His Captive Lady

His Captive Lady by Carol Townend Page B

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Authors: Carol Townend
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fear.'
    Something told Erica that while Wulf Brader's experience of ladies might be limited, his experience of women in general was far from limited. Though why such a ridiculous distinction should interest her was beyond her. Wulf Brader's experience or lack of it with women of any station was none of her business.
    Mercifully releasing her feet before Erica shamed herself completely by melting into a puddle of bliss, Wulf reached into the bundle and produced a woollen blanket. 'Wrap this round you. And since you are no longer in sanctuary and are out of Guthlac's hands, I thought you might enjoy these.' He drew out a smaller bundle and passed it to her. 'Unless you have any more objections, that is?'
    Erica tore off the cloth. 'Bread!' Her mouth watered. 'Cheese! And...oh, Wulf, roast chicken, I don't remember when I last had chicken!' Her stomach growled; it was shamingly loud. On impulse, she leaned forwards and pressed a swift kiss to his cheek, catching, as she did so, the subtle fragrance of soapwort, mingled with the musky male scent that was Wulf. 'Thank you!'
    He drew back, touching his cheek as Erica sank her teeth into the bread. Soft wheat bread, fresh-baked that evening if she were any judge. She could hardly chew quickly enough.
    With a crooked smile, Wulf set a wineskin in her lap. 'I need to beat the bounds outside, I won't be long,' he said, lifting the leather flap that served as a door.
    With her tongue savouring the rich flavours of chicken roasted with chives and wild thyme, Erica nodded.

    Wulf gave her time to finish eating before he returned.
    'It is only I,' he said, lifting the entrance flap and ducking his head through the opening. 'There is a fire pit out here and I have got a small fire going.'
    Erica had put her boots on and the blanket was draped about her shoulders on top of her cloak. No, Wulf reminded himself, he must not think of her as Erica. She was Lady Erica. Lady Erica of Whitecliffe. He must keep his distance from her. And, for his own peace of mind, he must keep her out of his thoughts as much as possible, even though it was coming home to him that, since he had freed her from Guthlac, he was honour bound to consider her welfare.
    Her face was pinched with cold, but her eyes brightened. 'A fire? Is there hot water?'
    The question disconcerted him. 'My lady, this is not a hostelry.'
    'I had noticed.' Bringing the lantern with her, she crawled to the entrance. Outside, she gathered up her purple skirts and began marching in the direction of the boat.
    'Not that way!' Wulf snatched the lantern from her, closed the shutter and steered her away from the water. 'Please be careful, my lady, the light may betray our position.'
    'Who are we hiding from? Thane Guthlac or the Normans?'
    Wulf grimaced. He did not think anyone had followed them from the castle; the guard he had relieved would not have returned for some time, and he had rowed like the very devil. But when Guthlac discovered that Saewulf Brader had removed Erica of Whitecliffe from his clutches...there was no knowing how the man would react.
    'In any case the lantern is small,' she said, eyes downcast as she picked her way through the murk. 'And you said you had lit a fire--surely that will act as a beacon?'
    'The hearth is in the remains of an ancient fire-pit, my lady, the flames are concealed by the pit walls. I think the fisherman whose hut we are...borrowing must have used it as a smoke-house. If ever there was roof, it has long gone, but--'
    'Show me,' she said, imperiously, using tones that only a thane's daughter would use.
    Flicking open the shutter, Wulf angled the lantern so the light fell onto the path in front of them. Taking her hand, bitterly aware that if she knew he was a Norman captain she would refuse to speak to him, let alone touch him, he led her into the clearing where the fire-pit was. He did not know what it was about this woman, but she gave him the most inappropriate ideas. Warming her feet like that had

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