Drawing her into his arms to seal the vows with a kiss, the first touch of their lips had him pulling her tighter into his embrace.
Reina’s arms were twining up around his neck when Father Godfrey cleared his throat uncomfortably.
Slowly ending the kiss, Fulke pulled back to the amused chuckles of his knights.
Wrapping an arm around Reina, he smiled, tucking her close into his side.
In a time-honored tradition, he turned to present his wife to his knights as they kneeled to pay homage to her. As each man rose, Reina reached up to place a chaste kiss on each of their cheeks.
Fulke watched with amusement as his battle-trained warriors stammered like untried lads when it came to their turn.
Gathering around the fire for the wedding feast, Fulke approached Father Godfrey. “I thank you for seeing the matter done, Father.” Handing him several silver denier.
Taking the coins, Father Godfrey smiled. “It was truly an honor, your lordship. I trust you did not mind the ceremony was not in French.”
“Do not concern yourself Father, I am taken aback my lady can understand the King’s English.”
Father Godfrey nodded agreeably. “Aye. From the beginning, Master Warin has truly been a Godsend to the lass. It warms this old heart to see her so well settled.” He glanced at Reina before confiding, “I cannot say I did not have my doubts as to how well she would have fared in the convent.”
Fulke searched out Reina. Seated beside Warin, with her legs drawn up beneath her, she followed the boisterous antics of his men. Throwing her head back to laugh when something tickled her. “I see what you mean, Father. She has a free-spirit, does she not?”
“Aye she does,” he replied fondly. “God’s blessings go with you both, Baron Erlegh.” Slipping into French, he continued, “Le mariage sans enfants a lieu comme un jour sans soleil.”
Fulke chuckled. “I shall see what I can do, Father.”
Hylda was still sobbing with joy as Warin assisted her in serving the deer meat and cider by the fire.
Sitting content beside Reina, Fulke enjoyed the peace of the moment.
It was growing late when Hylda lit a rushlight from the fire. “Your lordship, please lend assist to your lady and follow me.”
Glancing up in surprise, Gervase was the only one of the men foolish enough to form a question. The quelling look Hylda cast his way, had him snapping his mouth shut. Mumbling incoherently into his tankard, he choked when Guy reached over to cuff him on the back.
Fulke wrapped his arm around Reina to follow Hylda, bidding a curt good-eve to his smirking men.
Leading them just inside the wood, Hylda stopped beside the cart. Raising the torch, they could see the wool blankets draped over tree branches, forming a tent of sorts above it.
Hylda pulled back the flap. “Your louts may feel the bite of a chill this night, your lordship.”
Peering in at the pile of cushioning blankets, Fulke chuckled.
Holding the rushlight aloft, Hylda wrapped her free arm around Reina. “God’s blessing's on you both.”
“This day would not have been complete without you, Hylda.”
Releasing Reina, she snuffled, “I shall guard your privacy, rest assured.”
“You go with my thanks Hylda,” Fulke called after her.
Following the bobbing light of the torch, Fulke grinned at Hylda’s cheek for purloining the men’s blankets.
Thrown into pitch darkness, Reina clutched his arm. Her soft even breathing spiking to loud, irregular gasps.
Wrapping his arms around her, he gently kissed her brow in an attempt to sooth her. Content to hold her, he felt the rapid beat of her heart against his chest.
They stood unmoving as the tension slowly eased from her. Pulling back slightly, she tilted her head up to him. That was all the invitation it took. Claiming her lips, Fulke kissed her tenderly. His mind doing battle with his traitorous body to go slow.
Drawing her up against him, he fought the urge to carry her into the back of the cart.
Reina reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. Relaxing against him.
Sweeping her up in his arms, he edged towards the cart. When his thighs struck the back, he carefully laid Reina on the cushioning blankets within. Climbing in after her, he closed the flap behind him.
