Pillaging Elinor's Castle [Elinor's Stronghold 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (2 page)

The guards solemnly carried the six dead men to the new graves dug for them in the tiny graveyard, and there they were interred—the dead soldiers over to one side, with others of their calling. Lord Huart was laid to rest beside his Lady Ann, Elinor’s mother who’d died in childbed ten years previously, along with the child.

Walter and Roderick joined the three brothers and four sisters who’d predeceased them. Elinor could only remember the three youngest, who’d all died of the coughing sickness two years before her mother had died.

Ten children born, and now she was the only one left. Well, as God was her witness, she’d save the castle, the stronghold, and the people, whatever Lord Rhys and the Captain of the Guard might think. If necessary, she’d fuck them into submission until their balls were sore and they could only beg her to let them do her bidding. But first, she had dinner to host.

It would not have been appropriate for Hammond to sit at the high table with her and Lord Rhys, but she’d told him to sit at the top of the center bench, in a place of high status, with the Captain of Lord Rhys’s guard.

The cooks had used the full time of Lord Huart’s lying in state to prepare the meal, and it had many courses, with different meats, all roasted to perfection, soft, fresh bread, vegetables, and puddings stuffed full of preserved fruits.

Lady Elinor had left clear instructions about the mead. Everyone received a goblet full of the finest mead, but after that, it was served only to the high table while the other guests had wine and ale. She had no intention of allowing all the men at arms to be unconscious from the effects of the alcohol by nightfall.

At midafternoon, the tables were cleared and the people went out into the courtyard to watch wrestling matches and swordplay, while Elinor nodded to Hammond and took him and Lord Rhys into her solar.

It was evident both men were uneasy to be alone with a woman, even if she was now the lady of the castle.

“Should I call Madam Heloise to join us, Lady Elinor?” asked Hammond.

“My aunt is no doubt sound asleep in a chair by the fire, along with Father Augustus. Besides, she is the last person who I wish to hear what I’m about to say. It is for our ears only. Swear to me you will not repeat this conversation.”

A puzzled frown marked his handsome countenance, but Lord Rhys instantly crossed his sword over his chest and promised. Hammond followed him.

“Lord Rhys, as we all well know, your father and mine discussed our marriage many times over these past twenty years. However, we both remain unmarried, and you are now landless.”

Rhys’s face began turning red, and Elinor hurried on with her prepared speech. She didn’t blame him for losing the battle, or for the death of her family, but the facts were plain for all to see, and she needed these men to agree to her plan.

“As the sole survivor of my family, this stronghold now belongs to me. That is the law. However, we all know it will be the focus of attack by every landless knight and masterless man in the kingdom. Sooner or later one of them will take the castle, or take me, or both. Neither of these situations is to my liking.”

Once again, Elinor stared at the men. Both clearly agreed with her statements but also were obviously confused about where she was going with her speech. Quickly, before one or another of them could start talking, she said, “I have a different plan. We three will jointly rule this stronghold. It is mine, and I will keep it. My word on the lives of the people—my people—will ever be the law. Lord Rhys, you will marry me tomorrow and will therefore take ownership of the land. Any child I bear will legally be your heir and mine. Hammond, you will share in all the decision-making. Your knowledge of strategy is second to none, and as Captain of the Guard you will train all our soldiers. You will also share our bed. We will be three in this relationship.”

Hammond gasped but remained otherwise silent, his warrior training having taught him never to speak out of place. Rhys, as a noble, was less reticent. “Let me understand your proposal, Lady Elinor. You and I will marry, so by law I will then control the castle, the stronghold, and all Lord Huart’s lands and wealth. My men will serve under the Captaincy of Hammond. You retain management of the castle and the people. And Hammond and I…share…your favors?”

