The Warrior's Innocent Captive Read online

  “You are looking very pleased with yourself,” said a deep voice to her left.

  Her heart skipped a beat and her lips involuntarily curved upward. She didn’t need to turn to know who had ridden up beside her. Erik’s blue-eyed gaze was never without an amused twinkle. Every afternoon he would ride next to her and keep her company. She loved how he always made her laugh, and she admitted to herself, that these interludes were the favorite parts of the day.

  “That’s because I am very pleased with myself,” she replied lightly. “Only five days ago I didn’t know how to ride a horse.”

  “And here I was thinking you’d obviously had a full knight’s training you ride so well.”

  Laughter gurgled out of her. This was what all their exchanges were like—he teased her and she played along. Even though everything between them was light and relaxed, her heart still raced whenever they spoke.

  Author Note

  Linota Leofric is one of my favourite heroines and I’ve loved writing her story. Her beloved father was executed when she was only a child, and she’s lived in almost complete seclusion since then.

  The story begins just as she is finding her way in the world for the first time, and I love that everything she comes across is new and exciting. She’s feisty, young and courageous, and she looks at every adventure with optimism.

  My hero, Erik Ward, has had everything thrown at him, but he always gets up and fights back. In a world that’s dark and lonely, Linota is a burst of light who turns his life upside down and gives him a reason to hope.

  These two characters were never meant to have their own book, but as I wrote about the other Leofric siblings, these two started talking to me and they really wanted to share their sides of the story. I hope you enjoy what they have to say!

  This is the last title in my The House of Leofric series. I’ve really enjoyed spending time with the Leofric siblings and the people they come to love. I’m going to be sad not being with them every day, but I’m so pleased that I got to tell their stories.

  I hope you enjoy!

  ELLA MATTHEWS

  The Warrior’s Innocent Captive

  Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. When not thinking about handsome heroes, she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes, but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).

  Books by Ella Matthews

  Harlequin Historical

  The Warrior Knight and the Widow

  Under the Warrior’s Protection

  The Warrior’s Innocent Captive

  Visit the Author Profile page

  at Harlequin.com.

  To Andrew

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from His Accidental Countess by Annie Burrows

  Chapter One

  Ogmore’s fortress—winter 1331

  Candlelight flickered from sconces high up on the Great Hall’s walls. The press of people watching the various entertainments kept the temperature from plummeting on the cold winter’s evening.

  Erik Ward stood still, his arms folded in front of his chest. In front of him, puppeteers performed a ribald comedy. Those around him laughed as something happened, but he missed the action. Opposite him, across the semi-circle of spectators, stood Linota Leofric. Her long, golden hair was tied back in an intricate braid and, unlike the other women around her, no ornament adorned the plait. The way she clapped her slender hands in delight at the sketch amused him far more than the comedy she was enjoying.

  He wasn’t the only one to notice her. Every so often a man would try to catch her eye. One or two had even struck up a conversation, but after a moment or two she would politely turn away, her interest once more caught by the entertainment. If he were the sort of man who could pay court to her, he would have thought up an original idea to capture and hold her attention. As it was, he was content to watch her enjoy herself.

  Erik moved slightly as a man stepped in close behind him, the stranger’s heavy wheezing too close for comfort.

  Linota laughed out loud and Erik swallowed. He couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction; he was acting like the kitchen boy he’d once been, mesmerised by the prettiest girl in the fortress.

  He’d been this way since he’d first caught a glimpse of Linota over a month ago. He was glad he and his liege, Jarin Ashdown, the Earl of Borwyn, were away from home. It would do no good to the fearsome reputation he’d spent years cultivating, if Borwyn’s men could see him mooning after a pretty young woman he’d not actually spoken to yet.

  A heavy hand settled on his shoulder and he frowned. His notoriety normally preceded him and now that he and Borwyn had been guests at Ogmore’s fortress for so long, everyone should know that reputation was not an exaggeration. He wasn’t the sort of man you clapped on the shoulder. He was the man you stayed well clear of.

  ‘I have news of Mary,’ said a thick nasally voice below his left ear.

  Ice flooded through Erik’s veins. No one had spoken to him of his younger sister in years. Even when she’d lived in the same fortress as him, he’d worked hard to keep her hidden. After she’d left he’d searched for her, but he’d found no sign. It was as if she had been wiped out of existence.

  ‘Meet me by the stables,’ the voice commanded.

  The hand disappeared from his shoulder. Erik whipped round to see who had been talking to him, but whoever it was had already melted into the crowds of people milling around the puppeteers.

  He took one last look at Linota Leofric and glared at a pimply man who stepped near her. The man paled and reared back as if he’d been punched. Erik nodded, pleased his reputation had produced some results tonight.

