hilt was worked with silver and gold with a lovely pattern of roses and trailing vines. And it was very sharp.

“It’s so light,” she said, drawing it from the sheath and holding it up.

“Then let us see what you can do with it,” Robin said. “Nick, have a seat and stay out of our way. Come, Jennifer, and let us begin.”

Nicholas balked, but his father gave him a hearty shove toward the empty bench. He shot his sire a glare, but sat down just the same. Miles, the twins, and his father joined him there. Nicholas watched as Robin stood side by side with Jennifer and showed her the rudiments of swordplay.

He readily admitted that she was a very, very quick study.

After several minutes of the most basic instruction, Robin looked at her in surprise. “Have you trained?”

She smiled faintly. “I must admit I have, but with very thin swords called rapiers, and only for use on the stage.” She paused and looked a little uncomfortable. “As an actor.”

“A jongleur?” Robin asked with interest. “Fascinating. Let us move on, then. Engage me.”

“I’ll help,” Miles said, leaping to his feet. He stood behind her and put his hands over hers. “Allow me to show you how ’tis done, sweet lady.”

Nicholas would have leaped to his feet as well, but his father shot out his arm and pinned him back against the wall.

“Don’t,” Rhys commanded.

“I’ll kill him.”

“Do it later.”

Nicholas growled, but remained seated.

He forced himself to concentrate’impassively on the work that was going on. He had to admit that Robin was a very good teacher. Jennifer was a very good student.

And Miles was going to be very dead come sunset.

His younger brother was obviously enjoying himself far too much. He was just too damned close to Jennifer, what with his arms around her and his hands clutching hers. After the third time Miles looked over his shoulder and winked at Nicholas, Nicholas rose to his feet. He looked at his father.

“Are you going to stop me?”

“Not this time,” Rhys said with a smile. “He deserves whatever you do to him.”

Nicholas took Miles by the nape of the neck and removed him from Jennifer’s person like a tick. He looked at his brother. “Make your peace with your Maker.”

“But I have so much to live for.”

“You should have thought of that earlier.”

Robin rested his sword on his shoulder. “I daresay we should think on something to eat. Lads, let Jennifer have first choice. Either that, or, Montgomery, you go fetch something else.”

“Why must I always do the fetching?” Montgomery grumbled.

“Because you were born last,” Robin said reasonably. “Complaining won’t change that, but running to the kitchens and back quickly will earn you an hour a day with me in the lists for the next fortnight.”

Montgomery bolted from the chamber.

Nicholas shoved Miles off the bench to make a place for Jennifer. She sat down and blew her hair out of her eyes. She smiled at him.

“Thank you for the sword,” she said softly. “I’ve never had anything so beautiful.”

“I pray you never need to use it,” he said seriously. “Or the knife that matches it.”

“Nicholas,” she said, looking stunned. “That was too generous.”

He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “A small thing.”

She looked at his sire. “Might I thank him, my lord?”

“Will I want to avert my eyes?” Rhys asked, his own eyes twinkling.

“That might be best.”

Rhys waved her on. “Just keep in mind, the boy needs to keep his wits about him if he’s to cross blades with you later this morning.”

“It will be just a small thank you, my lord.”

Nicholas steeled himself for a proper bit of gratitude. His father had it aright; too many of her kisses and he would be rendered useless for the rest of the day. He closed his eyes just the same, anticipating something quite wonderful.

He felt her kiss his cheek.

Robin burst out laughing.

Nicholas opened his eyes in surprise. Then he felt his eyes narrow. He removed Jennifer’s sword from her hands and handed it to his father. Then he pulled her to her feet and across the chamber. He drew her out into the passageway, then slammed the door shut. He looked down at her. “My lady?” he said, folding his arms across his chest.

She laughed up at him. “I was teasing you.”

“Aye, I noticed.”

She unfolded his arms and put them around her, then leaned up upon her toes and kissed him properly.

He wondered, after a moment or two, if he should have been satisfied with a peck on the cheek.

She sank back down on her heels and put her hands on his chest. “You do have to be steady on your feet.”

“I haven’t been steady on my feet since I first set eyes on you.”

“Haven’t you?” she asked wistfully.

“Nay.”

“Neither have I,” she whispered and went back into his arms.

Nicholas held her for several minutes in silence, then he sighed. “They’ll come fetch us if we linger,” he said. He took her hand and drew her inside the chamber. He scowled at his father. “Here she is, unmolested.”

“I never worried about that,” Rhys said mildly. “It is her reputation I worried about.”

“Well, that is unmolested as well.” He looked at Jennifer. “Lunch?”

“That would be lovely.”

Nicholas sat with her and the men in his family and couldn’t help but smile. It was truly more than he could have asked for.

Truly more than he deserved.

U nfortunately, though he thought he deserved the whole day with her, he only managed the morning and the morning didn’t last as long as he would have liked. He’d spent quite a bit of it facing his love over swords, though he would have preferred to have been kissing her.

Desperation drove men to mad deeds, apparently.

Rhys clapped his hands on his knees eventually. “ ’Tis time,” he said.

Nicholas looked over in surprise. “So soon?”

“There will be dancing tonight and your lady must prepare. Your mother and Anne are awaiting her in Isabelle’s chamber. You, however, may keep her sword.”

Nicholas sighed. “Very well.” He looked at Jennifer. “Until tonight, then, my lady.”

