Destined for Love

by Aston, Alexa

  “I cannot wait,” he panted.

  Lifting her by her waist, he held her above him. She realized what he intended to do as he lowered her onto his shaft.

  “Oh. Oh. Oh!”

  Faylinn had never sat atop Amaury in such a manner. It puzzled her but then Drake moved and a sensual wave swept through her.

  She steadied herself, placing her hands on his shoulders, and then experimented, moving one way and then another. His eyes held hers and they now burned bright with passion and desire. Faylinn found a rhythm that allowed him to sink deep inside her, pleasuring them both. She giggled, thinking she rode him like a horse.

  And what a ride it was.

  As she cried out in pleasure, he spilled his seed into her. Never had she felt so free and alive than she did at this moment. She collapsed atop his chest and his arms came around her. They lay together, their hearts beating rapidly, finally slowing to a normal pace.

  “I love you, Drake. I always will.”

  A feeling of lethargy swept over Faylinn and she closed her eyes.

  *

  Faylinn awoke the next morning blanketed by Drake’s warmth. She smiled, thoughts of what they had done last night coming to her. He had allowed her to explore a world unknown to her.

  A world of love.

  She understood now why it was called lovemaking. With every touch, every sigh, every movement, she had fallen more deeply in love with the knight who had protected her at great personal risk. The time they spent together on their journey here had seen friendship and understanding blossom between them. The time spent coupling in this bed only deepened what was between them. The physical act of love they had celebrated made Faylinn want Drake even more than she thought possible. To combine their attraction with friendship and a deep, abiding love was her idea of perfection. The flame of desire rose within her again and she wakened Drake with kisses.

  He understood her need for him and it matched his own. Together, they kissed and caressed one another, time hovering in the shadows for a little while as they made love with a passion she had never known. Spent, they lay panting in one another’s arms, Drake smoothing her hair and kissing her brow repeatedly as she stroked his chest, feeling his racing heart beat beneath her fingers.

  Finally, they rose, washing and dressing for the day. The inevitable couldn’t be delayed any longer. They went downstairs as the great hall began to stir. Garrett and Ashby joined them, with Madeleine pressing sacks filled with food for their journey upon them.

  The two women accompanied the three men to the bailey, where their horses were already saddled and waiting. Faylinn said goodbye to Garrett and then Ashby. Her brother enfolded her in his arms and kissed the top of her head.

  “You will be safe at Stanbury,” he assured her.

  “I know. Take care of yourself. And Drake.”

  “I will,” he promised.

  Ashby turned away to mount his horse and she found herself facing Drake. The knight had never looked more handsome than he did in this moment.

  “Take care,” she said softly.

  He took her hand and tenderly kissed her fingers. “I will. I am in the company of two good men. Have faith that the king will receive us quickly and address the situation.”

  Faylinn’s eyes welled with tears. She leaned toward him and whispered, “I love you.”

  His hand cradled her cheek. “I love you even more.” He brushed his lips against hers briefly and then broke the kiss, quickly turning and mounting Starlight.

  As the men rode off, Madeleine slipped an arm about Faylinn’s waist. “Come to the solar. I think we both need to indulge in a little cry to make ourselves feel better.”

  “Does it ever get easier parting from Garrett?” she asked.

  “Never. But I know how important it is for him to ride to King Edward now. Those three men could move mountains together.”

  “I think so,” Faylinn agreed, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks.

  Madeleine urged her back toward the keep and they mounted the steps and entered through the large door.

  Cynric greeted them, taking both their hands and chatting happily, oblivious to their sadness.

  As he pulled them up the stairs, Madeleine said, “Cynric will keep our minds and hands occupied. The children always save my sanity whenever Garrett is away. You will see how it goes when you have one of your own.”

  Faylinn brushed her fingers across her burgeoning belly and once more prayed she carried a female.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  It disappointed Drake that when they reached London, the king and queen weren’t in residence. Lord Garrett had warned him that would probably be the case, saying the royal couple preferred raising their growing young family in the fresh country air at Windsor as opposed to the foul smells permeating the great city.

