Laurent smirked. ‘Hard to believe after you abandon us for your wife’s company all morning.’
‘Just as he should have.’ Jerrard gave the younger man a look before turning back to face Matthew. ‘I’ll keep you informed about what the barons decide to do next. Until then, it’s important our plans remain secret, the charter especially.’
‘Have I ever broken my word before?’ Matthew glowered at the insinuation.
‘No. My apologies, only these are dangerous times. I’m sure your wife is trustworthy, but it’s not worth the risk.’
‘I know. I won’t tell her anything.’
‘Good. Hopefully it won’t be long before the barons act, but in the meantime, we need you close to Wintercott.’
‘To spy on my father, you mean?’ Matthew made a face.
‘A necessary evil, I’m afraid. I know it seems underhand, but your father is still a close ally of the King. If John intends to muster an army against us, we need to know.’
‘I understand. I only wish it didn’t involve my father.’
Jerrard looked sympathetic. ‘I know it won’t be easy for you, seeing him again, but it’s been a long time. Perhaps he’ll want to put the past behind him as well. I wish you luck.’
‘I’ll need more than luck, but I appreciate the thought. One other thing. Since I might not be staying long at Wintercott itself, it might be necessary for me to tell my brother something of what’s going on. He’s another pair of eyes and I’ll vouch for his secrecy.’
‘Very well...’ Jerrard hesitated briefly ‘...if you’re sure of him.’
‘I’ll make sure.’ Matthew took a step backwards. ‘Goodbye until we meet again, my friends. Send word if you need me.’
‘You can rely on us.’ Jerrard remounted his horse and raised a hand to Constance. ‘It’s been an honour to meet you, my lady. I wish you a safe journey.’
‘As do I!’ Laurent swung a leg over his saddle with a grin. ‘A safe journey and a happy marriage! Only a word of advice, lady. Don’t let your husband’s scowl intimidate you. He might act like a hunting dog, but he’s as soft as a puppy underneath.’ He winked and then dug his heels into his horse’s flanks, making his getaway before Matthew could react. ‘Tickle his belly and you’ll find out.’
Chapter Eight
‘A puppy?’
Constance pressed her lips together, struggling to keep the laughter out of her voice as Jerrard and Laurent disappeared into the distance. It wasn’t exactly the way she would have chosen to describe her husband, although cold-hearted tyrant didn’t seem quite appropriate any more either and it wasn’t just because he’d bought her favourite horse as a gift. She was aware that he’d been making an effort to talk to her that morning as well, to make her feel better about leaving her family... Surely a tyrant wouldn’t have cared.
‘Something like that.’ Matthew rubbed a hand across his chin, dishevelled blond hair billowing about his face as the wind started to pick up around them. ‘He’ll pay for that comment in a few weeks. In the meantime, shall we rest a while here? You need something to eat.’ He reached for his saddlebag. ‘Your aunt gave me a bundle of spiced pastries.’
‘Ugh.’ She groaned and clutched at her stomach. ‘Trust me, food is the last thing I want at the moment. Besides, what
about that?’ She gestured towards the sky in the south, to where a cluster of grey shadows were gathering together to form one giant dark mass. From a distance, it looked as if a veil were being drawn slowly but steadily over the sky.
‘That is inevitable. I’d say we’ve been lucky to avoid the rain so far. This must be the first day I haven’t been utterly drenched since I arrived back in England.’
‘Don’t speak too soon. Do you think we can outride it?’
‘We can try, but the horses need to rest for a while and so do you by the look of it. Here.’
He reached his arms up to help her dismount and she put her hands on his shoulders, trying to ignore the tremor of excitement that coursed through her body as her chest slid down against his.
‘Thank you.’ She swayed backwards as her feet touched the ground, trying to put some distance between them, but with the horse behind her there wasn’t much room. ‘Vixen does seem tired.’
‘She’s a fine beast.’ He put a hand on the palfrey’s mane, though he kept the other on her waist, his fingers gently stroking the curve of her back as if he were flexing his fingertips. ‘I’m pleased you like her.’
‘Very much. It was a thoughtful gift.’
She swallowed, wondering what to do or say next, very aware that they were alone together. Jerrard and Laurent were already out of sight and the baggage cart bearing the two coffers containing her wedding trousseau had yet to catch up. More surprisingly, Matthew wasn’t moving away either, pinning her between himself and the horse, and his proximity was doing strange things to her insides, not least her stomach which seemed to be filled to the brim with tiny, fluttering creatures.
After five years, it felt strange standing so near to him, as if there were an invisible cord of tension vibrating between them. She wasn’t accustomed to standing so close to any man, especially one who, without his customary scowl, was really quite astonishingly handsome. The copper tints of his hair looked more vivid in daylight, emphasising the dark glow of his eyes, and beneath a layer of stubble, his sharp features appeared almost perfectly symmetrical. She wondered why she hadn’t noticed that before. Not that now was the time for wondering...