The Lady of Fairhaven (38 page)

Aware of trouble, Luke reigned in Storm. The knight leaned over to grab at Buttercup’s bridle, but the mare reared up at the new assault before her. Her eyes rolled in confusion. Before her front hooves pounded back to the ground another nip of teeth rebuked her recent retaliation.

Buttercup’s hind legs convulsed in pain, and lurched off and away from the menace looming over her. Every muscle tensed her perfect form as she sped away from the manor at an easy angle through an open meadow. Hanging on to the mare’s mane, Gillian comforted the horse with calm words while pulling back hard on the reigns.

“
No! Gillian hang on, I’m coming for you,” Luke cried as he spurred Storm into action. The stallion welcomed the chance for open pursuit of the pretty mare and galloped full speed in pursuit.

In the confusion, Buttercup had a sizeable lead. It took only seconds for Luke and three other knights to take up the chase, but the palfrey was fast and determined to distance herself from danger.

In the distance, the family gathered outside the manor had spurred their horses into a run, adding aid to the chase. The full mounted guard protecting the nobles added their aid. In all fourteen horses and riders cut paths to intercept one frightened mare and her rider.

Luke’s heart nearly stopped when Buttercup approached a hedge dividing the meadow into sections. Buttercup cleared the obstacle and Gillian continued to clutch onto the saddle and her horse. Her body leaned forward over the mare’s neck.

Storm was easily closing the gap, but would he be able to stop the mare from her reckless course? The mare’s hooves kicked up soft mud from the field throwing clumps of the dark brown goo up into Storm’s face. The dark gray stallion was determined to catch the mare no matter the cost and his ears slicked back a bit more tightly and his head remained steady as he gained ever so slightly on the runaway.

Just as Storm inched up along side of the lathered mare, Buttercup’s foot caught on a branch hidden in the deep grass. The stallion lunged ahead as the mare tumbled forward. Her front knees buckled and she rolled to her side in the soft earth. Gillian vaulted through the air, clear of the saddle and the frightened beast.

Storm’s hooves dug straight into the mud as Luke reigned in the steed. As he spun around, he watched Gillian land with a thud on the ground. He heard the whoosh of air leave her lungs as she impacted. One steed with his knight bent low in following in close pursuit launched aloft into the air over the top of the downed woman before her skirt had time to settle slowly around her still form.

Gillian’s favorite sky blue gown, picked specifically to add self-confidence soaked in the cold brown ooze of a puddle. No sound or movement gave any indication of life. As Luke brought Storm along, he slid from his saddle in one fluid movement and dashed to Gillian.

Her motionless body enveloped with mud lay prone. Luke’s hands scooped her out of the sticky ooze. Her cheek and hair were encased with a thick film of the brown earth.

“
Gillian,” he bellowed in fear and pain. He felt for the pulse at her neck but found naught. His own hands shook, making them virtually useless for such a delicate task. The color that had drained from Gillian’s cheeks left her looking like death itself.

A stunned Buttercup finally stood and whinnied in dismay. Her eyes still rolled in their sockets as she surveyed the area looking for the stallion who had so indelicately attacked her. Her steady gait and loud protests briefly caught Luke’s attention. She seemed whole. At least that was something.

The contingent of relatives arrived and dismounted. Gillian remained unconscious. Within moments the silent scene had broken loose into a cacophony of advice.

“
How is she?” asked Alyssa. She had watched the entire scene unfold as if happening at nightmarish slow speed. A steady stream of tears slid down her cheeks.

“
I know naught,” Luke whispered. “She has not moved since she went down.”

With a convulsive jolt, Gillian bolted upward. A large painful gasp of air was drawn deep into her lungs. It was not enough. She continued to gasp, drawing air in, while her lungs would fail to find place for it. Tears popped out from the corner of her eyes and pain bolted through her chest. Every muscle tensed with her effort to remain alert.

