Unbidden tears seeped into his linen shirt and he probably felt them. One strong hand rubbed at her back as the other kept her pinned. How like James to be taking care of her. But how did he know just what she needed?
As the ache in her chest eased, the hand on her back slowed and she became aware of the heat of his palm, almost burning through her gown. His fingers on her neck seemed to leave a brand upon her skin. He kept it there, one thumb under her hair as he eased her away from his neck. A simmering awareness bolted through her, a prickling sensation like she’d been rubbed against silk.
Ellise tried to remember her sorrow, but James had somehow absorbed it. Could he truly take it all? Should she confess everything and let him bear the burden too? The temptation was tangible, but the words would not come to her lips. What if he did not feel as strongly as she did? What if her secret scared him and he thought her a witch as she knew others would?
James cupped her face with both hands and flattened his thumbs against her cheeks as he leaned toward her. She waited, fingers hooked around his shoulders, heart throbbing with anticipation. Warm breath breezed over her lips as his green gaze searched hers. For what, she did not know, but she was unable to look away. They shared several breaths, lips almost touching as he settled between her thighs. She dipped her head toward him, to close the gap, and jolted as their lips met.
They ended up separated again. Just for a moment. And then his tongue touched the corner of her mouth. And the line of her lips. And touched at her own tongue. Ellise sighed and allowed him full access. James pressed deeper. There was no hunger behind this kiss but it felt greedy, as if he needed to taste every part of her. She flexed her fingers around his shoulders, feeling the muscles roll as he held her face.
The lingering kiss sent spirals of heat through her body but it surprised her that she didn’t yearn to rub against him, to feel his skin. She could probably be content to kiss him for many more hours. His taste, so familiar, yet so intoxicating, drew her into him, until they were compressed together, chest to chest. His solid, warm torso offered so much comfort, she wished it would never end. If she could stay in James’ arms forever, she imagined being the happiest woman alive. For surely this knight—her chivalrous, caring knight—would do anything for the woman he loved, including getting her son back.
But did he love her? His kiss spoke of love, but mayhap that was her love turning it into something it was not. Mayhap only his attraction to her drove him. Could he look past her lack of riches and status to see the woman underneath, or would she only ever be a woman he desired but could never marry?
Love.
The word pounded through her mind. His tongue tangled with hers, his lips moved sensuously as if they had all the time in the world and there was no one but them. Small masculine sounds of appreciation came from his throat as she met him, stroke for stroke. When he finally pulled back, his eyes had darkened as his hands remained holding her face.
“What can I do to make you smile, lass?”
Ellise was unable to stop her lips from turning upwards. “Love me, James. Love me this night.”
He nodded slowly, as if absorbing her words and came quickly to his feet. Before she understood his intention, he’d scooped her into his hold and she had to loop her arms around his neck.
“James! What are you doing with me?”
“I’ll not love you here.”
“I did not intend for you to.” He carried her out the hall door and into the dark night. “But, Dios mio, you cannot carry me about so. Someone will see.”
He lifted his chin as he ducked into the stairwell of one of the towers and began to ascend the stairs. “I care not.”
Ellise shook her head and giggled, grateful they hadn’t yet met with anyone. Hopefully, they would not see anyone in the chamber hallway, either. He dipped briefly to unlatch the door and turned to open it with his back.
Darkness swallowed them as the door swung shut, the thick curtains having been closed by whoever had prepared her chamber. James released her to the floor gingerly as if she were made of glass. They stood in front of each other for a moment, not touching, just listening, inhaling. A thrum of anticipation threaded through her, making her blood simmer. Though a sliver of air separated them and her eyes hadn’t adjusted to the blackness, she sensed every part of him. She swore she heard him blink.
The curtains swished lightly as he drew one aside. It was not a bright night, but there was enough light to satisfy her, a cold wash of starlight seeping through the murky glass. It brought out the lines of his face, his strong features. Highlighted the subtle look of passion in his gaze. She nearly forgot to breathe.
