Telepathy of Hearts (16 page)

“Matheus, where ye gone?
” The Earl
's words fell
up
on deaf ears
,
for Matheus had left the hall already. Making his way through the slapping backs and voices of congratulations. Matheus sought just one
person. He was a hunting man, and t
he thrill of the chase excited him. Relishing the sight of his quarry cornered, a good chase made the kill so much sweeter.

He knew it about himself. The reason she stirred him so was her reluctance, her oh so casual disregard f
or his affection. She bewitched,
not because she cast any spell. It was her
—
she
was the magic, a
n alchemy of her exquisite beauty and her keen wit.

A wick
ed grin broke across his face, f
or he had trailed his prey and now he would trap her. Hands tight on her waist, he grasped her spinning her to him. Greeting her with an enormous, full-
tooth smile.

Eleanor, initially winded a little, looked back at him with an expression of shock.

Their gazes locked. Goody interrupted their affection, an element of panic about her voice as she noticed the spark.
“Unhand her, my Lord. She may be signed for, but you must await God
's word before ye can couple with her.
”

He let go of his grip on Eleanor. Knowing her jailor to be as fierce as Gelert, Matheus turned his attenti
ons to her, bowing at the nurse
maid. Matheus intended to flirt his way into her affection.

A bone for the dog to chew on should see my passage safely.

Broadening his smile and raising his brow, he took Goody
's hand, kissing her knuckles and speaking sweetly as he soothed her.
“Forgive my passions, dear lady. I am in your debt
,
for you protect my intended
's virtue with great vigour.
Please
,
pray let me speak with her? I wish to tell my betrothed something.
”

Goody blushed a little. Her round cheeks turned rosy and her lips reddened.

Eleanor let out a
giggle, w
hich was met by a Matheus
tapping a finger to his lips, instructing her restraint and m
outhing
,
don
't laugh
.
And
then he
wink
ed
.

Straighten
ing
her skirts and
looking a
little undone by the attentions of such a man
,
Goody responded.
“Make it quick
,
and
mind, no touching
.
” She wagged her finger at Matheus.

Unable to hold her humour any longer Eleanor was laughing on the stairs behind him.
Matheus was seducing her nurse
maid, who lashed him with her tongue. Goody was
a
little over four f
ee
t
tall,
and Matheus
was
well over six
-
foot.
Goody was as
round
as she was
tall,
and her chins wobbled on her enormous breasts as she berated him.

Nodding in agreement with the nursemaid
's instruction, and turning to catch Eleanor
's
attention
, he
grinned
at her. Taking his instruction from the
“poison dwarf
” he strained to keep his face free of humour and his attentions focused
as Goody
continue
d
her chastisement
as
she la
id
out her conditions as
to
her Lady
's chaperoning.
“You were mighty unseemly, my Lord, carrying my Lady over your shoulder like she was common. She is wil
l
ful. But she knows not the ways of men. I was mighty grieved at you, my Lord. But now you are sorry.
You are
sorry
, are you not
?
”

Matheus
nodded
his head when she wanted his no and nodded enthusiastically when she required his agreement.

“Goo
d. Two minutes then, my Lord
…
two minutes
.
”
She wagged a fat finger at him.

Matheus leapt over the stair rails. Eleanor stood three steps up from him. Taking her hands in his he dropped to his knee.
“I find myself at your feet, my Lady. Never given the opportunity to ask for your hand, perhaps this will suffice?
”

Eleanor blushed. She could hardly contain the grin pressing her lips. Her eyes told him everything he needed to know as they glittered with anticipation.

“Marry me
,
Eleanor, not for fear of beating nor to please the King. But to please yourself. For as God
's my witness, I could not let you go to your chambers
until I told you Eleanor
…wife
…i
t
's your haughty heart, that
's what I love the most about you.
”

She touched her chest, and Matheus knew she felt for the outline of her heart

See Eleanor. I told you there
is
telepathy of hearts.

As she climbed the stairs he shouted after her,
“Oh
,
and my Lady
…you ride with me or Godwin on the morrow.
Can
't have you getting lost.
”

C
limbing the stairs, El
eanor turned to look at Matheus
o
ne last time before she took the corner. Glances were exchanged and silent goodnights were given.

The lock of troublesome hair fell forward, stuck onto her moistened lips. She raised her hand to brush it away, and her heart quickened
as she reflected
on the touch of his fingers when he had smoothed it away. Quite caught up in her sensual reflections
,
she walked straight into Godwin.

“My Lady, are you quite well?
” he asked.

Before she could reply Goody jumped in.
“
'Tis your Lord comes fli
rting and flattering and well
…n
ot right
…not a half a day since past he had my Lady upon his back like a sack of corn. Then I say he is dropping to one knee telling her
—well talking sweet and all
.
'
T
is not right
.
”

Eleanor placed her hand on Goody
's arm quietening her raging.
“Good eve, Godwin. Why are you not making merry with the men? Are you to be stationed as my gaoler forever? Surely
,
I can be trusted in my own home this last night?
”

“My Lady
,
'tis simple. I serve my master. I protect his interests.
” A grin crept over Godwin
's face. One brow rose in jest.
“He is mighty interested in you, my Lady, so I will keep my station.
”

Jumping back a little, Godwin had an expression of genuine angst as Goody chided him.
“
'Tis not right
—
a
man, I say
,
a man,
outside my Mistress
' chambers, i
n her own house
—
'tis not right.
” Muttering, she ushered Eleanor in
and followed behind her as she
kept the goliath that was Godwin Roebucks outside with
only
a stare. Grunting loudly, she slammed the door
to Eleanor
's quarters shut in Godwin
's face
.

The
se
were chambers Eleanor knew well. The scent of lavender, as always, hung heady in the air. Her bed was made ready to welcome her for one last night. She trailed her fingertips lazily over the trunks that were packed ready for the next day
's journey.

All my worldly goods.

Goody talked but Eleanor wasn
't able to listen. Words, sounds made no sense. Her mind was restless, caught up in the confusion
Matheus
had thrust upon her. His scent, the masculine essence of horse and man, was all musk and redolent of leather. How had his touch felt upon her skin? The callouses of his sword hand as it swept her face? He was in her head as he
'd said he
'd be
, even
if she would not let
him
in
to
her heart.

Goody asked,
“What
bothers you,
child?
”

“Nothing, he
… It
's nothing.
” Her emotions were tidal estuaries, for there was an ebb and flow to the waves that washed over her shores. Eleanor could not free herself from their current. The waves were relentless and battered her both in body and mind. She found no rest in sleep. Her body twitched as her mind went through his words.

I have patience too. I do. He says I
'm petulant. That I have no patience and my heart is haughty. I need the lakes. I cannot think. What is it with this
man
…this bull beast
.

Glowing amber, the full moon lit up the chamber. As always it was an invitation to Eleanor. It was in her blood to bathe in it.

Slipping from her sheets, Eleanor
stepped into her shoes and grabbed her hooded cape to cover her thin nightdress, next to nothing against the night
's chill.

Treading
lightly across the room
, s
he put her ear to the door.
Snoring, good. Godwin sleeps.