Dazed eyes focused in vain on Luke’s gaze. The concern she thought she read in his eyes jolted her to the core. As she stared lovingly at her protector a peripheral movement caught Gillian’s attention and she soon realized Luke’s family surrounded her. Her trembling hand slid up to the bruised and swollen aching spot on her forehead, and then without warning, her eyes closed and the world faded to black. Luke’s arm caught her and held her tight against him as her body liquefied against him like melting ice.

Luke’s relations watched the interchange between this man and woman as if astonished by the intensity of their emotions for one another. Knowing smiles exchanged between the siblings and their spouses. Every ounce of attention and energy Luke possessed was focused on Gillian.

A moment later, Gillian resurfaced from the fog induced by her head injury. Once again she surveyed the crowd around her.

“
Oh Gillian, how are you?” Alyssa cried. She swiped at the tears that flowed copiously down her rosy cheeks. “Please say you are all right. I don’t think I could bear it if anything happened to you.”

The widow’s eyes widened in shock at Alyssa’s admission. Had she hear her correctly? Or was she still asleep and just imagining the words she wanted to hear? Her head felt fuzzy and out of focus.

“
Quite right my dear,” said Edward. “You have nearly frightened the life out of all of us.” Gillian listened to Edward and his words forced her eyes wide open with shock and surprise. “I believe we must put down that unruly beast for panicking like she did. It simply will not do to have a horse that takes matters into her own hands.” Sincerity was etched into the lines of concern on his face.

“
No!” Gillian screamed. Her effort sent a sharp pain through her head and once again she wilted against Luke’s chest. She clung desperately to his body searching for a secure handhold. “You must not harm Buttercup. She was not at fault.” Her eyes first searched Luke for understanding, immediately turned to examine Edward’s features for some compassion toward her situation, and then fluttered closed. “Please Luke. Promise me no one will hurt Buttercup,” she whispered into the hollow under his chin.

The warrior could do naught but comply. After all he had no ambition to disagree. “Do not trouble yourself over the mare. All will be well.” The knight replied. Gill’s body sagged against him.

“
It seems I have been the cause of too much trouble for your family. I shall be go away immediately and leave you all to settle your lives in peace and quiet,” Gillian murmured quietly. Foolishly she pushed up from the ground where she rested against Luke. But once again Luke was there to resist her effort and provide support when her brain was unable to maintain steadiness.

“
Oh bother,” came Edward’s jovial reply. “I had no idea that you abused your mount so abominably, Gillian. The idea that you would set yourself up like this rather makes me think that we should put you down.” A devious smile shared good-naturedly with his family drew chuckles from one and all.

Gillian gasped in surprise. Could he mean it?

“
My brother jests,” Luke said with reassuringly. “You are not to be blamed for anything. You are innocence itself. By God, Edward, I am half a mind to put you down for speaking so.”

“
Very well,” said Alyssa. “You may all sit around and speak nonsense. I for one, however, shall see that Gillian makes it back to the manor in one piece. You can clearly see that she is as weak as a newborn kitten.”

In an instant, Luke held Gillian close to his heart and strode over to Storm. Settling the lady astride in the saddle before him took some effort and the trip back to the manor was slow. Every step Storm took sent sharp pains coursing through the widow’s midsection. Her head throbbed to the rhythm of his gait. Every ounce of her strength was spent on staying awake and in the saddle. By the time the pair had reached the fortress, Gillian’s strength had dissolved away with the pain washing through her. She leaned into Luke’s rock solid body for support.

His strong arms gladly embraced her and held her securely against him. Carefully Luke extracted Gill from the saddle as soon as they arrived at the front door. Servants cleared a path for Luke as he raced upstairs with his love held tightly in his arms. Servants cleared a path to the master suite. Kicking the door open, Luke rushed inside and placed Gillian gently on the bed. The jostling and head injury had put her asleep once again.

A virtual army of assistants filled the room and some began applying balms and remedies while others awaited orders. Luke barked orders to each in his turn. He would have her needs met.

