Part 10 (1/2)
There was no mistaking the fury her words ignited inside Bracken. His eyes blazing, he moved to saddle their horses.
Lochlan frowned at his sudden departure and at the pain that marked Julia's brow.
”I should better counsel my tongue,” she said in a contrite tone. ”I wouldn't have hurt him for anything.”
Having wounded his own brothers on many occasions without malice intended, he completely understood her. ”We all make such mistakes.”
”Aye, but the loss of Jacqueline still plagues him and well I know it. It was thoughtless of me to remind him of her.”
”If that be the case, la.s.s, I'm not the one who should hear your apology.”
She nodded before she made her way over to Bracken, who greeted her with a stern glower. But as soon as she apologized, he drew her into a hug and kissed the top of her head before he released her.
Still, the pain in his eyes lingered. It was obvious that Bracken did indeed mourn the loss of this Jacqueline. Yet another reason for Lochlan to guard his heart. Emotions weakened a man and he had no desire to be laid low by something as insignificant as the mere touch of a woman.
But as Catarina returned to the barn he found that resolve tested. And when she caught his gaze and smiled at him, the strange fluttering in his stomach told him that he was all but lost.
It's just l.u.s.t.
He'd felt that bitter sting in his loins many times in his life. One woman's body could soothe that itch just as well as another.
But in his heart, he knew better. Love mattered greatly and he had no wish for any woman save Catarina.
Bracken cleared his throat to draw Lochlan's attention to him. ”We're going to need another horse.”
Lochlan nodded. ”I agree, but there's not one here. I suggest we try to find one as soon as possible though. I've been riding mine rather hard for the last fortnight.”
”As have we,” Bracken said.
Catarina looked back and forth between them. ”I would volunteer to walk, but it would slow us down.”
Bracken snorted at the mere prospect. ”As if either of us would ride and allow you to walk.” He rolled his eyes at her before he spoke to Lochlan. ”The women should ride together. It'll be less taxing on a single steed.”
Logically, Lochlan concurred. But he felt a small twinge at the thought of her riding with Julia and not him. Pus.h.i.+ng that thought aside, he took a bit of bread from Catarina's hand before he helped Julia mount her horse.
Catarina pa.s.sed out the rest of the loaf before he helped her up behind Julia. Then she shared bread with Julia while he mounted.
”How well do you know this countryside?” he asked Bracken.
”Well enough.”
”Then I need you to take us to Rouen. Do you know the way?”
”Aye, it's two days west of here.”
Lochlan let out a relieved breath that it was so close. That would put them there near the end of the tourney, but Stryder should still be in attendance. It was the best he could have hoped for.
”Then let's not tarry.”
Bracken led the way from the farm, back toward the woods. They all decided that it would be best to stay out of sight of the road as much as possible since Lochlan was the only one of them not wanted by the authorities. He actually was amused by that fact. How a man who'd spent the whole of his life avoiding such complications had landed neck deep in them still mystified him.
It was more like something that would happen to one of his brothers.
They rode for several hours before Bracken took them out of the woods and into the main thoroughfare.
”There's a crossroads up ahead,” he explained. ”There's oft peddlers and such waiting there for travelers they can sell their wares to. Hopefully someone will be willing to sell us a horse.”
Lochlan hoped so. ”What about guards?”
”There's a good chance there could be one or two.” Bracken narrowed his gaze on the women. ”I think we should leave them with Bryce and the two of us ride in.”
Lochlan wasn't so sure. ”It seems anytime I leave Catarina alone she finds trouble.”
She gave him an indignant glare. ”I do not...” Then her face softened as if she rethought her words. ”...often.”
Lochlan laughed, grateful she could at least acknowledge the truth.
”I'll watch her carefully,” Bryce said with a wry twist to his lips. ”And if she makes any trouble, I'll tackle her to the ground and tie her down.”
Now it was his turn to receive Catarina's scathing glare. ”You little scamp. I'll remember that.”
He beamed.
Lochlan reined his horse while Bryce took the women away from the road, into hiding. Once he was sure no one could see them, he led Bracken the short distance to the peddlers.
As predicted, there were three carts of vendors with various wares. Lochlan paused at the first one they reached. The man's cart had items of metalwork, including a selection of small swords.
Those could come in handy.
After dismounting, he picked up one of the swords to test the blade and balance. It was crudely made, more akin to the ones used by a foot soldier. Hardly fit for a n.o.ble knight, but it was the best they would be able to manage until they reached the fair.
Lochlan paid the man, then moved to the next vendor.
Bracken held the horses as Lochlan handed the blade to him. ”Thank you.”
”I'll provide you with better in Rouen.”
”Trust me, this is the finest blade in all the kingdom.”
Lochlan understood what he meant. When something was taken from you, the return of any facsimile of it was welcomed.
”Would you like a pretty bit of cloth for you ladylove?” an old crone called from her cart. ”We've got some of the finest weave to be found, my lord. Come and see.”
Lochlan gave her a charming grin. ”'Tis a horse we need, goodwife.”
”A horse says you?” A man came out from behind the cart. ”Well now, I've just come into one from the last man who bargained with me. What have you to exchange for it?”
”Coin...if the beast be worth it.”
The man motioned for him to step behind the cart, where there were three horses tied. The largest was a bay with a white star on its forehead. ”It's a gelding,” the man explained. ”A bit undernourished, but healthy nonetheless.”