HealingPassion (6 page)

“Then will you, at least, take some comfort in the present?”
Instead of giving her time to answer, he dipped his head and pressed his lips
to hers. She tasted sweet, flower sweet, honey sweet, like a perfectly ripe
fruit. At first she remained unmoving, perhaps startled by the forwardness of
his act. But after a minute she relaxed and her mouth softened.

He moved closer to her and drew her to her feet without
releasing her mouth. His arms circled around her, pulling her body against him,
chest to chest. She fit perfectly in his arms, her head resting on his
shoulder. Heat poured through him. His cock rose to attention.

Though he knew her a strong and competent young woman, and
admired her for it, she seemed remarkably small, delicate, almost fragile in
his arms. The warmth of her body lit fires in his, while the feel of her skin
turned his desire for her into a raging need. He’d known other women, had
bedded a few, admired his friends’ wives, but he’d never wanted anyone with
this possessive ferocity. It surprised him to feel that way about a woman he’d
known such a short time. But something in his soul seemed to recognize it had
met its mate in her. In deep, important ways, Juliana resembled those other
women he’d admired and even, though he rebuked himself for it, coveted.

He let his lips trail along the line of the scar on her
temple. She’d never acquire any further scars if he could do anything to stop
it. He caught the thought and followed where it led. It was too soon, and
perhaps he went too far too quickly, but Juliana would some day be his. He
hoped the day might not be far off, though there was still the complication of
her missing and surely dead husband to be unraveled. But it would be, and then
he would offer for her. The king had promised a substantial reward for
fulfilling his mission, enough to keep them. His majesty would surely approve
Thomas’ request for the lady’s hand.

The small sounds she made as he kissed and teased her sank
into his soul like music. He could scarce bear to wait for the time he’d hear
those little moans and more.

His hands rubbed her back and sides, stroking her graceful
curves, feeling the line of her hip, waist, and up to her chest. He pushed her cap
off and undid the braids that held her hair up, letting it fall in a glorious,
silken mass over her shoulders and down her back.

She relaxed into his embrace, holding onto him and squeezing
herself toward him. He splayed his hands on her sides, so that his fingers were
just touching the undersides of her breasts. Her sharp breath hit him right in
the chest like an arrow to the heart.

A sound outside the door, just down the hall, reminded them
they were not alone or particularly private. Juliana jumped back, her breath
harsh and panting. A servant went on past the entrance, intent on his own
errand. She dropped back into her chair and began to rebraid her hair, though
she continued to watch him.

Thomas touched her face, traced the line of the scar on her temple
with a finger. “How did this happen?”

For a moment she remained quiet. “An accident with a piece
of broken pottery a few years ago.”

“You were fortunate it came no closer to your eye.”

She sighed and nodded. “Very fortunate.”

“Juliana—”

The lady looked up at him, eyes wide and still soft with
passion and… “Sir Thomas.” Her smile was gentle and sweet. “I am comforted. And
for that I do thank you a great deal.”

He felt a somewhat more wry grin twist his own mouth.
“You’ll arrange for the bath tonight.”

After a moment, she nodded and gave him a smile. Then she
turned to get back in her chair. But as he was leaving she stopped him. “Sir
Thomas? Might I ask a favor of you?”

“Whatever you will, my lady.”

For a moment her eyes widened and her gaze lost focus, but
then she shook herself out of it. “I worry about our defenses here. We have no
knights and few skilled men at arms. Would you review our guards and their
deployment and tell me what we might do to improve? We have a few more young
men eager to learn, but no one well qualified to train them. Samuel of Merimon
is our captain and I believe him competent enough, but he has little
imagination or patience.

Thomas nodded. “I’ll do so. I have a few more of your
household I’d like to question today. If you’ll let your captain know about it,
tomorrow I’ll review your defenses with him.”

Her smile held both relief and gratitude. He felt it more
than adequate payment for whatever effort he put forth on her behalf.

* * * * *

Thomas found the bailiff, William Randolph, conferring with
the steward. Randolph pointedly ignored him, continuing his conversation,
despite the demands of rank and courtesy that would obligate him to acknowledge
Sir Thomas at the very least.

