The priest who Alice knew as a friendly, bumbling man who liked nothing better than to find a quiet corner of the castle Hall and consume copious amounts of wine, had been transformed into someone who was acutely aware of the gravitas of the ceremony.
“Does anyone know,” he bellowed out to the congregation who gathered behind them, “of any reason why this couple should not be married?” His serious gaze swept across the people, and a deathly hush fell upon them, his question quieting the most eager gossiper. Alice suddenly felt a wave of nausea. What if someone did say something? Made something up, even? What if there was something in William’s past he hadn’t told her about?
William firmed his grip on her hand, sensing her tremble, and shot her a reassuring glance.
“And you, Sir William, and you, Lady Alice, do you know of any reason prohibiting your marriage?”
They both murmured their negative responses. The priest cleared his throat and resumed.
“Sir William, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, wilt thou love her, and honor her, keep her and guard her, in health and in sickness, as a husband should a wife, and forsaking all others on account of her, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” said William in a loud, assertive voice, which prompted approving murmurs from the congregation.
“And wilt thou, Lady Alice, have this man to thy wedded husband, wilt thou love him, and honor him, keep him and guard him, in health and in sickness, as a wife should a husband, and forsaking all others on account of him, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” said Alice firmly.
Savari was to have taken the role of her father, but as he still hadn’t turned up, Sir Harry stepped forward and gave Alice away.
As William said his vows, his eyes fixed on her, Alice focused on trying to hold back the tears which threatened. It was only when he’d finished, and it was her turn that she brushed her cheeks free of the tears and cleared her throat and said the words back to him, their gaze never breaking, their hands entwined together.
“I, Alice take thee, William, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, till death do us part, if the holy church will ordain it: And thereto I plight thee my troth.”
She was barely aware of the priest blessing the rings which Sir Harry had handed to him. William brushed more tears from her cheeks with a smile. But the tears only flowed more strongly when she saw that the ring he slipped on her finger was his mother’s, who’d died the year before. It was the final act that sealed the ceremony.
After the brief ceremony, they entered the church for the blessing and nuptial mass. As husband and wife, they knelt before the altar. They were married. They were married, she repeated to herself, barely aware of the priest’s words, only of William’s hand holding hers tightly. It seemed he also didn’t want to let her go. And, after weeks of gentle wooing, she didn’t want him to. She was looking forward to their wedding night.
As the afternoon rolled into evening and the feasting and festivities continued into the night, the one blot on the day was the absence of Savari. No word had been received from him, and Alice could tell that William was concerned. He’d sent Warin to Norwich to discover what had happened. His squire wasn’t best pleased to miss out on the wedding feast but understood William’s concerns. But even he hadn’t yet returned.
“Savari can take care of himself, you know that, William,” said Alice.
“Aye,” said William, swirling his red wine around the goblet. “I do. But I also know something important is afoot, as he’d not miss his brother’s wedding for no reason.”
It was also what Alice was thinking, but she wanted to reassure William, not increase his worries. “Most likely it’s a reason to do with the King that’s preventing him from being here. And the King believes everything to do with him to be of the greatest import.”
“Aye, you’re probably right, wife.”
The last word he uttered brought a strange fizzing to her gut and lower. “Wife,” she repeated as he sat closer to her. “I like the sound of that on your lips.”
He lifted her chin with his finger, forcing her embarrassed gaze higher. “I would have more on my lips than a word. I’d have you.”
The fizzing intensified, and her heart began to beat a rapid tattoo. She swallowed, and his eyes darkened in response.
“It is late,” she said. “Mayhap, it is time to retire?”
A wide grin spread over his face. “Aye, I reckon it’s time.”
He rose and offered his hand to her. Whoops and roars of satisfaction swept around the merry crowd as William escorted Alice to the stairway. As people began to follow, she did what she knew she had to do. As William sheltered her from prying eyes, she slipped a garter from her leg and tossed it to the crowd. Better that than being accompanied to the bridal chamber by hoards of friends, relatives, and guests.
Blushing, Alice refused the many offers to help her out of her wedding clothes. Even if her refusals had been ignored, no one dared to ignore William’s firm refusal. With a final farewell, he closed the door to the stairs, and the roar became muffled by the thick walls, as he led her up the stairs to their bedchamber.
Alice entered the bedchamber and walked across to the bed. Her heart was thumping, and she felt breathless as she fingered the flowers which decorated the bed.
“Your sisters must have plucked every bloom in the garden.”
“It is their way of showing you how much they welcome you into their lives.”
“They have been very kind.”
“Relieved, I think, to know that their brother will be alone no longer.”
She turned to find he hadn’t moved. He stood in front of the oak door, his hands still behind him where he’d pushed the door closed.
“But you were never alone. You were always surrounded by your family, by your friends, your people. Always.” The thought that he’d felt alone had never crossed her mind.
“Aye,” he said, pushing himself from the door and stepping to the bed where he picked up one bloom after another. “I’m always surrounded by people, but I always felt alone. My thoughts were with you, Alice. You must know that. Since we were children, my world has centered around you.”
