Passion in the Blood (13 page)

Rhodri’s eyes filled with tears as he embraced his little girl, remembering how he’d told Rhonwen the same thing many years before. Here too was a woman who’d known the intimate touch of a man she loved. “Then you must follow your destiny, daughter. Go with him. You have my blessing.”

Rhun urged his horse forward. “But father,” he shouted.

Rhodri raised his hand to silence his son. Rhun gritted his teeth.

Carys strode towards her brothers, smiling. Rhys dismounted and embraced her. “Goodbye, little one,” he said. “Be happy.”

Rhun and Rhydderch both shook their heads and wouldn’t dismount. She pushed her way between their horses and laid her right hand on Rhun’s thigh, and her left on Rhydderch’s. “Goodbye, handsome brothers. You will be in my heart. Be safe. I love you.”

“Goodbye, Carys,” Rhun croaked.

Rhydderch couldn’t speak.

Baudoin helped her to mount her mare, remounted his own stallion, then raised his fist in salute to the four warriors who watched him go, taking with him their precious jewel back over the ancient bridge.

Rhys turned to his fuming brothers and said pointedly, “You’ve failed to consider your sister will one day be the Countess of Ellesmere.”

Three sennights later the Montbryce brothers were married to the women they loved in the church their father had commissioned. Baudoin felt his mother had outdone herself in her efforts to make it a memorable occasion, both for her sons and the local gentry.

“Some people believe you and Robert are twins,” she told him. “You look so alike with your dark hair and blue eyes.”

Baudoin laughed. “
Oui
, and Caedmon’s presence as the third replica of our father has only added to the delight of those in attendance.”

Mabelle chuckled. Baudoin admired the way his mother had accepted her husband’s illegitimate son and welcomed him into the bosom of their family. He never thought of Caedmon as anything other than his brother.

His mother was still gushing. “Both brides are stunning in their wedding finery. It’s good Carys and Dorianne have become friends.”

He smiled too. “
Oui
, as soon as they met. Now instead of healer and patient, they will be sisters-by-marriage.”

Mabelle sighed. “It’s unfortunate for both women their fathers aren’t present to see them wed. Rhonwen’s here with Rhys, but it doesn’t bode well that no members of the Giroux family are in attendance, though your father reached out to them by sending messengers. They were refused admittance to the Giroux castle.”

Baudoin grasped his mother’s hand in reassurance. “Agneta made the journey from Ruyton with Caedmon and everyone has been delighted to see how their twins, Aidan and Blythe have grown. Now they’re five years old they obviously see themselves as the protectors of their younger siblings, Edwin and baby Ragna.”

Mabelle kissed her son’s hand. “Did you see Caedmon’s face when he and Agneta saw Rhys?”

Baudoin laughed, having heard the tale of Rhodri and Rhys saving Caedmon from drowning when Rhys was a mere lad. “Of course, now everyone is teasing me and Robert that it’s now our turn to provide you and Papa with heirs.”

Ram had joined them. He slapped Baudoin on the back when he overheard. “Judging by the lustful looks in yours and Robert’s eyes when you look at your brides, I doubt it will take long.”

Ram became serious. “Does Caedmon resent that his children can never be Montbryce heirs?”

Baudoin shook his head. “Be assured, Papa, he doesn’t. He’s more than happy with what you have provided for him and his family.”

The guests took their places at table. Trésor and her helpers in the kitchens provided a memorable feast to celebrate the event. They dined on roasted goose stuffed with figs, pheasant with boiled leeks, rabbit stew, black bread and of course the trout
à
la Cuisini
è
re
. Those who were able to eat dessert had gooseberry tarts and cheese. The wine and ale flowed freely and Ram gave orders for two of the kegs of the Montbryce apple brandy brought from Normandie and kept in the cellars for special occasions to be opened.

“I can’t think of a more special occasion than this,” he quipped as he offered a toast to his sons and their new wives.

“I wish to propose a toast to my sons, Robert and Baudoin, and to their beautiful wives, Dorianne and Carys. Mabelle and I’ve been blessed to have two such proud Normans as our sons. The future of the Montbryce name is in good hands.”