  The night was cloudless and a sharp wind bit through Erik’s clothes as he kept to the shadows thrown by the towering walls of the keep. Laughter from a nearby group of guards had him flattening himself against the rough stone and he laughed to himself as he straightened. He was doing nothing wrong, so why was he acting like a criminal?

  He would meet with this stranger, who would probably try to feed him some nonsense in return for Erik using his influence with Borwyn. Erik could dismiss the man and get back to the festivities...and to watching Linota.

  He shook his head; he wasn’t watching her, he was protecting her. Little did she know that a large dowry had recently been added to her name, and her sister’s, by the hugely influential Earl of Ogmore. It made her an excellent choice of bride for Erik’s liege, Borwyn, and Erik always guarded Borwyn’s interests. Linota’s wide, blue eyes and gentle curves made this assignment pleasanter than most.

  Only Erik and Jarin knew how much Jarin needed the money and connections marrying Linota would bring. If the thought made Erik want to drive a fist through somebody’s face, then he’d just have to ignore the sensation. If she didn’t become Borywn’s wife, she wouldn’t become Erik’s either. Linota was not a potential bride for a bastard-born steward, her huge dowry placing her so far out of his reach he might as well aim for the moon.

  He came to a stop by the stables and waited. The wind whipped through his woollen clothes and he wished he’d had time to pull on his cloak, his tunic didn’t provide enough warmth. He rubbed his hands together as the cold cut to his bones. He’d give the stranger a little longer and then he was returning to the delights of the Hall.

  A shuffling to his left made him turn his head. A short, rotund man stood in the darkness.

  ‘Well?’ said Erik.

  ‘Erik Ward,’ said the man softly.

  Erik groaned. This stranger clearly had the drama of a stage player with this lurking about in the dark and demands for secret meetings. Erik didn’t want this encounter to last any longer than absolutely necessary. He had things to do. ‘You said you have news of my sister.’

  ‘I do.’

  ‘And what do you want in exchange for the news?’

  ‘Ah, straight to the heart of the matter. I like it that you are so ready to make an exchange.’ Erik rolled his eyes. He was ready for no such thing, but he’d wait until this character had revealed his plans before letting on. He let the man continue. ‘You’re right, I do want something in return, but for now we’ll settle for proof of my sincere intentions. Here, take this parcel. When you’ve had time to take a look at it I’ll be in touch.’

  ‘What’s in here?’ Erik took the proffered small package and tucked it into his belt. There was nothing the man could give him that would hold any interest.

  ‘You’ll see,’ said the stranger, who turned and disappeared down the way he had come.

  Erik sighed and strolled away from the shadows.


  This wasn’t the first time someone had tried to take advantage of his position and it wouldn’t be the last. This latest one certainly had a flare for drama, though.

  * * *

  Linota stepped away from the puppet show. It was vastly entertaining but there were so many things to see and who knew when she’d get the opportunity to do so again. She’d not seen anything like this celebration in the first eighteen years of her life.

  In the corner of the Hall a juggler tossed batons of fire through the air, catching and throwing them effortlessly. She watched, mesmerised, until her attention was caught by the conversation happening next to her.

  ‘There he is again,’ hissed a woman. ‘What I wouldn’t give for an evening with that.’

  ‘I’d take a whole night. Look at the way his muscles move under his clothes. I hear he knows exactly how to please a woman. I imagine it would be hard and fast.’ The two women giggled.

  Linota looked in the direction the women were staring. She was unsurprised when she saw it was Erik Ward who had caught their attention. The man was standing just inside the entrance to the Hall, rubbing his large hands together vigorously, as if he’d been outside for some time. But hadn’t she seen him watching the puppet show not that long ago? His tall, muscular frame was hard to miss as he towered over nearly everyone else in the Hall.

  She’d felt his heavy gaze upon her more than once, but whenever she’d looked back at him he was frowning. She’d tried to dismiss it, but she couldn’t help the strange flare of awareness that shot through her every time she realised his eyes were on her.

  She tugged at her tight braid and wished she’d had the confidence to tell her sister she wanted to wear something looser.

  ‘He’s coming over,’ said one of the women behind her.

  Linota turned her attention back to the jugglers rather than watch Erik approach. She didn’t want him to know how fascinated she was about the way he moved. With his thick, muscular body he should be cumbersome, but he carried himself with the grace of a cat stalking its prey. While other women, including her older sister, Katherine, sighed about Erik’s liege, the Earl of Borwyn, Linota had watched his steward. Unlike Borwyn, Erik existed on the fringes, always watching, always an outsider. She’d never spoken to the man, but she had a feeling he was a bit like her, waiting for life to start happening, biding his time until he could break free.

  ‘Mistress Leofric.’ Linota jumped when a man standing next to her addressed her directly. She’d been so busy thinking about Erik Ward that she hadn’t seen anyone approach. ‘It is very good to see you and your sister out of your chambers. A beautiful little thing like you shouldn’t be hidden in the dark.’

