Page 164 of Historical Hotties
The priest shook his head. “No longer,” he told him pointedly. “I do not want you involved with any young ladies until this matter is resolved. It would not be viewed, shall we say, favorably.”
Creed lifted an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Massimo secured the ties on his bag. “You were in charge of a young lady once and the results are coming to haunt you,” helifted an eyebrow at him. “If something happens with this young lady, however innocent you may be, it will only confirm what the queen is telling everyone. It will make you appear guilty as sin. Therefore, until this situation is settled, I would refrain from any association with any woman. You do not want to take any chances.”
Creed looked at him, thinking of Carington as he did so. He knew that the priest was right; God help him, he knew. The man made perfect sense. But what he was feeling for Carington was so real, so deep, that the thought of staying away from her tore at him like nothing he had ever known.
“Understood, my lord.”
“Good.” Massimo faced him, nodding his head to acknowledge that their business was concluded. “Now, I plan to sup here tonight and leave for London on the morrow. Perhaps you and I can come to know one another on more pleasant terms.”
“I would be honored, my lord.”
“Then take me to the hall and ply me with wine. I find that I am in need of it.”
Creed took him into the great hall. But it was Creed who needed a heavy dose of wine, not the priest. The more he drank, the more sullen he became. It was fortunate that Ryton and Lord Richard soon joined them so that Creed did not have to pretend to be pleasant any longer. He kept staring into the fire, seeing Carington’s face with every flicker of flame and wondering how she was going to react when he told her he could no longer be her shadow. He wondered how he was going to react, day after day, seeing her but not being able to be near her.
At some point, the priest begged his leave and Richard graciously consented to show him to his chamber. In truth, Lord Richard volunteered so that Ryton and Creed could spend a few moments alone to discuss the results of Creed’s meeting with thepriest. They were all on edge, knowing why the church had come and wondering how Creed’s future was to be impacted. Richard secretly wondered if he was going to have to once again spirit Creed away under the cover of darkness so that the king could not find him.
When Richard and the priest were gone and the fire snapped softly in the hearth, Ryton changed seats and ended up sitting across from his brother at the long, scrubbed table that had been at Prudhoe for three generations. He gazed steadily at his brother, who seemed more interested in staring into the flames.
“What did he say?” Ryton finally asked the magic question.
Creed continued to gaze into the writhing blaze a moment before speaking. “He said that the church is investigating Isabella’s pregnancy. She is telling everyone that the child is mine.”
Ryton hissed and poured himself a huge sloppy cup of wine, downing half of it in one swallow. “Christ,” he hissed. “That little bitch. Is the king after you?”
“According to the priest, he wants me imprisoned but is apparently not making a concerted effort to find me.”
“Because he knows she is lying,” Ryton took another swallow. “He knows he has married a whore. That child could be anyone’s.”
“Anyone but me,” Creed looked at him, then. “The priest believes in my innocence. He says that those he could speak to from the escort that accompanied me to France confirmed my story. He says that he is going to go back to London and discuss this with the papal legate. I am to remain here in the service of Lord Richard until such time as the priest contacts me again.”
Ryton stared at him, apparently waiting for more information. When none was forthcoming, he lifted his eyebrows expectantly. “That is all?”
Creed’s face darkened and he took another cup of wine. “The priest was told that I had been assigned to protect Lady Carington.”
Ryton nodded. “He interviewed Lord Richard and me about you. We told him of your performance as a knight, your history and valor. Your assignment to Lady Carington came up during the course of the conversation.”
“He says that I am to stay away from her. He says that I am to stay away from all women until this situation has resolved itself.”
“Why?”
Creed looked at him; there was tremendous turmoil in the dusky blue eyes. “Because if something were to happen between me and Lady Carington, inappropriate or otherwise, it could be viewed as a confirmation of Isabella’s stories. The priest feels that it is best if I stay clear of anything that could become controversial involving women.”
Ryton puffed out his cheeks, exhaling heavily. “It makes sense,” he conceded. “I will have to turn over the duty to Burle, then. God help him if she tries to run.”
“She will not run.”
Ryton looked at his brother, then, hearing that wistful tone once more. This time, he had the time and composure to address it. His stomach began to twist, knowing the answer to the question before he even put it forth. He was afraid to ask but knew he must.
“How do you know?” He set his cup down heavily and lowered his voice. “Christ, Creed, is there something going on between you and the lady?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I can hear it in your voice.”
Creed held his gaze steady a moment. “Something, indeed,” he confessed quietly. “Something very unexpected.”
