Song Of The Nightingale (DeWinter's Song 1)

by Constance O'Banyon

He held her tightly to him. “On my mother’s grave, Kassidy, I swear to you that I am the first man to enter you.”

  When he returned to her quivering lips, he kissed her with heightening urgency.

  Kassidy thought nothing could rival this deepening feeling of pleasure and pain, but she was wrong. He drove deeper into her, and set a rhythmic motion that trapped her breath in her lungs.

  Slowly and with care, Raile possessed her body. And when he had reached the height of satisfaction, he held her in his arms until his body ceased quaking.

  For a long moment, Kassidy lay still, hardly daring to breathe. At last she understood what marriage was all about. It was being bound so tightly to another human being that only death could part you.

  She somehow knew that there was still a deeper fulfillment, for she was strangely unsatisfied. She tilted her head up and found Raile watching her. Shyly, she glanced up at the gold brocade canopy, unable to look into his eyes.

  He turned her face to him. She was so lovely, he could hardly speak. He ran his hand down her golden hair and stared into those amazing green eyes. “Never be shy with me, Kassidy. What happened between us was natural, and will happen many times again.”

  “Is this what love feels like?” she asked, wishing she dared lay her head on his shoulder and curl up against him and have him hold her forever.

  Raile stiffened. “What you are feeling is not love, Kassidy. But does that matter? What happened between us is deeper than love.” He smiled and twisted the knife in her heart. “Let us call it by its proper name—lust, desire, passion.”

  She tried not to show her hurt, but she spoke in confusion. “But can those things endure? Do they? Love is everlasting, isn’t it?”

  He lifted her chin and peered deeply into her eyes. “Desire will endure for a very long time if I planted my seed in you tonight and you give me the son I want.”

  She would not voice the hurt that surrounded her heart. Raile was reminding her that it was not love he wanted from her—merely a son. “You are right, of course. I hope the deed is done so I will no longer have to come to your bed.”

  He knew she spoke out of hurt, and was sorry that he could not say what she wanted to hear. “We won’t be certain for some time. I will expect you to come to my bed until we know you are with child.”

  She lashed back at him. “You do remember you promised me my freedom once I deliver a son?”

  Raile slid his arms around her and brought her rigid body against him. “I have not forgotten.” He lightly touched his lips to hers. “But it doesn’t seem to matter at the moment. You don’t expect to hold me to that, do you?”

  She could not answer, because his lips burned into hers, cutting off her reply.

  Against her will, Kassidy melted against him, unable to resist his practiced touch. She did not want to submit to him, but she knew she would. His kisses drained her of her strength, his touch made her tremble as he made her feel as if she were being wrapped in gossamer wings.

  This time Raile’s lovemaking reached a fevered pitch, and Kassidy clung to him breathlessly. Her body tingled and quaked, and finally erupted in a passionate burst of feelings.

  She lay breathlessly in his arms, wondering how this could be anything but love. Surely when a man and woman had shared such a binding experience, it tied them together for all time.

  “You have strange powers over me, Kassidy,” he murmured in her ear. “I will have to guard against you.”

  She looked into his eyes, wishing she could be separated from her feelings. In this one night, she had gone from the depths of despair, to the soaring wings of passion, and again back to despair.

  “We both made a bargain, and I shall keep mine, Raile. But the moment I give you a son, I will expect you to give me my freedom.”

  He arched a dark brow at her, and said with a teasing light in his eyes, “Hardly in my bed for two hours and already you tire of me.”

  She moved away and stood before him in all her naked glory. “You will find me willing to come to your bed until you have impregnated me. Then I shall never come again.”

  He stared at her, realizing how he had hurt her. But he had to be honest with her.

  He rolled to his feet and quickly pulled on his clothing. He paused in the doorway, wanting desperately to take her back to his bed and caress that soft skin, to bury himself deep within her and once more experience the feeling of really being alive. “This bedroom is yours. I’ll trouble you no more tonight.”

