Knight's Legacy

by Trenae Sumter

  “May your sorrow for her pain abate in time,” Roderic said.

  “Ah, Sir Roderic, ye know not what it is for a woman to be defiled in such a way.” There was a pensive shimmer in the shadow of her eyes.

  “Think you I am intent on rape this night?”

  She raised a brow. “ ’Tis little to stop ye.”

  “I willnae harm her, Mary. Brianna has been given to me by the King, yet I shall not force her to come to my bed. Rape is an act of war. I am bent on seduction. If I am not to win the lady this night, there are many nights in the future to make it so.”

  She heaved a heavy sigh.

  “Thereupon, sir, may ye fair well in your quest.”

  She turned and left the chamber, and Roderic paced for several minutes, his face tight and grim. He turned as Cameron, one of the King’s loyal men, entered.

  The man was one of the first to pledge loyalty to Duncan’s plan for the Mackay lands, in spite of the command being given to Roderic. Cameron was a distant relative of the King, and a fierce warrior with superior skill. Roderic trained his men well, and Gavin had boasted that Cameron had joined them because he longed to fight beside the strongest armed force in the Highlands. Roderic respected the man’s loyalty to Duncan, and Cameron had backed him in battle often. They were more than comrades, for Roderic trusted him, and valued his counsel.

  “What has ye so vexed? A mon just wed should ponder the comely lass he is to bed this night. Were she mine, I would make haste to be with her.”

  “Ye find her tempting?” Roderic’s expression clouded even more. Cameron had merely favored his bride with a compliment. Was he already experiencing jealousy?

  Cameron shrugged. “With respect, I do, Sir Roderic. Yet, I forget ye dinnae want to wed.”

  Roderic shook his head. “Aye, I did not. Still, in time, I had hoped to marry. Every man holds dear the thought of his own sons. I had hoped to have a bride that would deem me her lover, not her owner. I had judged this marriage a yoke I must bear. I had not believed that I would be looking forward to bedding the lady with such joy that I seek to revel in it.”

  Cameron’s eyes danced when he laughed. “So, ye be flesh and blood now, not merely a leader who must please the King? Ye need a wench. A mon gets too muddled about with duty when he doesnae gift himself with a woman’s touch. Ye seek to be more Scot than the Scots ye lead, and a commander full of charity to the Mackay clan. Ye are as cautious as an altar boy hoping to please a priest, when there be no need of it. Were she Gavin’s, the lass would be screaming her pleasure at this moment.”

  “Mary thinks I will make her scream, not in pleasure, but when I rape her. They all distrust and fear me. I know it will take time to win this clan’s loyalty, yet I am sickened by the assumption. I sought to remove her from her father’s dominion, not to torture her with my own.”

  “Aye, and they will see it in time. Ye think as an Englishmon. We Scots be stubborn. We must be shown proof, with coin in our hand, ‘afore we shear the sheep.”

  Roderic smiled, considering the apt declaration. He leaned forward with quiet assurance. “Thereupon, I will give the clan and my bride their proof. Rather than ravage her as they hope to see, I shall treat her as a cherished gift and break down the wall of their lies.”

  Cameron shrugged. “Ye fancy the wench. Go to her.”

  Roderic’s brown eyes contained a sensuous flame. He turned and left the chamber, resolving to do just that.

  Gavin walked briskly through the keep. He had seen the new bride steal out of the tower room and down the corridor, and he had an arrogant grin on his face when he found Roderic making his way to the tower.

  “She willnae be waitin’ for ye. Your lovely bride has made an attempt to flee.”

  Roderic frowned. “And you did nothing to stop her?”

  Gavin’s eyes twinkled, making an attempt to stifle his amused chuckle.

  “That be the husband’s chore. She went hence forth.” He pointed casually over his shoulder toward the stairs.

  Roderic marched to find her, doing his best to ignore Gavin. He saw her on the balcony moving with silent haste, and ran to catch up with her.

  “Brianna!”

  She turned at the top of the stairs. He had startled her, and she looked frantic. There was very little light from the candle she carried, and he didn’t want her to take a fall.

