Promised to the Crusader (16 page)

‘Why would Philip have your father murdered?’

‘If I knew that…’ Zander shook his head. ‘I intend to call a truce with Newark. If he wishes for peace between us, he will return Howarth to us.’

‘He killed my uncle and tried to capture me.’ Elaine raised her head. ‘I cannot forgive so easily.’

‘I cannot fight two enemies,’ Zander said, looking at her in a strangely defensive manner. ‘You think I should avenge your uncle? I can see it in your eyes, though you do not demand it.’

‘No, that is not so,’ Elaine said. She wanted to go to him and tell him that all she wanted was to live with him in peace. ‘I ask nothing of you.’ She wanted so much! She wanted him to love her as he once had, with all his heart, but she was not sure that he knew how to love. He might at times call her by sweet names, but words alone meant nothing. Love was in the closeness, the sharing of all things good and bad that a true marriage entailed.

‘I must deal with Stornway,’ Zander said. ‘What he did cannot be ignored. If he joined forces with Newark, I would not have enough men to defend you. Somehow I must make an alliance with one or the other.’

‘I know,’ Elaine said and her breath caught in her throat. ‘Yet I would beg you not to leave me again just yet, my lord. Will you not wait until your uncle sends his reply to your request for help?’

‘I have sent envoys to him,’ Zander said. ‘Christ’s Mass is almost upon us and we should not make war at such a holy time. Besides, I would hear what Philip has to say. From what Marion tells me there is only her and Bertrand’s word for what he intended. If I make war on the King’s Marshal for no good reason, I should be an outcast. I must wait until I have proof.’

‘Is my word not good enough for you?’

‘You were ill. Who can say why? He would say he sought merely to protect you for your own sake. Philip has friends in high places. The king will return to England soon and he might choose to listen to his marshal above me. No, Elaine, I can only wait for Philip to make the next move against me. In the meantime…’ He hesitated, then, ‘We should celebrate the season of Christ’s birth and…’

‘And?’ Elaine asked, because her heart was racing. She looked into his eyes and saw the heat of desire, her knees beginning to tremble as she read what was in his mind.

Zander took a step towards her. ‘I think it is time our marriage was consummated. We must make certain that no one can claim it is no true marriage again. Next time, Philip will have to make certain that I am dead before he can claim you.’

Elaine’s mouth was dry, her heart beating so wildly that she thought he must hear it. He was not telling her that he loved her—only that he meant to consummate their marriage. It might mean nothing to him, but it meant everything to her.

‘Yes, my lord,’ she said so softly that she could not be certain he had heard her. ‘I think it is time.’

‘I shall come to you this night, Elaine.’ He smiled at her. ‘Be ready for me and try to forgive me for leaving you to the mercy of evil men…’

‘I never blamed you,’ she whispered when she could speak, but he had already gone.

Elaine stared at the door he’d closed softly behind him. Her body was weak with longing and she wished that he’d taken her into his arms
at once rather than waiting for nightfall, but perhaps the gentle side of loving meant less to Zander. To him it was merely a way of laying claim to his wife and her lands.

‘If you are no true wife, you will be after tonight,’ Marion said as she brushed Elaine’s long hair so that it flowed loose on her shoulders and down her back. She brought her a gown of white gauze that showed the pale pink of her skin underneath. ‘Lord Zander has made it plain to all that he longs to lie with you this night. He has vowed that nothing will keep him from your side this time—and if the village calls for help his knights must go alone.’

Elaine blushed. Some of the jests made in the hall that night had been so suggestive that she had felt uncomfortable. Instead of controlling his knights, Zander had joined in the laughter and she’d wanted to run away and hide, yet she knew why he allowed such coarseness. There would be no doubt after this night that Zander de Bricasse had claimed his bride.

Elaine had sat and smiled throughout the evening, though inside she had longed to run back to her chamber. Yet she had known that this was all a part of making her safe. Once she
was Zander’s wife in truth there would be no more talk of annulments—only his death would release her then.

A shiver went through her and Marion looked at her in surprise.

‘You are not afraid, my lady?’

‘Of my lord coming to me?’ Elaine shook her head and smiled. ‘No, I was thinking of…It does not matter. I refuse to think of anything but love tonight.’

They heard laughter outside the door and then Zander’s voice firmly bidding his knights ‘goodeven’. They departed with more jests and the door opened. Zander entered, his eyes moving over Elaine hungrily.

‘Forgive me, my lord,’ Marion said and made a hasty curtsy. ‘I wish you both goodnight.’

