The Warrior's Innocent Captive
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Ella Matthews
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21
Chapter One
Candlelight flickered from sconces high up on the Great Hall’s walls. The press of people watching the various entertainments kept the temperature from plummeting on the cold winter’s evening.
Erik Ward stood still, his arms folded in front of his chest. In front of him, puppeteers performed a ribald comedy. Those around him laughed as something happened, but he missed the action. Opposite him, across the semi-circle of spectators, stood Linota Leofric. Her long, golden hair was tied back in an intricate braid and, unlike the other women around her, no ornament adorned the plait. The way she clapped her slender hands in delight at the sketch amused him far more than the comedy she was enjoying.
He wasn’t the only one to notice her. Every so often a man would try to catch her eye. One or two had even struck up a conversation, but after a moment or two she would politely turn away, her interest once more caught by the entertainment. If he were the sort of man who could pay court to her, he would have thought up an original idea to capture and hold her attention. As it was, he was content to watch her enjoy herself.
Erik moved slightly as a man stepped in close behind him, the stranger’s heavy wheezing too close for comfort.
Linota laughed out loud and Erik swallowed. He couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction; he was acting like the kitchen boy he’d once been, mesmerised by the prettiest girl in the fortress.
He’d been this way since he’d first caught a glimpse of Linota over a month ago. He was glad he and his liege, Jarin Ashdown, the Earl of Borwyn, were away from home. It would do no good to the fearsome reputation he’d spent years cultivating, if Borwyn’s men could see him mooning after a pretty young woman he’d not actually spoken to yet.
A heavy hand settled on his shoulder and he frowned. His notoriety normally preceded him and now that he and Borwyn had been guests at Ogmore’s fortress for so long, everyone should know that reputation was not an exaggeration. He wasn’t the sort of man you clapped on the shoulder. He was the man you stayed well clear of.
‘I have news of Mary,’ said a thick nasally voice below his left ear.
Ice flooded through Erik’s veins. No one had spoken to him of his younger sister in years. Even when she’d lived in the same fortress as him, he’d worked hard to keep her hidden. After she’d left he’d searched for her, but he’d found no sign. It was as if she had been wiped out of existence.
‘Meet me by the stables,’ the voice commanded.
The hand disappeared from his shoulder. Erik whipped round to see who had been talking to him, but whoever it was had already melted into the crowds of people milling around the puppeteers.
He took one last look at Linota Leofric and glared at a pimply man who stepped near her. The man paled and reared back as if he’d been punched. Erik nodded, pleased his reputation had produced some results tonight.
The night was cloudless and a sharp wind bit through Erik’s clothes as he kept to the shadows thrown by the towering walls of the keep. Laughter from a nearby group of guards had him flattening himself against the rough stone and he laughed to himself as he straightened. He was doing nothing wrong, so why was he acting like a criminal?
He would meet with this stranger, who would probably try to feed him some nonsense in return for Erik using his influence with Borwyn. Erik could dismiss the man and get back to the festivities...and to watching Linota.
He shook his head; he wasn’t watching her, he was protecting her. Little did she know that a large dowry had recently been added to her name, and her sister’s, by the hugely influential Earl of Ogmore. It made her an excellent choice of bride for Erik’s liege, Borwyn, and Erik always guarded Borwyn’s interests. Linota’s wide, blue eyes and gentle curves made this assignment pleasanter than most.
Only Erik and Jarin knew how much Jarin needed the money and connections marrying Linota would bring. If the thought made Erik want to drive a fist through somebody’s face, then he’d just have to ignore the sensation. If she didn’t become Borywn’s wife, she wouldn’t become Erik’s either. Linota was not a potential bride for a bastard-born steward, her huge dowry placing her so far out of his reach he might as well aim for the moon.
He came to a stop by the stables and waited. The wind whipped through his woollen clothes and he wished he’d had time to pull on his cloak, his tunic didn’t provide enough warmth. He rubbed his hands together as the cold cut to his bones. He’d give the stranger a little longer and then he was returning to the delights of the Hall.
A shuffling to his left made him turn his head. A short, rotund man stood in the darkness.
‘Well?’ said Erik.
‘Erik Ward,’ said the man softly.
Erik groaned. This stranger clearly had the drama of a stage player with this lurking about in the dark and demands for secret meetings. Erik didn’t want this encounter to last any longer than absolutely necessary. He had things to do. ‘You said you have news of my sister.’
‘I do.’
‘And what do you want in exchange for the news?’
‘Ah, straight to the heart of the matter. I like it that you are so ready to make an exchange.’ Erik rolled his eyes. He was ready for no such thing, but he’d wait until this character had revealed his plans before letting on. He let the man continue. ‘You’re right, I do want something in return, but for now we’ll settle for proof of my sincere intentions. Here, take this parcel. When you’ve had time to take a look at it I’ll be in touch.’
‘What’s in here?’ Erik took the proffered small package and tucked it into his belt. There was nothing the man could give him that would hold any interest.
‘You’ll see,’ said the stranger, who turned and disappeared down the way he had come.
