"Here m'lady. I wouldn't want you to get cold."
She looked dismayed when she saw him lay down on the ground nearby. Was she going to thwart his plans?
"But- what will you sleep on?"
He smiled at her in relief. She was concerned for his comfort, not that he lay so near.
"I'm a soldier. We are used to harsh conditions. My blanket is put to better use providing warmth to a gentle Lady such as yourself."
"You must take it Sir Geoffrey. Please do not do this on my account."
She frowned, trying to hand him his blanket but he shook his head. Finally she gave in and he smiled, seeing her cocooned in between the warm woolen blankets.
Geoffrey stared at the night sky and waited. After a while, the soft sounds of the forest swept over him. All was quiet, save for the occasional hoot of an owl. He curled on his side to stare at Isabel. She slept peacefully, her beauty taking him by surprise once again. Just as it did every time he looked upon her.
He wondered if it would be the same after many years together as man and wife...
Geoffrey's eyes opened with a snap. He must have dozed off. A warm hand was clasped in his. Isabel lay close to him again, though not touching. Somehow, their hands had found each other in the night. He smiled, squeezing her hand. Her face was nestled inside her cloak. Her eyes opened and she smiled at him.
But then she froze.
He frowned, unsure what he had done to displease her. As he opened his mouth to speak she shook her head slightly and leaned forward.
"Your sword."
He stared into her eyes, uncomprehending. And then he heard a twig snap. Someone was in the woods. She had heard them before he.
He nodded and reached behind him. He'd rolled away from his blade but it was still within reach. As his hand grasped the handle he rolled to a crouch and pressed a kiss onto Isabel's surprised lips.
Soft, blissful lips.
She blinked at him as he smiled.
"Stay close."
She nodded and he moved across the camp in a crouch, her hand still clasped in his. One by one he woke his knights and then his soldiers. Most of the men were dispatched to hiding places around the edge of camp while still others rolled into the blankets with their swords at the ready, feigning sleep.
He lifted Isabel into the fork of a tree trunk and took position below it. Richard and John surrounded the tree from the other side. No matter what came, she would be safe.
In the darkness, it looked as if the camp were still asleep.
Geoffrey's breathing was slow and measured. He was always calm before a battle. But with the woman he wished to marry at risk, the stakes were higher than ever before. He shuddered to think at what would happen to her if those men saw her face...
It wasn't long before their attackers made themselves known.
One by one they snuck into their camp. As the first one lifted his sword to attack, one of the hidden soldiers appeared from behind him, taking him out with barely a sound. The fallen attackers body slid to the ground and the fight commenced.
The harsh sounds of metal against metal rang through the clearing. Twas nearly impossible to tell friend from foe in the dark. Geoffrey took extra care in who he struck and what sort of deadly force he applied.
As a result it took him longer than usual to dispatch the men who he fought with. His skill was far superior to most other knights, let alone an ordinary man or even a soldier. All the same, this particular fight had it's own set of challenges.
He was distracted for one thing, constantly turning to check on Isabel's safety. For another, these men were sneaky and lacked honor. He sensed someone behind him and turned, sword at the ready.
Eyes he did not recognize sneered at him. He lifted his sword and brought it down against the man's blade. This one was more skillful than the rest, forcing Geoffrey concentrate. He pushed the man backward until his back was against the tree. He sliced the man's shoulder, causing him to drop his sword.
Geoffrey was contemplating taking the injured man prisoner when he saw him reach for the tree, grabbing Isabel's leg. He brought her tumbling out of the tree and held her fast, whipping out a short knife that he pressed against her throat.
The man grinned, his blackened teeth barely visible in the predawn light.
Geoffrey stared into Isabel's eyes, trying to send her an invisible message. She blinked. He knew she understood.
"Lower your weapon or I cut her."