When Thomas said, “Master Randolph, if I might have a word
with you,” the man gave him a concentrated glare that warned the interview
would likely be less than pleasant.

“You want to ask me about Lord Groswick, my lord? I’ve heard
you’ve been questioning others in the household.” Randolph’s tone told Thomas
exactly how he felt about the activity.

Hoping to keep the unpleasantness to a minimum, Thomas
reminded him, “I’ve been commissioned by the king himself to make inquiries. I
regret that it causes disruption and perhaps some grief to the household here,
but the king would know—if it’s possible to learn—what became of Lord
Groswick.” He kept his irritation under control and his tone even.

Randolph gave him a jerky nod and said, “This way, my lord.”
He led the way to a small, quiet room a couple of doors down from the
storeroom. “We can be private in here.”

There were no chairs in the room, just one rough table, a
few shelves bearing what looked like kitchen utensils, and rolls of fabric
leaning against the wall. The window looked out onto the side of the bailey,
toward the smith’s shop he’d visited earlier. It also had a narrow ledge
beneath it, which Thomas perched on.

“How long have you been bailiff here?” he asked Randolph.

The man looked surprised. Clearly that wasn’t the question
he’d expected. “Some ten years now. Since Milton Ashwood died.”

“So you worked with Lord Groswick extensively.”

“Aye.”

Thomas waited a moment, but Randolph wasn’t volunteering
anything. “And you were here when he left.”

“Aye.”

“How long ago was that? Do you remember the exact day?”

The man drew a deep breath and shrugged. “Not the day
itself. ‘Twas in November, though early in the month. He wanted to set out
before the weather turned.”

“He was leaving it rather late at that, was he not?”

“He would wait until the harvest was done.”

“Ah. He needed to be well-provisioned for the trip. How many
men accompanied him? And were they keep men?”

“My memory is not entirely reliable, my lord, but as best I
can remember, he went off with about three dozen men. Most were mercenaries,
old friends, or those who owed debts he called on to support him. Only a very
few belonged to the keep.”

“Have you a list of their names?”

The man’s hands clenched tight. “So far as I know, there is
no list, my lord.”

“Can you remember who they might be?”

“I can give you a few names.” He rattled off a list that was
just as unspecific as the one the cook had given him.

Thomas did note a few whose families he recognized and
committed those to memory to inquire about later.

“Tell me about Lord Groswick,” Thomas asked. “What manner of
man was he? Was he an easy man to work with?”

Randolph’s eyes narrowed and his lips pinched together for a
moment. “He was no easy man, Lord Groswick.”

Again Thomas waited, but Randolph declined to elaborate. “In
what way?” he prompted.

Randolph looked around as though searching for a way to
escape the room. “His temper was uncertain at the best of times. His manner…he
was the lord. That was all. He felt no need to be kind or merciful, or even
just. He regarded not the feelings or rights of others, including his household
and those closest to him. When things were not to his liking, he would often
react…quite violently.”

“Violently? How so?”

The man’s breathing had quickened. “He… He could be quite
loud in his reproaches. And he injured a few people who did not please him.”

“Injured. He struck them?”

“Aye, my lord.”

“Then people here feared him?”

“Aye, my lord. That they did. Many would duck and hide when
they saw him approach.”

“Then I should suppose many were relieved when he left.”

The man hesitated. “Aye, that they were.”

“And all are happier with Lady Juliana running the keep?”

“Indeed. The lady is quite adept at it. She’s much better at
organizing affairs and keeping them running smoothly than my Lord Groswick was.
And she has a way with people as well.”

“What will happen when Lord Groswick returns?” Thomas asked
him.

The man froze as he turned to look at something outside. His
face paled and his eyes widened. He took two deep harsh breaths before he
responded. “Do you think it likely he’ll return, my lord? You said he never met
the Prince and no one has heard from him.”

“I think all here are hoping he will not. But you know the
king will grant the lordship to someone else of his choosing once he’s
convinced Lord Groswick is dead.”

“Aye, I know. Is that all, my lord?”

“Nay, are you this insolent when dealing with Lady Juliana?”

The man turned whiter, then a tide of red crept up under his
skin. “Nay, my lord. I beg your pardon. I meant no offense. ‘Tis just that I
worry for Lady Juliana. I fear your inquiries can only cause her pain and make
her situation worse. Please, my lord, if you have any compassion for her, leave
here now and ask no more questions.”

