Lady Thief

by Wend Petzler

Lucian solemnly watched his men ride out, worried, knowing his friend's success would mean they could save more lives. George greeted him at the door, wearing a confident grin on his youthful features.

  "My lord, I have selected ten knights who have cleaned their armor in preparation to escort you and Lady Eiry to Peveril Castle."

  "Oh really? Are you certain I need so much protection?” A corner of Lucian's mouth lifted in amusement as he held the door open for Eiry who was weaving from exhaustion.

  "Yea, my lord, I believe it quite appropriate for a lord to be accompanied by an armed escort.

  He dryly replied, “My thanks for your foresight.” Serious, Lucian ordered, “George, help Tom move the people out of Sanctuary. Send the archers into the woods first and have them scout ahead, just in case a few of the sheriff's men escaped. I want no witnesses to our helping these people."

  "Yea, my lord, it will be done. Please, go and get some rest. It will be a trying day for all of us.” George left to find Tom.

  Lucian was sympathetic as Eiry tried not to stumble. After his squire relieved him of his chain mail, Lucian took her bow and quivers from her and placed them in the young man's care. Lifting her easily into his arms, Lucian carried Eiry up to her chamber. He dipped to turn the doorknob, loving the way her arms tightened around his neck. Shivering, he felt her soft breath tickling his skin when she sighed in delight of being in his strong embrace. With one hand, he flipped back the covers, tenderly laying her on the bed. Eiry rolled on her side, making room for him to join her. There was so much to be done, yet if he was to succeed, sleep was needed. Collapsing on the narrow bed, he opened his arms for her to curl up to him. In no time, they were sound asleep.

  * * * *

  Hours later, they were awakened by Lilia who was delighted to find they were back. She chatted on as if finding the two in the same bed was perfectly natural. Smiling at her sister's enthusiasm, Eiry forced her sore body to move, needing to bathe and prepare to go to Peveril Castle.

  "Lilia, please go downstairs and ask Anne to start heating water for my bath. I have to look my best today."

  Fear was clearly visible on Lilia's delicate features. “Eiry, you can't go! Bad men live in the castle above Derbyshire. If they knew about Allen, they'll surely know what you've done!"

  Lucian rose from the bed and stood by the door with his broad back propped against the sturdy wood for support. He, too, was clearly unhappy about bringing Eiry with him to Peveril Castle.

  Drawing Lilia into her arms, Eiry tried to explain. “I must go and find out information about our friends. I believe they are held in the storage room below the castle, but I need to know for sure. Lucian will see to my protection.” Taking the gold medallion from around her neck, Eiry placed it over Lilia's head, the chain dropped well past the child's waist. “I want you to keep Da's necklace safe for me."

  Lilia wept, recognizing the medallion. “Why, Eiry, why must you go?” she demanded, wrapping her thin arms around her neck.

  Gently drawing Lilia back to see her better, Eiry answered her sister's heart-wrenching question. “Because, Lilia, it's the right thing to do. Our friends helped us when we needed it most, endangering their lives and the ones of they loved to do so. I can do no less than go and rescue them from a horrible fate at the cruel hands of the sheriff and Prince John. I want you to promise to do whatever Lucian commands. He is your guardian and will do everything in his power to keep you safe.” Eiry looked expectantly at Lilia who appeared resigned, backing out of her arms.

  "I will, Eiry. I'd better go and tell Anne about the water,” she replied dejectedly, turning around, only to be swept up into Lucian's powerful arms.

  "Come, lass. You know I won't allow anything to happen to Eiry. Let's go down to the kitchen and find us something to eat. I'm starving.” Lucian's worried gaze met Eiry's briefly over Lilia's golden curls. Smiling reassuringly at Lilia, he carried her downstairs.

  Opening the trunk at the foot of her bed, she withdrew an elegant gown of cerulean blue satin with an underskirt of rich cream. Laying the beautiful garment on the bed, she was thankful it wasn't too badly wrinkled. Reaching in once more, she withdrew a pair of matching satin slippers and a wimble of finely woven gossamer. Eiry set them on the bed next to the gown. Reaching in once more, she withdrew a linen wrapped item and carefully unwrapped it, exposing the last precious bar of lavender scented soap. It was all that was left of the soap her mother had made especially for her.

