Ruth A. Casie (16 page)

“Of course, Mother.”

He sounded different with his mother. She thought about their interaction and saw the family relationships. Here was a man who had commanded legions, gone off to war, killed men, and was now married, and yet, with the tender look and gentle prodding of his mother and the familiar camaraderie of his brothers he took on a boyish nature. He didn’t appear to resent it. She found it curious and appealing.

They said their good nights. Alex offered Lisbeth his arm and escorted her to their room.

Alice was there ready to help her change into her nightdress.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He left and closed the door behind him.

“Everyone is excited for you, m’lady. How proud your mother and father would be, and the king visiting too.”

She looked about the room as Alice helped her into her nightclothes and brushed out her hair. The bed’s oversized platform was covered with a soft sheepskin. Her mind wandered to times when she and Laura would sit on the platform with their mother, resting their backs against the large bed, and talk for hours. The warmth of the fire kept them cozy.

Alex’s things were not apparent. She guessed he kept his personal items stowed away. She thought it probably the habit of a soldier who had to move at a moment’s notice.

“There, m’lady.” Alice tied the ribbon at the top of Lisbeth’s sheer nightdress in a bow. She straightened the linen on the turned-down bed. “Will there be anything else?”

“No, thank you, Alice.”

No sooner had Alice let herself out than there was a gentle tap on the door and it opened. Alex came in with a pitcher and two wine goblets.

His glance slid rapidly over her body and found her eyes.

There was a maddening hint of arrogance about him but something in his manner soothed her. Her heart jolted and her pulse raced. She was afraid to breathe. Maybe there was love, if only on one side of the relationship.

Chapter Fifteen

“The evening was very successful. We will fare well with His Majesty.” He placed the wine on the bed stand. He went over to the chest, removed his tunic, and opened his shirt. He sensed her eyes on his back and knew she stood fixed to the spot. He left his shirt on, at least for the moment.

“Yes, we will do well.”

He thought her voice was matter-of-fact, without emotion. Well, at least she wasn’t panicked. “Here, let’s sit and have our wine.” He reached out for her hand and led her to the edge of the platform. They sat on the step. He retrieved the pitcher, filled the goblets, and handed one to her. “A toast. To the king’s visit.” He sipped his wine and watched her over the rim. He held up his goblet again. “To my bride.” He watched her reaction carefully. She took another sip. Relief swept through him. She hadn’t tossed the wine at him. He took that as another good sign.

He relaxed and eased his back against the bed. With a gentle hand he pulled her back to rest on his shoulder. He sat and waited and drank his wine. He had all the time in the world for her to feel comfortable with him.

His body responded even though she hadn’t said or done anything more than snuggle.

“Alex, why would the king force you to marry me?”

“I’ve asked myself the same question. I know Edward well. His marriage to Eleanor was arranged but he, unlike many men in power, has stayed true to her in every way. She traveled with him on his campaign to Wales, and even gave birth to their son not far from the battlefield.” Alex chuckled. “I remember him pacing outside, cursing himself for letting her attend him in the field. It wasn’t until he heard the healthy cry of the babe that he finally collapsed on a bench. When they carried out young Edward, he took the child into his arms and ran to his wife. The two are very much for one another.” Alex faced Lisbeth.

“Mother thought they loved each other. Perhaps he wants to tie you to Glen Kirk.”

Although he thought the love story would appeal to her, he was caught off guard by her insight. He too knew there could be more behind the king’s actions. “There is a third alternative.” He finally found his voice. “Perhaps he wants to keep us both tied to the land and to each other.”

“Perhaps.” Lisbeth yawned.

He scooped her up into his arms. Her hand pressed gently against his chest. Surely she felt his heart’s quickening beat. He stood by the bed, content for the moment to hold her. She laid her head on his shoulder. Her warm breath bathed his neck. Her soft lips planted kisses along his jaw. He steeled himself to maintain control. Faith. She didn’t realize what she was doing to him.

* * *

Lisbeth kissed him under his ear. A quick glance was all she needed. His eyes, filled with tenderness and passion, met hers and a silent message passed between them. She bit her lower lip and shivered with anticipation.

He held her closer. “Are you chilled?” His voice, deep and raspy, sent ripples down her spine.

She nodded, unable to speak.

“I’ll warm you,” he whispered in her ear.

She felt her cheeks flush. She didn’t move. She wanted the moment to last forever.

He set her down standing next to him. He wrapped his arms around her and she melted into the contours of his body. He closed the short distance between their lips and lightly kissed her, murmuring her name like a prayer.