As soon as he reached for her, she was cupping his face, drawing him down for a kiss. Slowly raking her fingers through his hair, he moaned in pleasure against her lips. Pulling her tighter into his embrace.
Struggling against his raging desire, he parted her legs with a knee. Fighting the need to lose himself within her as he nestled down between them. The only obstacle keeping him from what his body fought so hard for, their clothing.
The hardness of his shaft resting between her thighs caused Reina to stiffen in alarm beneath him. Easing back, he clenched his teeth, inwardly cursing he could offer no words to comfort her.
Resting on his elbows, he rested his cheek against hers, breathing heavily into her silken tresses. Closing his eyes, he fought to slow the passion threatening to engulf him.
He moaned when Reina wrapped her arms around him. Caressing his back, she ran her hands lower, exploring every inch of him that she could reach. Pulling at the hem of his tunic, he pulled back to return a moment later without it.
Running her hands down his chest, she paused at the raised scar on his side. Capturing her lips to distract her, he slid his hand down to cup a full breast. Images of her body flashed through his mind as he adjusted to lift the hem of her kirtle. Wearing only her chemise, he felt her tremble as he reached for the hem.
Kneeling back, he removed her slippers. Struggling out of his boots and hose in the tight space, he squirmed out of his linen chainse, leaving on only his braies.
He knew if he did not slow things down, he would hurt her.
His lips returned to hers as she stroked her hands down his spine, sending an intense shiver through him.
Reina ran her hands lower over the contours of his hips, slipping her hands around to grip his muscular buttocks.
Tearing his mouth from hers, he kneeled to remove her chemise. Untying his braies, he shoved them down to kick them off.
He felt her tense when he once again nestled down between her thighs. Cupping her face between his hands, he began to kiss her, coaxing her into opening to him.
Relaxing against him, she gave herself up to his kiss, joining his questing tongue in a primitive dance as old as time.
Breathless, he broke away. Lowering his head, he ran his lips down the length of her neck. Rubbing his thumb lightly across her nipple, he kissed his way down to the peak. Flicking his tongue over the crest, he drew it into his mouth, caressing the other with his sword calloused hand. Switching, he gave the same attention to both.
Clasping his head to her, Reina arched her back, gasping in pleasure. Grazing his teeth against a stiffened peak, she instinctively wrapped her legs around his hips.
Positioning his throbbing shaft against the slick warmth of her core, he fought against the urge to thrust into her.
He kissed her feverishly, until he felt her sigh against his lips.
Leaning back, he rested on his elbows, cupping her face as he slowly entered her. Slowly stretching her to take more of him, he forced himself to stop when he reached her maidenhead.
Shaking with the effort it took to hold back, he returned to whisper against her lips, “Forgive me, Reina,” before thrusting to the hilt within her.
Instantly stilling at her gasp of pain, he fought the urge to move.
Kissing her tenderly, he waited until she calmed. Smoothing the hair from her brow, he waited in agony for her body to become accustomed to his.
He groaned when she slowly began to caress his back, raising her hips against him. Lowering her hands, she gripped his hips as he slowly began to flex beneath her fingertips.
Kissing her, he began to withdraw from her, only to push forward again.
Reina ran her
hands down the muscular ridges on his abdomen, before gripping his hips to pull him harder against her.
Her breathing changed as she neared climax. Clenching his eyes shut, he strained against his own need to hold back.
Clutching him, her orgasm shivered through her body, ending with a loud gasp of pleasure against his lips.
Fulke cried out as her tight core contracted around him, spilling his seed into a woman for the first time, lost to the most intense orgasm of his life.
Spent and shaking, he withdrew. Collapsing beside her, he drew her into his embrace.
Gently kissing her brow, he covered her in blankets, before lying back to stare into the darkness above his head.
Draping an arm across his chest, Reina cuddled exhausted against him.
Amazed by her wanton passionate response, Fulke ran his hand through her flowing tresses. Her breathing evened out as she relaxed against him, drifting off to sleep.