Cheering broke out as everyone raised their goblets to the newlyweds.

Robert stood to respond to the toast. “
Milord
Earl and Countess of Ellesmere,
Comte
and
Comtesse
de Montbryce, I know I speak for my brother as well as myself when I say it was our great good fortune to be born your sons. It’s our awesome responsibility to ensure the continuance of the great name of Montbryce, and again I know I speak for both of us when I say we’ll do our very best in that task.”

He winked at Baudoin. Guffaws echoed through the appreciative crowd.

“But I want to finish by saying it’s been my great honour to share this important day of my life with Baudoin. He’s a man to emulate and I’m proud to have him as my brother.”

Baudoin was humbled his older brother would pay him such homage. Mabelle could contain her tears no longer and cried on Ram’s shoulder. Rhys comforted his mother as she too wept.

***

Dorianne leaned over and whispered in her husband’s ear. “Carys and I are nervous about what will happen when it comes time for the two of you to take us to bed.”

Robert looked at her strangely. Surely she knew?

Dorianne blushed. “
Non
, I mean, we’ve heard tales of bawdy revellers forcing newlyweds to perform intercourse in public, and we dread the possibility.”

Robert took her hand, and smiled across at Carys, who was nervously biting her lip. “I can assure both of you no such thing will be allowed to happen. Neither of us wants anybody else ogling our wife’s body. We’ll be escorted to our chambers, undressed by our servants, in private, and tucked up in bed together. Then the bishop will give his blessing, and the revellers will leave.”

Baudoin had overheard. “Then we’ll get down to business, in private,” he laughed, rubbing his hands together.

As the festivities drew to a close, Robert and Dorianne were the first to be escorted to their chamber, since he was the eldest son. It was the first time Dorianne had been in Robert’s chamber. A cheerful fire warmed the room. A carved wooden screen had been placed at one end, and she and Margene stepped behind it. The maidservant helped her remove her gown, veil, chemise, shoes and hose. She gasped at the flimsy nightgown Margene carefully fastened around her. But then the maid produced a voluminous bed gown and wrapped Dorianne in it, pulling the belt tight.

“Only for
milord’s
eyes, in my opinion. Not those who want to ogle,” Margene whispered.

Robert’s friends and brothers were divesting him of his clothing, tossing it here and there, and he eased into a red silk bed robe, cinching it lightly around his waist. Smiling and waving to the cheering and jeering crowd, he strode proudly across the room and joined a blushing Dorianne. She was propped up against a large bolster, having been tucked in by Margene.

The Bishop intoned a brief prayer of blessing and sprinkled the bed with holy water. Then, despite ribald urgings from the guests to “Get on with it”, Robert pointed to the door with an imperious wave of the hand. He teased his brother with mock humility. “Baudoin, I apologise I’ll be unable to escort you and your lovely bride to your chambers. I’m afraid I’ll be rather busy with my own wife.”

“Never fear,” Baudoin responded with equal levity. “I’ll manage without your help.”

The last to leave as he ushered the well-wishers out, Ram gave Robert a wink and closed the door. The newlyweds heard the merry voices continuing on to Baudoin’s chambers.

“Alone at last,” Robert quipped to his bride. He slipped off the silk bed robe, lifting his hips to free the fabric from beneath him. He helped her remove the bed robe she wore, then drew her on top of his body. The silk of her nightgown inflamed him as he felt its coolness on his chest and on his already aching shaft. She nestled her head against his neck and nibbled him. He hunched his shoulders and laughed. “I’m ticklish.”

She raised her head, smiled a wicked smile and resumed her nibbling. Her body warmed and he wondered if she was already wet for him. He laughed again and held her away, instantly missing the feel of the cool silk on his sack.

“I love this flimsy frock you wear, but it will have to go,” he said, holding her with one arm and trying to lift the shift from her body.

She raised her arms to help him, stoking the fires of his need as her body was revealed. The logs in the hearth crackled.

