The Bargain (20 page)

"What of your other scars?"

His brows drew together. "You did not kiss that one."

She leaned down and kissed it, noticing his cock was no longer flaccid, but had taken interest in this new game. "Roll over, my lord."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Why?"

"So I may see all your scars."

"You will not drive a dagger into my back, will you?" Though there was humor in his eyes and in his tone, she realized that he might actually mean it, and again she knew she had a long way to go before she earned his trust again, if ever.

Hurt, she tried to hide her gaze, but he reached out and lifted her chin. "I know you would not hurt me, Aleysia. Not knowingly."

She smiled, relieved at his words. "Thank you, Renaud."

He rolled over then, his arms outstretched to his sides. Desires rippled through her. A tingling between her thighs began, deep in her woman's core. How beautiful he was. His strong back, his narrow hips, the tight globes of his ass, his long, muscular legs. She resisted the urge to lay on him and feel her body stretched across his hard length. Instead, she continued her quest and started at the scar behind his left knee. "This one?"

"A battle in Normandy."

She kissed it. "And this?" she asked, running a finger along a horribly long scar across his lower back.

"Ah, that one nearly killed me. I was but nine and ten. Not much older than you. My first real battle. A very angry Spaniard who wielded a nasty blade. I have never seen a man move so fast in all my days. Like a blurring of the eyes. Fate smiled upon me that day, for I got him with the first strike, but he did not go down without a fight. He fell to his knees and I made the mistake of turning my back. I felt a horrible pain in my back a moment later."

"It seems all your life you have been at war."

"Such is the life of a knight."

No wonder he was such a fierce warrior. He had to be, in order to survive. It was not a life she was used to. In truth, before the coming of King William, aside from the constant threat of Danish invasion, she had known little of war. It seemed that Renaud had known nothing but war. "How old were you when you left your home to become a knight?"

"I became a page at the age of six."

She gasped, horrified that a child would be sent from his family at such a young age.

"Some boys are sent even earlier."

"I cannot imagine sending my son away."

He glanced over his shoulder at her, his gray eyes intent. "A boy needs to find his own way. He cannot depend upon his mother his whole life. It will only weaken him."

"Weaken him? Nay, a son can learn much from his mother."

"Such as?"

"Loving, caring. Life is not all about war and defending one's things, my lord."

"Is it not?"

"Aye, I will never send my son away at such a young age. I could not."

"That is why you should hope for peace, my lady. Hope for peace so that you can always stay safe, and your children as well."

Not liking the talk of war, for it reminded her of their differences, she kissed the long scar, then moved to the one at his shoulder, which was still pink and puckered. The scar she had caused.

"That one came by way of a witch," he offered.

She gasped and slapped his ass.

His lips curved. "Aye, a witch with beautiful light green eyes, luscious long, blonde hair, and an aim that would make any soldier proud."

Pleased at the description, she leaned over and kissed the scar.

"And this one?" she asked, touching the scar on his cheek.

The playful smile disappeared. "A woman. A true witch."

"Indeed, and who was this witch?"

He rolled over, his hands folded behind his head, his cock semihard. "She was my betrothed."

Her stomach tightened. "And where is she now?"

"I do not know. Nor do I care."

"In truth?"

He nodded. "And what of you, Aleysia? What of your betrothed?"

"I do not love him, Renaud. You know that."

"Then why did you send for him?"

She twisted the ring on her finger guiltily. "I did so to save Adelstan. I had no idea Duncan had not asked for Adelstan when he came to Braemere. I swear on my life, Renaud, I would never have written that note had I known the truth."

He watched her a long time, searching her face and she held his steady gaze. "I swear on Adelstan's life."

He pursed his lips. "But you would marry him still?"

"I do not wish it." She sighed. "Since my parents died, my entire life has been full of uncertainty." Feeling awkward under his keen regard, she asked, "Have you ever loved anyone other than your family?"

"Nay."

How relieved she was to hear that single word.

