Knight's Caress (30 page)

“Who’s there!” Guy rasped, and drew back the sword to fight the faceless intruder.

“‘Tis Henri,” she whispered, realizing now exactly whom Henri wished vengeance upon.

“What sort of trick is this?” Guy’s hand tightened painfully on her wrist as his gaze met hers. She saw his face was ashen, the voice having frightened him more than Guy would admit. But she knew what Henri wanted, and she didn’t hesitate to tell him so.

“‘Tis no trick. Henri wants your death.” She saw that Guy was about to contradict her through pale lips, but suddenly Tedric made it to his knees and pushed at Guy. She found herself falling to the ground and Guy with her. Tedric now possessed the dagger, but Guy still held the sword. During the fall, Guy’s hold on her wrist had loosened, and she scuttled from the fray just as Guy lifted the sword to land a fatal blow upon Tedric. But Tedric blocked him with the dagger, using his right arm, which somehow had miraculously regained strength.

Guy
clung with both hands to the sword, but Tedric’s tenacious assault with one arm was so powerful that Guy eventually dropped the weapon. “Go on, kill me, you bastard,” Guy hissed, “if you’re man enough to take me down.”

Tedric dragged Guy to his feet by the neck of his tunic. “I think you should end your days in the pit, just as you planned for my end.”

“Never! I am a knight. The pit is for lowly Saxons. I’d rather a swift end to my life, but you haven’t the nerve. You’re as spineless as Henri, the little toad.”

At that moment, a very odd thing happened. In later years Tedric would be unable to explain it, admitting that he hadn’t intended to end de Bayonne’s life in such a way but had meant to make him suffer for his father’s death. But Amberlie knew and as she watched, she knew Henri was about to have his revenge.

The fire began to flicker and die as a cold, rough wind whipped through the cave, pushed Tedric into Guy. The dagger in Tedric’s hand lurched forward of its own volition, impaling itself in Guy’s rib cage and instantly finding his heart. Guy fell with a horrified expression on his face, his gaze somewhere beyond Tedric, almost as if he’d seen something so terrible that death would be only the beginning of his sufferings. He slumped to his knees, and Tedric released him to fall at his feet.

Strangely, the fire began to glow again. “I didn’t mean … I don’t know how that happened.” Tedric looked down at the bloody dagger in his hand, bafflement on his face. Then he opened his arms to her. The bleeding on his shoulder had stopped and she ran to him, to revel in his protective caress. Tedric stroked her hair. “Did he hurt you? Are you all right?” he asked with such concern that tears sprang to Amberlie’s eyes.

“I’m fine—fine. But I didn’t think you’d come for me when Glenna has your heart.”

“I don’t care for Glenna, she means nothing to me any longer. I feared only that I’d never see you again,” he admitted.

“I worried the very same thing.” She was greatly relieved that he didn’t love Glenna, but he hadn’t said he loved her either and she had to hide her hurt. “Forgive me for believing you’d murdered Henri. I know now that Guy killed him. I can never make up for the things I’ve said to you, the way I’ve treated you. I beg only that you can understand.”

“‘Tis nothing to forgive for you didn’t know me. You thought I was a barbarian. I beg your forgiveness for I know you didn’t poison me. My fault was the greater for I knew all along you were incapable of harming me.”

“Oh, Tedric, I think we were both at fault.”

He kissed her sweetly, and there were tears in his eyes.

Then he held her about the waist, dropping the dagger beside Guy’s lifeless body. “He should be buried with it,” he said.

“‘Tis most fitting,” she agreed, but not for the reason Tedric thought. She’d recognized the dagger when Guy had handled it hours earlier, remembering full well the small jewels on the hilt, for she’d been the one who’d chosen them five years before in Normandy, as part of her wedding gift to Henri. It was appropriate that Guy de Bayonne should be buried with Henri’s weapon, a weapon which had been wielded by an unseen force.

As Tedric led her and Guy’s horse outside the cave, the moon’s bright glow cast a lovely silver patina over the forest. Settling herself into a comfortable position before Tedric on the black gelding, Amberlie sighed her relief, for she knew that she’d no longer be plagued by Henri’s ghost.

“Let’s ride home, my lady.” Tedric’s voice sent shivers of desire down her spine. She gazed up at him with soft, dark eyes.

“With pleasure, my lord.”

Tedric let Amberlie sleep. Though dawn had broken hours earlier, she’d been so exhausted when they returned to the keep that he felt it best she not expend her energy seeing to the household that day. Besides, she carried his child and needed her rest.

