The Tempest (28 page)

Smiling wickedly at her, he pulled the tunic and undershirt over his head all in one motion, dropping them carelessly to the floor. He reached for her, drawing her body up against his.

“Is this better?” He kissed her neck, lighting nipping the sweet skin.

She laughed again. “It might do for a moment.” Running her hands down his ribs, snaking her hands around to the small of his back and down, she gripped him firmly. “But I trust you can do much more.”

Breaking from her, he bent to pull off his boots, impatiently kicking them aside. Rising to his feet at the side of the bed, he turned to her as he untied his trouser lacings, and while his hands were occupied she rose to her knees in front of him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she pulled his lips to hers in a hot kiss. Their mouths fused as one, never parting for a moment as he finally freed himself from the last of his clothes.

Falling back to the bed together, her legs parting wide to welcome him, he quickly joined his body with hers, groaning at the delicious feeling of her soft heat wrapped around him. He could not be slow, nor tender. His desire was too great…and judging from the way her fingers were clenched in his hair, it was clear she was as greedy as he was. She’d never been meek in his bed, and he thanked God for it as he moved fiercely within her, moaning at the incredible pleasure, her sounds of eagerness spurring him on.

Gripping her bottom he withdrew and thrust again, each movement of his hips more powerful than the one before. She wrapped her legs tight around his waist, trying to take him in further with each stroke. Her mouth opened against his ear, panting hotly as he ground himself into her, and he moaned her name again and again. In a frenzy of white-hot desire they clung to each other, hating the moment when it would end. They burned wildly for each other, and when the rapture came it was a fiery explosion, both of them crying out together. His cheek lay against hers, both their mouths open as they fought to catch their breaths. The tremors still shook them, and it was some time before they came back to their senses.

Looking into each other’s eyes, each could see the burning passion reflected back. One intense coupling had hardly quenched it. They kissed once more, slow and deep, savoring each other. In a slow roll of tangled limbs he moved to his back, taking her with him. His palms settled on her hips, intent on positioning her atop him, wanting to look up at her when they came together. But when she moved his hands away, he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it…until she pressed a burning kiss on his chest. Then her lips began a slow journey downward, brushing hotly on his abdomen. Realizing her intention, his already roused senses ignited like wildfire. His heart raced. His breath became short, and it was all he could do to manage words.

“Are you certain you wish to…” He could hardly think. He wanted this more than he’d wanted anything in his life. But he did not want her to feel shame in the act. He looked down at her, offering her the chance to stop is she wished…even as his eyes pleaded with her to proceed. She smiled at him for a moment, saying nothing. Then she lowered her head…and his fell back as he felt the soft, wet feel of her mouth on him. For several long moments he lay there, gasping in pleasure, enduring the exquisite torment. He’d never been so aroused in his life…and he was dangerously close to losing control. He’d gone that far with other women, spilling his seed without thought, caring only about his own desires. But as near as he was to his peak, he refused to let it end in that way…not with her. Reaching down he grasped her arms, pulling her up and away. She looked surprised at his sudden reaction, but he spoke in a heated rush of words.

“If you go on, I shall be unmanned.”

He crushed her mouth to his, and rolling her to her back he drove himself into her, managing only a few powerful strokes before his climax overtook him. When the blinding pleasure had ceased, he felt a sudden sense of guilt, knowing she had not attained the heights he’d ju reached. She’d given him his release without reaching her own completion. And yet, when he raised his eyes to her, she was smiling…so loving, so beautiful.

“I am sorry,” he said, his tone soft with regret. “That was much too hurried.”

She shushed him, bringing his head down to her breast. “We have all the time in the world, my love.”

Shifting his weight off of her, but keeping her in the circle of his arms, he sighed with great contentment as he drew her close…falling asleep against the softness of her body.

*****

Without opening his eyes he reached for her…but his hand found only empty space. Forcing himself awake, he looked around to see where she had gone. A movement of shadow in the firelight made him look towards the hearth, where he saw her kneeling as she stirred the logs in the grate. Moving to the end of the bed, he rested his head on his arms, looking at her. She was wrapped in a silk robe, but it left little to the imagination, and in the glow of the fire, she looked exquisite.

“What a lovely vision before my eyes.”

She turned, smiling at him for a moment before returning to her task. “The room was growing cold.”

He shrugged. “I had not noticed…until you left me all alone. If you return, I shall see you are warmed properly.”