She sent a laughing glance at Elaine and scurried away.

Elaine’s heart was beating wildly. She rose to her feet, her mouth slightly dry, her knees feeling a little weak. He looked so handsome in the long black gown he wore, the hem embroidered with gold thread and beads. She noticed that the scar on his left cheek looked less inflamed and thought that perhaps it had begun to heal at last. Perhaps he had used the poultice she’d
made for him. His mouth was soft and sensual as he smiled and walked towards her.

‘Were you ready for me, my love?’ he asked in a voice husky with desire. ‘You are so beautiful. I dreamed of seeing you this way so many times while I was away, Elaine. When I lay close to death and Janvier cared for me so faithfully, it was my memories of you that brought me through.’

‘Do you truly mean it, Zander?’ Elaine breathed, moving towards him. Suddenly, any fear of the marriage bed she might have had had gone and she felt a surge of longing and need sweep through her. His anger and her doubts were forgotten as she held out her hands and he took them. ‘I have always loved you—only you.’

‘I know it,’ he said. ‘I am not worthy of you, Elaine. I was a foolish youth who looked for glory and revenge when I should have seen the happiness that could be mine was there for the taking. Can you forgive me?’

‘Willingly,’ she said and lifted her face for his kiss.

His lips were soft at first, touching lightly here and there as they caressed her, then his tongue flicked at her and she opened her mouth, allowing him to enter and taste her. The sweetness
of the gentle probing made her tremble and she reached up shyly to run her fingers into his hair at the nape of his neck, stroking him. He moaned low in his throat and his arms tightened about her as the kiss intensified.

Elaine sighed and pressed closer to him, feeling the hard heat of his arousal through the softness of the material that divided them. It thrilled her to feel the urgency in him and she tipped her head back as he kissed her throat, her body arching into his as she felt herself swept on the crest of a surging wave of desire.

Zander bent and swept her up into his arms, carrying her to the bed and sitting her down; then he took hold of her fine night-chemise and pulled it up over her head, discarding it on the floor.

‘You are even more lovely than in my dreams,’ he murmured and knelt before her. ‘I vow that I shall always protect and honour you, my lady.’

‘I love you,’ Elaine whispered, her throat tight with emotion.

‘Lie down for me, my love,’ he said and then threw off his robe. He was wearing some tight-fitting hose and long soft boots. Sitting on the bed beside her, as she watched, he pulled off the boots and then let down the hose by untying
the strings at his waist. In another moment he was as naked as she.

Now it was Elaine’s turn to gasp in wonder at the beauty of his body. Tanned by the years he’d spent in the sun of the Holy Land, honed to perfect fitness, it was not spoiled even by the fresh bruises and hardly healed cuts now revealed to her. Yet what made her draw her breath was the size of his aroused manhood, for he was a large, vital man in every way.

As he lay down by her side, she reached out to touch some of the fresh wounds. He had made light of them, but it was obvious that he had been severely injured in the ambush.

‘Do these hurt?’

‘I take no notice of them. Had Janvier not covered me with his body I might have died. He was so very ill. I could not leave him, Elaine. He has saved my life twice and I would not do less for him—besides, I thought it best to remain hidden while we were so weak. If my enemy had known where to find me…’

‘I would never betray you. Surely you knew that?’

‘But neither of us knew for sure who that enemy was…you understand my dilemma?’

‘Yes, of course. I have forgiven you.’

Zander shuddered as a breath of air left his
lips. He reached out to touch her face, cradling it with his hands. For a long moment he simply looked into her eyes and then he smiled. He leaned down and kissed her brow, then the tip of her nose and her lips. His kisses trailed down her white neck, down to the valley between her small but firm breasts. His mouth sought first one nipple and then the other, sucking delicately and nudging at her with his tongue, licking her with firm strokes that made her arch and cry out in pleasure.

His tongue and lips continued their downward spiral, giving pleasure wherever they touched, until he reached the very centre of her sexuality. When his mouth sucked at Her and his tongue stroked, she bucked and screamed with pleasure, her body shaking and trembling. Her hands clawed at his shoulders, her nails scoring little trails on his bronzed skin as she felt herself swept away on a tide of sensual pleasure.

When his body slid up hers and she felt his hot hardness probing at her, she opened wider for his entry. He slid into her warm moistness and for a moment stilled, but she pulled at him, wanting all of him, needing him deep inside her, her knees clenching his thighs as she offered herself to him.