He’d long since sent some of the knights back to the cave to retrieve de Bayonne’s body and bury it beside Julianne’s in holy ground. Father Ambrose had said a quick prayer over it, and now all that remained of Guy de Bayonne and his treachery was a mound of earth.

As Tedric sat upon the dais, he flexed his shoulder. Gundred had placed a cooling salve upon it earlier and bound it with linen cloth. Strangely, the pain which had burned like a brand when the dagger struck was absent. He was a bit stiff, but it was nothing that he couldn’t deal with. He sipped a goblet containing mead and smiled to himself. Just that morning Flaubert had hesitantly approached him and asked to wed Edytha. Tedric had agreed, knowing that Edytha must be given the chance to lead a normal life. He had no doubt that Flaubert would take excellent care of her, for it was obvious that the man loved her. He’d already asked Edytha what she wanted, and his sister had shyly agreed to the marriage, taking Flaubert’s hand in hers. Aye, thought Tedric, Edytha was more sound of mind then he or his mother had realized.

He was more than a bit startled when Christophe came tearing into the great hall with Glenna in tow. Clearly she’d been crying, for her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy.

“My lord, Lady Glenna has a confession to make,” Christophe revealed, and pulled her up beside him.

“Shouldn’t she confess to Father Ambrose?”

Christophe pushed her toward Tedric on the dais. “Go on, tell him.”

Glenna looked imploringly at Christophe, but she saw only his rock-hard demeanor. She wiped at her tear-stained cheek. “I-I have done you an injustice, Tedric. I, uh…” She faltered, but was driven on by the light twist Christophe gave to her wrist and lowered her gaze to the floor. “I made Edytha lie and tell you that Amberlie didn’t want the circlet for her morning gift.” She looked up at him. “‘Tis only because I see that you love this Norman woman that I tell you this.” Glenna swallowed hard. “Edytha found the circlet on the pillow—I saw her with it. I realized that Amberlie hadn’t seen it, and I … knew she’d be humiliated before everyone if she didn’t wear it on the morn after the wedding. And you’d be too proud to ask her why she refused it. ‘Tis all I could think of to make you hate her—but you didn’t turn away from her.”

“And what has brought about this sudden change of heart?” Tedric asked, feeling extremely light-headed and lighthearted.

“I know now what it means to love truly,” Glenna said.

Christophe tenderly placed his arm around Glenna’s waist and beseeched Tedric in a restrained voice. “If you could forgive her, my lord, I promise that Glenna will wreak no more havoc in your life. I ask for your permission to marry her that I may take her in hand.”

“You’ll have your hands full, Christophe, but aye, I grant permission. I always thought you should wed her.”

“Then you forgive me?” Glenna asked breathlessly.

Tedric laughed heartily, and left the dais to sweep Glenna off of her feet and swing her about the great hall. “Aye, I forgive you, I forgive everyone this day!” Tedric handed her over to Christophe and sped from the hall.

Glenna giggled, pleased that she’d escaped Tedric’s wrath so easily, and burrowed into Christophe’s embrace, the place where she knew she truly belonged. “‘Tis strange how he behaves.”

“‘Tis
amour, cherie,”
was Christophe’s assessment, and he smiled down at the woman whom he loved with his whole heart.

~
~
~

“Mother, the circlet! Where is it?” Tedric bounded into Lady Mabel’s room, looking much younger than his years, almost like an eager child.

A worried frown creased her brow as she pointed to the chest. “You don’t mean to give it to your wife, do you? She rejected it … how can you…”

Tedric kissed her cheek, breaking off her protests. He smiled down at his mother, who, well- fed and safe in her own home at last, had regained her health. “She never rejected it in the first place. ‘Twas Glenna’s spiteful doing, and she used Edytha in her plan, but I hold no grudge. I also know Amberlie didn’t poison me.”

“To think, of the way I’ve treated the poor child!” Mabel cried. “I will beg her forgiveness immediately!”

“Wait until later, Mother. I’ve plans for my bride.” Opening the chest, Tedric took the circlet from it and removed the cloth. Sunshine reflected off the garnets and bathed the room in a rosy glow. The morning gift, and such a perfect morning to bestow it upon his wife.

Amberlie woke slowly from sleep, snuggling into the mattress like a kitten, feeling protected and wanted. At the light kiss placed on the tip of her nose, she wakened to see Tedric in bed next to her. And from the way her legs were wrapped around his, she knew he was naked beneath the pelts.

“Good morning, my lady wife,” he whispered.

“Have I overslept? ‘Tis much to do.” Amberlie made a move to get up, but Tedric stopped her with his hand.

