Page 52

T he air was hot, and sweat trickled down Bronwyn’s back. She rode on horseback in front of Theobold, with his arms around her, holding her close. A part of her relished the intimacy. Another part of her was just happy to be alive.

They’d managed to find some horses from nearby stables and the men had paid handsomely, far too much for ordinary horses, but the grooms hadn’t asked questions or looked too closely.

Empress Maud and Sir Robert had taken the first horse and fled into the morning sunlight, leaving the rest to follow. They had flown like the wind, and it was all the others could do to catch up.

So now she rode, gripping the mare’s mane, which felt like strands of silk in her fingers.

The mare took a ground-eating pace and the wind rifled through her hair, pulling baby-fine hairs free from her thick, blonde braid.

The wind from the horses galloping whipped her face as Theobold expertly urged the mare on, the hooves striking the dirt road as they tried to catch up with the empress and her men.

The horses slowed as they passed through roads filled with people.

They were on the road again, this time back to Gloucester.

London had been a disaster. No one spoke of the calamity that had been the coronation.

Empress Maud began calling herself the Lady of the English, and no one dared oppose her.

She was in too foul a temper to be reasoned with.

And woe be it to any crockery or weapon that came too close.

Any plate, piece of armor or utensil was quickly thrown or smashed to pieces—such was Empress Maud’s fury.

They followed at a slower pace, now that they had gotten some distance away from London. With each step, Bronwyn relaxed slightly. She had felt a very real danger inside the abbey that she might die, and it had shaken her.

Theobold broke the silence. “Are you all right?”

“I think so. What will happen now?”

“She won’t be crowned queen, if that’s what you’re wondering,” he muttered in her ear.

Sir Robert called a halt, and they gathered together and dismounted, keeping close by.

“Bronwyn, you should know. I never… That is, I… never meant to hurt you,” Theobold said, helping her down from the mare, his hands on her hips.

She slid from the horse’s back and faced him.

She tried not to think about how warm and strong his hands were.

He had lifted her down as if she weighed nothing at all.

“Why did you get so close to me, then? It was the empress’s orders to get close to me, I understand that.

But I thought we were… friends at least. Did you really suspect I had something to do with all this? ”

“Not since the second or third day. As soon as you began asking questions about Lady Eleanor’s death and wouldn’t let it go, I knew you were innocent. A guilty person wouldn’t work so hard to find out the truth.”

She faced him, very conscious that his hands were still on her hips.

His hands dropped to his sides, but they stayed facing each other, barely a foot apart. His brown eyes sought hers.

She caught him gazing at her mouth, her lips, and swallowed. “If you thought I was innocent, then why did you stay? Didn’t you think I would find out I had been a suspect?”

“Maybe. I didn’t think that far ahead. I only did what my empress had asked me to do, but…” He ran a hand through his thick, black curls.

“And do you only do as your empress, or your master, asks, or do you ever think for yourself?” she asked, fire in her belly. She’d gotten sick of him taking orders and wished to see the man stand for himself, not because another had told him to.

His head shot up. He met her glare for glare. “Of course I have a mind of my own. I stayed close to you because I fancy you. Is that what you want to hear?”

Bronwyn snorted and walked past him. “So you felt a passing fancy. Lady Morwenna, should I ever speak to her again—unlikely, since she aided in my attempted murder—would tell me otherwise.”

“If I hadn’t been locked in a room, I never would have allowed that to happen.”

“Lady Morwenna stole the crown, was an accomplice in Lady Eleanor’s death, and stood by as Sir Bors tried to kill me. If Lady Alice hadn’t rescued me, I’d be dead.”

He swallowed. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. Rupert and I were locked away all night. I…… think it was Lady Susanna.”

She stared. “What?”

“It was a woman who locked us in. And I know Lady Morwenna’s build. Her movements. This was different.”

“But why? Why would Lady Susanna lock you both in a room overnight?”

“To prevent us from interfering with the crown and the coronation,” he said.

Bronwyn’s mouth opened a little. “My God. I never suspected her.”

“None of us did.”

Bronwyn let out a breath. Lady Susanna. Perhaps her secrecy in the plot was tied in with her secret lover, whoever that was. Someone higher up, and close to the empress. Who could it be? she wondered. If only she had looked closer at the young woman.

“Why do you refuse to think poorly of Lady Morwenna? I know she is your cousin, but I could have died,” Bronwyn said. “Do you love her?”

“No.”

“Are you two…?”

