Windsong

by Allison Knight

  As if he read her mind, or understood her movement, his hand slipped down to caress the flesh she wanted touched so badly. His fingers plucked at one of her nipples and she gasped. She had forgotten it was so sensitive. Before she could mumble a plea, he was treating the other breast to the same attention.

  His lips left hers and moved down her neck, her shoulders. She pushed herself toward him, hoping he would understand what she wanted now. He did. She almost shouted with pleasure as his warm mouth caressed a breast. He swirled his tongue around the nipple until she wondered if she would faint from the sensations.

  The more he touched her the greater the ache between her legs. It was growing intense, building with feelings she could not describe if she had been capable of mouthing a single word. She spread her legs apart ever so slightly, hoping to entice his attention to the place that throbbed.

  “Nay,” he whispered. “This night we will go slow.”

  “Nay,” she nearly shouted. “I do not want slow. I ache.” She could feel her face warming. How had she ever gained enough courage to say something like that?

  He grinned. “Aye, slow this night.”

  She wanted to scream. Didn’t he know how badly she hurt, what she wanted so desperately? Oh, he knew, but by the look on his face she sensed he intended to make her wait. That she could not do.

  “Please,” she murmured. “Please now.”

  He sighed. “Aye, it is time. And on another day I will do the other things I want.” He eased himself over her and she tensed.

  He hesitated. “Do not fear. There will be no pain this time. And I will go slow.”

  Milisent felt him at her entrance and bucked against him. Instinct told her he would bring her the pulsing pleasure she remembered and release the growing ache his ministrations had caused. He took the lead and gradually eased into her, filling her. There was no pain and she relaxed not even realizing she had tensed.

  Then he moved.

  Oh such wonderful sensations. Further thought was not possible. She centered her whole being on the growing heat and need surrounding her.

  Then she exploded.

  There could be no other word for the rippling pleasure that cascaded over her. Somehow she had moved above herself, no longer one with this part of the world, the room, the bed.

  She opened her eyes, not even realizing she had closed them—to look into Alwyn’s face. At that instant, his expression appeared taut, as if he was struck by intense pain. Then he gave a final thrust and a shout. Had what they had done hurt him in the doing? Could she ask? She had to.

  “Did it hurt? I did not mean to cause pain.”

  He looked at her with surprise. “Pain? My lady, what I just experienced was anything but pain.” He grinned at her. “It was astonishing. Pure pleasure. Now we must rest.”

  She smiled back. “When can we do this again?”

  He chuckled. “I fear another time tonight t’would cause one of us pain and it would not be me. The storm is leaving; there will be much to clean up tomorrow. The wind blew things awry. We need our sleep now in preparation for the work that must be done on the morrow.”

  She snuggled and let him spread the cover over both of them. Closing her eyes, she drifted into sleep.

  For Alwyn sleep did not come so easily. What had he done? Again! This was the sister of the man upon whom he planned revenge. Now he had taken her to his bed twice. He had no excuse for his actions, not for the first time, nor for this time. Guilt curled through him. He had vowed to take the woman he thought Chelse treasured from him and give her to another. Surely a sister was not meant to be taken by a stranger and gifted to another stranger. He was not a cruel man, not like Chelse. He intended no pain for Milisent, and yet, by his very actions, he would bring her brother’s wrath upon her.

  He slipped from the bed and sank into the chair before the ashes of their fire. Tonight was not a night for sleep. Somehow he had to figure a way out of his dilemma.

  The next morning he started down the steps a frown gracing his forehead. He had no answer to any of the questions that kept him from sleep. Before he reached the hall, one of his soldiers rushed toward the stairs.

  “What say you? What has occurred to bring you racing for my chamber?” Had the storm done more damage than he thought?

  “M’Lord,” he paused to catch his breath, “there are visitors asking questions in the village. They arrived a short time ago and seek a place to sleep and food for the night.”

  Alwyn frowned. “They did not come here?”