She passed him a flower to add to his growing bouquet. “I’d never imagined you felt alone. You always seemed…” she trailed off.
“Busy was what I was. It was my answer to my loneliness.” He handed her the bouquet, and she sniffed it, closing her eyes as she let the smell and feelings fill her. He touched her hair, and she opened her eyes. “I thought I’d feel surprised, unable to believe my luck on this night. But all I feel is relief.”
Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them away. She wanted to see him clearly. She wanted to absorb every minute thing about him.
“William,” she said, her voice sounded hoarse, strained. She reached out her hand, wondering as to his hesitation. “Please, come. Place your hands on me and help me disrobe.”
He shook his head and for one long, awful moment, Alice wondered if he’d had a change of heart. If, after such a long time of wanting her, he didn’t want her anymore.
She gave a strangled sob. “Why won’t you come?”
He shook his head, and huffed out a deep breath. “Because I am afeared you will not welcome my touch.”
She gave a relieved smile. “Believe me, I do.” She reached out further to him. “Please come to me.”
“Are you sure?” he asked. “I wondered…”
“If,” she helped out, “after what happened, I wouldn’t want to consummate our marriage?”
He nodded.
“I didn’t. And that is the truth. But these past weeks together, you have taught me that what happened to me is a thing apart from what happens between us. When you touch me, I’m not repelled—”
He grinned. “That, my love,
is a start.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Let me finish. No, when you touch me, all I can think about is about how much more I want you to touch me. How I want you to touch not only my hand, or my face, but my arm, my shoulder, my neck, and…” she hesitated but blushed and was unable to name the parts of her she wished him to touch so intimately. “And more,” she finished with a smile.
“More?” he said. “I like the sound of that.” But still he didn’t move.
“I want you, William, with all my heart and body, I want you. Now!” She added emphasis to the last word, anxious that he understand her.
He nodded slowly. “Your command, my lady, is my wish.”
And then he came to her.
Chapter 14
He didn’t need any further persuasion or commanding. He bridged the distance between them with two steps and took the bouquet from her and tossed it to one side, the blooms scattering across the rush floor, already woven with fragrant flower heads.
He took her hands and pressed them against his lips. His eyes were closed, and she brushed her hand against his brow, pushing away the heavy lock of dark hair which lay against his tanned forehead.
When he felt her touch, he looked up at her with his dark, dark eyes which she could read like a book. She saw her own desire reflected there.
He groaned and pulled her toward him. He placed his hands either side of her face and gently tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “Do you know what this means?”
She nodded. “Aye, of course, I do. I want you to love me like a husband loves his wife.” Her voice quavered a little as she spoke the last words, and she swallowed. His eyes flickered down to the movement of her throat, which betrayed her underlying nerves. She knew what she wanted. She knew it in her head, but her body was hesitant.
“You are afraid,” he said. “You mustn’t be. If this is something you truly wish, then I will take it slowly, step by step, so that you always know what I intend, and you will always wish for me to continue. That, I promise.”
She inhaled a deep breath, loving the masculine smell of him still tinged with the scent of fresh air and grass which lingered on his clothes.
He smiled, and she raised her finger, and tentatively drew it along his bottom lip. Something she’d always longed to do. It felt softer than it looked, and she drew confidence in the sharp intake of breath that her action initiated. Without a thought, she raised herself on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his.
It was as if she’d cast a spell upon him, and he didn’t move, didn’t breathe even. She pulled away with a gasp and looked at him. He shook his head and thrust his fingers into her hair, loosening it from its bindings. She could feel tension in his fingers as they pressed against her head. He let out a shuddering breath, and then his lips were upon hers once more, except this time, there was no hesitation.
He held her lips in thrall as they pressed against hers, moving over hers with sensuous control, which sent lightning strikes of desire sparking through her. Whatever part of her they touched, deep inside of her, they brought to life, set to fire. But it wasn’t a fire which consumed, it was a fire that renewed. It was all the confirmation she needed that she’d set her past well and truly behind her. She was his now, truly and completely, and she wanted nothing more. The heat spread through her limbs, melting them as her heart and mind grew more fiery and desirous. His arms proved strong and supportive, the unsteadier her legs became.
He was holding her now, his body pressed against hers, and she felt his arousal against her belly. Her heart leaped into a sharp staccato of desire as she imagined what he was about to do, and she felt his quickened breath against her mouth. He pulled away.
“Alice, oh, Alice,” he exhaled, shaking his head in wonderment. “I’d imagined this moment for so long.” His eyes ranged over her now uncovered head and touched her hair, brushing it off her face.
“Me also.” His grin widened, but she didn’t smile back. “And now it is here, and I would have you kiss me again.”
He didn’t need asking twice, and his mouth was over hers immediately, only this time, the sensations were heightened as his tongue slid between her lips as if testing to see if they’d open. She opened her mouth, and a moan escaped as his tongue found entry and slid and played with the tip of her tongue. A fierce lick of flame coiled inside her, and she knew that she wanted him to enter, not only her mouth but also another part of her. She knew she’d give William anything he asked.
