Page 10 of To Desire

Chapter 6

While Liana had ridden before, she had never done so for this long. And never during the night. Her eyes closed more than once, the gentle palfrey Darien had given her nudging her awake by sidestepping or neighing just as she was about to slip off.

“We will stop here,” her companion said, riding ahead of her. The road they took off the Isle of Ely was narrow, allowing for only one horse at a time.

Though it was dark, Liana could see easily they’d arrived . . . nowhere.

“Uh?” Surrounded by trees on both sides of them, she was about to ask if they were to sleep in the middle of the road when Darien, who’d dismounted, took her reins. He led them into the forest, where all sorts of sounds greeted them.

“What is that?” she asked of a hoot that sounded like an owl, but she couldn’t be certain.

“A tawny owl. Their hoots are more mournful, eerie even, than others. Some associate them with mysteries and the unknown because of it.”

“Eerie indeed,” she said, looking up but finding no eyes peeking at her. “You may be surprised to know I do not spend much time in the woods at night.”

Darien chuckled as he led them to what sounded like a stream or river ahead of them. “There is less to fret about than your mind would have you believe out here.”

She doubted that. “What of bears? Or wolves? Or boars?”

“You are unlikely to see any bears, or wolves, as sightings of both are rare, even when hunted. A boar is only dangerous when provoked.”

“I shall endeavor to remember that,” she muttered.

They arrived at a stream and very small clearing.

“How did you know this was here?”

“I’ve traveled this road many times.” He let go of the reins and reached up to help her dismount.

Before she could think about being so close to him as she got down, Darien had released her. He was, as expected, the most chivalric of knights. An earl’s son who knew this circumstance was highly unusual and kept his distance accordingly.

“This will be the only night we will be without shelter. Even with a fire, it will be cold.”

So they weren’t sleeping in the road, precisely, but not far from it. Nodding, she pretended the prospect of the remainder of the night, out here in the elements, did not terrify her.

“Liana?”

She looked back up at him.

“If you will allow it, I will sleep beside you and promise naught will harm you this eve. Do you trust me?”

Did she trust him?

Liana did not know Darien beyond his reputation, but that she knew well. The earl’s son was said to be quite charming, with a sharp mind for tactics. Many considered him elusive, though, a man of many contradictions. But all agreed, he was both honorable and a man they would be proud to call their earl.

“I do.”

“I will prepare our camp. You may use the brush to attend to your needs.”

She looked to where he was pointing.

“You are certain there are no animals lurking there?”

Liana hadn’t realized she was terrified of being gored by a boar before this eve.

In response, Darien made his way toward a thicket near the stream. He rustled around the area until coming back to her.

“No bears. No boars. ’Tis clear.”