  She bowed her head, trying not to cry. “Mother, I am so sorry for endangering Lilia in my quest for revenge. I never wanted that. Please, tell Da I am sorry for letting him down. I know he would never approve of what I am about to do, but Louie must pay for his crimes.” Taking her soap, she headed downstairs.

  Sitting at the table, Lucian ate heartily while Lilia chattered away, asking all kinds of questions about Normandy and what his home was like. Eiry shook her head at Lilia and offered him a sympathetic smile. Lucian patiently endured it, answering her between bites. Entering the kitchen, Anne smiled weakly in greeting, looking as if she hadn't slept a wink. Two women were busily pouring cauldrons of hot water into the copper tub set in the side chamber where Eiry could bathe privately.

  Anne wrung her hands, fearful for Eiry. “Going to Peveril Castle is an unwise idea. You know Louie will name you as Lady Thief."

  Resigned, Eiry smiled sadly at her friend. “I know he already has. In fact, I plan to kill him for betraying us."

  She said it so matter of fact it left a cold chill in Anne's heart. Knowing it useless to change Eiry's mind once she was set on a course, Anne gave her a slight shove toward the bathing room. “Take a bath. When ye are done, I'll do your hair and help ye dress. By the way, we're coming with you to Normandy. If Allen wants to stay and fight, he can. I'm taking the girls far away from here. They deserve better than this kind of life. They shouldn't have to endure the awful fear of not knowing if their daddy's going to come home alive or wind up dead."

  Squeezing Anne's hand, Eiry smiled at the determined young woman. “You are more than welcome to come with us. I'll do my best in convincing Allen to cease this madness, after I rescue his ass.” She ducked into the small room and closed the door, quickly undressing.

  Dipping a cautious toe into the steaming water, she climbed in, grimacing at the hotness. Reclining back, she sighed as the warm water soothed her aching muscles. Grabbing her precious soap, Eiry began scrubbing her body and lathered her long hair. A knock warned her before the door swung open. She waved for water to rinse her hair. After the bucket of water was poured over her head, rinsing the soap out, a towel was handed for her eyes. Wiping the water free, she looked up to see Lucian crouched next to the tub.

  Confused, Eiry looked around the room, finding them alone. “What are you doing here?” she asked breathlessly, feeling helpless as he stared at her with such heat, such blatant desire. Need pooled in the pit of her stomach. Tenderly, he brushed the back of his knuckles along the curve of her cheek. “Lucian,” she whispered his name, her voice raw with need.

  Lucian whipped off his tunic and rose to his full height. Unwrapping the ties to his woolen hose, he freed the raging, hot flesh of his erection. His nostrils flared, recognizing the same need rising in Eiry. She licked her lips, suddenly gone dry when she saw his obvious readiness. He drew her out of the bath, dripping water on the stone floor. Holding her wet body tight in his embrace, Lucian held nothing back, his hungry mouth claimed hers. Savagely, they clung to one another, striving to get closer, needing to feel hot, naked flesh pressed against willing flesh. Their need was immense as he tossed the bathing sheets on the floor, pressing Eiry down until she lay on her back, opening her body to him. Groaning at what she willingly offered to him, Lucian bent to capture a ripe nipple, swirling the bud around his rough tongue, gently scraping her tender skin with his sharp teeth.

  Tossing her head in wild abandonment, she held his head tight, her legs moved restlessly along his muscular ones, shivering at t
he feel of the coarse hair along his legs. Gasping at the incredible feeling of his hot mouth on her skin, the mind shattering awareness his thick, long rod was inches away from sending her to heaven. His mouth lifted from her breast, devouring her willing lips, kissing her as boldly as the knight himself. Her hands slid down the wide expanse of his powerful back, curving along his tight, hard buttocks, squeezing in anticipation as he ground his long, hard staff against the flat of her stomach. Slamming his hands flat on the cold floor, Lucian lifted his upper body off her. Hot, black eyes bore into her as his beautiful features contorted. He angled his lean hips, pressing the rounded tip of his shaft against her weeping center.

  Breathing hard from the effort not to ram inside her, he grounded out, “You are mine! Any who touches you shall die by my sword!"