“And what would you suggest I tell the king?”

“Tell him Lord Groswick has disappeared and you have no idea
where he has gone.”

“Right now, that is, in fact, all I know to be true,” Sir
Thomas admitted.

Chapter Six

Juliana seemed more apprehensive than usual at dinner that
evening. The smile she gave to those around her as she made her way to the
table on the dais looked forced and faded too quickly. Her hand even shook a
bit when she picked up her cup.

“My lady, are you nervous?” he asked.

She turned a surprised look on him. “Why do you think that,
my lord?”

He nodded to the drops of red wine splashed on the white
table cloth. “Your hand is less than steady.”

She sighed and set the cup back down. A small drop of red
wine clung to a corner of her mouth. He wanted to kiss it off, but contented
himself with wiping his finger across it, collecting the moisture. As she
watched, eyes wide and yearning, he brought the finger to his mouth and licked
the droplet of wine off it.

“I suppose I’m not quite… Aye, I’m somewhat tense.”

“Is it the bath I promised you?” He spoke low so that only
she could hear his words. He loved the way the rose pink blush colored her
cheeks. “Juliana, if you truly don’t wish it, I’ll not force it on you. I’ll
never force anything on you you don’t want. And if we go ahead, and I do
anything you don’t like, you’ve but to say the word and I’ll stop. Do you trust
me that far?”

She looked up at him and nodded. Her hesitance suggested the
decision to trust was not an easy one for her. What had Lord Groswick done to
her to make her this way? Still, his heart expanded at that sign of confidence
in him.

Dinner took too long. Far too long. Though he enjoyed the
food, the wine, and the conversation, he wanted it over long before it was.

And then afterward, he had to wait for her to arrive. The
tub was set up and servants hauled buckets of water to fill it as he got back
to his quarters after the meal. He sent Ralf and Bertram off again. Ralf had
the cheek to give him a crooked grin and a wink as he left, and ducked a
feigned blow.

“Have a good evening, my lord,” Ralf wished him as he left.
“Do not swim too deep.” It was a tease, but there was also a hint of warning
there. Thomas didn’t make the mistake of disregarding it completely.

“I’ll swim no deeper than I may. I have no plans to drown
here.”

The boy nodded and left.

Juliana entered a few minutes later, unescorted. She looked
around with guilty hesitance.

“We’re private here,” he said. “My men will not interrupt.
Would you have me bar the door so none may enter, or would you feel more secure
were I to leave it unbarred that you may run away from me more quickly?”

Her smile was small and nervous still. “Have many ladies
felt the need to flee your presence, Sir Thomas?”

“Only a few. My sister once, when I pulled her hair and
tormented her until she kicked me and then fled in fear of my wrath. A wh… A
woman of ill repute who thought to rob me when I caught her in the act of going
through my purse. By and large, though, the few ladies I’ve allowed in my
quarters have felt no need for a fast exit.”

“I believe I’ll trust to your word earlier.” She licked her
lips and swallowed hard. “Sir Thomas—”

He was at her side as fast as he could move and put a finger
over her lips. “Nay. No objections. We both believe you have no husband, lady.
If he be not dead, and I do believe it is so, he’s most certainly dishonored
your vows by remaining away so long. I cannot believe you’ll ever see him
again. You’ve been too long now carrying the burden of this place on yourself
with none to comfort you.”

“Save my mother.”

“Save your mother. But while mothers can offer a great deal
of comfort, there is a kind that can only flow between a man and a woman.”

“But I’ve no right to—”

“Say no more,” he ordered. “I will not take from you that
which only your husband may by right have. But tonight I take all burdens on
myself. For tonight you are completely in my hands and in my power. You’ll
forget all else and do only as I command, save that if there is anything you
truly don’t wish or can’t abide, you have but to tell me and I’ll stop. What
say you, lady? Will you give all responsibility into my keeping for this
night?”

She frowned. “I do not understand.”