  Before she realized what she was doing she blurted out, “Are you going to that woman?” She wished she could call back the words.

  He looked at her with a scowl on his face. “I, madame, am going to the bedroom next door, so I can get some sleep. I suggest you do the same. You journey tomorrow to Ravenworth, and it is a long ride.”

  “I won’t leave without Arrian.”

  “I will keep my word. The child will follow with the servants.”

  “I’ll want to say good-bye to Aunt Mary and Uncle George before I leave.”

  “I shall arrange it.”

  Without another word, he swept out of the room, leaving Kassidy feeling strangely lonely.

  What would her life be like at Ravenworth Castle, where she would answer to the whims of this man? She smiled sadly. At least she would have Arrian with her, someone who belonged to her.

  She was in a pensive mood. Raile had awakened emotions that frightened and, at the same time, fascinated her. She had experienced sensations she had not known she was capable of feeling. Her heart was heavy because she wanted something from Raile he would never give her. One day he would open his hand and expect her, like the nightingale he had tamed, to fly away.

  26

  Kassidy awoke when the maid drew the curtains, letting in the sunlight.

  “I’m sorry, your grace.” The maid dipped into a curtsy. “I’m Polly, and his grace has asked that I have you packed and ready to leave for Ravenworth by noon.”

  Kassidy reluctantly moved off the bed, looking about the room, where the night before, she had succumbed to Raile’s seduction.

  “Where is his grace?”

  Polly pulled a trunk from behind a wide wardrobe. “He left early this morning after breakfast. He instructed me to tell you that all arrangements had been made for your journey so you will travel in comfort.”

  Kassidy was relieved she would not have to face Raile this morning. For all she knew, he might be with his mistress. Well, little she cared, she told herself.

  She watched Polly lay out her blue traveling gown. “His grace sent for your belongings this morning, your grace,” the maid answered Kassidy’s inquiring glance. “He also said I was to tell you your aunt and uncle would be here later with your niece.”

  Kassidy swallowed her angry words, knowing the maid was only the messenger. It seemed Raile had thought of everything, she mused bitterly to herself.

  The maid looked at Kassidy with uncertainty. “I dislike bringing this to your attention, your grace, but there is a person below of a doubtful nature. I would have sent her on her way without bothering your grace, but this person was most insistent that she knows you.”

  “What is her name?”

  “She told me that her name is Elspeth O’Neill, your grace.”

  Kassidy stared at the maid for a moment. “She was quite right, we do know each other. Bring her to me at once.”

  Polly still looked doubtful that the duchess could know such an undignified person.

  “You will have her come up at once,” Kassidy stated more firmly. “And bring breakfast for two. Hurry, girl.”

  The maid scampered out of the room, and Kassidy moved to the pitcher of water and poured it into a bowl. Stepping out of her nightgown, she quickly washed and had just pulled on her gown when there was a knock on the door.

  She called out for Polly to enter, but it was a shy Elspeth who poked her head around the corner.

  “I wasn’t sure you’d would want to see me, beings th
at you’re a duchess now,” Elspeth said, hesitantly. “But I promised I’d see to you when they let me out of that place, and I come to keep my word. I see that you be faring more than well, and I’ll just leave now.”

  Kassidy smiled brightly. “Of course you won’t leave, Elspeth. If it hadn’t been for you, I would have died in that prison. I’ll always be grateful to you.”

  The girl was aware of her shabby appearance and hovered near the door. “I don’t want you to feel beholden to me. I just did what was right, and no more.”

  Kassidy moved forward, taking Elspeth’s hand. “What do you know about being a ladies’ maid?”

  “Little or nothing,” she answered with honesty.

  “But you could learn, couldn’t you, Elspeth?”

  The Irish girl knew the most coveted position in a household was the one that served the lady of the house. All the other servants, even the butler and the housekeeper, looked up to the lady’s personal maid.

  Elspeth’s eyes gleamed with hope. “Yes, your grace, I’m sure I could learn.”

  “Do you have plans to return to your family?”

