Averill: Historical Romance (The Brocade Collection, Book 3) (17 page)

He lifted her and walked out of the water, raining droplets on the pile of their clothing and everywhere else
. Pressing against his warmth with her eyes tightly shut, she could hardly bear to feel his nakedness, let alone see it. More beads hit her head and shoulders as he carried her out of the room and into another. She kept her eyes scrunched shut the entire time.

“Look at me, Averill.” 

He whispered it against one ear and she obeyed, slowly letting her surroundings intrude. The ceiling looked like it was painted black, but she wasn’t sure in the vague light of the one oil lamp. The walls looked like more diaphanous drapery, making it difficult to tell the exact structure. Averill watched shadows cast by their bodies in the lamplight playing about the fabric, and she held to him tightly at the sight. It was too strange. Too intimate. Too passion-inciting.

Tenny went onto his knees
to set her onto a low-slung bed, where she sank into softness that clung to her damp skin. She narrowed her eyes to peek at him and held her breath in wonder at the strength evident in every line of his frame.

“Oh, Tenny,” she whispered in awe.

He had the same expression as he joined her, fitting himself alongside her. “I’m going to love you, Averill. I can’t keep from it another moment. I don’t know if I can prevent a child as you asked. It’s too complicated. And I can’t wait any longer. I can’t.”

He didn’t wait for her reply
. He simply wrapped his arms about her and maneuvered her to match against him, lifting his chest slightly as he did so. He created an opening beneath his arms that she filled with hers, wrapping them about him. The sound of his groan ended in her mouth as Averill arched her neck and gave him her lips. The light that burst now in her mind wasn’t crimson. It was blue, a vivid, intense blue, threaded with luminous silver. It was the same silver that her knight always wore.

“Oh, Tenny...” 

Her hands roamed him without shame, feeling the flesh ripple with shivers everywhere she went. His back was as hard and unrelenting as it looked. His buttocks, firm. Round. Her fingers shaped and defined every ridge of him as she traversed and learned him.

He was doing the same to her
. Averill gasped more than once when he stroked along her side, tracing a line down her ribs and across her stomach. As if guided by primal instinct, her legs parted, allowing him access. Her nerves strained and called to him. Every part of her ached for him.

“Oh, love
. Oh, Averill. Love....” 

He whispered the litany of love words against her lips
. His hands were driving her insane. He was running one along her inner thighs, over and over, until she was lunging toward him in a moisture-enhanced agony of want.

“You’re a dream, Averill.” 

He spoke it against her neck as he filled the space between her legs. He was groaning again, making little grunts of noise as he teased her opening with himself. Averill was wrapped in a conflagration of desire and want. It was his fault. He’d brought her to a state of madness, and then he denied her? She wrapped her legs about his waist and shoved against him, using her body to beg him to end her torment.

“Tenny
? Please?”  She whispered it and lunged against him.

“Dreams...end
. I’m terrified I’ll awaken....”

Pain stirred through the blue-tinted mist in her mind
. Averill wondered if he brushed against her wounded shoulder. It didn’t matter. She urged him on, straining against him. She felt herself tearing, and he couldn’t fit. She squeezed her eyes tight and hoped he wouldn’t notice her pain.

“Oh God, Averill
. You aren’t. No. You never told me.”

He’d stopped, and everything on her was in a state of
pain. Her heart clogged her throat with the strength and heat of it, rivulets of shivers flowed everywhere, and her loins were in an agonizing condition of hurt. She didn’t know what was wrong with her.

“Oh Averill, I didn’t know
. Forgive me.” 

The words were crooned, yet harsh
. His hands lowered to her hips, pinning her in place. Averill kept her eyes scrunched shut, holding the reaction in, as he shoved against her time and again, ignoring the moaning she couldn’t keep silent.

“No...Tenny...no,” she finally whimpered
.

Suffering centered a
ll about his entry, throbbing through her as he filled her. And then he stopped while Averill did her best to absorb it. His nose slid along her chin, followed by his lips. Then he lifted his head. She knew he was studying her.

“Averill, look at me,” he whispered.

She shook her head, ashamed at herself. If she had to feel such pain at what he did, it was her secret. She loved him! She just hadn’t known it would wound so badly. No one had told her.