For a moment there was pain, but it was
swiftly over and forgot as he surged into her and she rose to meet him. Zander moved slowly, with care, pausing now and then to allow her to feel the pleasure building deep down. Heat pooled low in her abdomen, feeding on the flames of desire until it reached a roaring flame and then burst into showers that ran all over her body, making her buck and writhe beneath him as he moved faster and faster to their climax.

When it was over, they lay still for a moment, totally spent, and then he rolled to one side, taking her with him so that she lay half across him, one leg curved over his body, her face against his chest. His skin was damp with sweat and she licked him, tasting the salt and smiling, as he looked at her, one eye half-closed.

‘I am spent,’ he murmured. ‘’Twill be half an hour at least before I am ready again, my greedy little wench. You’ve drained me.’

Elaine laughed, feeling a new confidence as she looked at him and saw the satiated expression, the soft loose mouth and heavy eyes that spoke of his satisfaction.

‘Have I pleased my lord?’ she teased and heard him growl.

‘Carry on like this and you will get no sleep this night,’ he murmured.

‘No, no, I merely tease,’ she said and snuggled into his body.

Elaine drifted into sleep and knew that Zander slept, too, his breathing shallow and even before she slept herself.

W
hen Elaine awoke she lay wondering what was different and then smiled as she remembered Zander’s passion of the previous night. Moving her hand across the bed, she discovered that the sheets where he’d lain were cold. He must have left the bed some time before.

Why had he not wakened her?

Fear ran through her. Had he broken his promise and gone off to meet with his one-time friend?

Jumping from the bed, Elaine ran to the window and looked down. She felt instant relief as she saw men training in the courtyard below. Zander was fighting with Sir Robert. The last time she’d seen them fight Sir Robert had looked the stronger, but this time he was
being forced to retreat by the skill and deftness of his opponent.

Despite the icy cold morning, the men were wearing only leather jerkins over their naked torsos and tight leggings with long boots. Both used a shield to good advantage and the fight went one way and then the other, but after a few sharp thrusts from Sir Robert, Zander always attacked and advanced.

Even as she watched, Sir Robert cried enough. The two men were laughing, clearly the best of friends. They sheathed their blades and embraced, then Zander turned and glanced up at Elaine’s slitted window, almost as though he knew she watched. He held up his hand and she waved back, smiling as she called for her ladies to help her dress.

When her sheets were thrown back the evidence of her night of passion was plain for all to see. Marion smiled and nodded, looking at her with satisfaction.

‘If you were a maid before, you are a woman now,’ she said. ‘What will you have to break your fast today, my lady?’

‘Bread, honey, some dates and a little cheese,’ Elaine replied. ‘I am hungry.’

Her ladies smiled and went away to fetch the food she’d requested. Marion remained to help
her into one of her second-best gowns: a tunic of soft-green silk, covered by an over-gown of velvet in a darker shade. She brought a belt of gold leather set with studs of bronze and fringed at the ends. On her head, Elaine wore a band of green velvet rolled with white silk, and a veil of gauze hung at the back to cover her hair, which she had swept back from her face with combs of bronze.

Her mirror was small and of burnished silver, which gave her only a hazy reflection of her face, but she felt that she must look well for she had never been so filled with life and happiness.

‘You look wonderful,’ Marion told her. ‘As a bride should look the morning after her wedding night.’

‘Thank you, dear Marion,’ Elaine said and laughed. ‘I feel wonderful.’

Elaine did not feel like staying in her chamber or working at her sewing. Despite the frosty air, the sun was shining, calling her outside. She asked Marion for her surcoat and slipped it over her gown. As she walked down the stair of her chamber, she felt like singing aloud. Her body had surely never felt this good and her mind was free of the doubts and fears that had clouded it for so long.

A few servants were working in the hall as
she passed through. The great open fireplace had been made up with fresh logs and a fire was already burning. A housecarl was burnishing some armour and two maidservants were giggling in the corner as they swept the stone flags and sprinkled fresh herbs and rushes.

Elaine was aware of a feeling of happiness about her, as if her people knew that things had changed for the better.

As she went outside, she saw that some of the men were still training, others were watching, as were Zander and Sir Robert. The craftsmen were at work in the outer bailey and she could hear The ring of hammers as the blacksmith mended anything from a wheel to a sword or a ploughshare. The armourer was also busy making body shields, shaping helmets and sharpening the swords the blacksmith had honed in his fire. The cellarer was counting his barrels, while the saddle maker was busy stitching his leathers. The smell of bread baking and meat roasting were familiar smells, as was the sight of men and women going about their business with a laugh or a smile.

