In the Kingdom's Name (Guardian of Scotland Book 2) (20 page)

A cry caught in his throat.

As she arched up, William took her breast into his mouth as his seed burst forth in concert with her shuddering flesh.

Taking in deep gasps, Eva held herself above him. “Did I hurt you?” she asked breathlessly.

William couldn’t help but laugh, and by God, it felt good to do so. “Och, lassie, ye couldna hurt me if ye tried.”

“Oh?” She cringed. “You might be a bit stiff when you try to sit up. Aside from the gash on your side, your horse spooked when a herd of deer darted out of here last night.”

“Truth? The big fella spooked?”

“Yes.” She nodded. Good Lord, she was too damned beautiful. “And while you fell on your back I crashed on top of you—could hardly believe you survived an Eva ‘dive bomb’.”

He laughed out loud. Mother Mary, it felt good. “Och, ye make me smile on the inside.” How could he ache with his woman in his arms?
Finally
. Still, William moved his shoulders. Aye, he was sore, but he’d been hurting for years. What were a few more aches and pains to add to it?

Her face grew suddenly serious as she cupped his cheek in her palm. “Oh how I love you, William.” The angel had spoken.

He closed his eyes and let her words seep into his soul.

It was amazing how rekindling their love affair had a way of shedding all of Eva’s anxiety. Eight years ago she’d been able to compartmentalize her fears and focus on the now. Thank God she’d rediscovered how to do that. If she’d known all she had to do was love him the way she’d done before, the way she’d longed to do ever since returning, she might have given in—gone with it rather than letting her mind run the gamut.

This had to be the most glorious week of her life. Spent alone with William, the dirt and cold hardly bothered her. And a week away from his men with nothing on his mind except snaring a rabbit here and there eased his troubles like nothing else. His tension calmed further when she massaged his shoulders and more so when they made glorious love.

If only they could hide there forever.

But Eva didn’t compartmentalize her thoughts so much to be a fool.

William came in from saddling the horse. “’Tis time to ride to Fail.”

“The monastery?” she asked.

“Aye. I’ll leave a message with the abbot for my men—tell them were to find us.”

Us
—she liked that he included her. “And where will that be?”

“I’ve decided to have a word with Lord Bruce—as ye suggested.”

“So, after Fail we’re heading to Galloway?”

“Torwood.”

Her spine straightened. “Why Torwood?” Oh, how exciting. She’d be able to see the castle as it was when the first tower was built.

“Sir Alasdair is an ally for one—it will be neutral ground for our meeting. Not to mention, he commands a fleet of galleys.”

She rolled her hand through the air. “Aaand you’re then planning on sailing somewhere after you talk to the Earl of Carrick?”

“Not certain yet.” His shoulders hunched. “Your Orkney idea has merit.”

Oh yes, yes, yes, if only it could be true. And Eva’s heart filled with too much excitement for it not to be. “It is colder up there.”

“Aye. ’Twill turn a man into a warrior. Besides, we’re heading into spring.”

She cringed. Time could stop marching ahead right now as far as she was concerned.

But march ahead they must.

The trip to Fail took far longer than she expected because they couldn’t ride on the main roads—which were more like tracks with two ruts carved by wagon wheels. The byways were not much more than game trails, winding their way through, up, and around Ayrshire’s rolling hills, which were a great deal more forested in medieval times than modern.

At the monastery, William made quick work dispatching his missive for Robert Bruce and leaving word for his men. The abbot had said John Blair stopped by two days past and left word he’d return soon.

They then headed north to Torwood. The going was slow at best, but Eva didn’t mind. Riding double with William, the warmth of his body protecting her back felt heavenly. She hardly noticed the ache in her thighs from hours in an unaccustomed saddle.

After a cold night camping in a cave, it was a foggy morning when they approached the big castle. Good Lord, she expected it to be different but not this much so. Yes, the ruins she’d helped to restore had dated back to the fifteenth century, but the original fortification had been constructed in the twelfth. Made of stone, the donjon rose above the barmkin wall. She’d misjudged the height of the curtain wall—it had to be closer to fifty feet than thirty. The foreground of the fortress buzzed with activity. The clang of the blacksmith’s shack rang above lowing cattle, crowing roosters and a bevy of merchants selling their wares under flapping canvas tents.