  The hairs on the back of Linota’s neck stood to attention at being called a ‘thing’, but Katherine had ingrained in her the need to be polite to everyone they met. The taint of treason had hung around their family like an unwanted stench for so long. Today their brother had married into the influential Ogmore family. The wedding and the celebration was the first time she and Katherine had left their chamber for this long in years. It was liberating and exciting, but Linota knew that it could all be over in an instant if she made the wrong move.

  So she turned to smile politely at the speaker and then wished she hadn’t. The man’s thick lips were wet and there were flecks of food in his long beard. His gaze ran over her body and she shuddered.

  Involuntarily, she stepped backwards and hit a wall. A wall that hadn’t been there a moment ago. She glanced upwards and realised she’d hit the solid muscle of Erik Ward’s chest.

  ‘Leave the lady alone, Mabon.’ Erik’s deep voice rumbled through her.

  Mabon paled and didn’t wait to be told twice. He scuttled away, not even saying good evening as he departed quickly.

  ‘Thank you kindly, sir.’ She stepped away from him and turned to look up at him. Her gaze met his piercing blue eyes and her heart fluttered wildly in her chest.

  ‘It was no bother,’ he said, his eyes twinkling in the dim light of the room. ‘Mabon is a foolish little toad. I enjoyed putting him in his place.’ His lips curved into a half-smile and Linota couldn’t help but smile back.

  ‘I’m Erik Ward.’

  ‘I know.’

  He raised an eyebrow and heat spread across her cheeks. She didn’t want him to think she had noticed him particularly, although she had. He was hard to miss. Most other men in the room were polished, but Erik was a little rough around the edges with his hair ruffled and worn long to his shoulders.

  ‘The Earl of Borwyn has caused quite a stir by coming to Ogmore,’ she floundered. ‘Even though I’ve been sequestered in my rooms it is hard to miss the excitement of his arrival along with his entourage.’

  Erik’s lips quirked. ‘Thank you for putting me in my place.’

  Linota felt herself become even hotter. She was not experienced with talking to men. Was this a flirtation? From the way those women were talking, Erik was experienced in a way she was not. Not one of the men who had approached this evening had caused her stomach to turn over in the way it was doing now. She was hooked on Erik’s piercing gaze and couldn’t turn her head away.

  ‘Um... I’m Linota Leofric,’ she said.

  ‘I know.’

  She giggled; she couldn’t help herself. Erik Ward had a reputation of being the Earl of Borwyn’s muscle, the one who fought the Earl’s battles, and with his broad shoulders she didn’t doubt that the rumours were true. But now that she was talking to him she could see the tell-tale humour in his gaze which suggested there was more to him than just mindless thuggery.

  ‘Are you going to ask how I know?’ he asked.

  She shrugged. ‘Everyone knows who I am. I’m the younger daughter of the infamous John Leofric, traitor to the Crown. One of the two daughters who hardly ever come out of their chambers because their mother has gone insane due to the upset of being thrown from our castle when I was only a young child. My brother is the one whose wedding celebrations we’re attending and, while not infamous, he is certainly well known due to the hideous scarring on his face. I would guess that there isn’t a single person in here who doesn’t know my name or my family history.’

  Erik raised both eyebrows. ‘I wasn’t going to put it quite like that.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘I was going to say I know who you are because you are by far and away the most beautiful woman in the room.’

  Linota’s breath caught in her throat and her lips fell open in shock.

  She’d been told many times that she was pretty, but that was by her sister. To be told so by this hulking stranger was a very different experience. The strange swooping sensation in her stomach began to spread through her whole body, making her heart race faster and the fine hairs on her forearms stand to attention.

  Erik’s gaze dropped to her open mouth and a look she didn’t understand crossed his face. The noise of the crowd dropped away as if it was only the two of them stood in the Great Hall.

  For one long, heady moment she thought he was going to kiss her, but then he smiled and said, ‘But I’m sure you hear comments on how beautiful you are all the time. So tell me, are you enjoying the evening, Mistress Leofric?’

  The sounds of the room rushed back in and Erik’s eyes twinkled with amusement, as if the intense moment had never happened. Perhaps it hadn’t. Maybe Erik went around telling all women they were beautiful.

  Those women she’d overheard had been talking about spending the night with him and she wasn’t so naive that she didn’t know what that meant. It was best not to engage in a flirtation with this man. She couldn’t give him the impression she was fascinated with him, even if that was the truth. Her family were depending on her marrying well and dallying with a steward wasn’t a good idea. He wasn’t high enough in importance even if he did fill out his tunic well. It wouldn’t hurt to be polite though.

  ‘I love everything about the evening,’ she answered honestly.

  ‘Have you tried any of the entertainments yourself?’

  ‘No! I don’t think juggling fire is a good idea.’