Heat ran through her veins. Surely he could feel it. She tried to control the dizzying current that raced through her but it swept her along. And she didn’t care. His chest rumbled but she didn’t have any idea what he said. It didn’t matter. His hands moved gently down her back. The soothing motion made her lightheaded. He caressed her head then combed his fingers through her hair. The intimacy was almost too much to bear.

“It’s finer than silk and smells like lavender.” He crushed it in his hand and breathed in deeply. “I always know where you’ve been. It makes me hungry for you.”

She looked into eyes filled with longing and desire and answered him in kind. His eyes widened and he kissed her until she was breathless. When he stopped she ached for more.

He nuzzled her neck. Soft breath bathed her ear, making her insides quiver. His hands moved over her breasts. He kissed her neck while the soft pad of his thumb stroked her hardened nipple. She tingled under his fingertips. A love match? Was it possible? Someone let out a low ragged moan. She knew exactly how they felt.

* * *

He kissed her thoroughly. But he wanted more. He teased her mouth open with his tongue and swept inside. He felt her quiver before she tentatively touched his tongue with her own. Her boldness encouraged him.

The candle on the bed stand sputtered and died. He stroked her back and held her close while they grew accustomed to the dark. He untied the ribbons at the top of her nightdress and let it fall to her feet in a puddle. The glow of the hearth fire bathed her in a golden patina. The moving shadows seemed to lap at her full breasts and thighs. Faith. His body was hard and his feelings urgent. His dear wife was unaware that she was driving him mad.

He eased her onto the bed and gathered her to his side. The velvet touch of her hand on his cheek enticed him. He covered it with his own and kissed her palm. She moved her body closer to his.
Mine
. The thought had lost its edge and was truly tender.

She curled into the curve of his body. With a slow, steady hand he began his assault. He kissed the hollow at her throat and marched down the gentle slope of her chest until he captured her breast with a kiss. He declared victory when he took her tempting nipple in his mouth. He didn’t think he could get any harder until her low ragged moan inflamed him.

* * *

His touch felt familiar, but she didn’t dwell on that. Once again he paid homage to her breasts and played no favorites. Each touch, lick and nip aroused a melting heat deep inside her. She was dizzy with passion and gripped the linens to keep from floating away.

His hand trailed down her body and rested gently on her stomach while he ministered to her breasts. The building heat washed over her. When he rested his hand on the tangle of hair at the juncture of her legs she whimpered and waited. Her body had a mind of its own and arched instinctively to his touch.

Slowly he slipped his finger into her wet cleft and held it there. At her quick intake of breath he paused but a moment. With his thumb he rubbed her nub. Her body answered with a rhythmic movement that seemed to drive him on. He flicked her sensitive spot then stroked it gently. He nipped her breast and soothed it with his tongue.

“Alex,” she whispered.

“Yes, love?” He didn’t stop.

“Alex,” she said more insistently. She loosened her hold on the linen. He took her hand and encouraged her to explore his body. She touched his shaft, rubbed its length and was rewarded with a guttural growl that inflamed her.

* * *

Her touch would be his undoing. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep control. He eased on top of her. “Spread your legs for me,” he said in a strained and husky voice. He nudged them open with his knee and settled between them. She spread her legs a little more. That was all the encouragement he needed. He wanted her first time to be better than any dream she could imagine. He entered her slowly, giving her time to accommodate to his size, and stopped at her maidenhead.

She ran her hands over his body, across his shoulders, down his arms. He lowered himself onto his elbows, crushed his chest against her breasts and reveled in the silky feel of them. She reached around and started her exploration at the base of his neck and didn’t stop until she reached the small of his back. There her hands paused until she stroked the rise of his backside.

He couldn’t hold still a moment longer. He pushed through her thin veil and stopped when she whimpered.

“Lisbeth. I don’t want to hurt you but there is no other way.”

She looked deeply into his eyes. “Husband, you could never hurt me. Love me more.” Her body arched up and took all of him in.

He strained every muscle to withdraw slowly and prolong the pleasure for them both but she would not have it. She arched up again forcing him to be buried deep inside. Before he could move, her hips dropped and came crashing up again and again and again. He was lost to her rhythm and took his lead from her.

* * *

With each stroke she squirmed beneath him but he held her fast. Small waves crescendoed and consumed her. Bursts of excitement made her skin tingle and throb as the feeling intensified.

He paused for a moment.

“Don’t stop, please don’t stop,” she begged and kept up the steady motion.

“No, love, I won’t stop. Wrap your legs around me. I want more of you.”

She did as he asked. The rhythm resumed, slow at first, but each stroke drove her closer to the edge. Her breath came in short surrendering bursts, then she soared as wave after wave crashed over her.