Erik sighed and strolled away from the shadows.
This wasn’t the first time someone had tried to take advantage of his position and it wouldn’t be the last. This latest one certainly had a flare for drama, though.
Linota stepped away from the puppet show. It was vastly entertaining but there were so many things to see and who knew when she’d get the opportunity to do so again. She’d not seen anything like this celebration in the first eighteen years of her life.
In the corner of the Hall a juggler tossed batons of fire through the air, catching and throwing them effortlessly. She watched, mesmerised, until her attention was caught by the conversation happening next to her.
‘There he is again,’ hissed a woman. ‘What I wouldn’t give for an evening with that.’
‘I’d take a whole night. Look at the way his muscles move under his clothes. I hear he knows exactly how to please a woman. I imagine it would be hard and fast.’ The two women giggled.
Linota looked in the direction the women were staring. She was unsurprised when she saw it was Erik Ward who had caught their attention. The man was standing just inside the entrance to the Hall, rubbing his large hands together vigorously, as if he’d been outside for some time. But hadn’t she seen him watching the puppet show not that long ago? His tall, muscular frame was hard to miss as he towered over nearly everyone else in the Hall.
She’d felt his heavy gaze upon her more than once, but whenever she’d looked back at him he was frowning. She’d tried to dismiss it, but she couldn’t help the strange flare of awareness that shot through her every time she realised his eyes were on her.
She tugged at her tight braid and wished she’d had the confidence to tell her sister she wanted to wear something looser.
‘He’s coming over,’ said one of the women behind her.
Linota turned her attention back to the jugglers rather than watch Erik approach. She didn’t want him to know how fascinated she was about the way he moved. With his thick, muscular body he should be cumbersome, but he carried himself with the grace of a cat stalking its prey. While other women, including her older sister, Katherine, sighed about Erik’s liege, the Earl of Borwyn, Linota had watched his steward. Unlike Borwyn, Erik existed on the fringes, always watching, always an outsider. She’d never spoken to the man, but she had a feeling he was a bit like her, waiting for life to start happening, biding his time until he could break free.
‘Mistress Leofric.’ Linota jumped when a man standing next to her addressed her directly. She’d been so busy thinking about Erik Ward that she hadn’t seen anyone approach. ‘It is very good to see you and your sister out of your chambers. A beautiful little thing like you shouldn’t be hidden in the dark.’
The hairs on the back of Linota’s neck stood to attention at being called a ‘thing’, but Katherine had ingrained in her the need to be polite to everyone they met. The taint of treason had hung around their family like an unwanted stench for so long. Today their brother had married into the influential Ogmore family. The wedding and the celebration was the first time she and Katherine had left their chamber for this long in years. It was liberating and exciting, but Linota knew that it could all be over in an instant if she made the wrong move.
So she turned to smile politely at the speaker and then wished she hadn’t. The man’s thick lips were wet and there were flecks of food in his long beard. His gaze ran over her body and she shuddered.
Involuntarily, she stepped backwards and hit a wall. A wall that hadn’t been there a moment ago. She glanced upwards and realised she’d hit the solid muscle of Erik Ward’s chest.
‘Leave the lady alone, Mabon.’ Erik’s deep voice rumbled through her.
Mabon paled and didn’t wait to be told twice. He scuttled away, not even saying good evening as he departed quickly.
‘Thank you kindly, sir.’ She stepped away from him and turned to look up at him. Her gaze met his piercing blue eyes and her heart fluttered wildly in her chest.
‘It was no bother,’ he said, his eyes twinkling in the dim light of the room. ‘Mabon is a foolish little toad. I enjoyed putting him in his place.’ His lips curved into a half-smile and Linota couldn’t help but smile back.
‘I’m Erik Ward.’
‘I know.’
He raised an eyebrow and heat spread across her cheeks. She didn’t want him to think she had noticed him particularly, although she had. He was hard to miss. Most other men in the room were polished, but Erik was a little rough around the edges with his hair ruffled and worn long to his shoulders.
‘The Earl of Borwyn has caused quite a stir by coming to Ogmore,’ she floundered. ‘Even though I’ve been sequestered in my rooms it is hard to miss the excitement of his arrival along with his entourage.’
Erik’s lips quirked. ‘Thank you for putting me in my place.’
Linota felt herself become even hotter. She was not experienced with talking to men. Was this a flirtation? From the way those women were talking, Erik was experienced in a way she was not. Not one of the men who had approached this evening had caused her stomach to turn over in the way it was doing now. She was hooked on Erik’s piercing gaze and couldn’t turn her head away.
‘Um... I’m Linota Leofric,’ she said.
‘I know.’
She giggled; she couldn’t help herself. Erik Ward had a reputation of being the Earl of Borwyn’s muscle, the one who fought the Earl’s battles, and with his broad shoulders she didn’t doubt that the rumours were true. But now that she was talking to him she could see the tell-tale humour in his gaze which suggested there was more to him than just mindless thuggery.
‘Are you going to ask how I know?’ he asked.
