Carried Away Read Online Free Page A

allies of our friends in Köln. I’m a vassal of Duke Lothar von Süpplingenburg of Saxony.”
    All of this was beyond her. Who was this Duke Lothar with the unpronounceable name? She laced her fingers together and looked anxiously toward the door. “But where is Matilda? Is someone bringing her? She must be terrified.”
    His brow furrowed as he rose to his feet. “ Ja , you’re right to be concerned. They should be here by now.”
    He strode to the door, leaving her alone in the silent church. She was grateful the stone pillars made it cooler here, but now she was trembling, despite her heavy gown. The sweat of her fear became clammy. Several anxious minutes later she heard horses approaching fast. Men shouted at each other in German. The Black Knight’s deep voice was raised in anger. Strangely, hearing it again calmed her. Abruptly he came back into the church, grasped her elbow and urged her towards the door.
    She lifted the hem of her dress, afraid to stumble. “What’s happening? Where are we going now?”
    He didn’t look at her. “Köln.”
    Panic seized her. She would never be rescued if he took her to Köln. She tried in vain to pull her arm from his tight grasp. “But where is Matilda?”
    He stopped suddenly and turned her to face him, his hands gripping her shoulders. His blue eyes glinted with anger. She held her breath. “Lady Blythe, I’m not accustomed to explaining myself to women, especially foreign women. Neither am I accustomed to failure, but it seems my men have failed me. Matilda escaped with her guards. Four of my comrades were killed, and several injured.”
    A wave of relief swept over her. Now she would be freed. “But if you don’t have Matilda, why do you need me?”
    She regretted the words instantly. They would kill her now.
    He stared at her for long moments. “We don’t, but you’ll come with us anyway.”
    She lowered her eyes and her heart plummeted. “I’m to be a hostage? They’ll give you nothing for me. I’m of no importance to them.”
    He touched her hair again. “You’re right,” he replied gently. “But you’re of importance to me.”
    He mounted his stallion and held out his hand. “Ride behind me.”
    She glanced around. Wounded men slumped against the backs of several riders. Perhaps she could aid them. With no hope of escape or rescue, she obeyed. She hitched up her copious skirts, straddled the horse behind him, grateful for many hours spent riding with her brother Aidan, and flung her arms around his waist. They rode off into the late afternoon sun.
    ***
    The fear and hopelessness in his captive’s eyes saddened Dieter. He wasn’t a man who kidnapped innocent young women, and he’d no doubt Lady Blythe Lacey FitzRam was indeed an innocent. But she was brave, hadn’t whined or wept once, despite her obvious terror, and had maintained a dignified bearing.
    “Why should I care what this Norman wench thinks?” he wondered, trying to decide if her eyes were green or brown. He’d untied the gag to allay her fear and admitted ruefully he’d flirted with her.
    Ja, Dieter, but she’s so beautiful, why not?
    His first proper look at her in the church had taken his breath away. His attention in the Cathedral had been wholly on the mission as he’d crept up stealthily behind her. Carrying her on his shoulder had given him an indication of her form as her breasts bounced against him. No doubt he’d hurt her. If he could just peel down her gown and make sure she wasn’t bruised. He licked his lips, conjuring a vision of her copious globes in his hands. His rute responded.
    As he ushered her hurriedly out of the church, he asked himself what he was doing. She would be an encumbrance. Why not simply cut his losses and leave her here? There was something about Blythe Lacey FitzRam he couldn’t relinquish. What would she look like with her hair down, and without the sulky pout she seemed determined to keep on her face?
    He resolved to concentrate on the