Eliza Knight - The Rules of Chivalry (29 page)

“I wish it were night already,” she murmured.

“As do I, my love, as do I.”

They startled apart when two guards dressed in the King’s livery came into the room. The men bowed. “Lady Kent and Sir Devereux, the King requests your presence in his chambers.”

“My lady,” Michael said, offering her his arm.

She wrapped her arm through is, resting her hand on the crook of his warm and solid forearm.

“Smile, my lady, for with a certainty our lives are about to change for the better,” Michael said in a whisper near the shell of her ear.

Elena trembled, and then she d
id smile.
A wide and giddy grin
.

Indeed, life was about to change, and she would leave everything else in the past, for good.

The crowd of lavishly dressed courtiers split down the middle as Elena and Michael made their way through the great hall toward King Henry’s chambers. Whispers sounded behind hands and jewel and feather studded fans. Elena could only guess what they were saying about her. She also felt quite underdressed. The ladies of the court wore the finest velvets, furs, studded with jewels and elaborate embroidery.

She herself wore a simple gown in deep green of finely, soft woven wool. Her cuffs, hem and neckline were bordered with fox fur, and she wore a jeweled belt. She was wearing one of her finest gowns, but she had not realized that her finest was not up to par. She stiffened her back, straightened her shoulders, and lifted her chin. She would not be made to feel inferior because of her attire. She felt beautiful, and Michael seemed to like her just the way she was.

Beside her, he patted her hand and leaned close to whisper, “Look at all these peacocks and popinjays. Do you think they’ve sewn all of their wealth into their clothes? Every time I come to court I am surprised at the need for such flamboyance.”

Elena smiled with relief and let out a small laugh. She
was glad for his words, they made her feel accepted. “That woman’s hat looks as though she keeps her pets inside it.”

Michael chuckled, his gaze following hers to the woman’s headdress that was at least two feet tall, covered in feathers, furs and beading.

“’Tis ridiculous.”

They arrived at the closed doors to the King’s presence chamber. Two guards stepped aside and their escort opened the doors. The scent of apples and wax floated from the room.

“Majesty, may I present to you, Lady Elena, Countess of Kent and Sir Michael Devereux of Wexford.”

The King sat upon a high, ornately carved, oak throne chair, himself covered in velvet, furs and jewels. He summoned them forward with a wave of his fingers.

“Do not look him in the eyes, kneel before him and kiss his ring,” one of the guards hissed as they walked past.

Why could they not look him in the eyes? But Elena had no further time to ponder on it, as they reached the foot of the King’s dais, and knelt before him. Each kissed his dark ring, and kept their gazes lowered.

“I am glad you finally arrived. I had begun to think you were ignoring me,” King Henry chided.

“Your Majesty—” Michael started.

“There is no need to respond, I have heard what befell you,” the King interrupted. “’Tis high time we continued with this. Lady Elena, you are widowed. Your husband had no heirs, and as a woman, the land cannot be given to you. Are you
enceinte
?”

Oh, dear God! How would she answer? She was indeed with child, but the babe in her womb was not Kent’s. Saying as such would brand her a harlot, and she could very well be cast into the Tower as adultery was a crime.

She swallowed hard, digging her nails into her palm, she could not speak.

“My lady?” the King urged.

“She is,” Michael answered.

She looked at him sharply, but he stared at the King’s feet.

“Very well, the land and title will belong to your child, Kent’s heir.”

She gasped and without thinking looked up
at
King Henry’s face. He wore a patch over one eye and a scowl that sent her to nearly messing herself. She quickly looked back at the ground.

“That being said,
the
child within your womb cannot care for Kent’s holdings, and even once he is born he could not do what was necessarily until he is of age. Thusly, you will marry Sir Michael Devereux of Wexford, now to be entitled, Baron
Shepway
. He will serve as guardian of your child’s holding.”

King Henry stood and ambled forward. He took his sword in hand and placed it on either of Michael’s shoulders.

“Do you swear to the Holy Mother and God in Heaven that you will serve this realm with honor and do as bid you by
myself
, sole sovereign of this mighty realm, King of England, France and Lord of Ireland?”

“Aye.”

“Then I name you
now
, Baron
Shepway
. You must marry immediately. My secretary has already drawn up the papers. You will also be required to pay the sum of five-hundred coins silver to the Royal Treasury.”

The King sat back down and waved them away.

Elena curtsied as low as she could, with Michael bowing beside her. She cared not to have to pay the
sum,
she was shocked at what had just transpired.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” she said softly.

“My thanks to you for remaining a true and loyal subject.
And Baron, my thanks to you for helping in my cause in France.”

Michael nodded and bowed again. They backed out of
the room, followed by the King’s secretary and the guards.

“The chapel is this way,” the secretary, Robert Darcy, said sternly.