He put his hands on her shoulders. “You lay responsibility
for all that happens tonight on me, by agreeing now that you will do whatever I
order you to do, save that it truly offends you. You put yourself completely in
my control. I give my word I’ll not have a husband’s way with you, but will
only do what will comfort and please you. We’ll call it your penance that your
hospitality was initially so cold when I arrived. You kept me waiting out in
the rain far longer than you should have. In recompense, for this night, you
will serve me exactly as I demand.”

A slow, almost shy, smile spread over her face as she
understood what he wanted. “Ah, I see, my lord. Our hospitality was lacking
that day, and I suppose I do owe you some penance for that. If this is how you
would have it, then I offer it to you.” Her expression turned suddenly arch.
“But, my lord, should I fail to obey a command?”

“I’ll have to punish you, of course. A loving punishment.”

Her eyes widened and a sparkle burst to life in them. She
opened her mouth, but couldn’t quite bring herself to ask the next question. It
didn’t matter. She’d already accepted the invitation and was intrigued by the
game, though that didn’t drive away all her apprehension.

“We’re wasting the hot water,” he said. “I’ll play your maid
and help you disrobe.”

He only fumbled a bit with the laces and tapes of her
garments, and that more because the sight of her gradually revealed, lovely
body made him shake with need and desire for her rather than any innate
clumsiness. Though Juliana was quiet while he undid and removed her overgown,
her harsh breathing and the fine trembling of her body revealed her nervous
excitement. When he loosened the tape at the back of her shift, she sucked in a
sharp breath and said, “Sir Thomas—”

“Nay, lady,” he cut her off. “Do you forget already you’ve
given yourself to my use in penance?” She didn’t resist when he pushed the
loose shift off her shoulders and guided it down her arms until it fell to the
floor by its own weight. Without thinking, she crossed her arms over her front,
attempting to hide her lovely breasts and the secrets hidden at the cleft of
her legs.

He didn’t object. The struggle to control the raging desire
of his engorged cock took much of his effort. She was so beautiful, so
gloriously, gracefully curved, yet sleek and tight. He wanted to touch her so
much that sweat beaded on his temple as he fought the urge.

“Into the tub with you,” he said. His voice didn’t sound
quite steady.

She drew a deep, long breath and walked to the tub. He
helped her in and turned away for a moment to find the remnants of his
self-control. Once he thought he could keep himself in line, he found a
washcloth and soap, and sat on the stool next to the tub, just as she had done
the previous evening.

He wasn’t at all surprised to see she’d slid down the side
far enough to submerge all but the top third of her breasts. Even so he fought
to drag his gaze from the most exquisite and delectable span of flesh he’d ever
seen. He couldn’t imagine any man going off and leaving her. When she was his,
it would take a team of a dozen horses or more to drag him away from her side.

Thomas began to rub the soapy washcloth over her shoulders
and down her arms. If she got any more tense, she’d break. Her muscles were as
tight and hard as rocks. Remembering how good it had felt when she’d rubbed the
soap into his hair yesterday, he set down the washcloth and moved the stool
around behind her.

“Duck your head,” he asked. “We’ll start with your hair.”

She did as he ordered with no objection. Rubbing the soap
into her long hair did slowly relax her and had the advantage of soothing his
raging need somewhat as well. He liked the feel of burying his fingers in her
hair, smoothing soap all along the length of the gently curling strands, and
massaging her scalp, far more than he expected. That Juliana calmed down under
the care was a pleasant bonus. His heart swelled with the knowledge he could
help her.

She grew so quiet and relaxed he had to ask, “Are you
asleep, my lady?”

“Nay.” Her voice was lower and husky, but not, he thought,
with sleep. “It does feel wondrously pleasant however.”

“Good. That was my purpose. But the water begins to cool.
Rinse the soap from your hair.” She did so. It gave him another thrill to have
her obeying his orders and trusting to his care.

“Now lean forward. You’ll like this as well.” He rubbed more
soap on a cloth and began to scrub her back. She sucked in a breath, then let
it out on a long, gusty sigh. Her shoulders flexed and twitched as he ran the
cloth up and down her spine, going down to just above her waist.

“That does feel marvelous also, my lord.”

He continued to rub a few minutes longer, until a shiver
warned him the water was cooling fast.

“Out now, lady,” he said, tossing aside the cloth and
finding the larger towel. She looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Stand,” he said, making the word hard enough to be an
order.