  “The leader was heard to say he would not deal with the likes of a knight of such lowly status. Owain was there and after what the lord said, he told this Baron there was a fallow field where they could set up their tents.” He grinned at Alwyn and stepped aside so he could pass. “This Baron made Owain very angry. After he told the Baron about the field, no one would offer accommodation. The lord and his men left to raise their tents in the fields outside of the village.” He grinned. “The muddy fields for it rained much the night before.”

  “He is asking questions?”

  The man nodded his head. “He is seeking a woman he says has been stolen from him.”

  “Did he say what he is called?”

  Again the man nodded. “Aye, he did. He informed any who would

  listen that he was Baron de Bain, friend of Baron Chelse and of the king.”

  “De Bain?”

  Ella’s words of a week ago rang in his head. “He is a monster, spawn of the devil.”

  “Where is this Baron now?”

  “He said he would return anon, for he wanted answers about the women in this house.” The soldier looked concerned.

  Behind him he heard a cry. Milisent stood at the top of stairs, her face the color of whitewash. “Nay,” she screamed.

  As he watched she seemed to shrink into herself.

  He thanked the soldier and hurried to her side. “Fear not. I will see you safe.”

  He wanted to gather her into his arms, to reassure her as more of Ella’s words came to him. This man named de Bain, according to Ella, would kill Milisent if they wed. That could not be allowed to happen. He had planned to find her a good man, a man who would offer protection and respect. But de Bain did not sound like a man who would offer protection or respect. Besides, that was no longer a consideration.

  “Go back to my chamber. I have plans to make. This Baron de Bain will not learn you are here, and soon you will not be.”

  “You will take me home?” Her voice sounded almost relieved.

  “Nay, but I will take you to a place where you will be protected. We will leave as soon as I know it is safe to do so. For today, stay in above stairs.” He did not wait for an argument.

  He had to make certain de Bain was sent to search far from here. A workable scheme took shape as he strode toward the hall. He sent for Owain. If de Bain were returning to question the villagers he would have to be sent away toward the north and east.

  “Aye, my Lord.” Owain bounded into the hall. “I see Roger found you and told you of our visitors.”

  “We must talk. I want to know what was said and to whom the Baron talked.”

  “When he stormed into the tavern he demanded food and lodging. Durand was not pleased. He informed the Baron his tavern served food and drink but not lodging and de Bain should seek his rest with you.”

  “Roger said you told him to raise his tents in one of the fallow fields.”

  “Aye, but only after he remarked he had no desire to stay the night with a ‘lowly knight’.” Owain chuckled then added, “I did not take well to you being called a lowly knight.”

  “I thank you for that. Tell me who answered his questions.”

  “None. You know there is no one in the village who will say a word to him after such a remark. If truth be told, Durand did not take kindly to this man’s demands either, and there is not a villager who would suffer Durand’s

  displeasure.”

  “He seeks Milisent
. According to Ella, who knows of him, he is an unpleasant man.”

  Owain grimaced. “He has the look of cruelty to him, that is certain. Worry not, no one will say a word.”

  “I intend to send him in another direction. But I will need your aid and two or three other men, Roger for one and Denis I think.”

  “I’ll send for them.” Owain hurried away.

  After the nooning, with plans made, five of them started for the village. Once they reached the tavern, Owain and the two soldiers took a seat together at one of the tables near the front while Owain explained to Durand Alwyn’s plan. Alwyn settled himself in shadows near a rear door, his cloak hiding most of his features. He wanted to hear what was said and by whom.

  After an hour had passed de Bain arrived with several men. Alwyn grimaced with disgust. Owain had the right of it. The man bore a look of cruelty and even from Alwyn’s position near the door he sensed his men’s discomfort. It was obvious from their expressions Baron de Bain gave no thought for the need to bathe himself or have his clothing cleaned.

  De Bain approached a long table where two villagers sat discussing last night’s windstorm and the destruction of a tenant’s house.