  “Roderic, I have to go.”

  He folded his arms casually and leaned into the wall, smiling.

  “You are not very prepared to go out of the castle, sweeting … you’re barefoot.”

  Cat noticed his hair was damp. It was evident he had just bathed. Roderic took the candle and set it on the stone step beside them. Cat glanced down at her bare toes peeking out from under her cloak.

  “I couldn’t find my … shoes … those slipper things,” she whispered.

  She was embarrassed and flustered. His stare was bold and assessed her frankly, his gaze falling to the creamy expanse of her neck. He could see the quickened pulse there and stepped closer.

  She was frightened, and he meant to calm her. He could see the silky white undergarment near her feet under the cloak. Was that all she was wearing? The thought immediately aroused him.

  “Come, Brianna. Come with me.” His voice had a rasp of excitement.

  “You don’t understand. I’m not who you think I am,” she said.

  Roderic reached out to her, his strong hands clasping her waist gently. “You are my wife. Brianna, sweeting, come to our chamber now.” He bent his head to place a feather light kiss on her temple.

  She was overwhelmed by his warmth, his clean masculine scent. She wrestled with the desire to completely surrender to this strong, handsome man.

  “You don’t understand. I’m not prepared to make love. We can’t do this.”

  She spoke with quiet desperation, stammering and struck with the ludicrous nature of her remark about preparation. It was a knee-jerk reaction. She had used the excuse to many a date in her own time, for everyone understood the need to practice safe sex. It was meaningless here and now.

  Roderic touched her cheek and spoke in a fervent whisper as he slipped his arm under her cloak to encircle her waist.

  “Beautiful Brianna, you needn’t proclaim your innocence to me. This I know and bless God for the gift.” He felt her tremble when he moved to kiss her. She turned her head away, and the kiss fell on her cheek, next to her lips, now parted.

  “You are my wife. Don’t push me from your arms, when I have thought of little this day save the softness of your mouth under mine.”

  He kissed her then, his lips urging hers to open for him. His moist, firm mouth demanded a response. She tried to resist him, and he felt her struggle with her own longings, and found it intensely exciting when she whimpered, a soft sexy sound, and opened her mouth to him. Groaning at the subtle invitation, he coaxed her, gently moving his hand to the back of her neck as his mouth pleasured hers.

  She pulled back from him in a brief attempt to elude his embrace.

  “I can’t,” she whispered.

  He felt bereft at the loss of her mouth. Untying the cloak, it fell from her with one sweep of his hand, and he pulled her to him gently, kneeling to wrap his arms around her legs under her buttocks. When he lifted her, she grasped his shoulders.

  Her breast brushed his mouth, and she gasped sharply as she was held, suspended above him. Laying his cheek to her bosom, he nuzzled the pillow of her breast, and looked deeply into her eyes.

  “Gentle virgin, do not fear me. Trust me. Let me drink of your beauty and get lost in you. Open your mouth for me.”

  The fear was there, glittering in her emerald green eyes, although her cheeks were flushed with desire when she touched his mouth to stop his words.

  “Roderic, we mustn’t,” she whispered.

  Moving his tongue to her finger, she shivered when he drew it into his mouth and began to suck gently. He watched the nipples of her pretty breasts pucker with desire be
neath the soft white gown, and she cried out with passion when she bent down to rest her forehead upon his.

  “You … are a master of seduction,” she whispered.

  He kissed her again, and she responded by placing her hands on his face to hold him. He reached up to stroke her backside while he plunged his tongue inside her mouth. He pulled back enough to speak, breathing hard as if he had been running.

  “Who better to seduce than my wife? Your body tells me it enjoys my touch, Brianna.”

  He moved his hand up to her breast and brushed the back of his knuckles gently across the nipple. He watched her body shiver with pleasure, and saw the evidence of her desire as her breast swelled to his touch. Cupping it, he kneaded gently.

  “You see? Tell me now you don’t want me.”

  He brought his hand down slowly between their bodies from her breast to the apex of her legs. He brushed his thumb over the soft nub of flesh that was the heart of her desire.

