Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 01 (11 page)

Running her hands down his chest, she paused at the
raised scar on his side.
 
Capturing her
lips to distract her, he slid his hand down to cup a full breast.
 
Images of her body flashed through his mind
as he adjusted to lift the hem of her kirtle. Wearing only her chemise, he felt
her tremble as he reached for the hem.
  

Kneeling back, he removed her slippers.
 
Struggling out of his boots and hose in the
tight space, he squirmed out of his linen chainse, leaving on only his braies.

He knew if he did not slow things down, he would hurt
her.

His lips returned to hers as she stroked her hands
down his spine, sending an intense shiver through him.

Reina ran her hands lower over the contours of his
hips, slipping her hands around to grip his muscular buttocks.

Tearing his mouth from hers, he kneeled to remove her
chemise. Untying his braies, he shoved them down to kick them off.

He felt her tense when he once again nestled down
between her thighs. Cupping her face between his hands, he began to kiss her,
coaxing her into opening to him.
 

Relaxing against him, she gave herself up to his kiss,
joining his questing tongue in a primitive dance as old as time.

Breathless, he broke away.
 
Lowering his head, he ran his lips down the
length of her neck.
 
Rubbing his thumb
lightly across her nipple, he kissed his way down to the peak.
 
Flicking his tongue over the crest, he drew
it into his mouth, caressing the other with his sword calloused hand.
 
Switching, he gave the same attention to
both.

Clasping his head to her, Reina arched her back,
gasping in pleasure. Grazing his teeth against a stiffened peak, she
instinctively wrapped her legs around his hips.

Positioning his throbbing shaft against the slick
warmth of her core, he fought against the urge to thrust into her.

He kissed her feverishly, until he felt her sigh
against his lips.

Leaning back, he rested on his elbows, cupping her
face as he slowly entered her. Slowly stretching her to take more of him, he
forced himself to stop when he reached her maidenhead.

Shaking with the effort it took to hold back, he
returned to whisper against her lips, “Forgive me, Reina,” before thrusting to
the hilt within her.

Instantly stilling at her gasp of pain, he fought the
urge to move.

Kissing her tenderly, he waited until she calmed.
 
Smoothing the hair from her brow, he waited
in agony for her body to become accustomed to his.

He groaned when she slowly began to caress his back,
raising her hips against him. Lowering her hands, she gripped his hips as he
slowly began to flex beneath her fingertips.

Kissing her, he began to withdraw from her, only to
push forward again.

Reina ran her hands down the muscular ridges on his abdomen,
before gripping his hips to pull him harder against her.

Her breathing changed as she neared climax. Clenching
his eyes shut, he strained against his own need to hold back.

Clutching him, her orgasm shivered through her body,
ending with a loud gasp of pleasure against his lips.

Fulke cried out as her tight core contracted around
him, spilling his seed into a woman for the first time, lost to the most
intense orgasm of his life.

Spent and shaking, he withdrew.
 
Collapsing beside her, he drew her into his
embrace.

Gently kissing her brow, he covered her in blankets,
before lying back to stare into the darkness above his head.

Draping an arm across his chest, Reina cuddled
exhausted against him.

Amazed by her wanton passionate response, Fulke ran
his hand through her flowing tresses.
  
Her breathing evened out as she relaxed against him, drifting off to
sleep.
     

It was some time before he followed.
  

* * * *

Reina woke on her side in the dawn’s early light
cradled against Fulke’s warmth as he lightly trailed his fingertips along her
side and hip.

Turning her body into his, she opened her eyes.
Unashamed of the passion they had shared the night before, she smiled.

Tracing her kiss-swollen lips with his thumb, Fulke
returned her smile. “How fare you this morn, your ladyship?”

She responded to hearing her title for the first time
by drawing him down for a kiss.

Moving down to kiss her neck, she tilted her head back
to give him better access. Trailing his lips along the curve of her breast, he
pulled her closer to slide his hand through the golden-red curls between her
thighs.

When she stiffened, he pulled back.
 
“Are you tender this morning, my lady?”

She shook her head, embarrassed. Trying to think of a
way to convey her need to refresh herself.
  

