Knight.... Part V

Far across the mist covered glen stood Raven View Castle. Its ancient gray stone walls seemed to grow from the very cliffs it stood upon. In another time it had been used as a fortification against invasions from the sea. Today its battlements sported brightly-colored banners bearing the Raven family crest, sign to all that the Lady of the castle was returning. 1

Patricia smiled as she caught sight of her family home. Anxious to see her castle again, she'd raced ahead of the others and now stood atop the mountain range that boarded her homeland. Mesmerized by the sight before her, Patricia failed to hear the approaching horse and rider. Reining in before he reached her, James walked his mount up the rise, coming to a halt beside her. His dappled-gray destrier was Herculean, as was the man the horse carried. Lord James of Glentavish was huge by any standard. 2

"Tis a wondrous sight," he said, almost reverently. 3

"Aye, that it is," replied Patricia, her gaze fixed on the distant mountaintop. "Twas built by the Normans to fight off Norse invaders over two hundred years ago." 4

But James wasn't looking across the glen. His eyes were on the Lady at his side, seated astride her own destrier. A midnight-black warhorse large enough to carry a knight in full armor, yet this woman of average size handled the animal with a gentle skill few horsemen possessed. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement and the red and gold strands of her chestnut hair glistened in the morning sun. He wanted to slide his fingers through her silken tresses and feel the nape of her neck. He wanted to place his lips on hers and kiss her forever, but couldn't and wouldn't dare. It was too dangerous to get involved with his prey. He had a mission to finish and love wasn't a part of his plan. Too many lives were involved for him to let his heart rule. But he could enjoy her company for whatever time they had left. She was bright and beautiful, witty and brave. James admired her courage. Even his towering size hadn't frightened her. Instead, she seemed to glory in it, standing close at every opportunity. And then there was her touch. On several occasions her hand had touched his arm, sending shockwaves to every extremity. But it was when she looked up at him with those hazel eyes and that soft sensuous smile that he thought he'd go mad with desire if he didn't take her. On those occasions, James had made some excuse to escape, only to find himself alone with his desires and unable to sleep. Two days traveling with her had been a fortnight of agony. 5

Reveries were soon interrupted as the remainder of their troop gained the hillside, Sedric, Tommy, and their four friends leading the way. 6

"Lady, look! They're flying your banner!" exclaimed Sedric, excited to be home once again. 7

"Aye, that they are," she replied. "Come lad, let's go home." 8

Putting heels to her mount's flanks, Patricia guided him down the mountainside, then headed for the winding trail that lead to Raven View. The boys raced ahead while James and Patricia rode side by side, followed closely by David, Joseph, and Clive, who were leading the troop of two hundred men. 9

"Lord, what do you call your horse?" she asked, trying to make conversation. 10

"Falcon," came the one word reply. 11

Patricia giggled into her hand. 12

"I fail to see the humor," James said, indignantly. "Tis a noble beastie. The finest warhorse in all the land." 13

"Nay, nay, you misunderstand. I meant no insult. Truly," she continued, "I find it humorous that we two ride birds into battle." Combing her fingers through her horse's mane, Patricia started to explain. "My horse is called Raven; for her midnight-black coat and the way she seems to fly when we race across the fields" 14

"Tis a sight I hope to see someday," came his wistful reply. 15

"You won't have to wait. I ride every morning at dawn I'd be honored if you would join me," she said, with a shy smile, silently hoping he would accept her invitation. 16

"And where duth m'Lady ride with such abandon?" he asked, not indicating his intentions. 17

Though a bit disappointed that he hadn't responded to her invitation, she answered his question. "I ride the beach below the castle mostly, but on the days when the tide is high I take to the open fields and meadows to the north. I love the sea," she continued. "It's so alive, so fierce, I can almost feel its heartbeat when I'm there." 18

The expression on her face was pure passion, something his own love for the sea ignited. "Have ye been ta sea?" he inquired. 19

"Nay, m'Lord," she replied, wistfully, "but I dream of one day having my own ship and sailing-off to explore all the places I've never seen." 20

"Ye'd truly go ta sea?" he asked, thinking of his own ship now sitting just off the coast, awaiting his instruction. 21

"Oh, aye!" came her reply, enthusiasm oozing from every pore. Eyes flashing and cheeks flushed, Patricia went on. 22

"I'd be a buccaneer, sailing the bounding main in search of adventure. Have you been to sea, m'Lord?" 23

"Aye, that I have, Lass." 24

It was the first time he'd called her that, with his Scott' brogue caressing the word like a lover. Patricia wondered what it would feel like to be held in his arms, to be kissed by this gentle giant. Her heart began to beat a quickening tattoo and her body grew warm with a feeling she'd never known. This man had a disquieting effect on her, and she wanted more. He was so different from anyone she'd ever met. His size and manner of speech, the way he carried himself and the passion he showed for his home in Scotland. As he spoke of sailing, his words and the movement of her horse took her on a flight of fantasy. The breeze that drifted from the nearby shore teased the wisps of hair on her cheek, and in her mind Patricia was standing on the deck of a schooner as it danced through the waves, in the arms of this magnificent male. He smelled of leather and spice and something very manly. She could almost hear him shouting commands, his men working the lines, and the sea mist spray across the deck. Her heart raced with excitement. 25

James watched her in her daydreams. How he wished he could take her to his ship and simply sail away with her. He daydreamed of showing her all the marvelous places he'd been; of standing at the helm with her in his arms. Her scent of lavender and sunshine filled his senses. He felt his body grow taut yet again at the thought of loving her, and he knew he had to get himself under control before it was too late. With a mental shake, he changed the subject. 26

"Ah, m'Lady, the castle grows near," he said, hoping to distract her. 27

Twisting and turning along the mountainside like a long slithering snake was the ancient trail built by her ancestors. Its switchback turns and walled sides made it impossible to attack the castle head-on. Patricia took great pride in her ancestral home. Over the years since her father's death, she'd worked tirelessly to rebuild and beautify both the castle and its surrounding lands. Wandering vines of honeysuckle and ivy clung to the stone walls along the trail, while clusters of Rowan and English oak stood in beds of periwinkle and primrose. It was an all too common sight to find the lady of the castle digging in the gardens or personally directing the planting of new trees. Every turn in the road brought new sights and smells to delight the senses and James found himself falling in love with the land and the Lady who nurtured it.28

To Be Continued....29

P.M.Williams30

© 200131