“Exactly. We each give up a benefit to achieve a greater combined gain. I give up my lands to you, but I will manage the household, as many women do anyway. Hammond gives up the opportunity to have a wife and family of his own to serve us, but he achieves control over all the guards. He will also help train any of my sons, be they yours or his. A position of high status. You give up part of the control of the stronghold and must share my person with Hammond. But no one will ever know about that, and any child will bear your name. All in all, I consider it a plan that gives all of us the best possible chance of living long and happy lives.”

“Such strong security will certainly deter others from attacking the castle. Whereas, with the lord and his sons all dead, we would assuredly have been attacked within a month,” said Hammond.

“And I am currently homeless and landless. I was planning to travel to cousins in the next county, but your plan ensures the safety of my people as well as of myself. Besides, as you said, many ladies manage their households and people.”

“And many ladies are not faithful to their lord,” added Hammond.

“How will that work?” asked Lord Rhys.

“Tonight, you’ll both share me. That will seal our agreement in blood. I shall save the sheet to display on my wedding night. Hammond will be given a room in the castle itself to make it easier for him to come to my solar at night.”

“If we’re getting married tomorrow, why not wait until the true wedding night?” asked Rhys.

“We will marry tomorrow, but we’ll seal our contract tonight, because it’s vital Hammond participates, and that will be out of the question on our wedding night with people watching and listening.”

“Of course,” murmured Rhys.

Elinor stood silently while the men thought through her plan for the future of the stronghold. She was fairly confident they’d agree. She’d found no faults in her design. It covered the salient facts, giving each of them a leadership role, status, and a guaranteed position in the stronghold. But men could be strange creatures, worrying about matters no woman would consider worthy of notice, so she waited unmoving for their agreement.

Lord Rhys and Hammond stared at each other, and then both nodded together.

“I agree.”

“You have my word of honor.”

Elinor smiled and tried to hide her relief. “Very well, both of you return here at dusk, and we’ll seal our contract. I must go and tell Father Augustus Lord Rhys, and I will marry tomorrow.”

* * * *

Elinor was a virgin. No woman in her position could ever contemplate any other option. Her honor, her family’s honor, their lands, and more could be forfeit should the young woman prove blemished.

However, on her one and only visit to Court, a year past, she’d heard other young women whispering of being “a virgin before and a martyr behind.” Personally, she wasn’t so sure being a martyr behind would be all bad. It was definitely something she planned to try, but not this first night. The sheets had to demonstrate in a very obvious way her virginity had been taken. So Rhys first, then Hammond, needed to lie with her and fill her with their seed. Later, they could experiment with more adventurous scenarios. She was certain both men were experienced, and she expected them to educate her most thoroughly and delightfully.

She laid her best linen sheet on the fur before the fire, piling her pillows at one end, then undressed until only her shift remained and waited for the men to come.

* * * *

Rhys and Hammond marched openly through the curtain and up the stairs to the solar. After all, they were supposed to be planning a wedding.

These past few days had been a barrage of emotions for Rhys. First the attack on his manor house. The men had swarmed over his high wooden palisade, avoided most of the stakes planted by the moat to trap attackers, and burned his defenses to the ground. He’d had less than a day to prepare for the attack, barely long enough for Lord Huart and his men to arrive before the battle began.

Then the summons to the funeral, a ceremony he would have attended anyway to honor the dead lord and his sons, and finally Lady Elinor’s unusual proposal.

He desired her. His late father had wanted to marry him to Lady Elinor for years, but they knew Lord Huart had aimed higher for his only living daughter. And although he’d never say it aloud, he had a taste for a man from time to time, too. Hammond was the kind of rough soldier he liked as a complete and utter contrast from a woman’s soft curves. Rhys liked his women soft and his men hard. If Hammond had similar tastes, this could be the most wonderful arrangement ever imagined. If not, well, over time they might agree to experiment.

