Read Online Promised to the Crusader by Anne Herries - Free Book Online Page B

and now the woman she had become longed for more. His courtship had been gentle, never sullying her innocence, but she was a woman and ready for marriage now.
    ‘We must go,’ he said and gave her his hand. A feeling of intense pleasure shot through her at his touch, but she managed to control her emotions and not give herself away as he helped her up to the saddle, though her knees felt weak and her stomach clenched. He turned to his friend. ‘Farewell, Philip. You will hear from me—and if the lady needs you, I shall return her to you with your escort.’
    They rode together over the drawbridge, the horses’ hooves clattering on the wood-and-iron bridge. Stornway was a stout fortress, one unlikelyto be breached by anything less than a large army. It was a symbol of power held by the King’s Marshal, Lord Stornway, enforcer of the King’s justice in this area.
    Elaine glanced at Zander as she accustomed herself to the palfrey’s ways. Although spirited and perhaps a little skittish in her excitement at being ridden for the first time in days, she was well trained to a lady’s touch.
    ‘You are pleased with her?’ he asked. ‘She was meant for an Eastern princess, but I thought she would be perfect for you, Elaine.’
    ‘Nothing could have pleased me better.’
    ‘I have other gifts. They are stored in chests and left with Lord Stornway until the time is right. Once you are settled at your home I shall have them sent to you.’
    Elaine smiled, but made no answer. How could she accept such gifts unless he meant to wed her? She could not ask. The time for questions was not now, but so many buzzed in her head that she hardly knew how to shut them out.
    ‘I pray that we shall find all well with my people,’ she said. ‘I do not think they would easily yield to the earl and may have suffered for it.’
    ‘Your mother’s house is not as stout as Stornway,yet it would withstand a short siege. We must pray that we are in time.’
    So saying, he increased his speed. Elaine touched her heels lightly to the palfrey’s flanks and felt her leap forwards. Excitement raced through her and as, for a while, they raced side by side over the flat terrain, her heart lightened. It was almost as if she were a girl again and Zander had never gone away.
    When they approached the Manor of Sweetbriars, the gates stood open and Elaine’s mother’s standard still flew over the stone walls that guarded the house. They were hewn of mellow yellow stone and seemed to dream peacefully in the evening sun. Even so, Zander held up his hand to bring his men to a halt.
    ‘It may be a trap,’ he warned. ‘Newark imagined you alone, Elaine. He may have left the gates open so that you walk into his web like the cunning devil he is.’
    ‘What shall we do?’ she asked. ‘If I go forward alone—’
    ‘No! I shall not risk your safety. You remain here under guard while I send an advance party to see how the land lies.’
    As they deliberated, a woman suddenly darted forwards from the side of the road andflung herself at Elaine’s horse. She had appeared to be picking herbs and no one had looked at her, but Elaine saw at once that she was her serving woman Marion.
    ‘Marion,’ she cried gladly. ‘I am so glad to see you. I feared that something might have happened to you. Where is Bertrand?’
    Marion looked distressed. ‘The earl’s men took Bertrand. He told me to run and hide while he rode off. They gave chase and I was unnoticed in the bushes as they followed. Later, I saw them return and he was their prisoner. He had been bound, his hands behind his back, and lay over the back of a horse.’ A little sob came from her lips. ‘They brought him here and I followed. I dared not go into the courtyard, though the bridge is always left up. I do not know if he lives…or even if he is still here, for they say some prisoners were taken away to the earl’s stronghold.’
    ‘I am so sorry,’ Elaine said. ‘Forgive me. I should never