“You’re beautiful, Dorianne,” he whispered, pulling her back on top of him.

With her forearms on his chest she raised up to look at him. He flicked his tongue, wanting to lick the twin globes pouting together enticingly between her upper arms, the nipples begging to be suckled. The glow of the fire danced on her skin. She lowered her body and touched her tongue to his. They lapped at each other lovingly. He licked her lips, the corners of her mouth, then increased the pressure of his kiss as his need and his arousal grew. He explored the warmth of her mouth, her teeth. She tasted of apple brandy. She sucked rhythmically on his tongue. Keeping their mouths joined he rolled her off his body and on to the bed beside him.

She broke away, her expression uncertain. “I’m not sure—”

Robert’s heart thudded. She’d never touched his manhood. He took her hand and placed it on his shaft. “Move your hand on me,” he whispered, showing her how.

Taking her other hand he placed it on his sack. “Like this. Pull up and squeeze.”

She did as he showed her and he exhaled loudly. “That feels good.”

She arched her back, thrusting her breasts upwards. “I’m light headed,” she rasped.

Blood is rushing to my head too!

His mouth found a nipple and suckled. She hummed, deep in the back of her throat, and pressed her belly against his erection. Her eyes widened and her breath caught.

“You’re getting bigger,” she whispered.

“Don’t be afraid, I will fit. I’ll make you ready. There’ll be but a moment’s pain and then—”

He couldn’t speak. He loved this woman so deeply the words foretelling the ultimate passion he hoped they would share in a few minutes were too much to squeeze out of his dry throat. He grasped the back of her warm neck and buried his face in her soft hair. His passion seemed to arouse her.

“I’m yours to do with as you will, Robert,” she whispered, her eyes bright.

Remembered visions of his hands kneading her breasts glistening with fragrant oil and his mouth on her sex carried him to greater heights. He reached with his long fingers to touch her female nub. He covered her scream with his mouth, her wetness flooding his fingers. She convulsed as release shuddered through her.

He knelt between her legs as she opened for him. “I can’t wait any longer, Dorianne. I need to be inside you now.”

“I’m ready,” she murmured lovingly, and his soaring heart knew she was.

He was a big man and hoped the pain wouldn’t be too great. He slid his whole length into her and felt the barrier tear. The warmth of her maiden’s blood mingled with her woman’s juices flooded over him like a tidal wave. He was a drowning man who didn’t want to be rescued. He took his weight on his elbows and crushed her breasts to his chest. She didn’t cry out.

“Am I hurting you?” he rasped as he pounded into her. “I can’t stop.”

She shook her head, her eyes glazing over. “I relish it, Robert. It’s my rite of passage into womanhood.”

He sent a prayer of thanks heavenward he’d been gifted with this remarkable young woman as she surrendered her body to his possession, her muscles pulsating against his shaft. Moments later the white heat surged from his body into hers and he was engulfed in his release.

***

Baudoin didn’t spill on the sheets of his matrimonial bed. As promised, he pumped his seed as far inside his mystically beautiful wife as he could, and relished her obvious enjoyment of his possession of her. There would be difficulties, but she was his now and nothing could part them.

***

Robert and Dorianne left for Normandie two days later. Hugh met them at Montbryce castle, and briefed Robert on the political situation which had deteriorated into two distinct camps. Curthose was obviously planning an invasion of England. Robert had brought troops from Ellesmere to strengthen his garrison and made preparations to defend the castle against attack by Curthose supporters if it came. He half expected the Duke himself to come to persuade him to fight on his side, and was relieved when that didn’t happen. Given the danger of venturing beyond the castle environs, he and Dorianne spent most of their time together, enjoying the exhilarating passion they shared.

In the month of July in the year of Our Lord One Thousand One Hundred and One, Curthose landed at Portsmouth with an invading army. Ram and Mabelle were relieved Robert wouldn’t be among the Norman knights accompanying Curthose, but anxious because Baudoin and Caedmon had gone south to fight for Henry. Mabelle did what she could to cheer Carys.