Velvet & steel (10 page)

"Of course, I would have made you a more than adequate husband. I have had no complaints of my ... ah ... attentions."

Her anger was already at the boiling point, and his arrogance pushed her over.

"Perhaps your ... ah ... attentions," she mimicked, "have been judged by those who know nothing better than the mating of beasts."

"Perhaps not," he replied mildly.

"I do not choose to judge for myself."

"But how can you choose fairly," he laughed, "if you do not know what is offered?"

Lynette could see the deepening glow in his gold eyes and the intent buried there, and she backed a step away from him. But he had expected her retreat, and a hard, muscled arm snaked about her waist before she could consider turning and fleeing to her horse.

She was suddenly pressed against the breadth of a chest as hard as the stones of the manor. His mouth slanted across hers, catching her parted lips in mid protest, and feasting hungrily on their softness.

A sharp gust of wind caught the cloak he wore and wrapped it about both of them. Suddenly she was caught in a cocoon of blazing heat that smothered her from toe to head. His mouth demanded, and hers responded without her will. She tried to pull away, but he held her relentlessly.

A strange warmth began to grow in the depths of her body, and her pulse quickened until the thunder of her heart matched the beat of his. Suddenly, without her knowing, her arms went about him, and she moved against him, pressing her body even tighter to the warmth that was drawing every nerve taut, and shaking the foundation of her world.

When the kiss ended, it was hard to discern who was the more shaken or surprised, Royce or Lynette. Neither could believe the heated emotion that had whipped about them.

But it was Royce who recovered first, and he smiled an aggravating smile, meant to arouse an emotion he could deal with better.

Lynette cast him a murderous look. "Any knight in the realm will be preferable to you. Do you think another man's kiss cannot compare to yours?"

"That"—he grinned—"is up to you to decide."

"It is best we return to Creganwald," Lynette said, a little surprised at the huskiness in her voice. She was finding it difficult to control her erratic breathing. What made it even worse was that Royce seemed not to be affected at all. He simply smiled and let her go.

But Royce was fighting his own battle. He agreed with the wisdom of returning to Creganwald. He didn't like what was happening to his self-control. Some subtle voice deep within had urged him on, suggesting he might not like it if she did choose some able knight to share both her bed and Creganwald in his place.

Still, it was the wisest thing for her to do, because he was not the right man for a sensual and very feminine woman such as Lynette. He could offer her nothing except being married to a husband who could never fully love her, who had ghosts that would always walk between them. No, alienating her was best.

He released her with a taunting laugh. "See, cherie, now you will have something to measure the others by."

"Then I imagine I shall have to look for him in the king's stables."

"Ah, let me give you one warning, cherie. Try to sheathe your claws. No man wants to be ripped apart in bed. Better you smile and pretend to be docile."

"You needn't worry, my lord," she said much too sweetly. "I will turn into the most complacent woman ... for the right man. He will not have to do battle with my claws. He will be too busy sharing my embraces."

She watched him scowl at her words, then turned to walk back to her horse. She refused his aid to mount, and he surrendered to her fierce look with a shrug, and mounted his own horse. They rode back in silence.

Searching out Cerise to share her evening meal, Lynette found her playing in the center of her bed. It was obvious that when Lynette was gone, Cerise preferred her own company to facing Oriel. Lynette worried about how Cerise would take her going to London. Quite possibly she would be left to the mercy of Oriel again.

Lynette sent a maid for food for Cerise, and began to talk to her about her day. Soon Cerise was relaxed and chattering.

Lynette didn't know that Cerise had become an expert at gleaning information and had already heard talk of the proposed trip. She had been sure Lynette would not leave without her, since she was going to be her mother one day.

She would be with both her father and Lynette, which pleased her a great deal. It really didn't matter to her if they were in London or here at Creganwald, as long as they were together.

She was beginning to think that once Lynette and Royce were married, all would be well in the world.

But that night Cerise was wakened by a nightmare that sent her flying to Lynette. Wakened from a sound sleep, Lynette gathered the child to her and drew the furs over them both.

"What were you dreaming?" Lynette asked when Cerise's trembling abated.

"We were lost."

"We?"

"You and me, and Papa was looking for us but he couldn't find us. He was mad... and he was sad..." As she considered this, she faced the question that was always in the back of her mind. Would her father really be sad if she were gone? The thought brought new tears, for she wasn't too certain he would be.

"Why were we lost, Cerise? And where were we lost?"

"I don't know. Somewhere where there were lots of big rocks, and ... it was dark ... and ..."