“Darling, it
will only hurt for a little. I promise.”

She opened her eyes in confusion
.
It’s supposed to hurt?
He chuckled, and she pulled him tightly to her as that small movement pained. And she knew he saw it.

“I didn’t know, Averill
, and…there are no words. I should’ve known…guessed, but I thought...”  He looked down, his eyes lost in the darkness. “I love you, Averill. I do. I swear it.”

T
rembling filled her. She’d never felt anything like it. Her entire being was enthralled, yet frightened. And then he moved inside of her. Averill cried aloud and watched him wince.

“I’m so sorry, Averill
. There I go, apologizing again…but it’s true. You’re so tight…and I…just can’t wait. I
can’t
.”

Averill locked her legs around his hips and held on
. Breathing grew hoarse, the movements increased. His eyes held hers, promising everything and then giving it. There was no escape. He was right, the pain was ebbing. She began lunging upward with her hips to meet his. Averill couldn’t decide if it was the brightest yellow or purest white that her mind tried to capture now.

“You must tell me
if it still hurts, Averill.”  The words were huffed, disjointed, matching each thrust of his body into hers.

It was definitely white that blazed through her closed eyelids, scoring into her
, branding her. “It doesn’t,” she whispered.

“
Oh, thank God.”  The words were harsh.

“Oh, yes...yes...yes
! Tenny...yes!”

Averill’s voice
choked off as pure ecstasy filled her, the sensation appearing to carry an entire palette of colors. Their intensity surprised and codified. A high-pitched note joined in, coming through the fluttering of the draperies. It was like the windpipe flute earlier, only it wasn’t. It was more personal. The keening noise came from her. And then Tenny slammed his lips to hers, blending a groan with the sound. Shudders ran through him, shaking them both. She’d never felt such love. Such bliss. Such wonder. There wasn’t talent capable of capturing it.

CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN

“Averill, wake up.”  A soft kiss touched her lips. “It’s almost dawn.”

Her lips curved into a smile as she recognized Tenny’s insistent kisses
. She opened her eyes slowly, savoring the time it took. And what she’d see.

Oh
.

He was Kareem again
. The dim light couldn’t disguise the sneer on his lip or the unkempt appearance. Not that it mattered. He was still Tenny. She pursed her lips for another kiss.

“
No time, darling. You’ve little enough as it is.”  He swatted her rear.

Averill pouted and stretched and luxuriated in the silkiness
about her. She never wanted to wake from such a delicious dream. Her eyes flew open as morning consciousness came fully. She jerked into a sitting position, clutching covers as he lit the lamp. And then she pulled her knees to her chin and settled her face atop them, nose down.

“Oh, Averill
. I ask you to wake, and what do you do? Stall. What am I to do with you?”

She shook her head at his teasing tone.

He sighed. “All right. What is it?”

“Nothing,” she whispered.

“I know you better than that. Out with it.”

Averill felt the bed sag as he sat on it
. She grimaced to her knees.

“You’d better not be regretting last night
. Because if you are, I’m going to give you a well-deserved spanking, right on that lovely little—”

“We shouldn’t have done it, Captain,” she interrupted him.

He snorted. “Oh. Averill. Darling. We most definitely should have. That, and more. You think the one taste is going to be enough for us? I can already answer, if you can’t.”

“What happened...was....”  Averill
lifted her head and looked unseeingly at the draperies all about them.

He reached across, put a finger against her nose and turned her to face him
.

“Allow me to finish that
. What happened was magical. Entrancing. Beyond wonder. It was heaven on earth. If you don’t agree, let me know now. I’m not against staying and making certain of it, and to hell with the rest of the world.”

Averill’s eyes
narrowed as she looked at him.

“That’s right
. Puzzle that through. You’re the most important thing in my life, Averill. What happened between us is just that. Between us. Now, cease denying it.”

“I never
…denied it,” she whispered.

“
I love you, Averill. Tell me you don’t feel the same. Make it believable this time. Go on. Try.”

She swallowed
on a dry throat. The motion scratched. “I can’t,” she finally answered.

“Can’t what?”

“Deny it.”

