If Not For The Knight, Debbie Boek [electronic reader TXT] 📗

his thick, soft hair. Regan moaned aloud then, as the onslaught of his kisses continued. She wished they could stay like this forever, but it was not to be. Calder quickly disentangled himself from her as they heard the men returning.

“You got him?” he asked, a little hoarsely, as they approached.

“Aye, Milord,” Draco replied, staring curiously at their flushed faces. "He'll do no more harm."

“Good. Have the men take the bodies back to the village. See if anyone knows who they were.”

Draco sat on his horse, leaning forward with a slight smile on his face and many questions in his eyes, as he stared down at Calder.

“I will be along momentarily. You can go ahead with the others,” Calder told him brusquely.

“I must go also, Milord,” Regan said quickly, realizing what might happen if she did not. She would surely burn in hell if she acted on the thoughts and desires that were threatening to overpower her.

“No,” Calder said sharply. “Skeet, take her buckets and refill them. See that they get to her cottage.”

“Yes, M'lord,” the young man called, grabbing the buckets and riding back toward the river.

“You men, get back to the village and find out who they were.” He nodded his head toward the bodies that lay over their horses' backs.

As the men rode off, Calder helped Regan onto his saddle and swung up behind her. “I will see you home. I want to be sure that you get there safely.”

In truth, he did not want her away from him so soon. He craved the feel of her against him, wanted to crush her lips with his own, wanted to feel himself inside of her again.

Calder knew that could not be, but at least he could hold her against him while they rode. It was not enough, but it would have to do.

Regan sat sidesaddle in front of him. She could not keep her body from reacting to his touch, as his arm brushed against her breast while he moved the reins to direct the horse. Keeping her eyes forward, she tried not to think about how comfortable and safe she felt nestled against his broad chest.

“Did all go well on your wedding day?” he asked.

She looked up at him in surprise. “As well as could be expected, Milord. After so many recent deaths, it was difficult to find joy in the occasion.”

“That's not what I meant,” he said, catching her gaze with his own.

She lowered her eyes. “As I said, Milord, all went as well as could be expected.”

Calder reined in his horse and lifted her chin. “Did he hurt you?” The coldness of his voice caused a shiver of fear to race down her spine.

“No, he did not.”

“But he knows?”

“He knew even before our wedding night, as Milord is well aware.” Chagrinned, Calder smiled down at her. Its brilliance was dazzling and Regan felt as if her heart stopped beating for a moment.

Slowly, she lifted her eyes to his. Passion flared in them, and she did not try to stop him as he lowered his lips to hers.

Her body molded itself to his and he felt the flames of desire ignite once more. His kisses became harder, more insistent as his hands roamed her soft curves. He wanted more from her, but knew he could not have it. Knew he should not even be allowing this much to happen, but could not stop himself.

He had no choice a few moments later. Alerio became restless and started to prance about, and Calder had to force his attention back to the horse so that they would not be unseated and dumped onto the ground.

His voice was low, and husky with restrained desire, as he spoke. “My brother will arrive within the week, and then I will be returning to London.”

She nodded and lowered her eyes, not wanting him to see the tears collecting in them.

“I think it would be best for you to avoid me as much as possible until then, and I you. You make me forget myself and where I am.”

He drew his finger slowly down the satiny skin of her face, feeling the tears that slipped down her cheeks. “It would be best for you. I fear I could cause much trouble between you and your husband, and that is not my intention.”

“I know,” she whispered tearfully. The thought of never seeing him again gripped her heart so tightly that she felt as if all of the blood were being squeezed from it, leaving her to die a slow, lonely death.

He ran his hand through her long, coppery tresses, knowing he would never have a chance to do so again. “May I have one more kiss, Milady?” he asked, feeling a heaviness in his own heart.

She did not answer, simply turned her face up to him, needing to feel his lips on hers one last time.

 

 

Aric arrived early the following week and, shortly thereafter, Calder and his men left the village. As Regan watched them depart, she was filled with a sadness so profound that she was not sure she would survive it.

Staring wistfully at Calder's broad back as he rode out of her life, Regan placed a trembling hand over her stomach.

“Please, Lord,” she prayed, “let me be with child. And let it be Calder's. Let me keep a piece of him with me always. For, right or wrong, he's taken my heart, and I do not know if I'll be able to endure the pain without at least a small part of him to hold onto.”

 

 

 

Chapter 4

 

London, England 1071

Calder saw King William nod to him and made his way among the throng of people to the monarch's side. Shouldering his way through, he tried not to show his frustration and impatience with them.

“Walk with me, Calder,” the King said, after his subject had executed a courtly bow.

They walked slowly toward the veranda, where they could breathe in some fresh air and be alone without the curious stares of the crowd.

Calder had recently returned to London after putting down a revolt led by Hereward The Wake. There had been many such rebellions since William was crowned as the rightful King of England that Christmas Day in 1066, and all had been successfully quashed.

“It went well?” the King asked. “I understand that your success was due in part to some monks?”

“Yes,” Calder replied with a slight smile. “The monks from Ely showed us a secret route to the rebels’ hideout, which enabled us to crush them sooner than we had anticipated.”

“So, we weren't the only ones that wanted Hereward stopped,” the King replied thoughtfully.

“Apparently not,” Calder agreed. “We did lose a few men, but the battle was over quickly. I believe we have most of the countryside under control now and don't foresee any more problems in that area, for the time being at least.”

William nodded. Calder was one of his favorite and most dependable knights. He and his men fought fiercely and with more courage than most. There were few others that he trusted or respected as much, and he disliked having to have this conversation with him.

“I have been getting a lot of pressure from Roderick lately.”

“The Earl of Newport?” Calder asked in a tone that showed just how little respect he had for the man.

“Yes,” the King replied, staring out into the dark streets of London. “He feels slighted by me. He and his men fought valiantly when we arrived on these shores, and his knights have also come to my assistance during these revolts over the last few years.”

Calder remained silent, wondering where this was leading.

“He feels I have not compensated him sufficiently and wants more lands. All that I had were given to my supporters, except the few who refused them, such as you, my friend.” He turned to look directly at Calder. “He wants the lands I gave to your brother.”

“Why?” Calder asked, half-knowing the answer already.

“The man has a very intense dislike of you, Calder,” the King returned with a smile. “Apparently due to some problem that occurred back in Normandy involving his sister.”

“Sire,” Calder began to explain, but was quieted by a wave of the King's hand. “It is of no consequence, Calder, just my interpretation as to the core of this problem.”

“Surely, you would not consider taking back the lands that you gave Aric? He has given you much financial support, as well as providing myself and my men as his vassals all this time. He deserves the lands that you granted him.”

“Yes, he does, Calder, and probably more. But being the man that he is, he would not ask for it. The services of you and your knights alone were sufficient for what he was granted.”

“Then why do you tell me of Roderick's request?”

“When he first came to me, I decided to send Osbern to your brother's estate to look into any possible problems there.” Calder was well aware that the King's most trusted comrade was William Fitz Osbern. The King relied heavily on his opinions and Calder, himself, had much respect for the man.

“He spent a reasonable amount