* * *

He strained to maintain an easy pace. He wanted more. He wanted it now. The muscles of her sheath pulsed around him. His control was weakening. One strong thrust of her hips and he too found his release.

Exhausted, they laid cradled in each other’s arms, sated and content. Finally, Alex got up and returned to Lisbeth’s side with linen and a bowl of heated water. “Here, let me clean you.” He dipped the linen in the warm water and washed his seed from her body. When he was done, she took the linen and cleaned him.

“When did you remove your clothes? I don’t remember...”

“You were otherwise occupied...wife.”

Her head popped up at the word. He retrieved her nightdress, slipped it over her head, and tied the ribbon.

“I, on the other hand, remember quite precisely when your nightdress was removed,” he said putting on his own clothes and handing a wine goblet to her. “A toast.” He raised his goblet with a twinkle in his eye. “To no clothes.” They sipped their wine. His arm rested comfortably around her shoulders. “I’d rather we were by the lodge. Maybe we could find the flowering tree and stand under it and let the blossoms fall.” How wonton she had looked with her bodice at her waist. How intoxicated he was when he touched her and kissed her breasts. “How you bewitched me.”

* * *

The memory of the dream was as clear to her now as it was when she first dreamt it. He had tucked the blossom behind her ear. His hands were... His mouth... How did he know? She exploded away from him. “What are you saying?”

An astonished expression swept over his face. His arm was still outstretched as if he still held her. “We walked to the tree...” he stammered.

“No, we didn’t. That was my dream.” Her mind spun with confusion.

Alex rose to his feet. “Lisbeth, it wasn’t a dream. Well, not entirely. You created a vision, and you called me. That’s the only way I could have been there.”

“Who else knows?” She thought quickly, trying to recount her visions.

“No one else.” Alex could not have missed her flare of temper. He took her by her shoulders. “You did call me, Lisbeth. You do understand that?”

She looked up at him as if she saw him for the first time. “No. I didn’t call you or anyone else.” She searched his face and saw the answer. She shrugged off his hands. “And you knew.” She saw the small lines around his eyes deepen in anxiety. She watched him swallow hard. What a fool she had been.

“Lisbeth, it doesn’t matter. Not now.”

“Was that part of your plan? Make love to me in my dreams so I would be eager to be your wife?”

“Lisbeth, no.”

“You not only own my body but my soul as well. Is nothing sacred?”

He seemed to cringe at her words.

“And you knew I had no idea, but you said nothing. What kind of miserable creature are you?”

He stared at her, looking stunned. “Lisbeth, I didn’t know what to do. At first I thought they were only dreams. My dreams. It wasn’t until I saw the white blossom in your hair that I suspected something different.” His voice was barely a whisper. “When you mentioned nothing I thought you were being discreet so I also said nothing.” He was immobile and mute.

“You know about the other dreams? All of them?” She panicked at the thought. What did he know?

“Listen to me. I cannot come uninvited. The dreams you’ve called me into were intimate ones between the two of us. I’ve seen no other dreams.”

“The king gave you my castle and made you my husband, controlling everything I do and say and everyplace I go.” She closed her eyes. Tears trickled down her cheeks. “Even my dreams,” she whispered. She opened her eyes. Her misery was so complete it was a physical pain. “I thought I was safe with you. I felt safe with you, but you were my biggest danger. You’ve taken everything from me.”

“No, I haven’t.” He stood before her, his eyes cold, his body rigid. “I swear on all that is holy that was not the intent. I thought you gave it to me willingly.”

“You’re an arrogant man, Alex. You think because you see something you want you can just pluck it for yourself.”

He took her by her shoulders and shook her. “I wanted to be near you, and you wanted to be near me. There is nothing wrong with that. I gave you your dream and you gave me mine.”

“Yes, with no commitment, no understanding, only in a dream where there is no meaning. I will not have it. Do you hear? I will not have you.”

He dropped his hands as if she were a hot brand. He grabbed his tunic and stormed out of the room.

In the deadly quiet of the aftermath, the pounding in her head was all she heard. She lay down on the bed hoping the throbbing would stop. Alone with her thoughts she searched for answers. Tears streamed down her face. She didn’t try to stem them. After what seemed like hours she finally fell into a fitful sleep.

Over and over the same nightmare played out. She lay in the carriage wreckage, the men swarmed around her. Down came the caped demon. He swatted at the men and pulled them off her. She forced her eyes open but saw only shadows. The dark figure reached out to close her eyes, but right before he did, she stared into Alex’s face.

She abandoned sleep in the early hours of the morning. She couldn’t stand to see the scene another time. She threw a log on the embers of the fire that had gone out long ago and sat in the chair wrapped in a blanket she pulled off the bed.