‘As you wish.’
Oh, but there was. He’d upset and distressed her. And, whilst it was one thing for him to tease and annoy someone, he would never willingly cause hurt. He might now be a celebrated knight, a soldier used to combat, but he would never intentionally hurt another. He took his oath to protect others very seriously.
And that was what confused him. For Eleanor to think, however briefly, that he might ravish her, or even force her against her will, was worrying and extremely shocking.
What kind of a man did she think him to be?
Of course that posed the question of what kind of a man she’d known before. It raised doubts about the very nature of her marriage to Richard Millais, a supposed leader of men. For her to react to him in the way she had...
He shook his head absently.
‘Did he hurt you?’ The words slipped out before he could decide whether it was a good idea to ask Eleanor about her marriage. ‘Richard Millais? Did he hurt you?’
He met her steady gaze as he slowed his horse to a slow trot beside her. She opened her mouth as if to say something, and then shut it.
‘It is perhaps best if we leave the past firmly in the past, Sir Hugh.’
He didn’t want to let it go but what else could he do? He could hardly push her to talk if she had no desire to confide in him.
‘Very well, Eleanor. Instead, allow me to ask where you learnt to ride like that? You are most impressive.’
‘For “just a woman”?’
‘Ah about that... I believe I owe you an apology for that too.’
‘For saying what you believe to be the truth?’
‘No, for purposely provoking you.’ He watched her frown, saw confusion etched in her face. He quickly continued. ‘I want to get to know you, Eleanor. We’re to be married tomorrow and I still know nothing about you.’
She raised a brow. ‘And you thought that would be your best approach?’
‘No! Frankly, it was a mistake.’ He sighed deeply. ‘Although I suppose we are now talking more freely, as a betrothed couple should—not that I have any idea about betrothed couples.’
He could see that her eyes softened as they met his.
‘Have you always been a soldier, Sir Hugh?’ she asked.
‘Since I was a young lad, squiring for Lord Anderville. Then I joined the Earl of Oxford’s mesnie and eventually gained my spurs.’
She tilted her head. ‘And you rose up the ranks until that fateful day you saved the King’s life?’
Hugh shrugged. ‘Whatever you may have heard about me, you must know that pitched battles are messy and unpredictable.’
She raised her brows. ‘You surprise me.’
‘Because of my supposed valour and heroism? I may be a strong, able soldier, Eleanor, but so are countless others. There is much to say about luck with any kind of one-to-one combat.’
She looked surprised. ‘And skill, presumably?’
‘Yes, and skill. But even then it’s not always enough... Many brave souls never come home.’
‘I know.’ She nodded. ‘There were many of our local men who didn’t come back from Bouvines. The battle that sealed England’s troubles.’
He stared at her, impressed that she had such an astute understanding about the current political situation. ‘It certainly fuelled the King’s problems with the Rebel Barons,’ he said.
‘And our Sovereign’s problems affect us all.’ She paused before continuing. ‘Anyway, I thank you for your apology, and in the same spirit I would like to offer mine. My behaviour was unbecoming for a lady.’
‘Ah, but then you do not possess the necessary maidenly manners, don’t forget,’ he said. ‘Really, there’s no need to apologise, Eleanor. I think it remarkable, given the provocation, that you didn’t hit me over the head rather than challenge me to a race on horseback.’
‘Which I won.’
‘Which you cheated at!’
They’d both spoken at the same time. Hugh chuckled softly, shaking his head as Eleanor’s eyes filled with a brief spark of humour. She had spirit, this woman who would soon be his wife.
They continued to ride back, and soon in the distance Hugh could see the figures of the retainers and Eleanor’s maid, Brunhilde, waiting for them.
‘Sir Hugh.’ Eleanor broke the companionable silence. ‘My marriage to Richard was...nothing less than a disaster.’
‘I did wonder.’
‘Did you?’ she muttered, shaking her head. ‘When I told you that we needed to find a way out of this imposed marriage I meant it.’
‘And I meant it when I told you, my lady, that it’s not possible. Believe me, if there was a way, I would have done everything in my power to bring it about.’
‘But I... I’m not a woman fit for marriage.’
Was that what Millais had told her? That she was not fit to be a wife? Hugh felt himself getting angry on her behalf and thought he would wager that it had been the other way around. It would have been more likely Richard Millais had been unfit to be anywhere near Eleanor Tallany or any other woman, from the little he had seen of the man.
He pulled the reins to bring his horse to a halt, prompting Eleanor to do the same.
‘Eleanor, I understand your reluctance for this marriage but allow me to reassure you.’ He inclined his head. ‘Let us not talk of disastrous pasts but hopeful futures.’
She didn’t say anything, just continued to gaze at him, looking no doubt for sincerity in the words he had uttered. He realised then just how much Eleanor needed to be reassured.
‘Very well, then. So be it, Sir Hugh.’ She shrugged. ‘As you wish.’
The ghost of a smile played on her lips. But it was a real smile, nevertheless, as she repeated the words he had said moments ago.
Yes, indeed, Eleanor Tallany had spirit. He returned her smile, feeling his mood lift for the first time since...well, since learning of his betrothal.
‘Thank you. And I know it would also be the wish of King John.’
Eleanor’s smile vanished. ‘Of course, Sir Hugh.
