Her One Desire Read Free Page B

and crawled through the opening. Mayhap she shouldn’t follow. Father could still save her. She looked back into the black tunnel. Her stomach fell to her toes.
    “Lady Ives?”
    She whipped back around to find Lord Maxwell’s shackled hands awaiting her acceptance.
    “We must make haste.”
    Nodding, she took his hands. His grip was strong, his palms calloused, hot. Her fingers naturally curled over his as she inched her way through the greenery. Tucking her chin to her chest as he’d ordered, she flanked herself to him and matched his stride. His size reminded her of Kamden—tall, and thickly built, a semblance of protection. ‘Twas good to feel safe again, regardless of the false illusion by which she came to feel that way. Her downward gaze shifted slightly from her steps to his. Mercy Mary! The man wore no boots. They were certain to attract attention. She twisted, checking for any pursuers. No guards followed. The numbers began in her head as she counted her steps, calming, soothing, easing her angst as she kept his pace over the cobbled stones of Watling Street. Staying close to the empty merchants’ stalls, she peeked through her lashes at a few finely arrayed courtiers making their way toward St. Paul’s church for High Mass. A matron craned her neck; her steeple headdress fluttered in white wisps in her haste. Her children stared—an occurrence Lizzy had built an immunity to long ago. Lord Maxwell led her to a black stallion ensconced in crimson velvet and braids of gold outside the priory. He released the reins, stroked the beast’s neck, then mounted with a grunt and a grimace. Freeing his foot from the stirrup, he extended his hands.
    “Is this your mount?” She realized the foolishness of her question as soon as the words left her mouth. “Aye. I left the auld lad tethered whilst I took a sabbatical in your dungeon.” As if the mockery in his tone wasn’t enough to ridicule her, he raised an allknowing black brow.
    “I will not be part of stealing another man’s horse. Especially one belonging to the royal guard.” She pointed at the gold crest embroidered on the blanket.
    “Think ye your father will cut off your hand before or after he is ordered to remove your head?”
    She left his sarcastic question unanswered and scanned the street for the horse’s owner. She would repent her sin when she reached Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire. She accepted Lord Maxwell’s assistance and mounted in front of him. When he encircled her with his shackled hands, the heat surrounding her burned her like an open hearth. The man was afire with fever.
    “Halt, by order of the king’s guard!” An enraged voice came from the entrance to the priory.
    Lizzy turned in time to see one of the king’s guards drop a bundle of religious vestments and unsheathe his sword. “Hold tight, Lady Ives.” Lord Maxwell kicked the stallion into motion, slamming her against his chest. The guard’s bellows dissipated behind them as every pummel of hooves brought them closer to escape.
    A single raven followed overhead, reminding her of Father s wooden birds. Rows of gabled houses darkened the street with their height. Bells rang out, calling the city to its many churches. She crossed herself. Fare thee well, Father. She would do everything within her power to return and free Father from Lord Hollister’s clutches. Now that Kamden and the boys were gone, London only promised a future laden with more nightmares.
    They passed through the city’s gates. The road split. The path to the right led to Edlynn’s cottage and was thick with mire from recent rainfall. They could be hidden from view within seconds of entering the thicket.
    She grabbed the reins. “I have need to make a stop before we set out of London.”
    “Nay. ‘Tis no time.” Lord Maxwell batted her hands away and redirected the stallion to the left, the road leading around London and back to the river Thames. The rumble of horses escalated behind them. Both