Page 36 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

All during the night, thoughts of Sarah had run through hisweary mind. Why was he so fascinated with the girl? All he had wanted at theend of war was peace, to find his joy in the land, as had his father and grandfatherbefore him. Though, in truth, he knew little of the demands of a demesnesuch as Talisand, as Sarah in her impudence had informed him. But he couldlearn, and he would. And beside him he wanted the English girl, no matter shewas a servant. He was certain he had been right in thinking she left because ofhim. Telling the women he would allow none of his men to force them was atruth. But he would never have to force Sarah. She had softened in his arms andreturned his kisses, no matter how it shamed her to do so. She was only aservant and he was a Norman knight, now made an earl by his king. How muchlonger could she have refused him? Not long, he thought.

Anger warred with worry as he plodded on, concerned all thewhile what might have befallen her for her reckless leave-taking. Would he findher lying hurt somewhere? Thinking the worst, with the rising sun, he urgedBelasco to a faster pace.

The sound of the running stream shook him out of his musingsand reminded him both he and his horse were sorely in need of water and rest.

He led the gray stallion toward the sound of the gurglingwater, and loosely wrapped Belasco’s reins over a log near the stream’s bank.But he walked on some distance until he spotted a large flat rock near the edgeof the water. Kneeling, he leaned over the edge and brought the cold water tohis mouth.

A snapping twig brought his head up. He stilled, searchingthe forest for the source of the sound. Brown and yellow leaves strewn aboutthe gray rocks beneath the trees soaked up the sun’s rays. A labyrinth offallen logs and tree trunks lay before him. Anything could hide there.

The cause of the snapping twigs soon became apparent when hespotted movement. A slim lad, dressed in the colors of the forest, crouched atthe edge of a small clearing, focused intently on the broad base of a treewhere three rabbits foraged, as yet unaware of the lad’s presence.

Without a sound, the lad nocked an arrow and pulled back theshaft. The first arrow flew with a whooshing sound. Then, so fast Renaud couldnot see the movements clearly, the lad nocked the second arrow, and fired offanother shot, then another.

At the base of the tree, three rabbits lay dead.

He had never seen an archer so fast or so accurate. Intruth, such skill was unknown to him. Mayhap he could recruit the young man tojoin his archers for he doubted if any of them could match the lad’s speed.

Renaud watched as the lad walked to the base of the tree andleaned down to gather his kill. As he reached to pick up the first animal, hiscap fell from his head and a thick brown plait tumbled toward the ground. Acurse escaped Renaud’s lips in a low hiss.

Sarah!

Then, into his mind came unbidden the words spoken by Jamieat the archery contest.

Her arm is so fast ’tis as if the bow is part of her, asif they are one.

Not Sarah. Serena!

With sudden clarity, he realized he’d been played the fool.Rage filled him as he slowly rose. The lady had deceived him, living beneathhis nose disguised as a servant, determined to thwart his claim to her. Well,her deception was at an end.

Uncaring if she heard him, he boldly stomped toward her.

* * *

Startled by the sound of heavy footfalls crushing leaves andrattling stones, Serena whirled drawing her seax. Like an angry beast robbed ofits kill, the Red Wolf stalked toward her, his hands curved into fists at hisside. Fear gripped her as his cold gray eyes made clear his intent. Rising, sheretreated until her back hit the broad trunk of the tree. Like a doe held inthe fixed gaze of a wolf, she froze.

Knocking the knife from her hand, he clasped one arm aroundher waist and the other under her legs, sweeping her into his arms, and carriedher toward the stream. The tension in his hard muscles and the set of his jawshouted his anger. The force of his hold told her to struggle was futile.

“Where are you taking me?” she cried, aware they were alonein the forest.

“To prove to both of us just what I have found.”

Without another word, at the edge of the stream he tippedher head down, causing her plait to splash into the flowing water. Holding herfast to his chest, the Red Wolf stared beyond her to the stream. Fearful offalling, she wrapped her hands tightly around his neck and looked back, herhead only a foot above the rippling swirls. Her long brown plait drifted in thewater. A feeling of dread came over her as she saw the brown color running fromher hair to be carried away by the swift current. Parts of the plait were nowflaxen where the walnut dye had deserted the pale strands.

Slowly she turned to look at him, his face mere inches fromhers. Realization and anger glared from his cold gray eyes like a storm aboutto break.

He knows.

Setting her on her feet, he clamped his hands around herupper arms. “What is this deceit you have wrought? You are mine, Serena, byWilliam’s decree!”

“Never!” She pushed against his chest. “Never will I acceptyour claim or your king’s decree.” Though she knew the Normans counted womenonly as possessions, something to be bartered and given away like her lands, shewas determined to fight. Within her raged a battle between dread and desire.But to give in to the desire seemed a betrayal of her father, her brother andall she held dear.

As if she weighed but a sou, he lifted her into hisarms and carried her the short distance to the clearing. Setting her once againon her feet, he threw his cloak on the ground and forced her down upon it.

“What are you doing? Let me go!” She tried to stand, but hishand on her shoulder held her down. Squirming, she tried to fight off his handsbut he fell upon her, his heavy weight pinning her to the ground. He capturedher hands in his and held them above her head, as he looked into her eyes.Captivated by the desire she saw in his darkening gaze, both fear andexcitement rose within her.

“No, Serena. I’ll not let you go, not before I show you whatlies between us. What you seek to deny. The reason for your flight. You cannotbear to want me, a Norman, can you?”

Before she could think to move, his lips were upon hers. Shejerked her head away only to have him take her hands in his and raise themabove her head. He took both her hands into one of his and grasped her chinwith the other, forcing her to face him while she was pinned beneath his longmuscled body.