Understanding suddenly dawned on him. Cupping her
chin, he waited for her to look at him.
 
“Would you perchance like to bathe this morn, my lady?

Relief flooded Reina’s features at his understanding.
“I would like that very much, my lord.”

Fulke pulled her to him.
 
Giving her a quick kiss, he reached for his
clothes. “Then I shall have water heated for your bath and send Hylda attend to
you at once.”

Before stepping down from the cart, he drew her up to
her knees.
 
Kissing her, he released her,
only to turn back to kiss her again.

He smiled as he again pulled away.
 
“I best see to your bath, or we shall be
camping another day.”

At the mention of his men, blood rushed to her
cheeks.
  

“We could always act as if nothing happened, my
lady.
 
Yet, I fear with my grin, and your
lovely blush, we would fail to fool them.”
 
He caressed her cheek with his fingertips.
 
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about,
Reina.”

She brightened.
“I am a wife,”
she said in wonder.

“That you are,” he replied. “My wife.”
 
Kissing her soundly, he leapt from the cart.

* * * *

Approaching the camp, he noticed Father Godfrey and
Sir Everard’s men had already taken their leave.
 
Realizing how close he had come to losing
Reina, he felt on edge.
 
If she had taken
the veil, only the Pope in Rome could have released her from her vows.
 
He may be in the king’s favor, but Henry
would never petition Pope Honorius over a woman for him.

Spotting his men lounging by the fire, breaking their
fast with the remains of their humble wedding feast, he prepared himself. “How
fare you all?”

Casting knowing looks amongst themselves, they
grinned.

Standing, Albin bowed low. “Our liege has finally
deigned to honor us with his presence this fine morn.” He chuckled. “I trust
you rested well amongst our blankets, whilst we froze our nether regions?”

Clambering to his feet, Talan faced Fulke. “I shall
see to the horses, my liege.” Calling for Warin and Osbert to join him, he
stalked off.

Gervase shared a look with Guy.
 
“I just cannot see what the lasses see in
Talan’s surly disposition.”
 

“Perchance he spouts a finer sonnet than I to woo the
fair lasses to his bed.”

Fulke shook his head at the two. “Gervase, summon
Hylda to assist your lady.”

“Guy, heat water for your lady’s bath. Then the both
of you can pack up camp.”

Left alone, Albin asked, “All is well with you this
morn, my friend?”

Fulke thought about the question for a moment. Then,
he smiled.

After Fulke left, Reina began searching for her
chemise. Lifting a blanket, she spotted a bloodstain.
  
Pulling it to her, she looked down to find
dried blood on her inner thighs. Remembering Fulke’s intimate caress of only
moments ago, she could only hope he had not noticed.

While deciding what to do with the blanket, Hylda
swept the cover to the cart back.

Shrewdly eyeing the stain, she climbed into the cart.
“Do not fret, Reina.
 
You are holding a
badge of honor in your hands.”

“I fear the blanket is ruined,
Hylda.”

She was surprised when Hylda laughed. “In my dear
mother’s day, they would have hung it from the ramparts.”

Reina’s eyes widened at the thought.
“Why ever would they do such a barbaric thing?”

 
“To prove the
groom received a chaste bride.”

“How horrible that must have been
for the lady.”

Hylda shrugged. “I suppose it was.”
 
Checking Reina over, she gently touched the
healing wound on her cheek. “Was his lordship gentle with you?”

Reina felt warm all over at the memory of their
passion-filled night.
 
“God could not have gifted me with a finer husband, Hylda.”

Hylda nodded happily.
 
“I had no doubt of it. I liked the baron from the moment he refused to
marry Sibilla.”

“Hylda, you should not say such
things.”

“Have you not heard, Reina?” she replied defiantly. “I
am no longer beholden to your father.
 
If
I were not so concerned about you, I would have taken the time to give him a
piece of my mind.
 
As for Lady Baldith,
had I a switch, I would have gladly used it on her.”

At Reina’s look of shock, Hylda sobered.
 
“Aye, I know she has often struck you. Warin
may have been duped in the beginning by your many excuses, but not I.”

“Please Hylda, you must not hold
anger in your heart, it is all for naught.”