  “I don’t expect they’d welcome me. My mother’s dead, and the young ones are grown and married.”

  “Then you will come with me to Ravenworth Castle as my personal maid and as my friend.”

  Elspeth shook her head. “I’ll serve you loyally till the day I die, but I can’t be your friend. We come from different worlds, and what can’t be, just can’t be.”

  “We were friends in Newgate, Elspeth,” Kassidy reminded her.

  “You also befriended me.”

  “You believed me when no one else would. You cared for me as tenderly as a mother would have cared for her child. You will always be my friend, and I want everyone to know what you did for me.”

  Elspeth’s face paled. “No, your grace, you must never tell anyone that. It can’t do you no good if people find out you were in that place. Let me serve you. I’ll even try to improve my rough manners to be worthy of you. But I’ll not expect or want special privileges.”

  Kassidy realized Elspeth would feel uncomfortable in the role of her friend, and she would never want to do anything to make her feel awkward. “Then be my faithful maid, and always speak the truth to me.”

  Elspeth nodded happily. “I’ll do that, your grace. No one will be more true to you than me.”

  At that moment, there was a light tap on the door and Elspeth moved to open it. When she saw the haughty maid who had so reluctantly shown her upstairs, she blocked her path. Seeing the maid was carrying a tray of food, Elspeth whisked it from her hands and looked down her nose at the girl.

  “What is your name?” Elspeth inquired.

  The maid looked as if she might not answer, but something in the Irish girl’s eyes changed her mind. “I’m Polly.”

  “Well, Polly, from now on, her grace will be served only by me.”

  The maid looked taken aback and then questioningly at the duchess.

  “Make it known to the other servants that Elspeth O’Neill is my personal maid,” Kassidy said in a voice of authority.

  Polly nodded. “Yes, your grace—I’ll do that, your grace.”

  Kassidy smiled to herself, delighted that she was able to repay a debt, and at the same time, have a familiar face with her at Ravenworth Castle.

  Raile stepped out of his coach, motioned for Oliver to remain inside, and climbed the steps of Gabrielle Candeur’s house. He started to knock, but thought better of it, and inserted his key in the lock.

  From the entryway, he could hear voices coming from the sitting room, so he moved in that direction.

  Raile stood in the doorway, his gaze moving over the occupants of the room. Gabrielle was seated with her back to him, talking to Hugh. Apparently neither of them was aware of his presence.

  “Dearest Hugh,” Gabrielle was saying, “I would love to have you as my protector, but you see, you have no money, so therefore, it is impossible. Besides, it is said that Raile has not slept with his new bride, so therefore, he will surely come back to me.”

  “There are other things than money, Gabrielle,” Hugh assured her. “I would be more attentive to you than Raile is, and I would never leave you alone for such a long time.”

  “My brother is correct,” Raile said, startling them both. “There are more important things than money, such as the heart of a faithful woman, and the loyalty of a brother.”

  Gabrielle came to her feet and raced across the room to throw her arms around Raile. “Dearest, Raile. I knew you would come!”

  He pushed her hands away and stood stiffly before her. There was no welcome in his eyes, only splintering coldness.

  “I came, Gabrielle, only to inform you that 1 will no longer consider myself your protector. You are free to seek out whomever you choose, be it a gentleman with money, or my brother, who has little to offer.”

  Gabrielle’s face fell. “Surely you cannot mean that.” She reached out beseechingly to him, and placed her hand on his arm. “I want only to please you. If you are angry because Hugh is here, he came only as a friend.”

  “I care not who you entertain, Gabrielle. I just want you to know that I will continue to pay your expenses until you make other arrangements. However, I have taken steps to close your account with Madame Estelle’s.”

  Her face paled. “You heard what happened. I suppose your wife told you.”

  Raile’s eyes were cold. “Did you really think I would allow you to insult my wife in public?”

  Tears brightened Gabrielle’s eyes. “I love you, Raile, and was so desperately jealous.” She grasped at his coat front. “Can you understand that? Your wife was so young and so sure of herself. 1 only wanted to ...”