“Chapel?”
Elena asked.

“Aye, you are to marry immediately.”

“Oh,” she breathed. She’d heard King Henry say that, but she hadn’t thought that he meant literally.

“Your ladies and your men are awaiting us, my lord. Let us go.” Mr. Darcy turned on his heels, and headed down a corridor without looking back.

Elena peered up at Michael. “When you said today would change our lives, I had not thought it so immediate.”

He chuckled. “Neither did
I
, my love.”

“Why did you tell the king I was with child? Now everyone will believe
’
tis Kent’s heir.”

“So be it. But I do not think that the case, hence the fine. Besides, you,
myself
and those of our close circle know the truth, and nothing else matters.” He tweaked her nose and pressed her fingers to his lips. “Now, let us marry.”

“
Aye
,
let us. And tonight, you needn’t sneak into my chambers,
for we will be at last married in truth
.” Flashes of his muscled body looming over hers a
s
he sank inside between her thighs sent chills to sweep along her limbs. She swallowed hard. Finally, after so many years, they would be man and wife.

“Good, God, I never thought the day would come.” Michael’s words were filled with emotion and desire, sending a trill of sensation through Elena.

Her throat closed up she was so overcome. She took a steadying breath. “Neither did
I
.”

When they entered the chapel, Elena’s ladies, Colin and Fletch were not the only witnesses. Thomas stood with
Raelyn
, and beyond him, Bernard and Theodore were there as well.

Michael stopped short upon seeing them. The two men
knelt before Michael, clasping their hands out
in
front
of them
in fealty.

“We gladly lay down our lives for you. We will honor you and serve you as our lord.”

Michael nodded and gripped both of their arms. “I accept.”

Raelyn
stepped forward with Thomas. “I am so happy for you, Elena!”
Raelyn
whispered feverishly.

“Soon
’
twill be your turn,” Elena said.

From the corner of her eye, Elena caught Beth simmering. A fierce glower covered her features. But when Elena turned, Beth was all smiles.

A chill gripped her spine, and the hairs on the back of her neck rose. She’d felt this way before.
The night she was nearly murdered.
Why was she getting such sensations now and from gazing at Beth?

Nerves had to be the cause.

“If you would come to the center and kneel, my lord and my lady.” Elena glanced up to see the King’s priest standing at the altar. Holding hands, she and Michael knelt before God and pledged themselves to each other forever in this life and all eternity.

With vows exchanged, Michael tipped Elena’s face up to his and
brush
ed his warm lips against hers. She sagged
into
him, her tender breasts press
ed to
the hardness of his chest. She wanted to shout with glee at finally
being
able to kiss him and not caring who saw. He held her face between his palms, keeping the kiss chaste. But Elena would not have it. First kiss as man and wife, she would have him all. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and teased his lips open with her tongue.

Michael growled low in his throat and took what she offered, slanting his head and thrusting his tongue into her mouth. He possessed her, claimed her,
devoured
her. Oh, God, how she’d wanted this. He tasted of sweet wine and
strength.
A man, her husband, all her own.

Jovial cheers went up around them, and they only pulled away when the priest cleared his throat. “Save room for tonight, my lord,” the man of God said discreetly.

Michael’s head fell back and he
laughed,
a sound that was like sweet confection to
Elena’s
ears.

Finally, they could be happy.

Chapter Twenty-Six

T
here was no great wedding feast as there usually is when a lord and lady wed, but that suited Michael just fine. Instead, a table had been set up in the solar chamber attached to their rooms. Servants held jugs of wine, platters of roasted duck, braised salmon, stewed vegetables, fresh baked bread and fruit tarts. A harpist played light music. A minstrel waited to tell his tales. There was enough chairs so that Elena’s ladies-in-waiting could join them, as could Thomas, Bernard, Theodore, Colin and Fletch.

They ate and drank.
Enjoyed the entertainments, and the convivial manner of their friendships.

Michael had not been so happy in all his life. He leaned toward Elena and whispered into her ear the word he’d been longing to whisper since he was a boy of fifteen.
“Wife.”

She beamed up at him, pure joy lighting her eyes.

“What say you we leave this feast to our comrades and adjourn to our room for more private…
entertainments.
”

Elena blushed clear to her hair, and Michael couldn’t help the devilish wink he tossed her way just to see if she could turn a shade darker. It worked.

He gripped her hand in his and stood. “We bid you a goodnight.”

Raelyn
stood to attend Elena, but Michael held up his hand. “My wife will not require your assistance tonight.”

Raelyn’s
eyes widened as she looked from one to the other, and then she too blushed.

The men jeered and cheered, and Michael ushered Elena into her room, shutting the door behind them.

“At last we are alone, and free
to be so.
”
He came
up behind her and plac
ed
his arms around her. He held her close, stroked his hands over her rounded belly.