She rose to her feet, and he drank in every graceful movement as she came near. He was all anticipation, hoping she would come back to join him. But she slipped past.

“All in good time, my love.” She walked over to the table to retrieve the tray of wine and fruit. “I am hungry. You must be as well.”

He smirked with a naughty gleam in his eye, and she shook her head at him, though she smiled. At the end of the bed was a long narrow trunk where she placed the tray. Sitting down, she took up an apple and sliced it as he rose to his forearms. He reached out to brush his fingertips over her knee, trying to tempt her. But rather than rushing into his arms with great haste, she just smiled down at him.

“Insatiable man. You must satisfy more than your lustful appetites. You cannot sustain yourself on me alone.”

As though to disprove her statement, he moved to sit up, clearly intent on kissing her…but he was halted by a slice of apple that she playfully pushed in his mouth. They both laughed, and from the remaining fruit on the tray they fed each other, whispering sweet words and exchanging heated looks. When they had satisfied their hunger for food, they put the tray aside and came back to each other’s arms. They loved each other with long, lingering touches and brushes of lips against skin. Later, they lay for some time just holding one another, exchanging an occasional caress and kiss, talking softly. Guy lay reclined against the pillows, with Cassia resting her head on his chest. Her robe had been discarded, and with a soft touch he ran his fingers along her bare back.

May, 1195

Stalking back and forth along the length of the dining hall, Guy muttered to himself again and again. Stephen, sitting nearby with his man-servant, played at a game of tables. Now and then he looked over at Guy and shook his head.

“You may as well cease your repetitive walking, Gisborne. It will not make the child come faster.”

Guy ran his hands through his hair, groaning under the weight of the worry on his shoulders.

“This is intolerable. I simply do not know how you twice managed to endure it.”

Stephen shrugged. “I was not at home when Stuart came. And Katherine came upon us so quickly that I had little time to trouble my mind.”

Guy sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. It seemed that fate was intent on playing yet another cruel trick on him by making Cassia’s labor as long as possible. Her pains had started nearly a full day ago, and like any other father he was banished from the birthing room and forbidden to go near it. It seemed quite cold and cruel to his way of thinking, when he’d spent the last nine months occupied with few other things.

He had seen to it that she had everything she could ever want or need. He had rarely left her side through it all, parting from her only when his duties required it. But now here he was, being forced to step aside and put his beloved wife in the hands of others. Thus far he had managed to keep his distance. But his patience was at its end. He was through with waiting.

Turning sharply on his heel he walked out of the room, hearing the sound of Stephen calling out to him.

“Gisborne, where are you going? You cannot go to her until it is done.” He rose to follow after him.

Guy walked on, turning to look at Stephen as they ascended the stairs. His look was fierce and determined.

“I will know something of her progress. She is my wife. She brings my child, and I will not be deprived of at least knowing how they fare.”

As they neared the upper room, they could hear the noise of a woman’s agony. Guy paused for a moment, stunned by the sound. He knew that women had to endure pain in childbirth…but to hear it, to know it was his own woman enduring such torment, it made him terrified for her. It seemed to him that her cries were much more agonized than they should have been. Something was wrong…he was certain of it. He rushed towards the door.
“Listen to how she cries out!” he said to Stephen. “You believe I should stand by and do nothing?”

Without pause he went to pound on the door, demanding entrance. When it opened slightly he tried to push past the young girl who stood there, but Stephen forced him back.

“Good God, man. Get a hold of yourself. Maintain your senses, will you?”

Calmly he turned to the girl, who looked quite petrified as she shifted her eyes between the two men. Stephen looked down at her with a cool expression. “How fares the Lady Gisborne?”

“The labord doween difficult, my lord,” she replied. “But madam says the mother is nearly there.”

From within the room there was a great cry of pain. Guy tried to lunge forward but was pushed back once again, and then there was an angry shout for the servant girl to return to her duty.

“I am sorry my lord, but I must return.”
Stephen nodded. “Very well. And bolt the door from within.”

She curtseyed, and then the door closed…and Guy gave Stephen a shove to the shoulder. His eyes were dark with fury.

“Bolt it from within? You will keep me from my own wife?”

“Your wife is also my dear sister. But I will not allow you to storm into the room in a fit of madness. The midwife and her aides must concentrate on their patient, and not on worrisome fathers.”

