Page 45 of My Warrior
He was Lord Holden de Ware, her husband before God. She shook her head. It was amazing how innocent a man could appear while he lay sleeping. There was no trace either of the scowl he could instantly summon or the mocking grin he usually wore, only the sweet repose of an infant’s slumber. She had to remind herself that this man had practically forced her to marry him against her will and that his motives were less than honorable.
Summoning up her resolve to despise him, she stepped from the haven of his bed into the arms of the cold and sultry morn. She silently pulled on her undergarments, gambeson, and hose. She’d be damned if this marriage would change anything. She refused to be either placated or tamed. In a familiar routine, she wriggled into her coat of mail and buckled on her broadsword, leaving the impossible armor plate on the chest where Holden had stacked it. Snatching up her gauntlets and shield, she slipped quietly out the door.
When Holden woke with the sun an hour later, his first response to Cambria’s disappearance was fury. The wench must have fled somehow in the night, he decided, preferring the dangers of the forest to that of the Wolf’s lair. Finally, forcing himself to calm down, he reasoned that she could be any number of places. He shrugged into a velvet robe and went below to look for his bride.
In accordance with his decree, dozing bodies lay strewn everywhere in the great hall, refuse of the past evening’s well-enjoyed feast. He picked his way carefully through the snoozing humanity. The clank of pots came from the kitchen, and he started for the door.
Katie came bustling out, dodging Malcolm’s playful swat on her backside, and Holden nearly frightened her witless.
“Oh, milord!” she gasped, turning scarlet. “What are ye doin’ up and… I mean…”
“I’ve somehow misplaced my wife,” he admitted.
“Oh, la!” Katie replied, her hand upon her heart. “Why, my lord, she goes most every mornin’ to the—“
“To the garden,” Malcolm interjected.
Katie gaped at her husband’s blatant lie.
Holden’s brow clouded instantly. Malcolmwasa lousy liar. “To the garden?”
“Well,” Malcolm hedged, “some field.”
Holden raised himself to his full threatening height. “Where is my wife?”
Malcolm folded his arms and stared at the point of Holden’s chin, which was still above his eye level. “I told her not to go below. Her place is with you, I know. I presumed she would remain—“
“You presumed she would stay here obediently?” He looked incredulously at the steward. “EvenIknow her better.”
Malcolm’s face burned with embarrassment. “I’ll show you where she is.”
“Do so and quickly! She’s not safe outside the castle wall.”
“I’ll carve you like an English roast!”
Holden and Malcolm heard Cambria’s colorful threats long before they saw her sword flash in a downward arc at empty air. Holden watched her from the trees as she turned and struck again at her invisible enemy. He neared stealthily, angered at her brazenness in coming alone, but relieved at her apparent safety. The garden indeed. He motioned to Malcolm to go on back to the castle. He had choice words for Cambria.
After Malcolm had gone, he observed his warrior wife for several minutes. She’d forgone a helm, which left her hair loose to dance riotously about her shoulders as she turned and lunged.
The lass was quick. There was a lyrical quality to her movements. But beyond her agility, there was little to recommend her as a fighter. She was recklessly aggressive. Her careless defense left her open so often that in the few minutes he watched her, an enemy could have slain her easily a dozen times.
When she drew near to his place of concealment and he’d seen enough, he stepped suddenly from behind the tall sycamore.
“I’ve not taken a wife!” he bellowed. “I’ve gained a knight-errant!”
Cambria wheeled in surprise and almost ran him through.
“Put away your sword!” he said sharply. “It’s your husband.”
She didn’t do so quickly enough for his taste and, incensed at her hesitation, he drew his own weapon and knocked her blade aside.
“Whose throat do you plan to slit, my bloodthirsty lady?”
She glared at him. “Any who would come upon my back,” she said meaningfully.
He lifted the corner of his lip slightly, and then grew serious. “There are renegades about. It’s not safe to come here alone.”
She tossed her head proudly. “I can defend myself.”