  She fell silent when she saw his eyes harden. With a feeling of distaste, he pried her hands loose and turned to Hugh. “I make you a present of her, but you should understand she is an expensive toy.”

  Raile moved to the door while Gabrielle clung to the back of the chair, wanting to run after him and beseech him to forgive her and take her back. But pride stopped her. She knew Raile well enough to realize he would only despise her if she tried to hold him.

  She fought back tears until he was out the door. She did not care that Hugh hurried after Raile, but collapsed into a heap on the floor, feeling as if her heart would break.

  Hugh caught up with Raile before he climbed into the coach. “Well, brother, as usual, you leave broken hearts wherever you go.”

  Raile frowned. “I believe that is more your method than mine, Hugh.”

  Hugh grinned boyishly. “I was most taken aback when you married the Maragon girl. Did you feel obligated to once more save the family honor?” Hugh’s eyes darkened. “God, you must think me a burden to carry.”

  “A burden I am no longer willing to carry.” Raile curbed his impatience. “1 have no wish to stand in the street and talk of family honor. Do you want a ride in my coach, or do you wish to return to your ladybird?”

  With a shrug, Hugh swung into the coach, while Oliver quickly climbed on the top to ride beside the coachman.

  “Poor Gabrielle,” Hugh said. “She would have been better off if she had loved me rather than you. Your trouble is that you have no heart, Raile.”

  Raile moved into the coach and sat opposite his half brother. “You are hardly the one to talk to me about how to treat women, my brother. As I recall, the women who are foolish enough to love you either have their husbands fight a duel with you, or they end up dead from bearing your bastard child,” Raile said dryly.

  “I don’t like to think about Abigail,” Hugh said sulkily. “I believe I came as close to loving her as I am capable of. Pity she died.”

  “Have you given any thought of your daughter?”

  “I can tell you in all honesty, 1 have not.”

  “Hugh, you are like a young boy playing at life. And when you grow weary of one game, you move on to another without any thought of the lives you have destroy
ed along the way.”

  “What about poor Gabrielle? You left her with a broken heart. She was devastated, Raile.”

  “Gabrielle entered our relationship knowing what to expect from me. It was she who stepped over those bounds. I have little doubt she will have someone to take my place before sunset—but it will not be you, Hugh. Make no mistake about this, my brother, Gabrielle is very shrewd. She will have only the men who can afford to buy her pretty baubles. What I give you to live on would hardly keep her in stockings.”

  Hugh did not like to be reminded that he lived on Raile’s charity. “I have heard strange stories about your new wife, Raile. It is said that you have not bedded her at all. How unlike you to overlook your husbandly duties.”

  Raile gave Hugh a warning glance. “Tell me where you want to go, and I’ll have my driver take you there after he’s delivered me to the club.”

  “Ah, so I touched a tender spot. Tell me, did you marry for love, or because you felt honor bound? What’s Abigail’s younger sister like? Abigail was a beauty, but she always insisted her sister was the real beauty of the family.”

  “I will not discuss my wife with you, but I’m willing to talk of your daughter,” Raile said in a cold voice. “I doubt that you will be interested, but Kassidy is taking care of her. I have settled a substantial sum on the child, so her future is assured.”

  Hugh leaned back, his eyes filled with interest. “How much did you settle on my daughter?”

  “That need not be your concern.”

  Hugh leaned forward. “I’m not as bad as you think I am—at least where Abigail was concerned. I never told you because my mother didn’t want me to. But you see, I married Abigail. All the while you were insisting I marry her, she was already my wife.”

  Rage coiled like a snake in Raile’s chest. “You dare say this to me now? We both know you cared nothing for the mother and you care even less for the child. You can never make me believe you married Abigail Maragon.”

  “It’s true. I admit it was in a moment of madness. You see, she would not give herself to me unless it was legal. At that time, I burned for her.” Hugh shrugged. “I can easily prove we were married. It’s a public record.”