William slipped his hood low over his forehead and crouched above Eva, enveloping her in his arms. “Hunch down so we dunna look so large.”

Neither one of them was small—or even average. She tried to play along, but trying to shrink could make them even more conspicuous to anyone who might really be looking.

“I thought Forrester was an ally?” she asked. Regarding his dark stare beneath the wool made her flinch. The man could appear as menacing as the devil when he wanted.

A guard stopped them at the gate. William pulled the medal of the Guardian from beneath his surcoat. The guard glanced up with a stunned expression. “Ye’ve business with Lord Forrester Sir Wal—?”

“Indeed,” William cut him off. “And speak of this to no one.”

The guard looked both ways, then leaned in. “Will there be another rising? ‘Cause if there is, I’ll take up my sword beside ye, sir.”

“’Tis what I like to hear. I could use ten thousand men like ye, soldier.”

“Scotland until Judgement,” the guard growled under his breath.

“Can ye spirit us inside?” asked William.

“Och aye.” The man latched on to their horse’s bridle. “Come.”

He led them beneath the iron spikes of the portcullis and after tying William’s mount, they hastened into the great hall.

“I’ll tell his lordship ye have arrived.”

William bowed. “My thanks.”

Turning to Eva, he gestured to a bench, but she walked into the middle of the hall, taking in every inch. The exposed beams supporting the ceiling were very similar to those that had been restored. But so much was different. Fine tapestries lined the walls depicting pastoral scenes of men and women tilling the fields with horses and oxen. She passed her fingers over the top of a table, roughhewn, made of solid, thick wood.

All the tables and benches were well worn—used by the soldiers and common folk who supported his lordship, no doubt.

“Is it much like the castle ye worked to restore?” William asked from behind.

“Similar,” she whispered in awe.

Eva looked to the dais—where she’d received an award only a few weeks ago. She’d got the placement right but this dais was so much more authentic. Who knew how many renovations had taken place in seven hundred years? High-backed chairs surrounded the oblong table, covered with a burgundy damask woven with gold thread. Along the far end, a sideboard displayed ornate silver goblets and plates—a testament to his lordship’s wealth.

The guard returned with a woman dressed in servant’s garb—a blue gown and white linen apron. She stared at William with wide eyes as the soldier gestured toward the stairwell. “Sir Forrester is waiting in his solar. Tara will show the lady—um…”

“Eva.”

The guard cleared his throat. “Lady Eva to her chamber.”

Eva’s knees could have given out. After sleeping in a cave or a decaying shieling since her arrival, a chamber sounded like pure luxury.

William grasped her shoulder. “I shall see ye anon.”

She curtseyed, then looked to Tara. “Thank you so much.”

The lass regarded her, arching her eyebrows. “Where do ye hail from? I dunna recall hearing a burr such as yours afore.”

Eva almost laughed. Goodness, she’d need to be more careful now they were surrounded by strangers. “My father took me on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.”

“Oh my heavens.” The chambermaid patted her chest, then led Eva to the stairwell. “Is that where ye met Sir William?”

Eva loved that he’d been knighted. It made absolutely no difference when they were alone together, but when around others, the title commanded the respect he deserved. “No.” She gave the lass a wink. “’Twas even more romantic than that.”

“Ahhh,” Tara sighed. “Ye dunna say? Would ye mind telling a simple lass your tale?”

“Tell you what. If you’ll arrange a bath for me, I’ll relay every last detail.” Auld Scots rolled off Eva’s tongue while she followed Tara up the winding stairs, chuckling all the way. She’d never forget how William rescued her from a battle with the English at Fail Monastery.

They exited on the fifth landing. A sense of recognition prickled the back of Eva’s neck as they walked through the narrow passageway. When Tara opened the door and gestured inside, Eva snapped a hand over her mouth.

It was
her
chamber—the bed with a red canopy—the round table with two chairs—the hearth—the narrow window. The likeness was eerily similar—too familiar. Would she time travel soon?

Oddly, she didn’t want to go right now.

“Is something amiss, m’lady?”

“Ah, no, nothing at all,” Eva said, stepping inside.

“Is there anything I can fetch for ye?”

“Just the bath.” Eva looked down at her dirt encrusted kirtle. “You wouldn’t suppose there’d be a spare dressing gown about?”