"Don't worry," Lynette calmed her, "we won't get lost. I'm sure your father will not let that happen. And we will be clever enough not to go near any piles of big rocks."

"Are there big rocks in London?"

"What do you know about London?" Lynette asked in surprise.

"That you and Papa are going. He will take me, won't he, Lynette? He won't leave me with... her?"

"I don't think so," Lynette replied hopefully. She meant to talk with Royce at the first opportunity. She would beg to take Cerise along if she had to. "Hush now, and try to sleep. It will be fun to see London. Maybe we will have time to see the shops, and perhaps buy you some pretty ribbons for your hair. Would you like that?"

"Oh, yes." Her mind taken from her dream, Cerise soon found sleep, but now it was Lynette who lay awake. Would Royce really care if she and Cerise were taken from him in some way? The thought was surprisingly painful. In the quietness of her chamber, she could allow herself to examine, with her usual realism, her feelings toward Royce. He would be an easy man to love, if his heart were not so cold. His wife had died... and taken him with her. It was some time before she found sleep.

Robert and Royce stood in the early morning air and discussed the preparations for the trip to London. Royce meant to leave a number of his men for the protection of Creganwald. He had just toured the armory and could see that Robert's work was progressing rapidly, and well. Few knew arms better than Robert, and under his direction the manor would soon be well protected.

Eldwyn, who stood with them, was somewhat awed by the progress, and the amount of arms Royce thought necessary.

"Our thick English oak doors and this hall have been adequate protection before."

"Aye, Eldwyn, that is why your hall is in Norman possession now. If the Saxons had known as much about building castles and garrisoning them, Duke William might never have conquered and been crowned last Christmas. If the Saxons had possessed anything more than earthen mounds within wooden or dry stone walls such as these, they could have offered more resistance."

Eldwyn was little pleased with the truth of this, but it could not be denied. "You will have this hall well protected if you have time. William calls you to London. Perhaps he means another lord to rule here."

Robert cast him a sour look. "You do not know him. He has never broken his word, and he will not now. This hall has been spared because you have proved you want to live peacefully under his rule. Many were destroyed to prove who is king."

"I did not mean to anger you, Sir Robert." Eldwyn smiled. "I only meant to compliment Royce on his fortifications."

"They will do for now," Royce answered. "But I have other plans to build a stronger and more defensible building in time. One of stone. This hall will stand, but it will be added to and improved." He turned to Eldwyn. "As for London, will you not change your mind and come with us? I think Lynette worries about your health, and would have you closer at hand."

"Nay, my lord. I will admit I do not feel as well as I should. I fear the trip would weaken me further. I heartily wish this winter would end. The cold seems to bite to the marrow of my bones."

"All the more reason to go. I would hate to have Lynette unable to enjoy the court and London for worry about you."

"To speak of Lynette, I paused by her chamber to say good morning, and found Cerise asleep in her bed. When I questioned Lynette, she said the child had a terrible nightmare and came to her bed. It is strange, is it not," Eldwyn said softly, "that a troubled child would not seek the comfort of her father, but would go to someone she has known for so short a time."

Eldwyn's point did not miss its mark. Robert was much more aware of Royce's controlled reaction than Eldwyn was.

"All children have nightmares upon occasion. Perhaps something has disturbed her. She will recover from it, I warrant." But Royce was thinking of Oriel, and the treatment Cerise had received at her hands. He hoped there had been no more confrontations.

Robert smiled to himself, and thanked Eldwyn silently for the disruption of Royce's peace of mind. "Aye," he agreed amiably. "Why should the business of knights be disturbed by the upset of one child? She will recover ... in time."

Royce cast him a fulminating look. He chose not to answer, continuing instead with the discussion of his future plans, which he well knew might be carried out by someone else.

For the balance of the day, he held a surprising battle with himself. He did not need to go to Lynette over something as petty as a child's dream. She was a woman, and she could deal with it much more easily than he. He kept himself active, and tried to push all thoughts of Cerise and Lynette from his mind.

But full night put an end to any duties he could tend, and as he ate a quick meal of bread, meat, and ale, Lynette slipped back into his mind... and lingered until annoyance prodded him to his feet and carried him to her chamber.

He chose not to knock but merely pushed the door open and stepped inside. His gaze flew across the room to a sight that left him a bit breathless. He was conscious of a stir of emotion he had thought long since defeated: desire.

Lynette was in the midst of giving Cerise a bath, and the two had been laughing over something. That was not the difficulty. It was obvious to him that Lynette had just quit the tub of water herself, for she was wrapped in only a thin sheath of linen, and the moisture on her body made the linen cling in a most seductive way. It revealed more than it concealed. Her slim, rounded form captured his gaze. Her hair had been carelessly caught up on her head in a mass of ringlets that were already escaping to cling to her cheeks and throat. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were dancing with humor.