  Once they learned the royals were at Windsor Castle, it took another day’s ride west to reach their destination. When they did, Drake offered a swift prayer to the Virgin Mary for having these two companions by his side. Merely gaining permission to enter the castle grounds and stabling their horses took a few hours, going through numerous people. After they’d gained admission into the castle itself, a slew of others stood between them and the king. Drake realized he would have been on a fool’s errand if he’d come on his own and might have been kept waiting for weeks to meet with the king—and he doubted that would have occurred, especially after they spoke to a lady-in-waiting who Ashby knew. Drake had mentioned Lord Bellweather to the woman, only to learn he had died late last year.

  Fortunately, Lord Garrett knew many of the courtiers and smoothed the way for them. Due to the earl’s influence, they now followed an escort to where they would have a private audience with the monarch in the royal chambers. Drake tried to calm his nerves, wanting to appear confident and present Faylinn’s story in the best light possible.

  They were told to wait in an anteroom and after more than an hour of people coming and going, a servant appeared and motioned for them to follow him. The trio rose from their seats and accompanied the man, going through numerous doors and passing through countless rooms until they finally reached the monarch and his wife.

  The king smiled. “How good to see you, Lord Garrett. Your visit surprises me.”

  “Your majesty,” replied the earl and they all bowed to the couple and then rose.

  Edward waved a hand. “As you see, the room is vacant of all others as you requested. I must admit to being most curious as to this request.”

  “Thank you, your highness,” the earl said. “The matter is most private—and urgent.”

  “Then share it with me. I hope you don’t mind my queen being present. I trust her advice.”

  “I am glad to see Her Grace present,” Lord Garrett said. “I feel the same about my countess. Madeleine is far wiser than I ever could be and knows everything that goes on at Stanbury, often before I do myself. Her counsel is invaluable to me.”

  The king roared with laughter and the queen chuckled.

  “May I introduce to you Sir Ashby fitz Waryn of Newbury Manor?”

  Sir Ashby bowed again. “Your majesty.”

  Edward looked at the knight with interest. “I hear from the Bishop of London that you saved the life of a high-ranking cardinal, Sir Ashby.”

  “I only did what any English knight in my position would have done.”

  “And you have earned land by your actions. Newbury Manor, is it?”

  “That is correct, your highness. It’s but a day’s ride from Stanbury, Lord Garrett’s estate. Cardinal Corot owned the manor house and surrounding land, which was under the care of the Earl of Lambert, his half-brother.”

  The king looked next to Drake. “And this knight, Lord Garrett?”

  “This is Sir Drake Harcourt, sire.”

  Drake watched the monarch’s face redden in anger. He’d heard rumors of the king’s mercurial temper and moods and now witnessed the change firsthand.

  “What is this
mongrel doing in my court?” Edward demanded. “I have learned he is an adulterer. His spurs shall be hacked off and I will banish him for breaking his code of honor in such a despicable manner.”

  Drake drew on his courage and spoke up, knowing addressing the king at this point could very well cost him his life. But Faylinn’s reputation hung in the balance and he would see it restored to her.

  “You have obviously read Lady Sabelina d’Albert’s missive, your majesty. I am here to tell you it is full of lies.”

  Both king and queen gasped at his audacity.

  “Sire, I vouch for this knight,” Lord Garrett said quickly. “I beg you to give us time to share our story and you will see he is both truthful and honorable.”

  Drake knew the earl risked his own reputation by standing up for him in this moment of the king’s rage.

  The queen took her husband’s hand. “My king, let us hear this tale. I am curious as to what these men have to say.”

  Edward, slightly mollified by his wife’s calming influence, nodded. “Continue.”

  Sir Ashby took the lead. “Sire, my only sister, Lady Faylinn fitz Waryn, wed Lord Amaury d’Albert half a score ago.”