  “I’m Baron de Bain and at the request of Edward, your king, I’m looking for a group of men traveling with a woman. They kidnapped my betrothed. The king intends to offer a reward.”

  Alwyn flinched at the mentioned of Edward, but doubted the king sent this man on such a mission, nor intended to offer a reward. Besides, their liege lord was in Europe at the moment. Not enough time had passed for the king to have received information about the kidnapping then offer a reward for the woman’s return.

  If such an offer of a reward had been made, Garrett would have known and his sister would have been at Throsle to condemn him for his actions. Arthur would also have known de Bain was traveling through a forest under the king’s direction. Knowing his younger brother as he did, the boy would have made certain Rhianna knew.

  “No group traveled through here,” one of the men said without standing, bowing or even recognizing the man’s title or his reference to the king. Alwyn smiled at that.

  “Nobody travels with the weather which visited here these last weeks,” the other man added.

  De Bain’s expression told of his anger as he approached Owain’s table.

  “You there, stand in the presence of nobility.”

  Owain pushed himself away from the table and got to his feet with a great show of indignation.

  “I look for a group of men traveling with a lady. They would have

  come through here a week or two ago. I demand to know if you have seen them.”

  Owain looked at him and for a moment Alwyn thought he was going to spit on the floor next to de Bain. Owain still had an inherent hate for English nobles. “Told you last night, no strangers here— ‘Cept you.”

  Roger dropped his mug of ale on the table. “What about the group that came about a fortnight ago? They had two women with them.”

  “I forgot about them. And that was more than a fortnight ago.” Owain resumed his seat. “Aye, and they did not come into the village. All we know is what you told us.” He nodded toward Denis.

  “I told you what I saw, nothing more,” Denis muttered.

  “What did you see, man?” The Baron yanked Denis to his feet.

  Denis jerked away from him. “What is there for me if I say? It ought to be worth a coin or two.” He nodded to the other two men at the table. Owain and Roger nodded at those words.

  De Bain turned to one of his own men. “Give the man a touch of your sword.”

  Denis backed away. “Nay. I will say. However, I do not remember much. I saw a group in the field to the east of the village.”

  Owain was on his feet. “We wanted no trouble from them. Denis said he talked to the men. He also said he could not understand much of what they said.”

  “Welsh?” de Bain asked.

  Roger entered the conversation. “Nay, Scotsmen I’d say.”

  “But, that makes little sense. The Scots live a great distance from this place. It is too far for them to raid here.” De Bain looked puzzled.

  “Aye, but they were headed north. They only stayed the night. The next day, their tracks led north and a bit to the east. We would have followed, but they did no harm so we forgot about them.” Denis stepped back to the table.

  De Bain looked at Owain. “A fortnight ago?”

  “That and a bit more.”

  De Bain spun around and ordered his men from the tavern. As they sped away, Owain nodded to the man who stood in the back of the tavern next to Alwyn. “Follow them. But, make certain they do not see you. Report back to me on the morrow.”

  “Aye.” He slipped from the common room. Everyone else waited another hour before they took their leave.

  Alwyn paced the hall of Throsle. Even though his men had done a great job of acting, he was still tense. He did smile, thinking of Denis’s request for a coin or two. That was well said, but not in the plan. If de Bain had raised a sword, it would have been a different matter.

  Aye, the encounter with de Bain had gone better than he hoped but only the passage of a day would say if the man had taken the bait. If he left the area, Alwyn would make preparations to travel to Knockin and his sister. Milisent would be safe there, for Garrett was a Baron himself and much admired by Edward, mayhap even more than Chelse.

  TEN

  Late the next day, hours after the nooning, the soldier assigned to follow de Bain returned. “De Bain and his men abandoned the camp they established and were on the move before the sun set,” the soldier said then added, “I stayed in the shadows, but ‘twould not have mattered. They were in a big hurry to leave this place. I followed them north when they left.” He grinned before he continued. “The Baron made his men march in the dark until they were tripping over their own feet. After their brief rest they started out again at dawn. By mid morning, the Baron and his soldiers were quite a distance from Throsle and moving northeast.” He pointed in that direction.