She nodded, sighed again, and pushed herself upright.

“You need not be ashamed of your body,” he told her. “It’s a
wondrous and beautiful body.”

“Save for the scars.”

“Ennobled by the scars. I have a few myself. They tell the
world you have lived and experienced both the joy and the pain.” He ran a
gentle finger over the scar on her temple. “Only I think you’ve had little of
the joy and much of the pain.”

“I’ve known joy, my lord.”

“Every day?” he asked. “With Lord Groswick?”

She bit her lip before she shook her head. “Nay.”

“Did you ever know any pleasure at all at his hands?”

“Nay.”

Thomas couldn’t decide whether to be furious with Groswick
for treating his wife so coldly or grateful that it had been left to him to
show her about the pleasures her body could afford her. “Then I have much to
teach you.” He helped her out of the tub and into her robe, then wrapped the
towel around her wet hair. After he toweled her hair until it was half-dry, he
laid her back on his bed.

She stared up at him, her green eyes wide. “Does it please
you to teach me, my lord?”

“It does.”

“‘Tis a strange sort of penance,” she admitted, “but I will
not refuse it.”

“Well that you don’t.”

Her smile was sweet and just a bit calculating. “I do not
promise to be so accommodating all the time.”

“And I would not expect it. It would be far too dull in any
case. But for now—” He leaned over and loosed the tie that held the robe
together in front, then pushed the sides apart.

She gasped and tried to cover her breasts with her hands.

“Nay, lady.” He gently lifted her hands and moved them away.
“You’re beautiful. You’ve no need to hide from me. And as you’re under my
command, you may not refuse or resist.” Her breasts weren’t large, but their
shape was graceful and the rosy pink tips puckered delightfully. Such
loveliness demanded a man’s devotion; Thomas paid them reverence.

His cock throbbed at the sight. Unable to resist, he put out
a hand and touched the tip of her left breast with just the end of his finger.
She jerked in surprise, but also let out a gasp of pleasure. He ran his hands
down her throat and chest, brushing over the breast, then repeated it on the
other side. Her expression changed from surprise to delighted wonder.

He continued touching her breasts, sometimes stroking up and
down, sometimes circling the nipples with his fingers. Her fine skin was soft
as goose down. The plush mounds made perfect handfuls when he cupped them in
his palms.

Juliana’s breath caught several times as he toyed with her
nipples, and her face tightened at the pleasurable tension his touches roused.
She sighed, “My lord,” when he squeezed the tip carefully, not too hard. He
played with her for a while, drinking in her sighs and gasps, until his back
protested about his leaning over at an awkward angle for too long.

He straightened up and said, “Roll over.”

She gave him a wicked grin and shook her head in refusal.

So she wanted to play the game?He couldn’t let her
see how much that gratified him. “My lady,” he said instead. “One last chance.
Roll over. If I have to roll you over myself, your bottom will pay the price of
your disobedience.”

A flash of panic shot across her face, but when she glanced
at him, whatever she saw seemed to reassure her. She just shook her head again
and tried to look both stubborn and solemn.

It convinced him. He climbed onto the bed with her, shucking
his tunic and loosening the laces of his shirt as he went. Kneeling beside her,
he quickly flipped her over onto her belly and tugged the robe off her
completely. It went to the floor also. He stopped, frozen for a moment by the
sight of her completely nude body. She was long and quite lean, but her round
derriere flared nicely. The smooth expanse of her back showed another scar up
near her shoulder, but that did nothing to mar the splendor of her shape. Her
damply curling hair spilled partly over it, making a pleasing contrast between
the dark locks and the pale skin. Her bottom had the same smooth, white flesh.
It would look even sweeter with the pink flush he was about to induce.

Still he couldn’t resist running a hand over the rounded
globes and watching her twitch in pleasurable but nervous anticipation.

“Now, my lady, a lesson in obedience for you.” He raised his
hand and smacked it down smartly but not very hard on her left bottom cheek. It
gave under the force and sprang back. The skin whitened for a moment under the
impact, then flushed pink. Juliana gasped but didn’t move or protest. He
slapped down on the other side to give it a matching rose blush. Six more
spanks had her squirming, then another two drew a low moan.