Page 26 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

De Bevoir obviously had spies everywhere and Erik had perhaps not been as discreet in his admiration as he’d believed. Or perhaps de Bevoir was fishing for information. Whatever de Bevoir was playing at, it was best to keep his feelings hidden. No one could know how much he was falling for Linota, not de Bevoir, not Jarin and especially not Linota herself. He’d seen the desire shining from her face. He could kiss her and she would respond, but then he would be betraying Jarin further still.

Besides, if he kissed her, he would only fall for her even harder. It would be even more difficult to give her up when she married Borwyn.

‘I promise not to hurt the girl, Erik,’ said de Bevoir, his manner changing briskly. ‘I will only ransom her for the money I was going to take from Borwyn’s coffers. Either way will bring Borwyn to financial ruin. When my liege takes back the land which belongs to him, Borwyn won’t be able to raise an army to reclaim it. No lives will be lost fighting over a stretch of land that is historically Garbodo’s anyway. You will almost be doing Borwyn a favour.’

De Bevoir made everything sound so reasonable apart from one point from which Erik would not be moved. ‘I will not hand Linota over to you.’

‘You may not like me, Erik, but I am a man of my word. No harm will come to Mistress Leofric.’

‘No.’

‘Then you can say goodbye to ever meeting your niece.’

‘You don’t want Isabel.’

‘I don’t, but it is in my power to make sure she has a happy future or...perhaps one that is less than desirable. I’m a reasonable man, but I don’t like to be crossed. If you make this difficult for me, then I will make it hard for you. Deep down you and I are the same. You know what you have to do to survive, as do I. At the moment, your niece is the best negotiating tool I have and I will keep it that way until this is over.’

Erik tucked his dagger back into his belt. Much as he wanted to he wasn’t going to hurt de Bevoir, at least not until he had Isabel. Then de Bevoir had better run and hide because nothing would stop Erik from hunting him down. He rubbed his jaw where his stubble was quickly becoming a beard. He needed time to think, but time was one of the many things he didn’t have. ‘I will hide Linota from Borwyn.’

‘I don’t see how that will work.’

Erik closed his eyes tightly. He was about to make his deal with the devil even deeper, but this way he could keep two people safe. He’d worry about his own soul later.

‘I have somewhere she can go. I can hide her from Borwyn. I will not inform him that I have rescued her and I will be your go-between.’

‘You will give him the ransom message and ensure he hands over the amount I request?’ asked de Bevoir dubiously.

Erik inhaled deeply. ‘I will. I swear it on my sister’s eternal soul.’

Even in the darkness Erik could feel the weight of de Bevoir’s stare. ‘Don’t let me down, Erik. The life of your young niece depends upon it.’

Erik nodded. ‘I won’t.’

De Bevoir regarded him for a long moment and then nodded. ‘Very well. Meet me at the old tannery when you arrive at Borwyn. We will discuss our next move then.’

De Bevoir turned and disappeared back into the darkness. Shortly afterwards, Erik heard the sound of hoofbeats moving away from the cottage.

Hi kicked the wall. He’d had the chance to end de Bevoir, to run him through with his dagger. He could easily have hidden the body in the undergrowth surrounding his cottage. No one would ever have found out what he’d done. But then he would never find his niece and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his sister’s child.

If he found she didn’t exist, he would rip de Bevoir apart with his own hands.

He paced away from the cottage and dropped to his haunches. The silence of the night closed in around him, the darkness pressing down from all sides. He was getting deeper into this situation and he wasn’t sure how he was going to come out of it with his honour intact.

He stood, rubbing his chest again. The truth was, he wasn’t.

There was virtually no way his betrayal would remain uncovered. He would probably lose his privileged position and the respect of his only friend. But that wasn’t the worst of it. Linota with her pure heart would be devastated by his treachery. He inhaled deeply. If it meant that she still lived once all this was over, even if she despised him as a liar and traitor, it would be worth it. The world would be a dark place indeed without her in it.

He stepped back into the cottage and grunted as something solid barrelled into him.

‘Linota?’

Slender arms slid around his waist and clung on tight. Despite his good intentions, his arms wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her close towards him.

‘I awoke and you were gone. It was so dark.’ Her whole body shuddered against his. ‘I came downstairs and you weren’t here either.’

Her small curves fitted perfectly against his body, just as he’d imagined so many times. She was so beautiful, so innocent. He didn’t deserve her trust, but he would do everything to keep her safe. De Bevoir would never be allowed to touch her again. He didn’t trust the man not to try to take her again.

‘It’s all right. I’m here now.’ He bent his head and rested his cheek against her soft hair.

---