Promised to the Crusader (20 page)

‘In war a man does terrible things. This night I killed a man who was once my friend—and there were women and children killed and despoiled when we fought in the Holy Land.’

‘You told me,’ Elaine said softly. ‘The man who did these things was not you, my love—it was a soldier who did as he was told, who carried out his duty.’

‘And must again if Richard should ask it of me, though I would not again go to make war on other people, but I must defend my king if need be.’

‘I know, I understand. All I want is that you love me…treat me as your equal and tell me
what you mean to do. I would be by your side in all things, sharing the good with the bad.’

‘I see you as far above me,’ he said and smiled. ‘But I will promise now that, inasmuch as I can, I will share my decisions with you—though there may be times when I cannot, when all our lives might depend upon a quick decision.’

‘I understand that, of course I do,’ Elaine said. ‘You are the lord here and you defend us as you see best—but in the things we share I wish to know that you value my thoughts.’

‘You cannot forgive me for making a truce with Newark?’

‘I have forgiven and I understand.’ Elaine sighed. ‘You are not the only one who realised this night that life is too short to quarrel. Had anything happened to you…I should not have wished to live.’

‘You are always my first concern,’ Zander said. ‘Now let us put these things behind us.’ He moved towards her purposefully and reached out to take her in his arms. ‘You know I love you—you will not withdraw from me again?’

‘Never,’ she said and lifted her face for his kiss. ‘I love you, Zander. I love you more than life.’

Zander moaned low in his throat, then bent
to sweep her into his arms. He carried her to his bed, which was big enough for the two of them, but much harder than Elaine was used to. Yet she made no complaint as he set her down, merely reaching out for him as he began to kiss and caress her.

‘My beautiful, beautiful love,’ he said. ‘I have never been as afraid as I was of losing you this night.’

‘And I of losing you,’ she murmured, her lips against his as she drew his head down. His hands moved swiftly to remove her tunic and then her chemise, which were tossed to the floor together with his own gown.

They lay together, flesh to flesh, quivering and eager for the loving that both knew would be special. Elaine had always felt fulfilled and happy after lying in Zander’s arms, but as he began to kiss and caress her now she knew that she’d never felt such pleasure in her life. Each kiss seemed to draw her heart from her body and she pressed against him, wanting more. His hands stroked and caressed, making her moan and whimper with need as the desire flared between them and became white-hot. Her hands stroked his back, her nails scoring his shoulders as he slid inside her and she shrieked out.

‘Zander…’ she moaned. ‘Zander, my love…oh, yes, that is so lovely…so very good…’

She was lifted and tossed on the crest of a wave, carried with him to a place they had never been, their bodies moving in perfect harmony. His mouth caressed her while his tongue tasted and flicked, each stroke making her quiver and then cry out as the pleasure became so intense that it was almost pain.

‘My beautiful, beautiful Elaine. I adore you…I shall never stop loving you…you must believe me…’

He was so intense, so imploring that all she could do was cling to him as the spasms shook her body and she felt such glorious sensation coursing through her. She was in an earthly paradise, loved and giving all the love within her freely.

‘I shall never doubt you again,’ she vowed and buried her face in the salty sweat of his shoulder.

When at last they were satiated, Elaine fell into a deep sleep while Zander lay beside her, one leg resting possessively over her and his arm about her as he lay looking into the darkness now that the candle had burned out.

She was his at last and he had returned to her in every way that he was capable of. He
might not be the idealistic youth that had caught her young heart, but the knight who had come home in his place was determined to love and protect her all his life.

E
laine looked about her. The shelves in her stillroom at the Manor de Bricasse, as they had named the fine estate that lay no more than twenty leagues west of Zander’s uncle’s own estate, were filled to capacity with preserves and cures that she and her ladies had prepared. Bunches of herbs and wild flowers were hung up to dry and a bench was littered with the remains of their latest foray into the surrounding countryside.

Sir Roderick had chosen well for them and it was a rich manor, fertile and sweet, capable of supporting the growing army of men that had flocked to join Lord Zander.

Wiping her hands on a cloth, Elaine left the room where she often enjoyed spending her
time and went through into the large hall. This manor house was more modern than Sweetbriars and the rooms were pleasant with bigger windows of leaded glass. She put a hand to her back for it had begun to ache a little of late, something she assumed was to do with the fact that she was carrying her husband’s child.

Elaine sighed, wishing that her lord was at home. In February of that year, King Richard had finally returned to claim his throne. Instead of resisting, Prince John had promised allegiance to his brother and convinced Richard of his loyalty, though many doubted it privately. However, Richard had seen fit to embrace his brother and was even now making plans for yet another crusade. Zander had been summoned to meet with him and other knights and Elaine was anxious lest he had been asked to prove his loyalty by going with Richard on this latest expedition.

The king had accepted Zander’s explanation of Lord Stornway’s death. Elaine had wondered if Philip’s sister would place an objection before the King, but a little to her surprise no word had come from her. Elaine had decided to write and thank her. The Abbess of St Michael had written to tell Elaine that Anne had decided to take her vows and would be joining their order.