Guy knew he was right. He hated being told what he could and could not do, especially when it came to Cassia, but he knew there was nothing more to be done than to sink helplessly into a hall chair…and wait.

* * * * *

The door opened at last, and the young woman emerged once again.

“All is done, my lord.”

At hearing the announcement, Guy rushed forward, fear written in every line of his weary face.

“How is the lady?” he demanded.

The maid nervously looked between the two men. “The lady has come through well enough. They are tending to her now.”

Stephen put forth his own hurried question. “What is it? Boy or girl?”

“I am not permitted to say, my lord. The Lady Gisborne requests that her husband be the first to know, and she wishes to tell him herself.”

Guy rushed into the room. He could hear the sound of splashing water and infant wailing, but he hardly gave it a thought as he rushed straight to Cassia’s side. Rosalyn was there with her, adjusting her pillows and smiling lovingly down at her. She was in a clean nightdress, and her hair hung in a loose braid. She looked quite serene lying there. But he could see how the labor had taken its toll on her. Weariness was etched in her every feature, and her smile was weak when she saw him. He fell to his knees at her side, clutching her hand and kissing it fervently.

“My beloved. I have been beside myself with worry. Are you well? Is the child healthy? Is there anything I might do?”

She reached out to touch his face. “I shall be fine, dear husband. And our children are indeed very healthy, judging from their lusty wailing.”

He started t smile…but then he realized what she’d said.

Children
. Not
child.
His eyes grew wide with shock.

“Children?” he said. “You mean there is more than one?”

Before she could answer, two servant girls came close, each holding a babe in their arms.
“We have twins, Guy. A boy and a girl.”
Guy rose slowly to his feet, watching with mouth slightly open in shock as the two tiny bundles wrapped in linen were placed in their mother’s arms.

Rosalyn motioned for Stephen, who had been observing from the doorway. He came forward and pulled a chair close so Guy could sit. And Guy sank to the chair in disbelief, shaking his head.

“That cannot be possible. Can it?”

Cassia smiled. “It is so, my love. And they are quite beautiful. Look for yourself.”

Leaning forward, he examined the faces of his tiny son and daughter. Both were quite pink, and each had a fine crop of black hair. They looked so fragile, he was almost afraid to lay a finger on them. But before he could protest against it, Rosalyn took one of the children from Cassia’s arms and held the babe out to him.

“This is your son, Sir Guy. His name is William…named after the great conqueror, of course, and he is a very handsome lad. You should indeed be proud.”

She placed the boy in his arms, and as he looked down in wonder at his son, Stephen came to look at his nephew as well. He smiled, and they all agreed that William was a fine looking child. But then, as the babe moved from his father’s arms to his uncle’s embrace, the time came for Guy to meet his daughter.

With a smile, Rosalyn took the baby girl from Cassia and turned to Guy, who looked up at her almost with fear.

“Sir Guy, this is Theodora, in honor of the beloved empress. Just as your son is quite handsome, so your daughter is very beautiful. I think you shall agree.”

When she put his daughter in his arms, he was rendered speechless. She was so very small…so incredible warm. And beautiful. He was overwhelmed and humbled by the idea that two tiny people were a part of him. He had helped to create two fragile lives. And there were no words to describe the feeling.

Rosalyn placed a hand on Stephen’s arm. “My lord husband, I daresay we should leave this family so they might get to know one another.”

Stephen nodded. He went to Cassia, returning William to her arms. Both he and Rosalyn gave her a gentle kiss on the head and wished her well. Then they took their leave.
Guy carefully rose from the chair, fearful of moving too fast and frightening the child in his arms. He sat on the edge of the bed…and then he looked at Cassia, who was smiling down at their son with a look of love like he’d never witnessed before. When she brought her eyes up to meet his, that same wondrous look was given to him, and to their daughter. He shook his head, still in disbelief.

“I can scarcely believe it. Two children.” He smiled softly at her. “I shall never cease to be moved by the miracle of you…and the miracles you are capable of bringing.”

She smiled lovingly at him, her eyes shining with tears. She was about to speak when the midwife came to her side.

“Madam, we must take the children to the wet-nurse now. And then to the church immediately after.”

The look on Cassia’s face was one of horror. Guy knew of the ritual regarding newborns…that they were to be taken to church and baptized immediately. Infants were so very fragile, so easily lost…and they were expected to be baptized as soon as possible to purify their souls, should they be called back to heaven too soon.

