Part 24 (1/2)
”Mmm. Whatever makes you happy.”
Cat laughed. Truthfully, what made her happiest was the sensation of being in his arms. Of having his hard body against hers. She loved this man and this really was all she wanted in her life.
If only she could have it.
Closing her eyes, she savored every thrust of him against her. Every stroke she delivered to him.
And when she came, he joined her instantly.
Hot and sweating, she collapsed against him while he gathered her in his arms and held her to his chest like a precious bundle.
Neither of them moved for ever so long. It wasn't until hunger overcame them that Lochlan got up and dressed and went to seek food for them while Cat took her time was.h.i.+ng and dressing.
They spent the rest of the day hidden, waiting for word from the others. As the hours pa.s.sed with no communication or word, Lochlan began to get concerned. Stryder would have had more than enough time to return to Rouen and travel back to the docks.
Where could he be?
As the sun set, he left Catarina hidden in the room and went to look for them. The king's s.h.i.+p was still moored where it'd been last night. Only now there was no activity except for two lone guards who watched over it.
Ignoring them, Lochlan continued on, scanning the street for any sign of the others. There were sailors aplenty, a few prost.i.tutes soliciting clients, and merchants negotiating deals and rus.h.i.+ng to and fro.
His worst fear was that Stryder and group were now in royal custody for their parts in planning his escape. It would make sense. They'd helped him free Catarina and Lochlan was sure Graham would gladly relate the events to Reginald and his men.
”Lochlan.”
He paused at the whispered shout. It took him several seconds before he located the source of it.
Dressed all in black with even a cowl to cover his head, Kestrel stood in the shadow of a building. He motioned Lochlan over to him.
As soon as he joined him, Kestrel pulled him deeper into the alleyway.
Lochlan ground his teeth as anger and fear a.s.sailed him. ”Have the others been taken?”
”In a manner of speaking. Aye.”
He scowled at the odd note in Kestrel's voice. ”What do you mean?”
”The king spotted us as we came into town and demanded Stryder spend a few moments with him. Those moments have turned into all d.a.m.n day.”
Lochlan let out a sound of disgust. ”But Stryder's not under arrest?”
He shook his head. ”Trust me. We put the fear of G.o.d into Graham and his brothers. He speaks one word against us and he'll be begging for death before he finishes the first syllable.”
That made him feel a little better. ”So we wait on Stryder?”
”Nay. The king could very well be watching him since he's the English king's champion. Stryder said for us to go ahead and he'd catch up to us. He thinks it best that he keep the king distracted while we make our getaway.”
”And if he fails and is caught?”
”Don't worry. He won't. Stryder is smarter than that.”
”What about my brother? Stryder said that he'd--”
”Again, don't worry,” Kestrel said, cutting him off. ”The Scot knows me and he'll let us enter even without Stryder.” He indicated a small boat that was loading cargo. ”They sail within the hour. I've already arranged pa.s.sage for all of us. Retrieve Catarina and hide belowdeck until it's safe.”
”What about you?”
”I'll be there, but since the king has already seen me with Stryder, I don't want to draw his attention to you.”
The man was extremely paranoid. However, given their situation and the repercussions that could fall on all their heads, it was probably a good thing.
Lochlan nodded. ”I'll see you on board.”
Kestrel drifted back into the shadows and actually seemed to have disappeared. Lochlan crossed himself. There were times when that man seemed to possess demonic powers.
Putting that out of his mind, he went back to the inn to collect Catarina.
He found her waiting by the window, picking at a loaf of bread. She let out a relieved breath the instant she saw him. ”I was beginning to get worried.”
”There was nothing to worry over. We only have a king who wants you captive and me dead...one who's staying at the end of this street, talking to Stryder and Simon. How could that cause anyone concern?”
”I see your point,” she said, feigning relief. ”How utterly foolish of me to be concerned.”
Lochlan shook his head at her retort. ”Stryder will catch up to us. We have a s.h.i.+p waiting to take us to England. As soon as you're--”
She stood immediately. ”I'm more than ready to put as much distance as possible between my father and me. Let us run for that boat.”
His heart clenched at her words. How awful to feel that way about the man who'd sired her, but then he'd felt no better about his own. It was a shame that the world was filled with such people.
He picked up her cloak and wrapped it around her before he lifted the cowl to conceal her face.
As he did so he was struck by the irony of a woman so vivacious wanting to be invisible. She deserved a man who could appreciate her unique qualities. One who wouldn't try to stifle her.
Closing his eyes, he kissed her on the top of her head. She took his hand in hers and that small gesture brought him to his knees. He squeezed her hand before he led her from the room.
He paused downstairs to settle his account before he took her outside to the docks. It was darker now, with storm clouds brewing. He didn't see any sign of Kestrel as they made their way toward the boat Kestrel had indicated.
Lochlan allowed her to mount the gangplank first. He scanned the docks one last time before he followed her up.
A small, heavyset sailor approached them. ”You the Scot's man?”
”Aye.”
”His lords.h.i.+p told me to put you below.” He showed them to a cramped room that held four chairs and a short table. ”Stay here and we'll be sailing very soon.”
”My thanks.”