Elena leaned her head back on Michael’s shoulders and closed her eyes. It seemed the interminable wait had ended. Their room was warm and a blazing fire sizzled and popped in the hearth, but other than that, there was no light.

She gripped Michael’s hands in hers and brought them up to her lips, pressing a soft kiss to his fingers.

“I love you, Elena,” he whispered against the shell of her ear.

She sighed as his tongue darted out to stroke her lobe, before he took the sensitive flesh between his teeth. A moan escaped her lips and a frisson of delicious pleasure sparked its way from where his mouth touched her flesh to the most delicate parts of her body.

“I love you too.” She kissed his hands again, growing bolder as he teased her ear and then the sensitive flesh of her neck. She touched the tip of her tongue to his index finger, a tease at first. But when he sucked in his breath, she grew all the more daring.
Wa
nted to hear him suck in his breath again.
W
anted to know that he felt what she was feeling. He nipped at her neck, licking where he bit as she drew his finger into her mouth, swirling her tongue over the tip. She closed her eyes, moaning as she sucked on his finger, grazing his flesh with her teeth.

Elena became
light but heavy at the same time as desire wove its way around her in a protective cocoon. Michael groaned and turned her to face him. He pulled his finger from her mouth and replaced it with his lips, thrusting his tongue deep inside.

Both of them moaned at the contact,
their tongues warring and teasing
. Michael stroked his hands over her cheeks, pulling pins from her hair, plucking off her headdress. With the removal of her hair pins and headdress, it was as if her troubles and the pain of the last several months dissipated. There was only the future now.
A glorious future with Michael by her side.

He threaded his fingers through her mane, twirling the tendrils around his fingers. Elena caressed his muscled arms, his shoulders,
his
back. He was so strong, so full of sinew, she wanted to rub each and every curve of muscle, kiss every inch of him. With each caress, the outside world ceased to exist and all they knew was each other.
Desire.
Pleasure.
Need. And love.

Elena
pulled her mouth from his to taste his corded neck, to wrench the buttons of his courtly attire open, yank his belt free. Sensing her urgency, Michael divested himself of his tunic and was left standing in his linen shirt,
breeches
and boots. Elena thrust her hands beneath h
is shirt, splaying her fingers
o
n
his abdomen, melding his hot flesh with her palms. Crisp hair tickled her sensitive flesh. She sighed, her urgency abating as she basked in the feel of his flesh against hers. She tipped her face up and Michael leaned down to brush his lips over hers.

“I like it when you touch me,” he said softly against her mouth.

“I like touching you,” she murmured.

Stroking
his flat, rippled belly
, Elena
moved upward to his chest, stroking over his nipples, surprised they were as hard as her own. He sucked in through his teeth, and kissed her deeper. Curious, she played with his nipples, rolling them gently between her fingers. Michael hauled her closer, and even with the swell of her belly
touching
his abdomen, he could
press
his rigid length against the juncture of her thighs. For a moment she felt self-conscious as if he would not find her beautiful now that her belly had swollen.

But she needn’t have feared. Michael sank to his knees in front of her and pressed his face to her belly, kissing her. She felt the heat of his breath through the layers of her gown and chemise.

He glanced up at her, his eyes dark with desire and love. “I had thought you beautiful before, but now with our
child filling your belly, you are even more glorious to me.”

He stood again, hips pressed to hers, the evidence of his desire firing her insides. Frissons of need leapt inside her. She wanted him to press
there
. She rubbed wantonly against him, loving the feel of his length stroking her in her most forbidden spot—remembering what it felt like when he thrust inside her. He cupped her breasts in his hands teasi
ng her nipples through her gown then
bent low and caught her mouth in another fiery kiss.

“I want you.” Michael caught her lip between his teeth, gently teasing her. “Can you feel what you do to me?” He nuzzled her neck, his hands drifting down to hold her hips and then to her rear. He cupped her buttocks pulling her closer. His cock probed the folds of her gown, seeking the warmth of her sex. Sparks fired in her nether regions, slick now with yearning. She wanted, needed to be closer to him, flesh on flesh.

She frowned. “I am wearing too much.”

“Indeed you are.”

Taking her words as permission, Michael began the process of slowly removing her gown and when she stood in only her chemise and hose, he quickly removed those as well.
She’d stopped wearing her corset the moment she stepped foot on Irish ground.
He gazed at her body, his eyes roving up and down hungrily. She shivered and reached out to him.

Michael pulled her flush against him, lowering his lips to her mouth. He kissed her tenderly, lovingly, savoring her taste and the feel of her body against his.

“Now you are wearing too much,” Elena said with a
teasing smile
.

“Indeed I am,” he
chuckled
. He
removed
his boots and remaining clothes, all while Elena devoured him with her eyes.