  “Oh!” she cried out and grasped his shoulders firmly, digging her nails into his skin.

  “Here?” he groaned. He watched her as she opened her eyes to him. She was breathtaking in her passion, green eyes shimmering and glazed, heavy-lidded with desire. Her mouth parted in a soft gasp when he stroked her again.

  “Tell me you don’t want me here. Pressed closer … deep inside you.”

  She whimpered again, helpless as he overruled her with his passion. She closed her eyes as if she were in pain, leaned her head back, and bit her lip before she answered.

  “I can’t.”

  The two words were a desperate whisper, a reluctant surrender. She was set on her feet, and she scarcely took a breath before he picked her up with one swift movement, one strong arm at her back, and another slipping under her knees. Holding on, she put her arms around his neck and tucked her face in the curve under his chin.

  Roderic marched purposefully down the hall to their chamber.

  Chapter Five

  Rejoice with the wife of your youth; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

  ~Proverbs 5:18-19

  Roderic was infinitely gentle as he lay Brianna down on the bed beside him. “You are freezing, little one.” He stroked her skin from ankle to knee. “I will do my best to warm you.” He pulled her close, gently massaging her feet and legs.

  By all above, she was a vision as she lay before him. Her hair fell in a thick curtain of curls to her waist. The thin white undergarment did little to conceal the dark red curls where her legs met. He could see the blush that stained her cheeks even in the firelight. She tried to cover herself, but he caught her hands to hold them on the quilt beside her.

  “Don’t hide from me … Brianna, let me look at you. I won’t take you with haste. I want your pleasure, your joy.”

  He held her hands gently, brushing his thumbs over the back of her knuckles.

  She spoke in a trembling whisper. “I’m afraid of what I want.”

  “Why?” He frowned.

  “Because I want you to kiss me again.” She said the words as if admitting a grievous fault. He took her right hand and placed it on his chest. He brought her left hand up to kiss the palm.

  “Do not fear your desire, Brianna, for I want to kiss you, little one, so much I ache with it.”

  Her small hand was caressing his chest, exploring and lightly tugging the hair there. It was driving him mad.

  “Where do you want me to kiss you, sweeting? Tell me. Let me hear you say it.” His words were whispered, tantalizing, sensual. He kissed her hand, then nipped her fingertip. He sucked gently just to watch her reaction, and she spoke his name in a gasp.

  “Ah, yes … you like that. On the stairs you liked it so much your breast swelled to my touch. Let me kiss you there, Brianna. This beautiful garment is in the way. Take it down.”

  He slid his hand over the white gown. It was becoming an agony to allow his wife to set the pace. He wanted to be inside her, and at the same time wished to slowly touch and caress every inch of her.

  He stood by the bed and undressed. Her eyes moved over him, and he felt a ripple of excitement when she dropped her gown to her waist and held out her arms to him. Her breasts were full, white, and pink tipped. He watched the rise and fall of them with her panting breath.

  “Kiss me, Roderic,” she breathed.

  He covered her with his body while his mouth came down to hers, and he stamped down his desire, determined to take time with her. She was very small, and he wanted to give her as little pain as possible when he rid her of her virginity. He stroked her warm, satiny skin, brushing her nipples with his thumb. His tongue mimicked the movements of lovemaking while he kissed her. She held nothing back from him, and he nearly lost his control when she began to sensually suck on his tongue. Her kisses could bring a man to his knees, begging to be inside her. He pulled back to cup her face in his hands.

  “Tell me, sweeting … where do you want my kisses?” he whispered intimately.

  “Roderic, please …”

  Her voice was thick and unsteady.

  “Tell me,” he insisted.

  Her hand was shaking when she reached up to touch her breast. His smile was tender, approving of her acquiescence. He bent down to lavish her breast with soft kisses, and when he sucked her nipples her hips moved restlessly. He stroked them, and brought his mouth to her other breast, while pushing the gown away, and she put her hands in his hair to hold him.