It was some time before he followed.
* * * *
Reina woke on her side in the dawn’s early light cradled against Fulke’s warmth as he lightly trailed his fingertips along her side and hip.
Turning her body into his, she opened her eyes. Unashamed of the passion they had shared the night before, she smiled.
Tracing her kiss-swollen lips with his thumb, Fulke returned her smile. “How fare you this morn, your ladyship?”
She responded to hearing her title for the first time by drawing him down for a kiss.
Moving down to kiss her neck, she tilted her head back to give him better access. Trailing his lips along the curve of her breast, he pulled her closer to slide his hand through the golden-red curls between her thighs.
When she stiffened, he pulled back. “Are you tender this morning, my lady?”
She shook her head, embarrassed. Trying to think of a way to convey her need to refresh herself.
Understanding suddenly dawned on him. Cupping her chin, he waited for her to look at him. “Would you perchance like to bathe this morn, my lady?
Relief flooded Reina’s features at his understanding. “I would like that very much, my lord.”
Fulke pulled her to him. Giving her a quick kiss, he reached for his clothes. “Then I shall have water heated for your bath and send Hylda attend to you at once.”
Before stepping down from the cart, he drew her up to her knees. Kissing her, he released her, only to turn back to kiss her again.
He smiled as he again pulled away. “I best see to your bath, or we shall be camping another day.”
At the mention of his men, blood rushed to her cheeks.
“We could always act as if nothing happened, my lady. Yet, I fear with my grin, and your lovely blush, we would fail to fool them.” He caressed her cheek with his fingertips. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Reina.”
She brightened. “I am a wife,” she said in wonder.
“That you are,” he replied. “My wife.” Kissing her soundly, he leapt from the cart.
* * * *
Approaching the camp, he noticed Father Godfrey and Sir Everard’s men had already taken their leave. Realizing how close he had come to losing Reina, he felt on edge. If she had taken the veil, only the Pope in Rome could have released her from her vows. He may be in the king’s favor, but Henry would never petition Pope Honorius over a woman for him.
Spotting his men lounging by the fire, breaking their fast with the remains of their humble wedding feast, he prepared himself. “How fare you all?”
Casting knowing looks amongst themselves, they grinned.
Standing, Albin bowed low. “Our liege has finally deigned to honor us with his presence this fine morn.” He chuckled. “I trust you rested well amongst our blankets, whilst we froze our nether regions?”
Clambering to his feet, Talan faced Fulke. “I shall see to the horses, my liege.” Calling for Warin and Osbert to join him, he stalked off.
Gervase shared a look with Guy. “I just cannot see what the lasses see in Talan’s surly disposition.”
“Perchance he spouts a finer sonnet than I to woo the fair lasses to his bed.”
Fulke shook his head at the two. “Gervase, summon Hylda to assist your lady.”
“Guy, heat water for your lady’s bath. Then the both of you can pack up camp.”
Left alone, Albin asked, “All is well with you this morn, my friend?”
Fulke thought about the question for a moment. Then, he smiled.
SIX
After Fulke left, Reina began searching for her chemise. Lifting a blanket, she spotted a bloodstain. Pulling it to her, she looked down to find dried blood on her inner thighs. Remembering Fulke’s intimate caress of only moments ago, she could only hope he had not noticed.
While deciding what to do with the blanket, Hylda swept the cover to the cart back.
Shrewdly eyeing the stain, she climbed into the cart. “Do not fret, Reina. You are holding a badge of honor in your hands.”
“I fear the blanket is ruined, Hylda.”
She was surprised when Hylda laughed. “In my dear mother’s day, they would have hung it from the ramparts.”
Reina’s eyes widened at the thought. “Why ever would they do such a barbaric thing?”
“To prove the groom received a chaste bride.”
“How horrible that must have been for the lady.”