He watched her for a long moment, and then pulled her into his arms, to where she lay full against him, her head against his chest, his cock firm against her belly. "You will stay with me, Aleysia. Forever."

He rolled her over, and went up on his elbows, staring down at her. His silver eyes shone brightly as he looked at her.

She reached up and brushed a strand of dark hair from his face. Turning his head, he shocked her by kissing her palm. "I want to stay with you, too."

He lifted a brow. "Forever?"

She nodded. "Yes, forever."

The sides of his mouth lifted before he kissed her.

She loved the feel of his body flush against her own. The powerful muscles that played beneath her fingers as she ran her hands down his strong back, and over his high, firm buttocks. Her insides coiled as his rock-hard rod pressed against her.

Her tongue traced the seam of his lips and he opened, kissing her gently. He slipped inside her and she gasped against his mouth, but did not pull away. Instead she chose to enjoy it, to give herself freely.

He made love to her so tenderly, so gently, and as he brought her quickly to orgasm, she wondered if the day would ever come that she could walk away from this man. Or God forbid, death take him from her.

CHAPTER 18

"My lady, would you care to join me for a game of chess?"

Aleysia jumped at Galeran's question. She had entered the hall only moments before, her thoughts on Renaud, who had left a few days before. She hated to admit it, but she missed him horribly, and everywhere she went in the castle she was reminded of him.

She recalled the morning he had left for York. He had been dressing and she had stared unabashedly, wanting to memorize every line, every muscle, of his body. He had looked up to find her staring, and still she remembered the softness in his eyes, in his smile. What a beautiful, desirable man he was. No wonder things had been whispered about him. There probably wasn't a woman alive who did not want him.

"Aleysia?"

Pushing away the thought, she replied, "Of course," and followed

Galeran toward the fire where two chairs and a table sat, a chessboard atop, the figures well worn from years of use. Her father's trusted servant had lovingly carved each piece and presented it to him on his fortieth birthday. It was one of the few items of her parents de Pirou had not destroyed.

She watched Galeran settle into the chair. The soldier reminded her of Adelstan. Of the same age, and of quick wit, he had proven to be as loyal to his liege as her brother had been to his.

"You do not like being left behind?" she asked, settling into the chair.

He looked up at her and shrugged. "I do not mind doing my duty. I just am not used to being idle for so long."

"You would rather be with Renaud?"

He nodded. "Aye, I would, even though I know he feels I serve him better by staying at Braemere."

"How did you come to be his squire?"

"Our fathers were friends, and when Renaud became a knight, my father asked Renaud if I could serve under him."

"You must have been young."

"Aye, seven."

"Did you miss your home?"

Galeran's lips curved a little. "Very much, but his lordship was kind and always kept me busy. Many thought him too soft toward me. He was not, though. He treated me more like a brother."

"Did you always get along as you do now?"

He pursed his lips. "Aye, I served him faithfully, and I still do."

There was no denying the pride in his expression and voice. "And what of Elena?"

Galeran's gaze dropped, instantly flustered. "I have known her since she was a young woman."

"She is beautiful."

A blush rose from his neck to his cheeks. "Indeed, she is."

"What was Renaud like when he was younger?" Aleysia asked, sensing how uncomfortable he was with the current line of questioning. Also, she was curious about the man who had come rushing into her life. A man she could not purge from her thoughts, no matter how hard she tried.

"His father was a huge man, who had a penchant for fighting and telling far-fetched tales. His mother was Austrian, and what a beauty she was. Hair as black as night, and eyes as gray as the rain-filled clouds."

"Much like Renaud's and Elena's?"

His white teeth flashed. "Aye, indeed, much like Renaud's and Elena's."

"Are his parents still living?"

"Nay, both are dead."

"How sad. I know what it is to lose one's parents."

"His father's death hurt him greatly."

"But not his mother's?"

Galeran took a sudden interest in setting the board. "Nay, she was not a good wife, or mother."

"In what way?"

"What do we have here?" a feminine voice said, and Aleysia looked up to find Elena watching the two of them.

