The captain stood with his back to thehouse as Willem and Phillipe hoisted the buck from his horse andlaid it on the ground.He wore a vest of sleeveless leather overhis bare, tanned arms, and breeches that hugged his well-muscledthighs, the length of which Lara could still feel pressed againsthers.Wyatt ran out of the house with Wolf on his heels, and thecaptain turned and grinned at the lad and the hound, his teethwhite against the black of his beard.He looked wild and untamed: atrue hunter.He glanced over at the window Lara watched from, andshe sucked her belly in as he had his when she’d leaned in to himand felt his hard heat against her nakedness.
CHAPTER 11
Names
Talon
Talon thumped his chest and bracedhimself as Wolf planted his front paws on his shoulders.“Hello,old man.”He rubbed Wolf’s ears.“How’ve you and your mistressfared while I’ve been away?”
Wolf gave him a big slurp on his chin,then dropped down and ran over to Lara as she came out of the housewith Patience.Talon had planned on having until after supperbefore seeing Lara and speaking to her about what had happenedbetween them the other night, but his plans seemed to mean nothingwhen it came to her.
“Come, Patience,” Willemsaid as the women walked over.“See what Captain Guiscard hasbrought us.”
“Wyatt said he brought usa buck.”She looked to Talon as she stopped by Willem.“Not thatI’m ungrateful, far from it, Captain, but why?”
“I wanted the antlers forcarving,” Talon told Patience.“And a bit of the hide for mysaddle, the rest is yours.”
“You have twenty men tofeed,” she said.“Surely they would enjoy freshvenison?”
Talon shrugged.“They eat more thanenough venison on the march, hunting as we go.”That wasn’t acomplete lie.They did eat venison on the march, whenever they werelucky enough to get it.He glanced meaningfully at Phillipe, whoseeyes widened with understanding.
“We would all prefer yourmother’s roast pig any day,” Phillipe added.Which was also true.The men would prefer anything Berta cooked to camp food.
Patience eyed Talon and Phillipe,clearly hesitant to believe them.Willem laid a hand on her bellyand whispered something in her ear.
“Thank you, Captain,” shesaid.“It’s very generous of you.”
“You’re most welcome.”Talon allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction.At least thisplan of his had worked.Patience would have the red meat Lara saidshe and the babe needed and Willem would have an extra hide to workand sell.He chanced a glance at Lara, who smiled at him as brightand warm as the summer sun.“Come on,” he said to Phillipe beforehis renewed resolve to keep his honor and hers melted into apitiable puddle at his feet.“Let’s get this buck gutted andskinned.I’ve a hankering for a bath and roast pheasant forsupper.”
“Willem and I can dressthe buck.”Phillipe offered a grin that meant he was up to no good.“You go, get these birds to Berta and take your bath.Take Larawith you.She has a couple of pies to bake.”He turned his grin onLara.“Peach for me and strawberry for you, free of charge as Irecollect.”
“A free pie?”Talon eyedLara as his belly rumbled loudly.“From our mercenary friendhere?”
Lara bristled, Phillipe laughed, andWillem and Patience shook their heads at each other as Talon swungup onto the roan’s saddle and gathered the sorrel’sreins.
“In that case.”He offeredLara his arm.“Can I give you a ride?”
“I can walk.”
“Yes, but riding will getyou there faster.I promise I won’t bite.”
She looked at him as if he’d devourher whole.“I’ll walk.”She turned to Patience.“I’ll be back tocheck on you in a few days.Be sure to eat as much venison as youcan stomach.”
“She will.”Willem gaveLara a nod, then another to Talon.“Thank you.”
Talon turned the roan toward the roadas Lara took off running.It was over a league back to the keep,but when she took her skirts in hand, he knew she meant to run theentire way.He kept the horses to her pace and sat back in hissaddle, admiring the flash of her shapely calves, slim ankles, andthe sway of her skirts.Remembering how he’d chased those skirtsthrough the woods and brambles a moon ago now.
The guard at the watchtower called outtheir return, and Anglbert was at the gate, waiting with aparchment in hand.
“A missive from the king,”he said as Talon dismounted.“It came this morn.”
Talon unrolled the parchment.“We’reto meet Charles and the returning army.”He looked up at thegathering crowd of soldiers and villagers and saw Lara had stayedto hear as well.“We leave in three days’ time.”Her eyes grew wideas he held her gaze for a moment before turning to Anglbert.“Senda man to Count Nithard.He’s to collect the valley’s war tithe infresh supplies, which we’re to take to Charles.”
“Aye, Captain.I’ll sendOswald and Dardinel.”
Talon spied Denys and waved him over.“Take the pheasants to Berta.”He handed the lad the roan’s andsorrel’s reins.“Tell her the count, and however many men hetravels with, will be supping with us this evening.She’ll know hisnumbers better than I.”
“Aye, Captain.”