“Good.”  He slid his finger
down her nose and stood. “I’ll get your clothing. I’ll have you know, I’ve never had to do such explaining the morn after, either.”

“Were there many?”

“Explanations?” he asked, slicing his glance side-long down at her. “I just told you there weren’t.”

“Mornings after,” she replied.

He choked. Averill looked away. In the morning, uncovered by dawn and his lamplight, the soot-colored draperies and black ceiling looked tawdry and ill-used. “Don’t ask.”

“But
—?”

“I told you I
am the black sheep, remember? That comes with all the trappings of the position. I don’t think I missed many.”

“Trappings?”

“Don’t you listen to anything, Averill? The past is just that – past. Mine and yours. I love you. Only you. There. I said it again. I’ll send a letter to my uncle when next I write him. I love you. I’ve never said that to any other woman. Ever. Now. Let me gather your clothing.”

Her lips tipped
. “There isn’t much. And what there is…oh dear.”  She looked away. She couldn’t arrive back at camp in her dance outfit! The last scarf was even gone.

“
You doubt my ability to protect you, darling?”

“I
’ll need a cloak. Something. I can’t wear next to nothing. The men—. That Salazar! You didn’t see how he looked at me.”

“
Oh. I more than saw, darling. I took note. But Salazar won’t fight me. Not after the last time.”

“Very
well. I’ll dress in it.”

“Oh,
no. Not today. That outfit is strictly for use in private. With me. Damn it, Averill! I have to get back. We have to leave before it gets much lighter, and here you are making me forget everything—.”  He stopped his words. “I’ll be right back. Clothing isn’t an issue. Of any kind. Not around here.”

His
voice came through the translucent curtains. Averill watched his shadow moving behind them, visible although indistinct. She shivered, wondering if their lovemaking last night had been the same.

“Here
. It’s more modest. At least, until I can find replacements.”  He shook out a beautiful red silk dress, embroidered with golden filigree. A thick, black cloak was included for cover.

“Replacement
s?” 

“
Oh. You’re getting a change of wardrobe, Averill. The moment I can get one.”  He set the attire on the edge of the bed.

She
regarded him solemnly. She couldn’t travel with a band of brigands dressed in the red dress. And that must mean he was sending her away. Averill’s heart ached with it. She looked down quickly so he couldn’t read her thoughts
.
She loved him. And nothing changed it
.

“What is it now?”

“I—I’m not your dancing girl, anymore?”  She tried to keep the hurt out of her voice as she glanced back up.

“The way you dance?”  One blackened eyebrow rose
. “I don’t have enough men to protect you.”

Her eyes filled with tears
.

“Averill?” 

His face was scrunched in concern. She turned her head away.

“What is it
? I want you decently clothed, and you cry? I don’t understand.”

“I am...not crying,” she stammered.

She shouldn’t say something so untruthful. Not when the evidence was blurring the curtains into one dark mass of color. Tenny crawled atop the bed and into her line of vision.

“Those look like tears to me,” he remarked finally.

“Forgive me,” she whispered.

“I am deplorable at
woman’s games, Averill. Be blunt. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“You have to get back,” she reminded him.

In answer he sat, lifted one leg, then the other, to cross it atop the first. Then he placed his fingertips together and leaned his chin on it to study her.

“What...are you doing?” she asked.

“Proving my words. You are the most important thing in my life, Averill.
The. Most
. Nothing else is the least consequence. So, tell me. What has upset you?”

“You are sending me away.”

His mouth curved into a smile, sinister-looking from Kareem’s sneer. “Never. Ever. You have my word on it.”

“But
—?”

He sighed heavily
. “You truly don’t listen, do you? I love you, Averill. I need you. I desire you. And now that I’ve—uh. We’ve…well. After last night…ahem. All I can say is the longing is worse, if such a thing is possible. I can’t think beyond you. I can scarcely function. I’m protecting the interests of the crown here. And my men. And to do all that, I have to get you decently covered. That’s what I’m doing. That’s all I’m doing. I’m not sending you away. I promise.”

Averill’s mouth nearly split with the smile
. Tenny groaned, and gathered her close. Protectively. Possessively.