His hands came to the top of her arms, strong and sure, and he turned her away from him. When he brushed her hair aside, warm lips swept the back of her neck. Soft, soothing. She leaned into his kisses with a sigh as he worked to loosen the laces of her gown. This was no pleasure-seeking moment, no desire-driven madness. Aye, the unbridled craving for him still lingered, but it was overtaken by something deeper. A need for connection so intense it were as if the world had come to a standstill. Nothing existed apart from them and their shared moment.
James coaxed her gown from her shoulders and then her hips and it dropped to the floor in a rumple of silk. Her chemise hung from one shoulder and he took a moment to press his mouth to it, parting his lips so that she felt the heat of his tongue briefly. She inhaled.
Then his hands were upon her breasts, cupping and kneading and seeking out the small buttons at the front of her shift. Several came open, exposing her to the night light. He slipped a hand under the cotton to squeeze her breast and Ellise bit her lip to keep from moaning.
“Lord, Ellise, you feel so good, so perfect. I could spend an eternity touching you.”
“I hope not,” she let out an unsteady laugh, “for I would surely die of need.”
“Nay.” He kissed the crook of her neck. “Nay,” he repeated. “I would never allow that to happen.”
He undid the rest of the buttons and swept the chemise from her, leaving her bare to his fully-clothed state. Warm hands came upon her hips and encouraged her bottom flat against him. Hard flesh met her rear, full of heat and promise as he caressed her breasts, her stomach, her neck, her face.
Knowing fingers sought out her wet folds and stroked her until she trembled. The linen of his shirt rubbed against her back, a welcome distraction from the tormenting pleasure between her thighs. Each touch exposed her, not just in body but in soul. He bared her to him until she had nothing more to give and she looped a hand around and grasped the back of his neck for support as a swell of gratification blew through her. She gasped his name while he lured it from her with the lightest of touches.
“That’s it, sweet Ellise,” he crooned in her ear before kissing her lobe and neck.
She twisted in his hold so his palms cradled her rear. Her legs trembled still, so she held onto him for support, twisting the hair at the base of his neck around a finger as the haze in front of her vision cleared.
Staring up at him, he captivated her with his eyes. She couldn’t see the flecks in his eyes, or whether the darkness in them had increased but she saw emotion and passion.
“You are so open. I love that about you.”
Ellise gulped, words trapped in her throat. Did he mean he loved her? Guilt, as sharp and as painful as the knife that sliced her hand, stabbed through her. Open? Honest? Because if he loved that about her, then he would only be disappointed.
An ache grew in her throat and she dropped her gaze. Would he forgive her secrets? Understand her fear? Life was so simple to James. Duty and honor. Good and bad. Would he think of her as evil for the foresight that burdened her?
She drew up her head, sucked in a long breath. “James, I—”
“Hush, now.” He pressed a finger to her lips.
“Nay, I must—”
“You need not explain yourself to me, Ellise.” And with that he lowered his lips to hers, claspin
g her forcefully.
Heat drowned her, need devoured her. Would it hurt? Just to leave it one night? Just to feel instead of think and worry? Ellise dug her nails into his neck as she twined her tongue with his, savoring the taste of him.
On the morrow. On the morrow she would tell all and take her fate. If James truly felt for her—loved her?—then he would understand.
Desperate to feel his skin, she slipped her fingers inside his shirt and to be met by the beat of his heart through his smooth flesh. So strong and sure, just like James. He was a rock to her. A balm to her impetuousness. He grounded her, balanced her out. Santa Maria, how she loved this man. Ellise placed an open kiss to the golden skin there and forced the laces of his shirt further apart so she could kiss along his chest. He clutched her hair and a rumbling groan came from him.
She found herself pushed back to the bed and she sat and watched as he stripped away his shirt. The faint glow from the window painted his skin and enhanced the lines of his muscles. So much restrained power made her mouth dry. Then he kicked off his boots and pulled down his chausses and braies in one go. She fought the need to cough, her lips parched as she allowed her gaze to drift over him. Whatever happened, she would always have this. Always remember him like this.
