All of which left him little time to spend with Eleanor. Not that he stopped thinking about her. The way she had looked at that precise moment when he had claimed her was now imprinted on him for ever.
Their unexpected closeness was more than he’d ever thought possible with a woman. And when he gazed at her, at those big, brown luminous eyes, that chestnut hair and the intoxicating body that he’d had the pleasure of exploring these past few nights, it made him want to find her and take her back to bed, there and then.
He groaned inwardly. It was more than that—and he knew it. She was witty, spirited and intelligent in a way that captivated and intrigued him. She was both unusual and alluring.
The truth was that he liked Eleanor and enjoyed her company. It was the little things too—such as a shared look or understanding when he caught her eye, trying hard not to laugh at a mutual jest. Or surprising her with a small gift he thought she might appreciate and watching her astonishment at receiving it. He also admired Eleanor’s constancy to Tallany and its people. She didn’t feel it beneath her to work tirelessly, taking her duty as chatelaine seriously.
Yes, he liked her very well indeed, and all those feelings scared the hell out of him. He knew he shouldn’t allow himself to get too close to her. That had never been part of their bargain. But he just couldn’t help it. The best thing to do in his predicament was to keep very, very busy and stop his thoughts from wandering to Eleanor. But that was easier said than done.
Just then, as if by magic, Hugh saw her materialise in the crowded castle keep, meandering with her maid, mingling with some of the villagers. Eleanor was handing out silver to a few of them and chatting to an old beggar woman when she spotted him and the corners of her beautiful lips quirked upwards. God, but he lost the ability to think when she smiled at him like that!
He strode towards her and pressed a kiss on the back of her bare hand, no longer covered.
‘What a fine surprise, Eleanor. What brings you out into the village at this late hour of the day?’ He looked from Eleanor to the older woman. ‘Ah, but I can see that I’ve interrupted you?’
‘Not at all, Hugh. This is Aedith, the elder I have told you about, from the small hamlet of Ulnaby on the northern edges. The people there have little surplus food as crops have failed this year.’
‘I’m very sorry to hear that, but rest assured that we will do everything we can to help.’ He nodded decisively. ‘Is there anything else we can do... Aedith?’
The older woman’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked from Eleanor to Hugh. ‘No...no, my lord. God keep you and my lady safe.’ With that, she curtsied and hobbled away.
Hugh turned to Eleanor. ‘Why haven’t I been informed about these problems before?’
‘I only heard about them a moment before I told you.’ Eleanor bit her lip. ‘I believe that Aedith was unsure whether she would receive the aid Ulnaby needed.’
He raised his brow. ‘You mean she was unsure about the intentions of the new Lord of Tallany?’
‘Either way, I’m certain that you have now given her peace of mind with your assurances, Hugh.’ She smiled. ‘Just as you have every other village and hamlet. They know they have nothing to fear in you.’
‘Well, thank God for that.’
Eleanor’s smile deepened as she regarded him. ‘Hugh, there is something else I want to ask you.’ She nodded to Brunhilde, who bobbed a curtsey and walked away in a different direction.
‘Oh? And how can I help you, my lady?’
‘I have been thinking that mayhap I should accompany you to Winchester tomorrow—if you are in agreement?’ she said.
‘It would be my pleasure to have you come.’
‘Good. I think it is about time that I attend court, especially now that I am a married woman.’ She shrugged. ‘It would also afford me the opportunity to pay my respects at my family’s tomb at St Michael’s Chapel in Milnthorpe.’
‘Of course—and I would be happy for your company, Eleanor.’
‘Then it is settled? I can go and arrange everything with Brunhilde for the morrow?’ She arched her brows.
‘It is and you should,’ he said, grinning. ‘Go. Get yourself ready, my lady, and I shall see you in our solar later.’
She went on her tiptoes and kissed Hugh on the cheek. ‘Yes, but not until much, much later. I have much to do and I am also in need of Brunhilde’s tincture, so please do not wait up for me.’
‘Very well—but don’t be too late, Eleanor. If you send a message to me, I shall be happy to escort you back.’
‘Thank you, but there’s no need to worry about me. It’s not as though I am stepping outside of the village.’
‘I know, but it’s not a good idea for you to be out so late—not with dangerous outlaws on the prowl in the area.’
‘You have much to attend to, Hugh. I will ask Gilbert to escort me back to our solar. Would that suffice?’
‘It would.’ His lips tugged at the corners before he pressed them to her fingers again. ‘Until later, Eleanor,’ he said, and then continued on the dusty pathway in search of Will.
Eleanor stood and watched Hugh walk away before she felt she could breathe again. She put her fingers to her temple and rubbed it, feeling the tightening tensions accumulating there. She sighed, glancing back in the direction her husband had gone, and her shoulders sagged. She hated the fact that she had just lied to him, but there was no other choice.
She scurried away to one side of the inner bailey and waited underneath an arch until Gilbert emerged. He nodded and made a slight bow as she