Perhaps it was just Elaine, but she sensed that the atmosphere was different. Everyone was in a good mood. It was almost Christmastide and some men were dragging in a load of greenery,
which would be used to decorate the hall. The fresh sharp smell made Elaine think of the last Christmas with her father, when they’d exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve and roasted an ox, a whole sheep and twenty capons so that all their people could share the feast. She touched the silver cross that lay beneath her tunic as she went up to Zander.

If her husband continued to make love to her with the same passion as the previous night, she might have a child to share their celebrations the next year.

Zander turned and looked at her. For a moment he was frowning and her heart stopped. Was he angry again?

His frown disappeared and he smiled, making her feel as if her bones would melt with pleasure.

‘Elaine, I told your ladies to let you sleep.’

‘They did not wake me,’ she said. ‘I was ready to get up—but it is too pleasant a day to stay in my room and sew.’

‘What would you like to do?’

Elaine thought for a moment, then, ‘I should like to go foraging for herbs and berries. We dared not venture beyond the castle while you were away—but now, yes, I should like to
gather a party of my ladies and your men and walk in the woods.’

Zander hesitated, then nodded. ‘It shall be as you wish, my lady,’ he said. ‘Gather the ladies you would take with you. I shall assemble my men—and we will take food with us. It shall be a day of rest and pleasure—and this evening we shall feast.’

‘Thank you.’ Elaine looked at him shyly. Did he guess how much her heart fluttered when he looked at her like that? Did he know that she wanted to run and laugh and sing, because of the way he’d loved her the previous night? ‘We shall not keep you waiting long.’

She ran back into the house, calling for Marion.

The woman came hurriedly towards her. ‘Is something wrong, my lady?’

‘No, everything is perfect,’ Elaine said. ‘We are going to have a day foraging. Zander and his men will escort us and keep us safe. Fetch Alice and Bess and Mary—and tell them to bring their baskets. I am sure Bertrand will come, too. Zander is arranging for food so servants will follow and we shall picnic in the woods.’

‘A day of celebration,’ Marion cried, eyes sparkling. ‘It is but two days to Christ’s Mass and everyone is excited. Shall I tell those who
remain here that they may embroider or spend their time playing games?’

‘Yes, why not? Zander’s men who remain here will draw up the bridge after we leave, but those who have no duty may enjoy themselves, as they will.’

Elaine fetched her own basket and saw her ladies scurrying round to fetch cloaks, gloves and hoods. It was cold out, but the sun would make it a pleasant day. Some of the housecarls must continue to work, for the food must be prepared for tonight’s feast, and a guard must always be kept on the walls in case of attack, but it was the time to be merry and enjoy life.

It was quite a large party that set out for the woods a little later that morning. Elaine rode her own palfrey, but the other ladies rode pillion behind a groom. Ten of Zander’s men-at-arms were to accompany them and five servants followed with a cart. They would prepare food and set out stools and cushions for the ladies and knights to sit when they ate their meal.

Everyone was laughing and talking, and a piper sat on the cart making music as they travelled, his merry tune sweet on the frosty air. As they passed the village, the women came out to wave and smile and Zander surprised Elaine
by stopping to speak with them. He took out a purse of silver coins and gave them to the village headman, who had come out to show respect to his lord.

‘This is for your people so that they may enjoy Christ’s Mass,’ Zander said. ‘On the eve of Christ’s Mass we feast at the Manor and there will be food for those who come to the door.’

Cheers greeted his announcement and women called blessings on his name as the little cavalcade rode on. When they reached the woods, they dismounted, the grooms leading the horses while the women and some of the knights dismounted to walk through the woods.

Soon, they were pairing off and Elaine saw Marion walking happily with Bertrand. Every other moment someone called out that they had made a find: herbs, nuts and berries that would add flavour and variety to their food. All The ladies had been trained from girlhood to know which fungi were edible and which poisonous. The big flat mushrooms they occasionally found were just one of the delicious fungi to be discovered in the woods. One of the knights had brought a special dog with him, and his dog discovered a nest of truffles: two large and one smaller. Their pungent smell and the delicious taste would make a wonderful addition
to their feast. Truffles were often hunted with pigs, but given the chance the pigs would eat them before the men had a chance to dig them up, whereas a dog would simply bark and scrape at the ground. Many roots found in the woods and hedgerows were edible and the rosehips that still clung to the stems of dog roses were still of use, though perhaps past their best. Elaine found some nuts, which had fallen into the leaves at the foot of a hazel tree and, when she cracked one, the kernel was still sweet and full.