Hylda shrugged. “I suppose it was.” Checking Reina over, she gently touched the healing wound on her cheek. “Was his lordship gentle with you?”
Reina felt warm all over at the memory of their passion-filled night. “God could not have gifted me with a finer husband, Hylda.”
Hylda nodded happily. “I had no doubt of it. I liked the baron from the moment he refused to marry Sibilla.”
“Hylda, you should not say such things.”
“Have you not heard, Reina?” she replied defiantly. “I am no longer beholden to your father. If I were not so concerned about you, I would have taken the time to give him a piece of my mind. As for Lady Baldith, had I a switch, I would have gladly used it on her.”
At Reina’s look of shock, Hylda sobered. “Aye, I know she has often struck you. Warin may have been duped in the beginning by your many excuses, but not I.”
“Please Hylda, you must not hold anger in your heart, it is all for naught.”
“It is something I cannot forgive, Reina. If there is a cost to my soul, so be it.” She changed the subject. “We best make haste now. His lordship wishes to depart as soon as you prepare yourself.” Climbing from the cart, she turned back. “I shall see what is taking those giant oafs so long with your bath water.”
Reina was busy folding the remaining blankets when Hylda returned with the water. Placing the steaming bucket in the cart, she passed her a sliver of soap. Setting clean linens beside the bucket, she said, “There is a chill in the air this morn, be sure to clasp your cloak.”
Laying out a fresh kirtle of beige, with an under gown of russet wool, a veil of linen and Reina’s hair comb in the corner, she re-closed the flap.
* * * *
Kicking dirt on the dying embers of the fire, Fulke looked up as Reina approached.
Her hair bound in a braid reaching below her waist, she wore a white linen veil covering the shining mass, denoting her status as a married woman. Taking note of the gold-link belt riding her slender hips, he smiled. His vanity stoked to lay claim to such a stunning woman.
Reaching her, he took note of her flushed cheeks. “I would have come for you, my lady.”
Glancing nervously at the men preparing to depart, she braved a smile. “I must face them some time, my lord.”
He bent to place a light kiss on her lips. “There is my brave lady.” Returning for another, he held back when he heard a low whistle behind him.
Slanting his eyes behind him, he gave Reina's hand a reassuring squeeze. Drawing her around, they waited for his men to approach.
Warin was the first to reach them. Bowing
low, he straightened with a grin to kiss her cheeks.
Gervase elbowed Guy out of the way to follow next. Leaning in for a kiss, he caught a glimpse of Fulke’s scowl. Falling into an awkward bow, he stepped back.
Guy shoved Gervase as he stepped forward. Dipping his head, he wished Reina well before stepping back. The remaining men quick to follow suit.
Osbert waved from the distant tree line as he struggled to pull the cart from the woods.
Spotting him, Warin hastily excused himself, rushing off to help.
The men drifted away to saddle their horses as Fulke leaned down to Reina. “Was it as bad as you feared, my lady?”
Surprising him, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “No, my lord, it was not so bad after all.”
With Reina wrapped in the protective circle of his arms, they kept pace with the cart as they unhurriedly made their way towards Castell Maen.
Fulke inwardly groaned at the painful state of arousal he found himself in after a long day of having Reina’s arms wrapped around him. Each time she ran a hand up his back or down his chest was a torment to his failing restraint.
Along the way, he stole a long, breathtaking kiss in the hopes it would slake the desire coursing through him, only to find it made matters much worse.
Each time Reina moved to adjust her seat on the long ride, she would innocently rub against his arousal, forcing him to struggle against the raging need to bury himself within her.
Near dark, he felt her go limp against him. Holding her close, he sent Osbert and Gervase ahead to scout out a suitable resting place for the night.
They cleared a sloping stand of trees to find a fire burning in the valley below. Fulke waited until they had almost reached the camp before stroking Reina’s cheek with his cold hand.
She blinked sleepily up at him, a smile parting her tempting lips.
Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 01 Page 8
