Time to Love Again Read Online Free PDF Page A

she had not fainted or screamed while the
battle raged around her. And she had managed not to lie. Twisting
the facts a little to save her own skin was not a lie, it was a
necessity. This crude man could never understand what had happened
to her. In fact, if she tried to explain the truth, he would
probably think she was mad or bewitched. Either way, she could be
locked up – and possibly be put to death.
    “ Boy .” Theuderic’s voice was soft
again, and something in it made her shiver. “Here is Hugo with the
horses. Will you ride with me for the next four days, or will you
walk? The choice is yours.”
    “Four days?” She dared not go so far away
from the spot where she had landed. How would Hank ever locate her?
“I ought to stay here.”
    “I cannot allow that. Because of the
medallion you wear, I am obligated to see you to safety. By what
form of motion you get there is of small concern to me. I have
never seen boots like yours before, but I do not think they will
last for days of walking through forests and across rivers and
streams, until I can provide a horse for you. I advise you to ride.
Decide now, boy . This moment.”
    “I – I’ll ride.” Her decision was as much the
result of the men now arriving as it was the effect of those cold
and strangely knowing eyes that would not allow her to drop her own
until he had broken the contact.
    Theuderic’s band of about a dozen warriors
was dirty and bloodstained, but apparently only a few minor
injuries had been sustained in the brief battle they had fought, a
remarkable feat considering their gear. Theuderic was the only man
with chain mail. Marcion wore boiled-leather armor with metal
scales sewn across chest and back. Hugo had plain boiled leather
with no metal reinforcement, and the others made do with padded
wool or plain woolen tunics. About half of them had rounded metal
helmets. But every man was armed with sword, shield, knife, and
battle-axe, and a few carried spears in addition to their other
weapons.
    At first, India was frightened by their
appearance, but it was not long before she became fascinated by the
warm way they greeted Theuderic, and then by the manner in which he
spoke to each man, thanking them individually for their efforts,
making certain that all were able to travel. Nor were the men
particularly interested in India. After a comment or two on the
mysterious appearance of a slender and attractive boy in their
midst, they quickly went about the business of fastening onto the
backs of their horses their weapons and what little plunder they
had gathered from the dead. Before long most of them were mounted
and ready to ride, and at that point the animals drew India’s
attention.
    These were not the kind of horses she was
used to seeing. With their thick coats and heavy legs, they looked
more like sturdy farm horses than elegant riding steeds. She had
ridden only twice in her life, and she did not look forward to this
enforced journey. As she regarded Theuderic’s grey and white mount
with trepidation, the man himself stepped toward her, and without a
word placed his hands on her waist. An instant later she was
astride the horse’s back. A moment more and Theuderic sat behind
her. His brawny left arm came around her body to pull her back
against him. The man was pure muscle, from his deep chest to
unbelievably strong arms to thighs that were like tree trunks. She
could feel those thighs move against her buttocks when he guided
his horse forward. Disturbed by the motion, India sat rigid, her
shoulders squared.
    “There is nothing to fear.” His warm breath
stirred the lock of hair that fell against her cheek. “Not from my
men, nor from me. I will keep you safe, and when we have reached
Aachen, and you have had time to rest, you will tell me your story
again. And this time, you will tell me the entire truth, boy .” She turned her head sharply at that last, almost
purred, syllable. The glint she saw in his eye generated a