  That got the king’s interest. “Is Sabelina d’Albert Lord Amaury’s daughter?”

  “She is,” Sir Ashby confirmed. “Though Faylinn tried for years, her stepdaughter never accepted her father’s new wife and tried to undermine Faylinn repeatedly over the years.”

  “I see,” the king said, sitting taller.

  Sir Ashby looked to Drake and he took up the story. He shared with the royal couple how he’d found an injured Faylinn and that she’d revealed it was due to Sabelina shoving her down the stairs shortly after Lord Amaury’s death.

  “But why would she do so?” asked the queen.

  Her husband said, “I can answer that, my love. Lady Sabelina wrote to me of her father’s death and said her stepmother had killed herself from both grief and guilt. That Lady Faylinn broke her vows and carried the child of another man. This man.” He pointed to Drake and studied him carefully.

  The queen’s jaw dropped.

  “It isn’t true, Your Grace,” Drake reassured.

  He continued the story, explaining how Sabelina had spread vicious rumors of Faylinn’s descent into madness and threats to expose her adultery with Drake.

  “She threatened the baroness, telling her she would write to you, sire, regarding the death of both her father and stepmother. I discovered Lady Sabelina had poisoned her stepmother’s wine, in order to cause her to lose her babe.”

  Horror filled the queen’s face and the king said thoughtfully, “If the baroness carries a son, he will become Baron of Gaynesford. When will we know?”

  “My sister said the babe should come near the end of October,” Sir Ashby revealed. “To keep Faylinn and her unborn child safe, Sir Drake spirited her away from Mallowbourne.”

  “Lady Faylinn is now under my protection at Stanbury,” Lord Garrett added. “We all fear in Lady Sabelina’s madness and desire for Mallowbourne, she may have sent soldiers to retrieve the baroness.”

  The king’s expression had turned grim. “We must act quickly. After reading—and believing—Lady Sabelina’s lies, only yesterday I sent Sir Bevil Manville to Mallowbourne. I named him Baron of Gaynesford and charged him to wed Lady Sabelina.” The monarch gazed at Drake. “Sir Drake, I would send you to try and stop these proceedings if they have yet to commence. If a marriage has occurred, then an annulment must be sought.”

  “Thank you, your majesty. I fear, though, that my reputation has been sullied by Sabelina d’Albert’s lies and my word would carry little weight.”

  “I will compose a brief missive to Sir Bevil. I will also send with you Sir Richard, captain of my guard, and half a dozen other guardsmen.” Edward stood. “I will arrange for the guard and scribble the missive now. Be ready to leave once I’m done.”

  He bowed. “Thank you, your highness. Lady Faylinn also thanks you.”

  The king quit the room and the queen said, “Come and sit, gentlemen, and partake in refreshment while you wait.”

  They followed the queen into the next room. Drake was too nervous to eat and finally forced something down, not knowing when the next time he could eat would occur. He guessed it would take between three and four days to reach Mallowbourne from Windsor. Even though Sir Bevil had a day’s jump on them, he doubted the man would wed the moment he arrived. It would be the next day or possibly the day after before the ceremony took place. He only hoped they would be in time and prevent Sir Bevil’s marriage to Lady Sabelina.

  The king returned three-quarters of an hour later, a knight of tremendous size by his side.

  “This is Sir Richard, captain of my guard, and a man I trust implicitly,” Edward said. “I have informed him of the events that have occurred and that you will ride with him to Mallowbourne. Lady Sabelina is to be taken to London and placed in a convent there, where she will spend the remainder of her days. Sir Richard will see to this task. I ask that Sir Drake remain at Mallowbourne and aid Sir Bevil, who I am appointing as warden. He will hold the estate in trust until the time Lady Faylinn delivers her babe.”

  “May my sister remain in Sussex until after the birth of her child, your majesty?” Sir Ashby asked. “She has already endured a long, grueling journey from Somerset and been under an enormous amount of strain. A trip back, when she is already further along, might prove draining—and put both her and the child at risk.”