The lass curtseyed. “I’m certain her ladyship will have something to suit. ’Tisn’t often we have visitors as important as ye and Sir William, m’lady.”

Eva dipped her head respectfully and held her breath until the door closed behind the chambermaid. As quickly as she could, Eva fished in her satchel and pulled out her smartphone.

I must snap some photos of this!

***

Eva sat in a plush dressing gown belted around her waist while Tara gently brushed her wet hair. She’d sighed about a gazillion times since dousing herself in the wooden tub of warm water infused with lilac oil. Enjoying the luxury, she’d soaked until the water turned cold. Medieval baths might be few and far between, but a girl sure did appreciate one when she had it, especially in a beautiful bedchamber that felt so much like home.

“I wish I had thick ginger tresses like yours,” said Tara.

“Mm?” Eva eyed the lass. Pretty, she couldn’t be older than seventeen. “Aye? But ye have lovely eyes—the color of the sky.”

A rap came at the door.

Tara set the brush on the table. “A moment.”

Watching, Eva smoothed her hands over the soft wool of her robe. Oh yes, if she had been born in the Middle Ages, she would have had to be an aristocrat. Being pampered was far more enjoyable than starving and freezing in a broken down, old shed, or in a cave for that matter. She didn’t abhor hard work, but when given an option…

“I need an audience with Miss Eva,” William’s voice echoed from the passageway.

Tara glanced back and cringed. “Apologies, but my lady is not dressed to receive callers.”

Eva stood and tightened the belt on her dressing gown. “I’m covered. ’Tis all right.”

Wearing a pair of clean leather breeks and a linen shirt, William bowed to the chambermaid who was dwarfed by his immense height. “If ye’ll please leave us, miss.”

The lass turned scarlet as she dipped into a curtsey. “Verra well, sir.”

Once the door closed, he cross the floor and wrapped Eva in his brawny arms. She took in a deep inhale—mm—spicy male and rose oil soap. Quite a provocative combination. “You had a bath.”

“Aye.” He twirled a lock of her damp hair around his finger. “As did ye.”

“It felt wonderful.” She reached up and stroked her fingers over his neatly cropped beard, cut close enough to accent the bold line of his jaw. “How did your meeting with Lord Forrester go?”

“Verra well. He’s agreed to host the meeting with Lord Bruce.”

“Fantastic news.”

William kissed her forehead, then took her hand and led her toward the hearth. “Is your chamber to your liking?”

Eva again chuckled and spread her arms wide. “I must say, this is much preferable to the decrepit shieling we camped in.”

He faced the fire and wrung his hands—not to warm them, but as if he was nervous. “Or a cave,” he muttered.

“That, too.”

“Would ye prefer to live in a castle…ah…or with me?”

She chuckled. So that was what was bothering him? “Of course, I’d rather be where you are, William. The only reason I’ve returned is to be with you.”
That, I can say for certain
.

He splayed his fingers and rubbed his palms, staring into the fire. Perhaps there was more to his worries?

“Is something troubling you?”

“Ah…” He glanced at her with a pinch to his brow, then fished in the purse at his waist. Goodness, his hands were shaking. “I ken when ye were here last, ye wanted to live for the now.”

“True.” She tried to peer inside, but the pouch was too dark. “We agreed. I’m here on borrowed time and…” Lord, thinking of anything beyond tomorrow gave her the willies.

He removed his hand, then crossed his arms. Was he holding something in his fist? “What if I want more?” He looked at her with that determined stare—the one Eva had never been able to resist.

Clutching the dressing gown closed at her chest, she scooted back, shaking her head. She guessed what he was doing.
How can I stop him?
“N-n-n-no.”

His eyes grew darker than coal as he sauntered toward her. “Ye’ve said that afore.”

“Yes. I-I’m from another time. Who knows when I’ll be spirited to the future?” She backed into the bed’s footboard. “We could be separated again at any moment.”

“Is that what ye want, lass? To go home to be alone with nothing but your memories?”

“No.” She shook her head. “I mean yes.”

“I think not.” William grasped her hand and dipped down to one knee. She tried to tug her fingers away, but he gripped her just tight enough that she couldn’t pull away.

Oh God, no. No. No. No. No.