She shrugged. ‘Everyone knows who I am. I’m the younger daughter of the infamous John Leofric, traitor to the Crown. One of the two daughters who hardly ever come out of their chambers because their mother has gone insane due to the upset of being thrown from our castle when I was only a young child. My brother is the one whose wedding celebrations we’re attending and, while not infamous, he is certainly well known due to the hideous scarring on his face. I would guess that there isn’t a single person in here who doesn’t know my name or my family history.’
Erik raised both eyebrows. ‘I wasn’t going to put it quite like that.’
‘Oh?’
‘I was going to say I know who you are because you are by far and away the most beautiful woman in the room.’
Linota’s breath caught in her throat and her lips fell open in shock.
She’d been told many times that she was pretty, but that was by her sister. To be told so by this hulking stranger was a very different experience. The strange swooping sensation in her stomach began to spread through her whole body, making her heart race faster and the fine hairs on her forearms stand to attention.
Erik’s gaze dropped to her open mouth and a look she didn’t understand crossed his face. The noise of the crowd dropped away as if it was only the two of them stood in the Great Hall.
For one long, heady moment she thought he was going to kiss her, but then he smiled and said, ‘But I’m sure you hear comments on how beautiful you are all the time. So tell me, are you enjoying the evening, Mistress Leofric?’
The sounds of the room rushed back in and Erik’s eyes twinkled with amusement, as if the intense moment had never happened. Perhaps it hadn’t. Maybe Erik went around telling all women they were beautiful.
Those women she’d overheard had been talking about spending the night with him and she wasn’t so naive that she didn’t know what that meant. It was best not to engage in a flirtation with this man. She couldn’t give him the impression she was fascinated with him, even if that was the truth. Her family were depending on her marrying well and dallying with a steward wasn’t a good idea. He wasn’t high enough in importance even if he did fill out his tunic well. It wouldn’t hurt to be polite though.
‘I love everything about the evening,’ she answered honestly.
‘Have you tried any of the entertainments yourself?’
‘No! I don’t think juggling fire is a good idea.’
He smiled, a large warm grin that lit up his face and made him appear younger. ‘I meant the skittles or the horseshoe throwing, the things put on for the guests to do rather than watch.’
The heat that had slowly been easing from her face flooded back. Of course he meant the games; she folded her hands into the fabric of her dress.
‘No, I’ve not tried the skittles. I’ve never played and haven’t the faintest idea what to do.’
‘Ah, it’s easy. Come on. Let’s have a game.’
‘Oh... I...’ She really should try to find her sister. Or, if she couldn’t, she should at least stay away from this man, but her body didn’t seem to be listening to her head and she followed his broad shoulders through the crowd. Groups separated to allow him to pass, but nobody stopped to talk to them, eyeing them, instead, with slight disdain. She was used to such disparaging looks being directed at her, but she couldn’t understand why they were aimed at Erik as well.
‘It’s simple,’ said Erik as he picked up a small wooden ball. ‘Throw this at the skittles over there and see how many you can knock over. The one who knocks over the most wins. I’ll go first.’
Linota clapped her hands in delight as Erik’s ball knocked down every last one of the skittles.
He grinned at her and made his way towards the fallen target. ‘I’ll set it up again and then you can have a go.’
He strode back and passed her the ball, his fingers brushing hers as he did so. Linota gasped at the shock of his touch, but he didn’t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. Her hand shook as she took her place. She tried to steady it as she lined the ball up, but her body betrayed her and the ball flew wide of the mark.
Erik smiled and handed her another ball without comment.
Her next three goes produced the same result. Her fourth attempt knocked down two skittles and she yelped in delight, clapping her hands with joy. Who would have thought that knocking things down could be so satisfying?
Erik grinned and bent down to pick up another ball. As he did so, a loose bundle of cloth fell from his belt. As it hit the floor the binding fell apart and a small object skittered towards her, coming to rest at her feet. She bent down and picked it up.
‘Oh, this is pretty. Where did you get it from?’ she said, admiring the miniature horse carved from wood. The detail was exquisite, making it look as if the animal was in fluid motion. A fine chain was threaded through a loop, making the object into a necklace, but it was the carving that held her attention. It was small, but so intricate. She tilted her hand to hold it up to the nearest candle, but before she could study it any more it was whisked from her fingers.
Linota inhaled sharply and looked across at Erik.
Gone was the laughing man of a few moments ago and in his place was the wild warrior she’d heard about. Erik’s lips were stretched thin, his jaw clamped tight. His eyes were flashing with an emotion she couldn’t read. His gaze snapped to hers and she took a step backwards, her fingers trembling.
Erik’s eyes were filled with rage and they looked straight through her. His thick muscled arms were tensed as if they were ready to tear someone apart.
She opened her mouth to say something and then faltered. The slight movement snapped him out of his trance and his eyes cleared.
‘I’m sorry, Mistress Leofric, I must go.’
He nodded briefly and then strode past her. She stood, watching him get swallowed up by the crowds, wondering what on earth had just happened. She touched her throat, her pulse beating wildly underneath her fingertips.
Already it felt as if the strange encounter hadn’t happened.