  She was shy of him in spite of her desire. His lovely wife trembled when he gazed at her hips and long, pretty legs. He bent to kiss her silky belly, and her hands gripped his shoulders when his tongue laved her navel. His fingers went to the heart of her desire, the soft red curls that veiled his goal, and she made soft, whimpering sounds of passion while he stroked her, slipping his finger inside.

  “How moist you are, my angel. So wet, hot, and tight. Yes … let me feel you move.”

  She obliged, undulating her hips with the motion of his hand. His warm mouth touched the pulsing hollow at the base of her throat, then her ear, while she opened her mouth on his chest, licking, tasting him. Stroking his belly, she closed her hand gently around his erection. Closing his eyes, he groaned as she caressed him, tracing the length, circling the tip. Her touch was sweet torture that lit a fire to his loins and threatened to consume him.

  “No. Sweet.”

  He delicately pushed her hand away. “I shall spill my seed too soon if you persist. Forgive me, but I can wait no longer to be inside you.”

  He parted her thighs with his knee, then prepared her for his entry with his fingers. She embraced him, and he watched her face as she tossed her head on the bed.

  “Roderic … please.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you. Do you think you are ready for me now?”

  She whimpered when he kissed her. “Yes, please, Roderic, don’t tease me anymore.”

  Positioning himself, he carefully moved her legs over his hips. Cat wound her arms around his back as he plunged inside her, and she cried out. The expression of pain in her pretty eyes wrenched his soul, and he lay very still, when all he wanted was to plunge into her sweet, hot sheath again and again.

  Though her eyes welled with tears, she refused to let them fall, making a valiant effort to hide her pain from him. Roderic studied her reaction, his brown eyes troubled when she caressed his arms and shoulders.

  “It’s all right,” she whispered hoarsely. “It doesn’t hurt … that much.”

  He kissed her tenderly again and again and then gently nipped her earlobe. “What a wonderful liar you are, sweet,” he whispered.

  She reached out to take his face in her hands. She moved, and he groaned as she squirmed against him, the fiery sheath of her body sending a thrill through his.

  “Please, little one. Be still now. I don’t want to hurt you more. Be still.”

  His hand slipped down from her hip to caress her thigh, cupping her knee to bring it high on his hip.
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  Reaching down to grip her hips in his strong palms, he smiled. “Look at us. See how we are joined?” He kissed her deeply, then gently nipped her shoulder.

  “Say my name. I want you to know who’s loving you. Tell me who you belong to.” It was a gruff command.

  “Roderic. I belong to you, my gentle knight.”

  Welcoming him with her entire body, she reached out to hold him, hands moving over his buttocks. Cat rubbed her feet on the back of his legs. “Come to me … yes, now. Come to me now,” she said.

  The plea sent him over the edge, moving to the age old rhythm of love. Roderic reached down to hold her firm backside as he thrust inside her again and again. A glowing image of fire, passion, and light exploded in his body. He said her name in a lusty groan. Although consumed by his orgasm, his hand moved between their bodies as he touched the soft red curls, stroking while he continued to move.

  Cat was frantic for release. How did he know just how to touch her to drive her wild? She felt poised outside a magnificent realm of pleasure, so close; then suddenly, she felt it, pure and intense.

  Roderic held her tight as he felt the wonderful spasms, her inner clenching that signaled the peak of her pleasure, watching her intently as she threw her head back and cried out. Her nails scored the heavy muscles in his upper arms. Beautiful, weak from her pleasure and breathing heavily, she slowly relaxed in his arms.

  Cat reached up and touched his lips with her fingertips, her other hand stroking his chest, resting above his heart. Roderic was moved by the look in her eyes when she opened them, full of trust and caring. Catching her hand, he kissed the palm.

  She fell asleep while he cuddled her to him. He moved from her body very slowly, but still he noticed her wince. It was then he saw the stain of blood on her thighs. Rising, he went to find a cloth and soaked it with water.

  She slept like the dead, for she made no protest when he made her more comfortable by washing her. Keeping the blanket over his hands, he worked deftly in case she awakened. His wife was extremely modest. She turned over in her sleep, lying on her belly.