  Stunned by his words, Eiry gasped in delight as his manhood slid deep inside her. Sweeping her along with each sure, steady stroke as he lowered his body, loving the way her soft breasts crushed against the unyielding wall of his chest. Sliding his hand along her waist, to her smooth thigh, he urged her knee higher along his hips. His hot mouth moved along her arching throat, tasting her sweat as she strained against him, meeting each thrust eagerly.

  Unable to hold back the tide, Eiry dug her fingers into the flesh of his taunt buttocks, crying out, reaching her pinnacle. Shuddering from the intensity, Eiry held onto Lucian as he clenched his teeth in agony and gratification as he shuddered in ecstasy. Collapsing on top of her, he dropped his head in the curve of her neck, breathing hard. When he could lift his head, Lucian was distressed to see bright tears in the pewter depths as Eiry wept.

  Panicking, Lucian rested on his elbows, cupping her lovely face in his big hands. “Have I hurt you?"

  Shaking her head, Eiry laughed, crying at the same time. “No, you did not hurt me. Did you mean it? Am I yours?” She sniffed, praying she'd heard him right.

  With a smile of pure relief, Lucian replied, “Damn right you heard me! I have never in my life met a woman like you, Eiry Savoy."

  Chuckling at his words, Eiry pressed jubilant kisses over his savagely handsome face until he took over, kissing her passion swollen lips until she near swooned with the pleasure. Sighing with the happiness, she opened her eyes when he raised his head, smiling down at her.

  "You had better get ready. We'll be late as it is.” Lucian reluctantly rose, taking her limp hand in his, helping her from the floor. A chuckle escaped him as her bottom lip pouted when she grabbed a cloth and began washing his seed from between her legs.

  Rinsing off, she suddenly grinned wickedly. Taking the cloth, she began washing his shaft, rubbing him, loving the way his eyes closed from the pleasure of her hand massaging his lengthening manhood. Gritting his teeth from the sweet torture, Lucian groaned when her sweet mouth nibbled along his wet chest, running her tongue over a hard nipple. Taunting him, teasing him as her other hand wandered over his ribs, stomach and down his muscled thigh, she grinned as the huge man trembled with anticipation.

  Opening his eyes, he realized the little vixen was enjoying his torment a little bit too much. Growling deep in his throat, he grabbed her shoulders and brought her flush against him. His mouth clamped down hard over hers, thrusting his tongue along hers, his mind exploding when she answered his demands. Melting into his powerful, hard, unyielding body, they kissed. She gasped when he whipped her around, forcing her to face the wall. Lucian took her hands and placed them on the wall. Paving a sensual path along her nape, he curved his big body along her supple one. Groaning, he threw his head back at the feel of her pressing her firm buttocks against his stiff rod. She aroused him into a realm he'd never known possible as she shoved at him hungrily. Using his knee, he forced her legs apart, running his hands over her slender back, over her rounded buttocks, his mouth found her dainty ear, nibbling the sensitive orb with his teeth.

  She couldn't breathe when she felt the first brush of his fingers against the petals covering the tiny nub of her womanhood. Time stopped as his thumb caressed the tiny pearl as he stroked her, his long finger moving in rhythm of his hips as he moved his pulsing shaft up and down along her buttocks. Gasping, she bucked at him, wanting more than his hand. Protesting when he removed his hand, she gasped when he grabbed her hips and effortlessly lifted her up and down onto his throbbing shaft. Closing her eyes at the agonizingly sweet sensations he built. She clung to his arms as Lucian thrust wildly inside her, driven by pure lust and instinct, completely losing control, striving to feel the ultimate release once more.

  Just when he didn't think he could last much longer, he felt the silken muscles of her sex grasp him tight, milking him as Eiry cried out at the awesome feeling. Throwing back his head, he gritted his teeth from shouting at the awesome power of her body holding him hostage. Her fingers dug into the skin of his forearms, she flung her head backwards into the curve of his shoulder, biting her lip from screaming. Her entire body shook with her release. Legs shaking, he let her slid down him, bracing his hands on the wall to keep from falling himself. Trembling from the incredible experience, Eiry weakly turned around in his arms, staring up at him with amazement.

  Smiling weakly, Lucian kissed her softly, burying his hands in her wild, wet hair, drawing her into the shelter of his arms. “I can honestly say I've never done that before!” Chuckling, his great shoulders shook with the laughter rumbling deep in his wide chest.

