Vengeance 03 - Believe In Me Read Online Free PDF

expected. The nun was uncomfortable on her horse and insisted on stopping several times, but none of those stops had provided Cristiana with the opportunity she sought to escape.
    Her gaze caught on William as he rode alongside her, his grey steed a perfect complement to his calm persona. She knew he watched her as though she were an interesting object he didn’t quite comprehend. Well, that made two of them, for she didn’t understand him or his cursed sense of honor either. Surely most other knights could’ve been bribed easily enough, but not him. He rode with ease but held himself stiffly, though she’d observed few men ride in a surcoat and chain mail. Perhaps all rode as he.
    Not that he wasn’t a pleasure to watch.
    The mail made his shoulders look all the wider, his chest all the broader. The light breeze tugged at his brown hair, blowing waves across his forehead. He closed his eyes for a brief moment then frowned. Was the man in pain? Was that why he rode so rigidly?
    She turned to Henry but found him relaxed, moving with the horse’s gait.
    S ighing, she pulled her gaze away from both men. Any pain William might have was of no concern to her. Hopefully, she could keep it that way. Her gift of healing gave her an overwhelming desire to help others. At times, it was extremely annoying.
    Soon the path descended toward the valley floor, and with it, Cristiana’s hopes rose. The terrain changed to a steep rocky incline on one side and dark, thick woods on the other. What she needed now was a distraction.
    She glanced at the knight who seemed to keep one eye on her and the other on the countryside. “I would like to halt for a few moments.”
    He frowned, dark brows framing his eyes. The man was attractive even when he looked displeased. “We need to travel farther before dark.”
    She tilted her head and blinked several times. “Must I be more specific or can you guess the reason for my need to stop?”
    The frown turned to a scowl, but he shouted to the two men-at-arms who led the way.
    “ Why are we stopping here?” Sister Mawde asked. “Is it time to halt for the night?”
    Henry answered the sister while William dismounted and moved to assist Cristiana. As his warm hands claimed her waist, she couldn’t help but regret the layers of clothing she’d donned again that morning. He must think her stout. She shook her head at her ridiculous thoughts and reminded herself to focus on what mattered.
    Her feet touched the ground, yet still he held her, one hand trembling at her waist, his face a mask of concentration.
    Then all that focus shifted to her.
    H is gaze met hers for a long moment then dropped to her lips. She caught her breath and her stomach fluttered in response.
    His eyes held hers again, and the flutters increased threefold.
    “ Don’t venture far,” he said as he released her abruptly and gestured toward the trees.
    She took the reins of her horse and started toward the woods, only to feel William’s hand on her arm.
    “I’ll take your horse,” he told her, watching her closely.
    “Oh . Thank you.” Now what was she to do? Panic built in the back of her throat. How could she reach her destination without her mare?
    She tried to think through her options, but this could be her only chance. There was nothing to be done except go into the forest.
    Sister Mawde continued her complaints, this time drawing William into the conversation. Cristiana gave her silent thanks for distracting the knight.
    She’d managed to take extra cheese and dried meat when they’d stopped at mid-day. Hopefully that would be enough to see her through the next morn. Then she’d have to find food. She wasn’t certain how long it would take to reach her cousin’s home. Before she worried about the details, she needed to complete her escape.
    Finding a path through the thick undergrowth, she made her way to the largest tree in view, a massive oak. The sooner she was out of sight, the better. She could still hear