“It is something I cannot forgive, Reina. If there is
a cost to my soul, so be it.” She changed the subject. “We best make haste now.
His lordship wishes to depart as soon as you prepare yourself.” Climbing from
the cart, she turned back. “I shall see what is taking those giant oafs so long
with your bath water.”

Reina was busy folding the remaining blankets when
Hylda returned with the water. Placing the steaming bucket in the cart, she
passed her a sliver of soap. Setting clean linens beside the bucket, she said,
“There is a chill in the air this morn, be sure to clasp your cloak.”

Laying out a fresh kirtle of beige, with an under gown
of russet wool, a veil of linen and Reina’s hair comb in the corner, she
re-closed the flap.

* * * *

Kicking dirt on the dying embers of the fire, Fulke
looked up as Reina approached.

Her hair bound in a braid reaching below her waist,
she wore a white linen veil covering the shining mass, denoting her status as a
married woman.
 
Taking note of the
gold-link belt riding her slender hips, he smiled. His vanity stoked to lay
claim to such a stunning woman.

Reaching her, he took note of her flushed cheeks. “I
would have come for you, my lady.”

Glancing nervously at the men preparing to depart, she
braved a smile.
“I must face them some time, my lord.”

He bent to place a light kiss on her lips. “There is
my brave lady.” Returning for another, he held back when he heard a low whistle
behind him.

Slanting his eyes behind him, he gave Reina's hand a
reassuring squeeze. Drawing her around, they waited for his men to approach.

Warin was the first to reach them. Bowing low, he
straightened with a grin to kiss her cheeks.

Gervase elbowed Guy out of the way to follow next.
Leaning in for a kiss, he caught a glimpse of Fulke’s scowl.
 
Falling into an awkward bow, he stepped back.

Guy shoved Gervase as he stepped forward.
 
Dipping his head, he wished Reina well before
stepping back.
 
The remaining men quick
to follow suit.

Osbert waved from the distant tree line as he
struggled to pull the cart from the woods.

Spotting him, Warin hastily excused himself, rushing
off to help.

The men drifted away to saddle their horses as Fulke
leaned down to Reina. “Was it as bad as you feared, my lady?”

Surprising him, she wrapped her arms around his
waist.
 
“No, my
lord, it was not so bad after all.”

With Reina wrapped in the protective circle of his
arms, they kept pace with the cart as they unhurriedly made their way towards
Castell Maen.

Fulke inwardly groaned at the painful state of arousal
he found himself in after a long day of having Reina’s arms wrapped around him.
Each time she ran a hand up his back or down his chest was a torment to his
failing restraint.

Along the way, he stole a long, breathtaking kiss in
the hopes it would slake the desire coursing through him, only to find it made
matters much worse.

Each time Reina moved to adjust her seat on the long
ride, she would innocently rub against his arousal, forcing him to struggle
against the raging need to bury himself within her.

Near dark, he felt her go limp against him. Holding
her close, he sent Osbert and Gervase ahead to scout out a suitable resting
place for the night.

They cleared a sloping stand of trees to find a fire
burning in the valley below. Fulke waited until they had almost reached the
camp before stroking Reina’s cheek with his cold hand.

She blinked sleepily up at him, a smile parting her
tempting lips.

Staring into her eyes, he could not stop himself from
bending to kiss her. A surge of pure lust gripped him when she boldly met his
questing tongue with her own.

He groaned in utter frustration against her mouth as
he cradled the side of her face with his hand.
 
Pulling away, he stared into her passion filled eyes, managing a weak,
“We are making camp for the night, my lady.”

Nodding, she gently ran her fingertips along the
stubble on his jaw.
“I fear the long ride
lulled me to sleep.”

“You were well protected.” He bent to kiss her brow.

“That I did not doubt, my lord.”
Wrapping her arms tight about him, she sat up to take in the landscape.
 

They were in an open, flat valley with a narrow stream
cutting through it.
 
The last of the
sun’s rays reflecting off the water’s surface like stars twinkling in the
darkening sky.

Slowly riding into camp, Talan stepped forward to lift
Reina down.