  Eiry pressed soft kisses along his jaw, ending up along his mouth. “I've never knew making love could feel so ... shattering.” She looked up at him, awed when his dark eyes grew misty.

  Swallowing back the tightness in his throat, Lucian knew not why she wanted him, only grateful she did. “I never thought a woman would wish to be with a beast like me."

  Anger flared in her eyes. She held his face in her hands, demanding he hear her. “Lucian Martine, you are not a beast! You are the most wonderful man I have ever met, and I am proud to fight by your side!” She wanted him to know how much she loved him, needed him to understand. She could not give voice to her love, not yet, not until they were safely out of England. Just in case...

  Smiling gently at her fierce words, he pulled her hard against him, hugging her, never wanting to let her go. “I am a lucky man to have a woman like you by my side."

  "Damn right, you are! However, I think I had better get ready. We are running late if we are to attend the blasted hunt.” Eiry slipped from his arms and went to wash off again. Taking a bathing sheet, she wrapped it around her worn out body.

  "Do not worry about hurrying to ready. You have plenty of time.” Lucian took a wash cloth and washed off. He took the other towel and dried. Slipping on his hose and white linen shirt, he knew he could not allow her to go with him on the hunt. Pretty sure the entire castle knew by now what they had done in the bathing chamber, he cared not, wanting to make love once more with Eiry. It was well worth the risk of disapproving glances. If the day turned bad, he had the precious memory of feeling her arms around him once more.

  Admitting she was terrified would not help. Eiry smiled tremulously, trying not to shake with the fear she felt at what they must do. She was grateful when he gathered her close, holding her tight in his embrace. Clinging to Lucian's great strength, she drew courage from a man the world hated, thinking he was evil. Lucian was nothing of the sort. He was her hero. A soft knock on the door beckoned for entrance. Lucian set her from him and reached to open the door.

  A knowing smile curved Anne's features as she tried hard not to laugh at Eiry's blush at being caught with Lucian. “Come on, lass. We have your gown pressed and ready.” Anne took Eiry's hand in hers and led her out of the kitchen. She paused when Martine motioned her to remain. “Eiry, go on upstairs. I'll be there in a moment."

  When Eiry departed from the kitchen, Anne looked up at the tall knight. “My lord?"

  "I am not taking Eiry with me to Peveril Castle. After I leave, please tell her ... tell her I could not risk her welfare. I will go alone to learn more of the wh
ereabouts of your husband and those taken into custody."

  Relieved, she bobbed a quick curtsy. “I shall tell her, milord. Have a safe hunt.” Anne left him, amazed. Many thought he was heartless, she knew he had found his heart in Eiry Savoy.

  More at ease with his decision, Lucian knew he could be arrested for this disobedience, yet he would not risk Eiry. Let the Prince dare take him into custody, Lucian thought defiantly. He laid odds the coward would cower instead. He took a fresh bucket of water and washed his hair with a soap bar of sandalwood scent. Rinsing, he grabbed a clean towel and rubbed the excess water from his thick hair. Leaving the small chamber, he went out into the great hall. His squire met him with a cleaned mail shirt and a leather jerkin in his grasp, proceeding to help Lucian don the garments. Taking his dark, woolen cloak, Lucian buckled it to his shoulder pads. Strapping on his sword around his waist, Lucian adjusted the leather scabbard before he donned his gauntlets and left the castle.

  "George, take the mare back to the stable. Eiry won't be coming with me.” Lucian swung up onto Samson's broad back. He took one last look at the castle, hoping to return in one piece. Urging the stallion forward, he did not turn when Eiry shouted from the upper window for him to stop.

  * * * *

  "Where is Lucian going?” Eiry asked Anne, alarmed when she refused to look at her. “Lucian goes alone to the hunt to protect me, doesn't he?"

  "He thought it best if you remained at Sanctuary, away from Prince John and Lord Robert.” Anne tried to explain, hoping Eiry would understand.

  "I guess I won't be needing to wear my gown.” Worried, Eiry went to her trunk and withdrew a dark green tunic and hose and donned the garments. She braided her hair and wandered downstairs, searching for Lilia. An hour passed when the eerie silence was broken by shouts in the courtyard. The door flung open, crashing against the wall. Tom!

  "Eiry, Robin waits in the forest and says to hurry. Martine is about to have an accident in the Peake Forest, if we don't hurry."