The vile man spoke in the roughest of english, if it could be called that. Geoffrey's heart was pounding in his chest as he slowly lowered his blade to the ground. Just before he released the sword he looked at Isabel. She lurched to the right and out of the man's grasp. Geoffrey brought his sword up and speared the villain's gullet.
The next thing he knew he was holding Isabel in his arms. All around them his men were gathering themselves, assessing wounds, and finishing off any of the lingering attackers. But he only saw her.
They stared into each others eyes as he stroked her cheek.
"You're safe."
"Thanks to you."
"I should never have let him get that close."
"You protected me well Sir Geoffrey."
He inhaled sharply at the sweet expression in her eyes. The time for holding back was past.
"Aye. And I'll make sure you are safe for the rest of your days, may they be long."
He could see she understood his meaning and he smiled. Someone cleared their throat behind him and Geoffrey stepped away from Isabel. Richard and John stood there waiting for his attention.
"A few minor injuries. They were after our horses I suspect."
Richard shook his head ruefully.
"A rag tag group, but their numbers were great. Tis a miracle that you heard them. Things could have gone much worse for us."
"Thank the Lady Isabel. Twas her who alerted me."
John and Richard bowed to her.
"We thank ye lady."
"Aye!"
<><><><><>
Isabel smiled and nodded her head. Her heart was still racing, but not from the attack. From the promise in Geoffrey's eyes. From his words.
From his kiss.
The Knights were all being so courteous to her but there was more than that. She could tell that something had changed. They were treating as if she was his.
With all her heart she wished that it was so.
Isabel knew that Geoffrey intended to make her his wife.
He had never asked her about her dowry. He must not know that she was unmarriagable. Perhaps he didn't understand? Aye, she had the manners of a high born woman but in truth, she'd given all her wealth to the nunnery.
Her joy quickly turned to despair.
Would he be angry when he realized? He would change his mind about wedding her to be sure. But would she have to watch the warm look in his eyes change?
She could not bear it she realized.
She would not.
Instead, she would play along with his plans. Let him love her a little. And then she would leave.
That way he wouldn't have to reject her.
And she wouldn't have to see his love fade.
Eight
Twas late as Geoffrey guided his horse into the yard in front of the Red Coach Inn. Twas nothing fancy, but he didn't want Isabel out in the open again after what had happened the night before. He secured a chamber for her. The Innkeeper assumed she was his wife and offered to show them both to their room.
He started, but followed the man up the stairs. He would just be sure the room was secure. And that she would be comfortable. Then he would leave.
He would sleep outside with the men. Twas a good idea to keep an eye on their horses anyway. There were bandits about, as well he knew.
Geoffrey looked around the private room. Twas not overlarge but a merry fire crackled in the hearth and the soft bed looked inviting. He walked over to the window and looked out. Twould be impossible to access from below. Perhaps if someone was on the roof they could drop down, but not without making a ruckus. He determined to sleep below her window, just to be sure.
The Innkeeper closed the door behind him, leaving them alone.
He had not meant to stay so long. Twas dangerous to be alone with her. For both of them.
Geoffrey turned, staring at Isabel. Her hands were folded demurely and she was staring at him. Not with fear. With something else.
Curiosity, mayhap.
"Tis secure. You will be comfortable here."
She nodded, her cheeks bright pink, even in the firelight. He knew he had to leave, and quickly. Else he would end up doing something rash.
Like tossing her on the bed.
"I will bid you goodnight."
"Wait-"
He turned to stare at her hungrily. He hoped his fervor did not frighten her. He could not fight the urgent desire to pull her into his arms. And so he did.
His head swooped down, slanting back and forth against her lips. Her back arched, pressing her generous breasts against his chest. He moaned and urged her to part her lips. The moment she did, he delved inside, swirling his tongue against hers.
Geoffrey could not tell how much time passed as he kiss Isabel senseless. She kissed him back, filling him with wonder. At first she kissed him with a shy innocence. As time passed she began to kiss him with a fervor that matched his own.