Neither was aware of his presence yet. Lynette drew Cerise from the water and vigorously dried her and wrapped her in a fur.

Beside the tub knelt another of the young maids that had been part of Eldwyn's household, and it was she who noticed Royce's presence. She sucked in a deep breath, for the huge, dark lord scared her speechless. The sound of her indrawn breath drew Lynette's attention and she turned.

Lynette sat back on her heels in surprise, and Cerise watched him with wide eyes, her hand still resting on Lynette's shoulder. Royce absorbed the picture, without realizing it would never leave his mind.

He smiled at the young maid, only because he thought she might be about to faint from fright. "Take the child to her bed." He might have tried to speak gently, but to the maid his voice was a command that sounded like the roll of thunder. With no hesitation she rose. Lynette knew there was no use arguing, and she didn't want Cerise upset.

"Go to bed like a good girl. I promise I'll come say good night and tell you a story that will chase away all the bad dreams."

"You promise?"

"I promise." Lynette kissed her cheek, and watched as the maid led her from the room. Then she turned to face Royce. Without thought, she stood erect, and that put her between Royce's view and the fire. The flames were burning brightly, and the light shone through the damp linen as if it were no longer there.

Royce's gaze raked over her, and his body reacted whether he willed it or not. She was a vision who made a man's thoughts go to his bed, and the image of her in it. He struggled to bring his thoughts back under control.

"I was told Cerise was having bad dreams." Even as he spoke them, he knew his words sounded vague and more like an excuse.

"Aye, my lord," she replied. "She came to me last night. It is a thing that will pass, I'm sure. In time, as she feels more secure, she will not be troubled."

He tried to concentrate on what she said, but his mind and body were having a war with each other, and he could not keep his eyes and his thoughts from wandering.

"My lady"—he smiled wickedly, more for his own benefit than hers—"I suggest you find something less ... revealing to wear."

Lynette had forgotten her undressed state, and now she looked down at herself, and her cheeks reddened. She fairly ran to her bed and drew forth a fur. She swung it around her, displaying silken limbs and delicious curves that made him sigh in disappointment when they disappeared beneath the material.

"Have you eaten?" Lynette asked to distract him.

"Aye," he said shortly.

"Then it is Cerise's dreams that brought you here, and nothing else?"

"That and to tell you to pack her things as well. I would not leave her here while you are gone."

"Lady Oriel goes with us?" she asked, but kept her head averted so he would not read her eyes. She was still certain Oriel was his mistress.

"Since her brother is close to me, it is necessary that she be in our party." He crossed the room to stand beside her, which was disturbing enough.

When she had hastily put on the fur, her hair had come loose, and now it tumbled about her in golden profusion, its gleam touched by the light of the fire.

Gently he lifted one shimmering curl from her shoulder and rubbed its silkiness between his fingers absently. "Does it distress you that Lady Oriel travels with us? Would you leave her behind, cherie?"

The implication that she was jealous was aggravating, and she backed away from him, her chin tilting stubbornly.

"Where any of your mistresses travel is none of my concern. I am not your wife yet, and would put no barriers in the way of your rutting pleasures."

"Rutting pleasures." He laughed in surprise. "I have not taken my pleasure with the lady."

"Mayhap," she replied, angry at revealing her feelings, "it is because her brother is near, and not because the lady would fight you should you choose to do so. Or is it because you still see greater wealth elsewhere? I am told Sir Giles has little more than the shield he carries and his weapons. Still... would he really be angry if you bedded his sister? Mayhap they both hope you are her future?"

"You think it is only the wealth my sword has acquired for me that is my attraction for a lady?" he asked softly. Lynette totally missed the sparkle of challenge in his eyes.

"Your sword has won you much, why not the Lady Oriel? She is Norman, and one who would appreciate your conquests."

"And how do you know you would not appreciate my... conquest?" His finger traced across her collarbone with a light touch. He meant to taunt her, make her angry so she would deny him. But he never meant to find her skin so smooth and soft, nor to see awareness leap into her eyes. "I have never left a dissatisfied maid in my wake."

Lynette slapped his hand away, and could have screamed at his teasing laugh. All her fury rose. This arrogant Norman needed a lesson. She knew he had no place for love in his life, and she knew he fought the idea of marriage. Did he think he could sample her whenever the mood struck? Did he think to find her a husband who would look the other way when the king's right arm decided to have his wife?