Galeran stood so fast, he nearly upended his chair.

"My lady, please join us."

"I do not wish to interfere," she said with a coy smile, even as she took a seat. "I was hoping we would hear news from York. This waiting is agony."

Aleysia nodded. "Indeed, it is."

Elena frowned, concern in her eyes. "I fear by allowing Adelstan to escape, that Renaud stands to lose everything."

Aleysia's heart skipped a beat. "You mean Braemere?"

Galeran dropped his gaze to the chessboard, and remained silent.

"Certainly, William would not strip him of Braemere after securing her?"

"Aye, but his duty was to secure Braemere and bring Adelstan before William in York. True, he secured Braemere, but William expects absolute loyalty. He will not be happy to learn that Adelstan is free and therefore still a threat."

"What if he is stripped of Braemere? What becomes of the fief?"

Elena brushed out her skirts. "I fear it could be given to another baron. One who has found favor with William." She forced a smile. "Do not fret so, Aleysia. My brother has lands in the south of England. All is not lost."

But the south of England was not Braemere.

"And what of me?"

Galeran looked at Elena. "Enough," he said, the words barely above a whisper.

'"Tis only fair. Would you not want to know your fate?" Elena lifted a dark brow. "She should know what might await her, Galeran."

With a curse, Galeran folded his arms over his chest.

Elena ignored him. "You could be given to the new lord of Braemere."

Aleysia gasped. "Nay."

'"Tis true." Elena lay a gentle hand on Aleysia's shoulder. "It has happened all over England. It is William's way to make peace with the Saxons. You must prepare yourself for the worst."

"I will not marry a Norman."

"Not even my brother?"

Aleysia opened her mouth to deny the words, yet she found she could not. It was odd, but she didn't look at Renaud or even Galeran as her enemy anymore.

Elena's lips curved. "God willing, you will not be given to another. I pray that William shows Renaud leniency. I hope that my brother will return and Braemere will still be in his possession."

A shiver rushed through Aleysia at the prospect of lying in a stranger's bed. "I would rather die than marry another."

"What of your Scot?"

What of Duncan? She no longer felt the same way about her father's friend. He was not to be trusted. No longer someone she could depend on. "I do not trust him. Not after he denied Adelstan."

"I admire your brother," Elena said. "Though I never met him, the stories I have heard speak of a proud, fiercely loyal man."

Aleysia smiled at Elena's analysis. "Aye, but he also has a huge heart."

She laughed, the sound like music. "Much like my brother." Aleysia had never thought of Renaud de Wulf as having a huge heart.

"You think not?" Elena queried.

"I have not known him for very long, but I do know he can be kind."

Elena's gaze shifted to Galeran. As the young soldier glanced at Elena, Aleysia feigned a yawn, wanting to give the two time alone. "I think I shall take a nap before supper. I did not sleep well last night."

"Sleep well, my dear," Elena said, looking not at all sorry to see her go.

As Aleysia started for her bedchamber, she wondered what Renaud was doing and if he thought of her even a little. She hoped so, for the days seemed endless without him.

Three guards followed her to the tower and up the stairs to her bedchamber. She had grown accustomed to their presence, and actually felt protected with Renaud gone. Nothing would happen to her, she knew that much.

She lay down for a while, but sleep would not come, so finally she picked up her embroidery out of the basket. She looked down at the likeness of Braemere castle on the fabric. She hoped that she could stay here with Renaud. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer.

Aleysia worked only for a few minutes and stuck her finger twice. With a frustrated oath she set the embroidery aside and sucked on her injured finger. No matter what she did, she could not keep her mind from Renaud and William's decision. Perhaps that was why he had been detained.

Though dinner would be ready soon, she stayed in her chamber, in no mood to converse when she was in such a sullen mood. Instead, she stared at the flames in the hearth, wondering what had become of the two men she cared for most in the world. God willing, her brother had found a safe place to stay.

And he had that chance because of Renaud. Her heart swelled. She realized with a start that she might actually love Renaud de Wulf.