He could feel Hammond’s breath hot on the back of his neck. The Captain was following him as if in battle, behind and slightly to the side so both of them had uninterrupted movement of their sword arms. But it was his other sword that’d be getting the action tonight. And he most truly was looking forward to it. He’d never had a virgin before, and he hoped he wouldn’t hurt her too much. But he was sure he could heat her blood and make her writhe with joy before long. She was a passionate woman, Lady Elinor, and they made the best bed partners.

Besides, she was a beauty. Her hair shone red in the sunlight, and her eyes changed from brown to green and back again. What little of her skin he’d seen was as pale as milk and just as delicious. Her breasts filled the front of her gown delightfully, and he was ready to suck her nipples into his mouth as he slammed his aching dick into her hot cunt. He knew she’d be hot, and by God, he’d make her wet as well. He’d swive her morning and night until her belly was full of the child who would ensure the stronghold remained in his control.

And Hammond? He’d enjoy watching Hammond fuck her. Watching the soldier’s taut ass muscles as he pounded his dick into the lady, and watching her writhe and squirm underneath the big soldier. Perchance she might even suck his dick as Hammond fucked her. That would be even better.

Lightly, he knocked on the solar door, and Lady Elinor’s clear, calm voice said, “Enter.”

Enter was exactly what he’d be doing. Entering her solar, and her body, and several times, to ensure there was plenty of blood for all to see on her bedsheet.

He and Hammond stepped into the solar. Lady Elinor was wearing only her shift, a garment so fine, the outline of her flesh was easily seen through it. His dick, already hard, grew stiffer than a pike.

“Bar the door please, and then both of you undress.”

It seemed they weren’t going to sit around the fire and sip honeyed wine. It would be straight to business. Well, his dick was happy with that plan.

He laid his sword by the fire, Hammond put his weapon beside the barred door, and then both undressed. They weren’t wearing armor, so it wasn’t a difficult task.

Lady Elinor looked them up and down, a slight smile curving her lips. She liked what she saw. Good. Bedding a passionate woman was always a joy.

His dick grew another inch at that thought. He’d never been this big before. A noble had to marry and sire an heir. It was his purpose for living, besides fighting to keep his family safe. But marriage to this woman would be much better than a matter of lands and wealth. She would bring happiness to their bed, he knew. Then there was Hammond. A bonus. A fighting man with the ability to help protect the stronghold, and to add even more pleasures by sharing their bed. Life was good.

Lady Elinor handed him a dagger. “Now our contract will be signed in blood. Cut yourself somewhere no one will see, and rub the blood on me and Hammond, then pass the dagger to him to do likewise.”

Rhys blinked. His blood as well? That was only fair he supposed. He had a half-healed wound on his thigh, so he sliced the edge of it with the blade, letting the blood run, then smeared his fingers and painted his blood on the arm Elinor held out to him. Hammond copied Elinor, so he painted his blood on him, too, before handing the dagger to Hammond.

Hammond quickly cut his own arm, sharing the blood with them both. He handed the dagger back to Lady Elinor, who laid it on the mantle above the fire and removed her shift.

God’s truth, she was beautiful. Just what he liked in a woman, her breasts full and round, her hips covered with flesh a man could hold as he powered into her cunt, and, from the hint he could barely see, her ass as round as her hips.

She settled herself on the sheet by the fire, her hair flowing over the pillows, her legs slightly spread, giving him a look at her cunt. Pink and perfect. He wanted her so much.

She seemed a little nervous now, so he said as gently as he could, “Lady Elinor, the first time always hurts a woman. I will be careful, but it’ll still hurt. Afterward though, you will achieve much pleasure, I give you my solemn word.”

“I know. The sheets must proclaim the story for the world to see. Do what you must, both of you.”

Rhys sat on the sheet beside her and touched her breast. They felt as perfect as they looked, firm enough for the nipples to stand upright, soft enough to fill his hand. He bent his head and sucked a nipple into his mouth. God’s truth, she tasted sweet. He sucked harder, pulling more of the flesh into his mouth, rolling the nipple from side to side, palming the globe as he teased the nipple.