He looked at her from under his brow, expression dark and intense. Her throat constricted as he took a step forward and Ellise placed her hands on his hips, her gaze lined up with his stomach. She skimmed her palms over him and up toward his chest before coming down to cup his solid heat. He hissed and came closer, forcing her to lie back.
Suddenly he flipped her onto her front in one swift movement and his hands were upon her back and buttocks.
“James, what—”
"Lass, you talk too much. Hush."
Ellise sighed into the bedding as his clever fingers worked over her skin, smoothing and caressing. He made love to every part of her with his hands, as if he wanted to worship each fragment. Two fingers pressed between her buttocks and she couldn't help but rear up toward them. Her skin was on fire, blood simmering through her, a tingling awareness brought on by his ministrations. Those two fingers dipped into her folds and circled her nub before making long, languorous strokes. She moaned into the sheets.
James brought both hands onto her hips and coaxed her up onto all fours. His rough legs brushed the back of her thighs as he placed kisses down her spine and onto each buttock. She whimpered when his heat touched near her sex but he seemed determined to torture her until she exploded. Then slowly, ever so slowly he invaded her, inching her apart. He barely moved—he barely had to—and already she convulsed around him. This love-making was slow and leisurely, but her body recognized James for what he was and responded instantly. Her lover. Her other half. Her heart.
With gentle, rippling strokes, he eased in and out of her. She breathed his name as a slow pleasure built. When it seemed she would not hold out for much longer, he tugged her up to him, holding her against his chest, hands upon her breasts as he moved lazily within her. His lips found the arch of her neck in a possessive kiss as the smallest of movements had her shattering around him. Ellise leaned back and savored the touch of rough hands on her nipples as the sensations rolled through her, endless and subtle but intensely beautiful.
He thrust slightly harder as the pulsations slowed and he tensed. He muttered her name and some incoherent words. Perhaps of his love for her, she wasn't sure. Her brain still felt muddled from the pleasure that drowned her. James rocked against her, filling her before relaxing. They remained joined, on their knees for many moments. Did their shared moment stun him as much as she? Never had she known anything so primitively strong.
Surely such a connection surpassed that of even love? She dared to imagine the words soul mate in her mind.
Carefully he released her and helped her to lie down as he lay next to her. James stroked her cheek as she stared up at him, breathless and amazed. And then, unable to resist any longer, she snuggled into his bare chest, inhaling the musky scent of him and their shared passions. He wrapped his arms about her and kissed her hair.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Whatever for, lass?”
“For that, for you, for...” In truth, she did not know what she was thanking him for. For loving her? Surely he did. No experience would be so powerful if he did not. Lethargy threatened to overwhelm her and she yawned.
James chuckled. “Sleep now, sweet Ellise.”
“Will you sleep with me?” She longed to have him for a bit longer, even as the worry that a vision might strike her hit. But mayhap she could brush one off as a nightmare until she’d explained.
“For a bit. I will be gone by the morning, for I will not shame you so.”
“And yet you cared not who saw us earlier.”
“Aye, well it could be said I was not thinking with a clear mind. You do that to me.”
“‘Tis not my fault…” She fought another yawn.
“Rest some and we will speak more on this in the morrow.”
The morrow? Aye, and she would tell all and her soul would be free of its burdens. She almost looked forward to it.
Chapter Nine
The next evening they gathered in the Great Hall as servants cleared away the drink and food. Dominic joined them only briefly before retreating to Lucy’s side once more. After James had seen to the men and checked all was well, he had arranged for word of the safe arrival of the babes to be sent to Lucy’s parents. Lord Jacob, Dominic’s brother and his wife had already arrived with their little girl, Emma. No doubt they would have many more guests soon.