Thanking him with a warm smile, Fulke noticed a blush
spread across his young knight’s face. Shaking his head, he sighed. Even his
most trusted knight seemed to be besotted with his lady.

He glanced around at the lack of private
accommodations as Reina walked to work the stiffness from her limbs. His relief
tainted by a touch of frustration, he knew he would never attempt to seduce her
with his men camped so close by.

Stepping up to the fire to drop his gear, he made the
mistake of seeking her out. With her hands splayed on her lower back, she threw
her head back in a stretch that forced her kirtle to tighten invitingly across
her breasts.

Hearing the heavy thunk of a pewter tankard hitting
the ground, Fulke swung around.
 
Gervase
stood alongside Guy, mouths agape, staring in open wonder at his wife.

“What are you both gawking at?”
 

Snapping his mouth shut, Gervase quipped, “Just happen
to be admiring the view, my liege.”
  
Bending to retrieve his tankard, he swore, “Zounds, Guy.”
 
Rising, he rubbed the back of his head.

“The setting sun is something to behold, is it not, my
liege?” Guy interjected.
 

“You were admiring the setting sun?” Fulke asked in
disbelief.

“Aye my liege. Never before have I seen one more
beautiful.”

Gervase opened his mouth, only to have Guy jerk him to
silence. Dragging him off, he mumbled about tending to the horses.

Dropping his saddle beside the fire, Albin shook his
head. “You cannot blame them, Fulke.”

Fulke quirked a brow. “Care to explain yourself,
Albin?”

“It goes without saying, the lady is a beauty.”
 

“I am aware of that. What point are you trying to make?”

Albin shrugged. “I admire your restraint.”

“My restraint, you say?”
 

“Aye.
 
With a
beautiful woman, on a cold night like this, tends to make a man’s mind wander
to the many enjoyable ways there are to keep warm.” He nodded. “Your
restraint.”

With a muttered oath, Fulke abruptly stalked off.

“Where are you going?” Albin called after him.

“To cool down,” he snapped without bothering to turn
around. He mumbled a curse when he heard Albin’s loud laugh behind him.

Without regard for the lack of privacy, Fulke stripped
naked.
 
Tossing his clothing on the muddy
bank, he plunged into the icy water.
 
The
cold stealing his breath, he broke the surface gasping for air.
  

 
“Is all well
with you, my liege?”
 

Shivering, he crossed his arms. “Aye Talan,” he
replied sarcastically. “It is such a fine eve.
 
I thought I would go for a dip in the freezing stream.”

Talan’s lip twitched as he figured things out for
himself. “I shall fetch a blanket to leave on the bank for you, my liege.”

Wading towards the bank, Fulke sank back into the
water when Hylda approached with a bucket.

Spotting his clothes, she searched the water until her
gaze locked on him.
 
“A bit brisk to be
taking a bath, your lordship.”

Fulke quirked a brow.
 
“You think?”
 

“No need to get snippy.”
 
Treading lightly to the water’s edge, she
filled the bucket.
 
Hearing Fulke’s teeth
chatter, she shook her head.
 
“Men.”
 
Clucking her tongue, she left him staring
after her in amazement.
 

Returning from the stream a short time later, dressed
and half frozen, Fulke sank wearily down before the fire.
 

Spotting the cart, he closed his eyes with an audible
curse.
 

He should have known Hylda would have found some way
to give them privacy. In his brief absence, she had the cart set back from the
fire.
 
Blankets draped over the sides and
wheels of the cart to sweep the ground.
 
He had no doubt if he moved the blankets away he would find an
agreeable, if not cramped pallet within.

Searching out Reina, he observed her stiff movements
as she assisted in the preparation of the evening meal. He could only hope it
would give him the resolve he needed to keep his hands to himself once they
bedded down for the night.

* * * *

They gathered around the fire to feast on flat bread,
cheese and apples from the larder of Kenwick.
 
After they supped, Fulke wrapped an arm around Reina as she followed the
conversations around her.
 
Resting her
head on his shoulder, she realized she had never before known such a feeling of
peace.
 
Turning her head to meet Fulke’s
gaze, she smiled.
 

Caressing her cheek with his free hand, he bent to
kiss her.