But Guy refused to follow that tradition to its full extent. He narrowed his eyes coldly at the midwife. His words were stern…quite forceful.

“You will not take my children from this house.”

She stared at him, dumbstruck. “But my lord, they must be baptized at once.”

“You will not take my newborn children out. They have just breathed life, and I will not have them exposed to the world and its dangers. If they must be baptized, then fetch a priest here. But they will not be removed from this house until their mother deems it appropriate. Now, take them to the wet-nurse so they may be fed.”

She gave a stiff curtsey, clearly not happy, but unable to do anything about it. “As you wish, my lord.”

Handing the children to two of her servants, she directed them out of the room, and Guy glared at her until she was gone.

Then he turned to Cassia, who gave him a grateful smile.

“Thank you, husband. If you were not here beside me, I fear my word would not mean much.”

He held her hand to his cheek. “They may not heed your word, but they shall heed mine or suffer the consequences. All that I am able to do for you, I shall. Is there anything at all that you require?”

She took his hands in hers, pressing her lips to his knuckles.

“I only beseech you to care for yourself, and not just for me. I can see that you are weary. You must sleep.”

“I shall not go from your side. I will sleep later.”

She shook her head. “No, my love. You should sleep now. I will not have you fall ill from lack of rest.”

He knew that for the sake of her condition, he was expected to sleep in a separate bed until she was recovered. But he could not imagine being in another room, so far away.

“I shall lie on the couch,” he insisted. “But I will not sleep in a strange bed, alone. I would have no peace without you beside me.”

She just smiled, her eyes growing heavy. She opened them one more time to look up at him.

“I love you.”

His heart swelled, the way it did each time she said those words, and he cherished each opportunity to repeat them back to her, as he did now.

“I love you, too.”

Her eyes had closed, but he saw the corner of her mouth turn up. Her fingers went slack in his hand as sleep overtook her. Reaching out, he brushed her hair back from her face. Pulling the blanket over her, adjusting the pillow under her head, he wanted to be certain that she was in need of nothing, even in sleep. He would be beside her all night, and his would be the first face she saw when she woke up in the morning.

*****

Sitting beside her in the early morning, Guy watched his wife as she slept. It had been three days since the birth, and there was a nagging trouble in his heart that something was not right. He understood that she was recovering from labor. That was expected. But just last night he had heard an exchange between the wet-nurse and the midwife, who had come to look in on the new mother. The two women had spoken in low tones…ones that weren’t meant for his ears…saying how the birth had been more difficult than they’d expected. They had talked of excessive bleeding and tearing…of how it was a miracle that Cassia had survived the ordeal. Now, as he looked down at her, he felt himself growing tense with fear.

These few days past, she had spent most of her time sleeping. But when awake, she was so sedate. To see her so frail and weak was deeply troubling. He had a sudden and fearful thought that she might succumb to childbed fever. So many women were lost in that way, usually within days of bearing children…and when he recalled what the midwife had said, it filled his heart with great pain and dread. Leaning forward, he kissed the softness of her forehead. Just the thought of her falling prey to illness…or worse, not recovering…was enough to make him half-mad.

When he pressed his lips to her cheek, her lashes fluttered and her eyes opened. Seeing him, she gave him a sleepy smile. He tried to smile back. His wish was to hide his worry from her, so she would not be burdened by his troubles. But she seemed to sense that something was not right. She looked at him with a curious, concerned expression.

“Guy, what troubles you?”

He shook his head, trying to smile. But no amount of will could hide the sadness in his eyes…the fear that was barely held in check.

“Tell me, dear husband. It pains me to see you with such a look.”

For a moment he held back. Then, in a gradual fall of his defenses, he lowered his head until it rested in her lap. He sighed as she ran her fingers through his hair.

“You are unwell, Cassia. And I cannot bear the thought of it.”

She swept the hair back from his forehead. Her tone was soft and gentle.

“My love, do not fear for me. I shall recover soon.” She reached up to remove the cross from around her neck, showing it to him. “Do you recall when you returned this cross to me, newly embedded with an amethyst jewel?”

He nodded, remembering how that simple pendent had always been in his possession, even during the days of his imprisonment and the long months of their separation. He’d had an amethyst…the gem of health and protection…placed in its center, and he’d given her the re-christened necklace as a wedding present.

“Your gift has brought me good fortune thus far,” she said. “I see no reason why it should cease to do so now.”