“Kiss,” Rhys said, waving him on.

Nicholas handed his sword to his father, handed Jennifer’s sword to Robin, then pulled her into his arms and kissed her with every desperate feeling he had in his soul. If he could have crawled inside her and kissed her soul, he would have.

By the time he released her, tears were streaming down her face.

Nicholas blinked in surprise. “Did I hurt you?”

“Of course not,” she said, clinging to him. “Damn you.”

Nicholas smoothed his hand over her hair. He looked at Robin to see his brother wearing a look of profound pity. He closed his eyes briefly, then kissed Jennifer’s hair.

“You deserve to be wooed in plain sight,” he said.

She pulled back and smiled. “Thank you.”

“Aye, I am a chivalrous soul, aren’t I?” he said heavily. “And today I’m damned for it.” He sighed and released her. “Father, she’s yours. Briefly,” he added. “And tell Grandmère that I plan on dancing with her all night.”

“Do you indeed?” a voice said imperiously from the door.

Nicholas looked to find his grandmother standing there, watching him with a neutral expression. She held out her hand and smiled at Jennifer.

“Come, love. We found a gown or two for you. You’d best try them on and see what suits.”

Jennifer squeezed his hand briefly, then went to throw herself into the talons of his grandmother the dragon. He watched Jennifer until the door was shut behind her, then he turned and looked at the men in his family. “Well?”

“Keep her,” Robin advised. “I like her.”

“So do I,” Montgomery said enthusiastically. “She puts me in the mind of Amanda, actually. Or perhaps Jake,” he said pointedly.

“No doubt,” Miles said dryly. He heaved himself to his feet and shoved Montgomery toward the door. He put his hand on Nicholas’s shoulder in passing. “I was teasing you this morning.”

“Prettily said,” Nicholas groused, “but it will not save you from my sword.”

Miles slapped him on the back. “See to me later, when your knees are a little steadier underneath you.”

“That will take time, no doubt,” John said, hopping up and making for the door. “What I want to know is when someone will love me enough to make me a sword so fine.”

“I shouldn’t wait that long, were I you,” Miles said, pulling him out the door with him. “Best see to it yourself.”

Nicholas listened to his younger brothers leave the chamber, then sat down on the bench with Robin on one side and his father on the other.

“You must tell her,” Rhys said quietly.

“I know,” Nicholas sighed.

“What did Jake tell you when you went to Raventhorpe?” Robin asked. “Oh, wait, I know. A great many things you should have listened to whilst you had the chance before.”

“You are a great horse’s arse,” Nicholas said distinctly.

Robin only laughed. “You should have asked Jake about the Future.”

“I did. And I only wanted to know one thing.”

“So did I,” Robin said. “And he obliged by telling me that I truly did go down in history as the greatest swordsman England ever knew.”

Nicholas snorted. “He flattered you because you gave him a blacksmith.”

“You’d like to believe that, wouldn’t you?” Robin grinned.

He sat back and shook his head. “I imagine there are many things we would be surprised to learn about the Future.”

Nicholas sighed. “It would be marvelous to see.”

“You’d want indoor plumbing.”

Rhys leaned in. “Indoor plumbing?”

“Water that runs when you turn a lever,” Robin said enthusiastically. “And then there is water in the garderobe that carries the cesspit contents away to somewhere where someone else does aught with them.”

“Marvelous,” Rhys sighed.

“I can see why a girl wouldn’t want to give it up,” Robin said lightly. He clapped Nicholas on the shoulder. “But you’re fairly attractive as well. You can build her something like to what she’s accustomed to. Or maybe you can just kiss her so often she forgets about indoor plumbing.” He rose and started toward the door. “It may be your only hope,” he threw over his shoulder.

Nicholas watched his brother leave the chamber. He bowed his head for several moments, then looked at his father.

“What do you think?”

“What I always think,” Rhys said mildly. “That my sons are worthy of the finest women and that not a man in existence is worthy of my daughters.” He paused and smiled. “With the exception of Jake Kilchurn, perhaps.”

“I like him,” Nicholas admitted. He looked at his father. “He didn’t smirk once.”

“My opinion of him only improves.”

Nicholas smiled, then sighed. “Perhaps I should go bathe.”

“Do it in the kitchen where you can be seen by all,” Rhys advised. “Best give those harlots downstairs a reason to feel that their journey here hasn’t been wasted.”

“Father!” Nicholas said with a half laugh.

“Damned hussies,” Rhys grumbled. “They’ve eaten through half my larder already. Wed this Jennifer of yours and retreat to your own hall before I’ve nothing left for the winter.”

Nicholas rose and collected his weapons. “I’ll do my best.”

“Nick?”

Nicholas stopped at the door to the tower chamber and looked back. “Aye?”

“You’re happy.”

It hadn’t been a question. “Very.”

“Then I wish you good fortune,” Rhys said quietly. “I daresay you’ll need it.”

Nicholas had no reply. He nodded and made for his chamber. He would leave his gear, then head for the kitchens. His sire had it aright. Perhaps if the six strumpets procured for his pleasure saw more of him than they wanted, they would run off in a fright.

Then again, knowing the women lying in wait for him, he suspected not. Well, at least he would be presentable that night and perhaps have a dance or two with his lady. It wasn’t enough, but it might be all he could have that day.

But tomorrow was another day entirely and he would arrange it to his liking.

His grandmother, and her asps, be damned.