Family surrounded her, waiting for any word about her condition. Luke realized that her injuries were not life threatening, however, if he had it within his power to free her from the pain he would. As the healers worked on Gillian, Luke explained the events of the past fortnight. Always looking over his shoulder to check on her condition, he relayed the information and spoke of Gillian’s deepest concerns and his dearest desires.

Missives had been sent via courier explaining proposed plans, but the family had no idea of how any of the details would be played out. As he explained her unusual relationship with Phillip, Gillian regained consciousness.

A sleep potion finally released Gillian from the pain and she slid deep in sleep. It was the first true slumber she had in days. Fears had gripped her before, but now her mind was at peace. She slept for hours, but Luke never strayed far. He paced continuously until he finally sat and rested his head next to her. At last he fell asleep while holding her hand in his.

It was in the middle of the night when Gillian next moved. The candlelight cast dancing shapes against the walls. Luke stirred. In an instant he was up and inspecting Gill.

“
Welcome back,” Luke whispered.

“
Don’t let them give me any more sleeping potion. Please Luke,” Gillian begged. “I’m feeling well. Mayhap I am a bit sore from my fall, but I cannot sleep any more. Promise me.”

“
Rest easy, Gill,” Luke said. “I have my own ambitions for you, my dear and I want you awake.” Luke’s smile gleamed mischievously.

“
Luke, you must know that I should leave in the morning for the abbey. I fear what your family feels toward me, and certainly it will reflect unkindly on you in the future. I find myself wanting to run away once again. It seems that I have spent the past few months fleeing one thing or another, but I fear I am unable to saddle you with the scorn of your family and friends. I could not bear it.”

“
Gillian, you are not aware of how concerned they have been over your accident. Alyssa was nearly overwrought with worry. They have accepted you into the family, my love. They do not scorn you.”

In one move of his arm, Luke scooped Gillian to him. His face closed in and his mouth slanted hungrily over hers. A moan escaped and Luke swallowed it up in his searing kiss. Gillian pressed against him and Luke clutched her closer, savoring the soft curves pushed his chest. The pressure building within Luke as he held Gillian boiled furiously.

Luke clamped his mouth firmly over Gillian’s. His hands explored her precious shoulders and arms. The power she wielded over his self-control shocked him. He shook with desire.

Every ounce of control Luke had ever cultivated came to bear. He longed to kiss her sweet creamy flesh, but he reluctantly pushed away from Gill.

“
We will resume this tomorrow night, my love,” Luke said. He walked out of the room to protect her innocence. The last of his restraint was crumbling.

Mother Mary Katherine fingered Gillian’s bridal veil. The day was just as she had anticipated. Only moments remained before Gillian would promise herself before God. At last the peace she had longed for since her parents died was going to be gifted to her. Only her Aunt and Uncle were witnesses to the momentous event.

From this day forward she would need to try to restrain her will although clearly it would be a hard battle. She had been told she had always been far too impetuous for her own good. Before walking down the aisle to take her vows, Gillian reflected on her past and thought about her hopes for the future.

This was, after all, what she had always wanted. How could she be anything but happy? The chapel was so beautiful and she noticed the depiction of the last supper in the west window. The light sent shafts of colored light down onto the altar where the priest stood waiting.

Oddly she had spent so many days in the past few months physically weakened by some event other than her choosing. Now her knees quivered with the awesome responsibility she was now undertaking but seeing Luke waiting for her was enough to strengthen her body and her spirit.

He stood so tall and strong as if he were a solid rock to which she could attach for security. The outstretched hand he offered welcomed her to his side. His eyes bore into hers with a steady self-assured gaze. Even the smile she had watched bloom on his face for the past week remained in place.

Gillian’s smile had been etched into her features as well. Even as she stood by his side, pledging her love, she teased her groom with her smile. With the vows not even said, she was tempting his body with her rounded hip snuggling against his muscled thigh. They would, of course, stand together, holding hands, touching. A low groan slipped almost unnoticed from deep within his gut. The bishop studied the man who’s animal noise openly confessed his lust for his bride.