  The king looked to the queen and she nodded.

  “I can agree to that,” the monarch said. “Furthermore, Sir Bevil will wed Lady Faylinn if she births a boy and will act as the child’s guardian until the baron reaches his majority.”

  “And if it’s a girl?” Sir Ashby asked. “Might I care for my sister and then find her a suitable husband”

  Edward nodded. “As you wish.” He looked to the earl. “Lady Faylinn should remain at Stanbury until the birth of her child. She’ll be safe there and there’ll be no unnecessary travel.”

  “You have acted with prudence and haste, your majesty,” Lord Garrett replied. “I cannot thank you enough for your gracious attention to this matter.”

  The king smiled wryly. “I appreciate that we spoke of this confidential matter with no others around. It’s a ghastly situation and I hope my riders will intercept Sir Bevil before it is too late.”

  Understanding the monarch’s words as dismissal, all four men bowed to the couple and exited the royal apartments, heading to the stables.

  Drake shook hands with Lord Garrett and Sir Ashby. “Thank you for interceding on Lady Faylinn’s behalf. I could not have accomplished half of what you did if I was on my own.”

  “We only want what’s best for Faylinn,” Sir Ashby said, gazing steadily at Drake. “Please send a missive to inform both of us of what occurs at Mallowbourne. Though I’m disappointed that Faylinn is to remain at Stanbury and not with Marielle and me, at least she doesn’t have to endure the journey back to Mallowbourne at this time.”

  With that, Drake swung onto Starlight’s back and his companions mounted their horses, as well. The other knights assigned to ride to Mallowbourne had assembled and Sir Richard gave the signal to depart. The group galloped away from Windsor Castle and, minutes later, the majority rode west as Lord Garrett and Sir Ashby turned east. Drake gave the pair a final wave and then concentrated on the road ahead.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Faylinn sat in the solar, chatting with Madeleine and Marielle. After only a few days, these women had become dear to her. Growing up with brothers, two whom ignored her, Faylinn had never experienced female companionship. Once she arrived at Mallowbourne as a young bride, she had been running her father’s keep for many years and knew to keep a firm distance from the servants. She was friendly to all but made no true friends. She had hoped her new husband would become a dear companion to her but that had never happened.

  Mayhap that’s why she’d been s
o drawn to Drake Harcourt. For the first time in many years, ever since she’d been separated from Ashby, she had someone to truly talk with. Though some of their conversations had dealt with harsh topics, including her stepdaughter’s treachery, she and Drake had shared things of themselves to one another even before they’d fled Mallowbourne. On the road, they’d continued building upon that friendship.

  Along with the desire that they felt for one another.

  Faylinn had cherished their love play and would never regret asking Drake to come to her bed, especially since it might be the only time it ever occurred. At least she knew what women such as Madeleine and Marielle experienced, having husbands who loved them completely and who also treated them as equals.

  A servant entered the solar and said, “My lady, Lord Garrett and Sir Ashby have been sighted by the guards on the wall-walk.”

  “We must greet them,” Madeleine said and tried to rise, unable to push herself from her seat.

  Faylinn and Marielle came to the rescue of the giggling countess, helping her to her feet as each took an elbow of hers in hand and guided her from the solar.

  “You two will experience this before you know it,” she said.

  Faylinn didn’t look forward to that part of carrying a child. As much as she already loved the babe who grew in her womb, part of her wished she could delay its birth—because birth meant knowing the gender.

  And then the die would be cast regarding her future.

  Madeleine had them stand at the top of the stairs that led up to the keep, explaining that usually she liked to wait at the bottom for Garrett but her legs seemed too weary to make the trip up and down them today.

  Soon, the two men galloped across the bailey and came to a halt, dismounting and tossing their reins to a waiting groom. Both raced up the steps and kissed their waiting wives. A pang of jealousy flashed through her, wishing that Drake had come back to her and could wed her.

  “You are filthy, Ashby,” Marielle exclaimed. “So dusty.”