He fought the urge to snarl as their current guest leaned in to Ellise, whispering something. Ellise held herself rigid. James needed to get Ellise away from Wighthurst. He couldn’t bear another moment of watching her in his company. He had not seen her all day. She had been tending to the babes, while he made everything ready for the guests. True to his word, he left her, sleepy but satisfied in the early hours of the morn. Oh, how it killed him to do so.
Throwing back his wine, he swallowed it and swiped a hand across his mouth before stalking to her side. The Earl stepped back as he approached, giving him an insincere smile.
“Captain, ‘tis a night for celebrations is it not?”
“It is indeed, my lord. There will be many festivities taking place in the village square. Will you be joining the revelry?”
Wighthurst dabbed at his lip. “Ah…I was hoping to persuade Lady Ellise to jo—”
“Alas, I have need of Lady Ellise. We have arrangements to make for the new lords of Thornewall.” He allowed his eyes to narrow. “You do not mind relinquishing her to her duties, do you, my lord?”
“Nay, I would not wish to get in the way of her duties,” the Earl said tightly.
A smile flickered across Ellise’s face, making his heart leap. Offering her an arm, he gulped as her hand curled over the top of his. James fought to keep the smug grin from his face. “We shall bid you good night, my lord.”
“Good night,” Wighthurst flustered before turning away.
“Good night, Edmund,” Ellise offered quietly, making James’ insides curdle with jealously at the use of his first name.
But still, she was on his arm. James knew he strutted out of the hall with a self-satisfied smile on his face. It was not to be helped. He had spent too long watching Wighthurst fawn over her. And the worst thing…
The worst thing was Wighthurst did not let his pride get in the way of his regard for Ellise. The cold-hearted Lord recognized her worth. Only now the risk of losing her was upon him, did he realize that he couldn’t afford to lose her. Och, but he was a damned fool. His father had been wrong. Everything he’d been brought up to believe was wrong. There was more to life than duty and wealth and influence. Ellise showed him that.
Now he had to show her he understood that finally. If only he hadn’t been so damned dense. Unease ate at him. He still did not know what she wanted. Surely she would accept hi
s hand? He failed to comprehend the reason behind her tears last night. Perhaps she was lonely? Mayhap she regretted that she did not yet have children but there was something more. He suspected some tragic tale lay behind her impoverished state. Though he itched to know what it was, he feared upsetting her again. And what did it matter? He knew all he needed to know of her. Soon enough they could learn each other’s secrets.
They strolled across the bailey, the sun already dipping behind the great walls of Thornewall. He risked a peek at Ellise, enjoying the way the sunset warmed her skin, making her beautiful coloring luminous. She glanced up at him and he snapped his gaze forward, but not before catching the knowing arch of a brow.
Several watchmen were lighting the torches for the night which glittered against the stone walls as they walked under the gatehouse. James longed to break the silence but didn’t know how. Normally Ellise could be relied on for much to speak of but she was uncommonly quiet, as if lost in thought.
The celebrations were under way as they made their way down the bank. Villagers lined the streets as they carried food and drink to the village square. With the next day declared a holiday, many would over-indulge and awake with sore heads. But the arrival of not one, but two male heirs did indeed warrant a celebration.
“You shall have many grateful for your presence here, Ellise,” he told her, leaning closer to speak over the bustle.
“Why? I did little. ‘Twas Lucy that did the work, poor love.”
“Aye, but you delivered two healthy boys to Thornewall. We’ve been hoping for male heirs for quite some time. Some thought Lord Dominic would never settle and have babes.”
“I would wager some think the same of you.”
“I care not what others think. What think you?”
“I know not. You are very picky,” she teased.
But that wasn’t the answer he was looking for. With a sigh, he urged her through the crowds toward the village center. A crackling bonfire burnt brightly in the middle of the square and barrels of ale sat propped outside several cottages. Loud laughter emanated from the inn and James concluded that many had begun celebrating long ago. A few women danced about the fire as someone struck up a tune on a lute and Ellise laughed as they dragged some reluctant men to join them. The sound of her pleasure sent his own sensation of pleasure rolling through him. Suddenly it was too hot so close to the fire.
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