He
tugge
d her into his embrace once more and stroked his hands over her hips, making teasing swirls on the
rounded flesh of her buttocks. She shivered in his arms, and let out little moans that sent his desire to soaring.

Michael
pulled away from her to gaze into her eyes. They were cloudy with passion, and a small sensual smile curved her lips.

“I must be dreaming.” He stroked her cheek, and ran his thumb over her lower lip—plump from his kisses. Her skin was flushed pink.

“’Tis no dream,” she whispered.
“Although it does feel surreal.”

He nodded. “I never thought this day would come. I wanted it so badly. I wanted to protect you, to take you away from it all.
To love you—even if in secret.
But to have you as my wife…” he broke off
, throat suddenly tight
. He’d never felt this way before. It unnerved him that
Elena
could have this effect on him.

She caressed his chest, placing her hands on his heart.
“’Tis a gift.
We are blessed to have each other, Michael.
To have love.
I am grateful that you came to me, that you believed me.”

“Oh, Elena, I would have come sooner if I’d known.” His mouth came down on hers again, soft at first as he brushed his lips with velvet softness, then harder as he slipped his tongue into her mouth.

She arched her back, p
u
s
h
in
g her breasts against his chest. B
oldly
, she
caressed
over his ribs
, abdomen, and stopped at the base of his shaft. He kissed her with more passion, with his
lips
urging her to keep going. And she did.

Michael
groaned into her mouth as her soft hand captured his turgid flesh. She squeezed gently, exploring, and then stroked upward, her fingers rubbing over the head of his erection. She massaged his flesh, palmed the sac beneath, then did both with each hand. He panted against her m
outh. His blood shot like light
ning through his veins. He was going to lose control, finish into her hand if he didn’t stop her. But
Michael didn’t want her to stop. Instead, he would give her a taste of her own attentions.

Elena sucked in a breath as Michael’s fingers trailed over her abdomen, and then lower. One finger slipped between the lips of her sex and rubbed along the sensitive folds, and just barely over the nub of her pleasure. Even still, that simple stroke had her legs quivering, her breath coming fast, and embers of need and pleasure firing within her. His fingers played her magically as they danced over the folds, stroking here and there. She wasn’t prepared for when one, then two digits sank inside her sheath.

“Oh!” she gasped, her head falling back.

Michael kissed his way down her throat as he stroked her into oblivion. Her hands fell away from his shaft, to grip his shoulders. His fingers moved faster still, in and out. His thumb circled over her pearl again and again.

Elena bit her lip and clung to Michael. She couldn’t stand on her own two feet, her legs were wobbly. He was taking her somewhere, higher and higher. To that pinnacle she recalled as soul-shattering when they’d lain together on the rug in front of her fire that first time
and then again in a rush of heat upon her bed
.

H
er insides fluttered
as a climax began, and glorious heat,
delicious sensation whipped through her. She cried out Michael’s name, and he answered by kissing her with carnal passion as his fingers continued to work their magic.

When her body at last subsided, she felt warm all over,
beautiful, loved
.
And she still yearned for more of the delicious pleasure her husband gave her.

Michael lifted her into the air, one arm beneath her shoulders and the other beneath her knees. He carried her to the soft downy bed and laid her on its surface. At once the feel of the soft coverlet was cold on her back, but it quickly warmed from the heat of her. Michael covered her with his length, his hard, muscled body a solid pinnacle of strength,
safety and pleasure. He leaned up on his elbows, careful not to press too hard on her belly. The swell of their child was still small enough that laying there with him in this way was not uncomfortable.

Elena wrapped her arms around his neck, tugging him down for a kiss. Her knees fell open at his urging, the hairs of his legs tickling her inner thighs. He
undulated
his hips against hers, teasing her flesh with his shaft, but not yet entering her body.

“I want you inside me,” she murmured against his lips.

“Not yet. I want to savor this moment, this night.”

He kissed his way down her chin, over her collarbones, sending delicious shivers along her flesh. Then he kissed the valley between her breasts, his hot breath on her skin an exotic delight. Her nipples hardened further, straining for his attention. She ran her hands through his thick hair, and was rewarded with his tongue flicking out to touch one nipple.
Elena
moaned at the sudden thrill that one lick sent from her breasts to her center. He licked again, then swirled his tongue around and around.
Arching
her back,
she
begg
ed
with her body for him to take her fully into his mouth. But he teased her all the more, going from one nipple to the other, licking, blowing hot air on the cold tips. Then finally, he took a nipple into his mouth and suckled. Ele
na cried out with pleasure.
Michael moaned against her skin. She raked her nails over his back to his buttocks, gripping his muscled rear in her hands. She was surprised at how taut his backside was, so different from her own. She lifted her legs higher around his hips, craving his total possession.