“Nay, all you must do is see to me this day.” His forefinger traced her lips. “But when you do rise, I should like you to wear this.” Tedric reached beneath the pillow and withdrew the circlet, presenting it to her with such love, adoration, and desire on his face that Amberlie shivered.

The circlet. Her throat choked with some inexplicable emotion, and it took some minutes for her to speak. “Why do you give it to me now, my lord? ‘Twas due me on the morn after our wedding night.”

Tedric kissed her brow and then explained about Glenna’s manipulation of his sister. Amberlie listened quietly, realizing that Tedric
had
always intended to give her the gift, that he had given it to her. Strangely, she didn’t hold a grudge against Glenna—she was just so happy to know that Tedric had truly been pleased with her, had cared enough about her to bestow this gift upon her.

He placed the circlet on her head. Amberlie smiled a brilliant smile that rivaled the bright day outside. “Thank you, Tedric. I’ll cherish this for the rest of my life until I give it to our son’s wife.” Suddenly a happy tear filled the corner of her eye. “I’m carrying your child.”

“Oh, Amberlie, I’m so glad.” He drew her against him, not admitting that he’d known since Magda had told him. “I knew my seed would take.”

“Oh, you’re a conceited and arrogant Saxon!” she cried good-naturedly, and pushed playfully at him. “You knew no such thing.”

He grabbed her hand and kissed it. “I know one thing, my lady.”

“And what is that?”

“I’m in love with you.”

The breath stilled in her throat. Never had she expected Tedric to fall in love with her. The gift of the circlet paled in comparison to this startling news. Her voice was honey-smooth, warm, and filled with desire when she said, “I’m in love with you too, Tedric. I love you beyond all else in this world.”

“Amberlie, love!” He reached for her, pulling her against his hard chest. His lips touched hers in a deep kiss that stirred the banked fires within her. She moaned, swept away by the scorching passion that only Tedric could fan within her by his touch, his kiss. With eager fingers, Tedric removed her shift. Naked and aching for his possession, Amberlie linked her arms around his neck.

He broke the kiss and set her atop him. Then he reclaimed her mouth, unleashing all of the love he felt for her. His hands adoringly stroked the lush curves of her breasts before his lips broke away from hers to claim the pearled peaks. Gently he tugged, then laved each nipple with his tongue. Amberlie arched against his mouth, needing to lose herself in his tender warmth. When Tedric’s questing fingers trailed the length of her silken thighs to find the pulsing bud between her legs, Amberlie gasped in pleasure. “Open for me, my sweet lady,” he softly urged. Amberlie willingly and wantonly obeyed.

Slowly he inserted his forefinger into her, finding her already primed and wet for him. Amberlie softly inhaled, and began a heated exploration of his shoulders and chest with her fingers. And then she slightly shifted her position, her perfectly rounded bottom contacting with his hard and pulsating shaft as she settled more comfortably upon him. Tedric quivered with his own need, his body taut like a bowstring. “You taunt me beyond redemption, my love,” he whispered huskily. “Another move and I shall claim you body and soul.”

Amberlie’s eyes glowed brighter than flames. “Then do so, Tedric. I—I need you so much! I want to belong to you forever.” She purposely arched upwards, opening herself to him like rose petals seeking the sun’s warmth. Tedric groaned, lost, lost to the passion and love he felt for her, knowing that having claimed her love, he possessed a treasure far greater than precious jewels.

Tedric slowly slid into her, filling her body with his need, his adoration, his love. Amberlie welcomed him, delighting in the power of his possession, whispering how much she loved him with each rapturous thrust. And then in a starburst of mutual ecstasy, they reached the pinnacle before gently tumbling back to earth.

Later, Tedric held her in his arms, and he smiled. Never had he seen Amberlie more beautiful than in that blissful moment when she’d reached the summit, and the circlet caught the sunlight and haloed her face. He knew their passion would never falter, that in years to come, she’d be as receptive to his touch, and he’d be as lusty for her. He loved this woman and would love her forever. He felt Amberlie’s dark gaze upon him. “What is it, my heart? Didn’t I please you?”

“Very much, but I have one request of you.”

He cocked a wary brow, then smiled. “I shall do my best to make you happy.”

Her fingers ran through his short hair. “‘Tis your hair. I know the fashion is what the king wears, but I thought you might let it grow to please me.”

“You liked it long?”

She nodded. “You looked wild and untamed.”

“Ah, so you want me to look the beast, you want me to devour you.”

Amberlie blushed. “You’ve done that many times.”

“I’ll do anything you want, my lady, anything at all. I love you so that words fail me.”

“Then show me not with words, my lord.”

Wrapped in her knight’s caress, she exulted as he showed her—magnificently.

End

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