‘We missed the best time of year, but just to be here wandering at will without fear is lovely,’ she said and smiled up at Zander. ‘It is what I have missed for a long time.’

‘I truly hope that life will be happier for you in future, Elaine,’ Zander said and took her hand. He carried it to his lips to kiss, his look making her heart thud in her breast. ‘And for all of us.’

Someone had begun to sing. Elaine turned to look and saw that the women had set down their baskets and formed a circle. They were dancing while the men clapped and chanted the words of the song.

‘Come and join us, lady,’ Marion called. ‘My lord, too.’

Elaine laughed and ran to her, then Zander came and took her hands. Now some of the other knights had taken the other ladies by the hands and they began to skip to the music and laugh as they enjoyed the spirit of Christ’s Mass, which had come upon them all.

It was nearing the most holy night in the year—the night when the Saviour was born and God blessed mankind. This was surely the time to be happy and forget all the troubles that had beset them these past weeks…

Elaine thought that she would never forget her day in the woods. She always enjoyed foraging with her ladies, but this had been a special day and she was filled with a newfound delight in her world as they rode back to the manor house late in the afternoon. The drawbridge was let down to admit them, and though Zander questioned Sir Robert, who had been left in charge, nothing untoward had happened.

The men who had been in the woods were allowed to refresh themselves and then took the place of those who had been guarding the ramparts all day, just as the ladies who had been playing in the woods took up their duties at table. Everyone was talking and laughing.

Course after course of rich food was brought
to table. In the kitchens the housecarls were sharing the same delights as their lord and lady at the high board, which was not the case in every big house. They looked at one another and smiled, praising their lord for his generosity and congratulating themselves on having a just and fair master.

When Elaine said goodnight to her ladies and went upstairs to her chamber, she was feeling very tired, but determined not to fall asleep before Zander came to her. She hoped that he would not be too long, though she knew he intended to make a tour of the ramparts before he retired for the night. Just because it was a time of celebration they could not afford to relax completely. Zander did not wish to fight at such a holy time, but he could not know what his enemy was planning.

She did not have long to wait. Before the candle had started to flicker, Zander entered and came to her. Elaine went to greet him, lifting her face for his kiss. She gave him her hand and led him towards the bed, where they had found so much pleasure the previous night. Her heart was racing as she let her robe slither down over her hips and stood before him naked. He
moved towards her, sweeping her up and carrying her to the bed.

Elaine gazed up at him, her lips curving in a smile of welcome. ‘Last night you pleased me,’ she said huskily. ‘Tonight I would have you teach me how to please my lord.’

‘You always please me,’ he said and bent his head to kiss her lips. ‘But I shall teach you all the ways we may please each other.’

‘Will you teach me to dance, as your men did?’ she asked and her eyes danced with laughter. ‘I should like to dance with you that way sometimes.’

‘You are a wicked wench,’ he murmured and drew her close, his lips taking hers. ‘And all that I could ever desire in my wife…’

Elaine smiled, welcoming him as he began to caress and love her—and yet there was a part of her that longed for something more. A sign that she was as important to him as he was to her. He wanted her, desired her—but did he truly love her?

‘My lord…’ Zander turned as he heard his servant’s voice and smiled, going to greet him with outstretched hands. ‘Janvier! You are well? I have been anxious lest Newark should refuse to listen and perhaps have you beaten or worse?’

‘I think he was in two minds at first,’ Janvier told him and smiled. ‘Had it not been for an incident at table he might have sent me away or had me hung, but in the end he called me his friend and promised me anything I wanted within reason. I told him you would make peace with him and he said he would consider it.’

Zander was astonished. ‘You must have done something extraordinary for Newark to be so grateful.’

‘It happened as we supped that first night. A young man called Stronmar was sitting close to the earl at table, eating, laughing with his mouth full. Suddenly, he started to choke and could not breathe. Everyone was astounded, but I grabbed him by the stomach and thumped him hard in the back. A lump of hard bread flew from his mouth and he could breathe again.’

‘You saved his life?’

‘Yes, my lord. Some thought I was attacking him and they were all for seizing me, but Newark saw what happened and was grateful. He told his knights to stand back and, later, before we retired for the night, he thanked me privately and I would swear there were tears in his eyes.’