“No. But that’s not stopped her from trying.”

“Then why are you so loyal to a woman who doesn’t care who lives or dies? She liked Sir Bors, anyway.”

Theobold pressed his palm to his eyes. Was he relieved? “We are connected. Her family and mine. They arranged my living, brought me into a life and learning that I love, away from my family’s legacy.”

“Of death, you mean.”

“Yes. I don’t want to become a hangman like my father. Lady Morwenna’s family gave me a way out. But in return, I look after her when we are together. I owe her family everything. My life.”

“But what about what you want?”

He chuckled, and it was bitter. “We both serve the Crown, Bronwyn. You know as well as I do that we aren’t allowed to have our own wants or desires.”

“That sounds like a poor life, Theobold.” She reached out to him.

“It’s not all bad. I get to flirt with all the pretty kitchen maids I like.” He took her hand and raised it to his lips.

She started, eyes wide, as a warmth filled her from head to toe.

He held her hand as he lowered his lips to hers.

His touch was featherlight as her eyes closed.

It was a fleeting kiss, but when she opened her eyes, she felt a blush coming over her, and saw that she wasn’t alone.

His cheeks were rosy, his eyes dark. Then he stepped back.

“I have to go after her. Find her.”

“Who?” she asked, dazed. It had been a good kiss.

He grinned. “Lady Morwenna. Thief or would-be killer or not, she disappeared, and her family will be worried. I have to find her and make sure she’s all right.”

“What about the empress?” Bronwyn asked.

“She’ll be all right. She will understand.”

“What about… me?” she whispered. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest.

He squeezed her hand. “I don’t know how long I will be gone. May I have your favor?”

“My favor? What do you mean?” She bit her lip.

His gaze darted to her mouth. “A token of yours so I might think on it during the night and take comfort. Favors help keep men alive, you know. During jousting and battle.”

A gentle blush warmed her cheeks. “I have nothing. I am poor.”

“You are not. What about that kerchief you use to tie up your hair?”

She felt at her neck for the scarf. It smelled of rosemary. “This cheap thing?”

He laughed. “Yes.”

She unbound the scarf and gave it to him, feeling shy and awkward. It was sure to be sweaty, especially in the damp heat. Her blonde hair hung low on her back.

He tucked the kerchief away in his left sleeve. “See? Now I am protected.”

The words came to her tongue without her thinking. “Now you will come back.”

His eyes widened. “I will.”

“Good.”

He flashed her a smile and climbed atop the mare. “Mistress Baker.” He nudged the horse and took off at a gallop, the mare’s hooves a steady beat down the dirt road.

Lady Alice quickly came up to her. “Did I just see what I think I did? He kissed you. And you gave him your favor?”

“Um… yes?”

Lady Alice let out a noise. “Oh, how romantic. You’re not all cooking and breads, after all. Rupert, did you see that?”

Rupert joined them. “I saw Theobold leave. Sir Ranulf says he’s gone after Lady Morwenna.”

“Not that, silly. He kissed her. In front of everyone. And he has her favor.” Lady Alice gave a small, wistful sigh. Bronwyn grinned.

“Yes, well.” Rupert coughed and cleared his throat. “I still don’t trust him.” He had a stiff posture.

Bronwyn met Rupert’s eyes. She didn’t know what to think. She still liked Rupert plenty, but at the same time, Theobold had tugged at her heartstrings a moment ago, and she didn’t know what to think anymore.

“The empress will be so pleased. She loves a bit of court gossip. Just wait till I tell her this.” Lady Alice went in search of the empress, leaving them alone.

Bronwyn turned and watched Theobold disappear into the distance and did not see Rupert frown.

“Do you care for him?” Rupert asked.

“I’m not sure.”

“You don’t need to throw your lot in with his,” he said. “There are good men here. Men who would look after you.”

She snorted. “I have nothing, Rupert. No dowry. My family is gone. I have no friends, no money, barely a roof over my head, and I’ve just ridden out of London, where the people were throwing stones and I thought I might die. You think I’m really weighing my chances at romance right now?”

He grunted and scratched at the slight scraggly hairs on his chin. “I’m just saying, you’re not alone.”

“Oh, really? Because it sure feels that way.”

“You’re not.” He took her hand. It was warm. “You have me.”

A flash of cognition hit her, strong as lightning. He liked her. But as a friend, a sister, or something more? Her pulse quickened at the thought.

They stared at one another as Theobold’s mare’s hoofbeats faded into the distance.