“You are
a difficult woman to persuade, my love. Please listen. You’re special, Averill. How special is hard to quantify. Trust me. You’re special, and you’re mine. I’m not giving you up. I’m not sharing. And I’m not leaving you. Ever.”

His kiss promised
even more. And then he pulled away and gave her a look that was probably trying to be stern. “Are you ready to dress now?”

She nodded, slid from
the concealment of bedding, trying to ignore how he watched her every movement. She tossed the dress over her head, smoothed it along her hips, and then pulled it to her ankles. It was tight. It wasn’t concealing much.  

“
Is this better?” she asked when she’d finished.

“
Get your cloak. Put it on. Now. Right now.”

He was using Kareem’s guttural voice
. Averill did as he requested, wrapping the cloth loosely about her before lifting a fold to cover her head.

“
That might work,” he commented.

“What of the others
we’ll visit, Ten — I mean, Kareem?”

He
stood and walked about her. When he’d finished his appraisal he stood before her. And then he grinned.

“Why, I’ll just have to insult them
. Now, hurry. I mustn’t put my friend in jeopardy.”

“About
…this friend...?”  She slipped into some shoes, hoping he wouldn’t guess at jealousy she couldn’t quite stifle.

“
She has bathing facilities that are second to none, doesn’t she?” 

He winked
. She smiled back.

“I’ll always remember
. You?”

She was ready to answer, but he pulled her to him
, catching any answer with another kiss. And then he lifted his head and touched her cheek with his hand. Averill leaned her head into his palm.

“I ask you to hurry, yet all you do is stall
. Again. Very well. Face the consequences.”

He lifted her into his arms
. Averill settled her face against his shoulder. She didn’t want to meet up with his so-called friend again, and she instinctively knew the bathing chamber would be different. What had happened was magic and joy. She didn’t want to see it altered in the light of day, as the black chamber had been.

“Sabin!” 

Tenny whistled, and his stallion moved out of the stable with the saddle still on its back.

~ ~ ~

Harvey was tearing down their tent, muttering about appearances when they walked into the square, Kareem leading the horse.

“It’s about bloody time!” Harvey
said with what sounded like disgust. “I’ve had the devil of a time acting as if both of you were here.”

He collapsed the roof
. Averill turned away to avoid the rush of dusty air. Kareem grinned.

“She doesn’t look like a dancing girl, either.”  Harvey pointed at her
. Averill looked down. He was right. She looked like a wife.

“She’s not posing as a dancing girl anymore.” 
Kareem spoke in French. Averill caught Harvey’s sidelong glance.

“I’ve much to tell you, Kareem,” Harvey said
.

“The weapons?”

“Your men weren’t idling away time last night, as you were.”

Idling away time
?
It was a good thing Averill was supposed to be ignorant of their words. She couldn’t do a thing about the flush while Kareem just grinned down at his servant.

“
Oh…cease the nattering, Harvey. I’m ready.”

Averill watched
Kareem go to his other horse and transfer his saddle to it. Harvey watched too, and then he rolled his eyes.

“He says he’s ready,” Harvey complained
. “Of course he’s ready. He doesn’t have to tear down tents, gather foodstuffs, and pack trunks.”

“Can I help?”

Harvey glared at her for a long moment. “Help? I’ll tell you how to help. You can go back to the streets of Cairo. That’s what you can do, missy.”

His whispered words were spoken
just for her. Averill drew back as if slapped. He nodded and went back to folding and packing the tent. Ignoring her. Nobody noticed her. Nobody watched her walk stiffly to mount her own horse, and no one saw that it took two tries. She needed stoicism. Strength of mind, body, and character. And found little to draw on. Good thing she had the memory of Tenny’s love. It bolstered and surrounded, and more than once gave her shivers. It hardly mattered that Harvey kept Tenny occupied and from her. She had the memory of last night.

The joy
. The amazement. The soreness.

“...Egyptian forces...Tripoli...the guns...ammunitions....”

Averill caught part of Harvey’s whispered words. He still spoke in French. She wasn’t supposed to be able to understand. It didn’t matter and she didn’t care. Tenny would tell her if she needed to know.

They set out
. Averill was right behind the captain. Harvey didn’t like that. She could tell.