She pushed herself against him harder, wanting to feel the full length of his muscled body against hers. What she found wasn’t what she’d expected. His cock was hard and pressed into her stomach, seemingly much too large to enter her body. She withdrew in shock.
But he wouldn’t allow her to draw back fully. His hands were on her shoulders, holding her still. “Do not be frightened, my love. I promise I will be gentle.”
She nodded. It wasn’t as if she were still a maid. That had been taken from her, and she knew the pain wouldn’t be so great as it had been then. She nodded again. “I’ll try not to be, but…”
He lifted her chin. “All you have to do is enjoy my touch, to allow yourself to surrender to the demands of your body.”
“But, I do not understand my body’s demands.”
“You shall,” he said.
He undid the brooch at her neck and pulled her dress from her shoulders. She felt the rush of cool air hit her neck before his lips descended, bringing a bloom of heat wherever his lips touched her skin. They left a trail of raised goosebumps as he descended lower to the top of her breasts, which she now realized were heaving as if she were out of breath. She pulled at the neck and then twirled around.
“Undo the laces, please William.”
It took several attempts, but he did as she asked, and her gown pooled to the floor. She stepped out of it. She was now standing only in her chemise, shivering slightly. William gripped her waist before sweeping his thumbs beneath her breasts. And then higher as they brushed the tightening nubs of her nipples. Her breathing was coming even faster now, and she was aware of a needy throbbing between her legs.
She put her arms around him and lifted her mouth to be kissed once more. She wanted nothing more than his lips and tongue upon her, relishing the sense of invasion of his body into hers. His mouth covered hers as she ground her body, all hesitation forgotten, against his. She no longer felt fearful of his hard cock, but welcomed its pressure against the soft flesh of her belly and lower, where the throbbing centred and where his hardness rubbed, sending shivers of arousal rippling through her body.
His hands roved over her now, exploring her body through the thin stuff of her shift. He placed his hands over her bottom, caressing its shape before cupping it and lifting her tighter against him.
He laid her gently on the bed, one leg between her legs as he knelt over her. She felt wanton as he looked at her, her hair fanned over the coverlet, her shift hitched up to her thighs.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmured before kissing her. He lay over her, propping his weight on one arm, his leg between hers. She gasped at the pressure of his thigh against the apex of her legs—a sensitive place, which was proving needy and demanding.
She writhed lightly against him, all thought of decorum gone, all signs of fear vanished. All she wanted was for the spellbinding sensation which his body exerted upon hers to intensify. She did not know how that could be, nor did she know what would happen as it increased, but she only knew, without a doubt, that she needed more.
As if sensing her heightened need, he swept up her chemise until it lay bunched around her waist. She blushed and stilled, the cool air against her most private parts making her feel more exposed than she’d ever been. But then those clever lips fell upon her, and all fears were swept away.
His breath was hot upon her stomach, but not as hot as his mouth, and then his tongue. She closed her eyes, and her breath hitched as his tongue trailed down her belly and found its target. She jumped.
“Holy Mary,” she uttered. “Surely that,” again her breath hitched, “isn’t God’s work.”
He looked up with a grin. “All good things are God’s work, my love.” He descended once more and Alice had no more thought of God or the Devil, or good or evil, only what her body wanted. And her body demanded more of the pleasure which washed over her in heat-prickling waves, making her fingertips tingle, and her breathing quicken, as if she were running for something, but not quite reaching it. And then she was there, teetering on the edge of something unknowable. With one more suckle and sweep of his tongue, Alice found what was on the other side of such pleasure—waves and waves rolling over and through her of blissful release. Her body shook with the strength of it. And she knew that all would be well.
When she opened her eyes, William was standing over her, pulling off his clothes. The light from the fire’s flames flickered over his body, strong and brown from a lifetime of being outside. His muscles were beautiful—they gleamed as if burnished. She wanted to cup their curves and run her fingers over every part of him. He was so strong, and she felt so slight. She wanted to surrender to him in a way she’d never thought possible. The notion sent another wave of desire pulsing through her.
He stepped out of his breeches, his hard cock thrusting forward, every inch of it showing his intention. She’d thought she’d be frozen with fear at this moment but, instead, she was intensely curious—released by the pleasure he’d given her. She reached out to him.
“Alice,” he said.
“I want to touch it, to know it.” She touched his cock, and it twitched. With one finger, she tentatively touched the soft exposed skin at its end. He drew in a sharp breath and closed his eyes. She grew braver, fascinated by the power she had over him now. She swept her fingers over his cock, down to the base where she cupped the soft sack. “I would know everything about you, William. Everything,” she said, surprised at the huskiness of her voice.
“And me, you. Now,” he said, “lie back.”
She immediately did as she was told. During the day, she would not be so acquiescent, but now, she yearned to be. She lay back on the bed, acutely aware of the softness of the fur against her bare skin. He knelt over her and kissed her. Then he slowly lowered himself, taking his weight on his hands while holding her where he needed her to be, and where she wanted to be.
Honoring his Lady: A Medieval Romance (Norfolk Knights Book 5) Page 14