Elaine had put the young woman from her mind, allowing herself to enjoy the following months. Having settled at their new manor, they were summoned by Sir Roderick to meet the king at his house and it was rumoured that he might be made the King’s Marshal before Richard left on his next crusade. However, nothing was said and the visit passed without incident. She was not sure whether Zander’s uncle was disappointed not to be named, because he had not mentioned it before her. Zander told her as much as he could, but his uncle was of the old school and believed that ladies must be protected from the truth for their own sakes.

It was in the June of that year that Elaine realised she might be with child. She waited a few weeks before telling her husband, but her physician had confirmed the signs were good and she was confident that she was at least two months with child.

‘You are to bear my child?’ Zander looked at her in delight when she told him and then kissed her hands. ‘I can hardly wonder at it,’ he said and smiled. ‘We have been passionate these many months; it was bound to happen sooner or later.’

‘Are you pleased?’

‘Of course. Every man wants his heir—and you, does the idea please you, Elaine?’

‘Of course. I am so happy in every way. I have always wanted children and they will make our life complete. Our new house is wonderful and the land is good. Why should I not be content?’

She particularly liked the new arrangement of their private chambers, which gave them a bedchamber that connected through a door and a parlour where they could sometimes be alone. It was so easy for Zander to come into her room and for her to go to his—and she’d made certain that his chamber now had the comforts that a lord of the manor should expect.

Yet now Zander was with the king and Elaine was anxious. She knew that if he was commanded to follow Richard, he must go and leave her. She would be well attended by her ladies, and with Sir Roderick close enough to visit often she need not fear attack or even loneliness, for Zander’s aunt and cousin visited her each week.

It was just that she hoped Zander would be with her when she gave birth to their first child, which she was certain in Her own mind would be a son. Zander said he did not mind, but she knew that all men craved a son. Her child was
not due for some months yet and by that time Zander might be in the Holy Land.

She had made up her mind that she would not beg him to stay. Elaine hoped that he would not be called, but if he were she could not deny him. She loved him too much to put him in such an invidious position.

As she turned to mount the stair to her chamber, she heard a commotion outside the house and glanced back as Zander strode into the hall. He looked so strong and well, his scar still prominent, but much less vivid now. His eyes were bright with excitement and she feared the worst. Richard had asked him to join him and Zander had agreed.

Painting on a smile that hid her fears, she went to greet him. ‘Welcome home, my lord. I am glad to see you.’

‘And I you,’ Zander said, looking down at her. She saw laughter in his eyes and wondered at it. ‘Do not look so anxious—it is not the news you fear.’

‘Richard has not asked you to join him in his crusade?’

‘No. He asked something of me, but it was not that.’

‘Tell me,’ she said and aimed a little punch at
his arm. ‘Do not tease me, Zander. I was afraid that you must leave me again.’

‘I shall never leave you for a day longer than I must,’ Zander said and smiled at her. ‘Richard asked me if I would become his King’s Marshal. He wants someone he can trust to keep the peace while he is gone—and I am to have the castle at Lanark and another at Rochester.’

Elaine caught her breath, as she struggled to take in the news. Zander was to be the King’s Marshal! It would mean they must leave this house, which was dear to her, and spend time at the castles Richard had given them—but at least they would be together.

‘What did you say?’

‘I asked why he had not given the honour to my uncle. He said that Sir Roderick would be a warden of the peace here, but he needed a man who was strong enough to counter his brother’s worst excesses—and he thinks I am the only one strong enough to stand up to the prince while he is away.’

‘Oh…’ Elaine breathed deeply. The king had bestowed an honour on Zander, but it was a two-edged sword. Her husband would be an important man, often away on the king’s business—and if he made an enemy of Prince John
he might be murdered. Yet if it was what he wanted she could not object, though her heart cried out against it. ‘Has he made you an earl?’

‘The earldom was offered, but refused,’ Zander said. ‘I asked that the honour of being the King’s Marshal should go to Sir Roderick. If my uncle needs me, I am ready to support him and I have assured Richard of this—but I have no wish to spend my time at court or to play the king’s games with his brother. I want to spend my time with you, Elaine. To watch our children grow and enjoy the quiet happiness we have found together here.’

‘Ahh…’ A breath of content left her. ‘Was Richard angry?’

‘A little disappointed, but not angry. I have served him well and he could not refuse my request to step back and let others take the honours.’

‘Thank you,’ Elaine said and moved towards him, putting her arms about his waist. ‘Thank you for returning to me, my love—my gentle knight. I ask for no more than to have your children and live with you in peace.’

‘For as long as we have peace in England I shall not leave your side,’ Zander promised. ‘Only if my sword is needed to protect that
peace shall I take up arms again…and that, before God, is my promise to you.’

A promise she knew he would keep. She kissed his lips and was content.

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

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First published in Great Britain 2013
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited.
Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road,
Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

© Anne Herries 2013

eISBN: 978-1-472-00406-2