  He nodded toward Rhys. “I thank you for the stallion. Their tracks were very easy to follow and I am certain they had no idea I was close behind.”

  Although it was what he wanted to hear, Alwyn still paced before the fireplace in the hall. He had summoned Owain who trotted along at his side. “You are certain Sybil had no chance to talk to de Bain before he started north?” Alwyn stopped his forward motion long enough to ask.

  “Aye, I am certain. T’was as Evan said. She is so sick she has not left her bed for the last five days. The midwife told Evan it is like this with some.” Owain grinned as if the news delighted him.

  “I wish her no ill health,” Alwyn said.

  “Aye, I know that. But if you could see Evan, you would find yourself smiling too. This is his first child and he is proud of himself. You should be pleased. It appears to be a good match. The midwife said Sybil is at least happy with her condition.”

  “Evan is certain it is his?”

  “Aye, that he is.” Owain turned to go.

  “Nay, do not leave.” With a hand he stayed Owain. “We have plans to make for I am taking Milisent and Ella to Rhianna. The women will be safer there.”

  “Why not return them to Fenton? Then you might be able to avoid Edward’s wrath.” A frown creased Owain’s forehead. “Alwyn, you must think on this. Chelse is one of Edward’s men. You have only recently pledged allegiance to him. Do not expect his trust. Return Milisent and Ella to Chelse’s care.”

  “I can not.” Alwyn stalked off toward the stairs. He could not put his feelings into words for he himself did not understand his own reluctance but he had no intention of sending her back to her brother. If what Ella said was truth, then Milisent’s own brother would give her to a cruel man who would like as not cause her harm. Nay, he would not send her back.

  Two days passed as preparations were made for the trip to his sister’s new home, Knockin. He sent a messenger ahead t
o give Rhianna notice. The trip should only take one day, but traveling with the women, he planned for a day and a half.

  Since de Bain was far enough away he had no fear the trip would incur a danger to the women and Chelse must still be in London for there had been no response to his ransom demand. He felt he had nothing to fear from that quarter. His only concern was what his sister would say when they arrived. She had never been one to withhold her opinions.

  They left Throsle two days later. The trip was as free of trouble as Alwyn hoped. The weather had improved and the journey passed pleasantly with Ella beside Rhys and Milisent at his side.

  At first she said little but now, on their second day of travel, her curiosity must have been aroused. Suddenly she commented on the weather, then asked about the distance they had gone, and how much longer they would be traveling.

  “I would know where you are taking me,” she finally said when they slowed their horses to a walk.

  “I want to make certain de Bain can not try to claim you. You will be safe when we arrive.”

  “But de Bain can not have me. There was never any agreement I would wed him. I am not betrothed to any man.” She glared at him. “And you have not said where we go. Please, you must take me back to my brother.”

  “I can not.” Alwyn shook his head and urged his stallion into a trot.

  “Wait! You have not answered my questions.”

  He halted and grinned at her. “Soon you will see. We will arrive shortly.”

  ~ * ~

  Within the hour they topped a hill. Alwyn called a halt. A long twisting road led to an expanse of the gray walls of a town situated on another hill. Above the walls a crenellated tower reached for the sky. The walls surrounded a castle and from the looks of the tower, this structure was larger than Fenton.

  They followed the twisting road toward the gatehouse of the town. Milisent took a deep breath and yanked her horse to a stop. “Where are we? You must tell me.”

  Alwyn drew his horse beside her. “‘Tis the home of my sister and her husband. It is called Knockin; they expect us.”

  Milisent held the reins in one hand and smoothed her veil and gown with the other. His sister? Nay, this was the home of a wealthy noble and she had experience of that kind of man. He leered at any woman he wanted. Denying him meant a pursuit that often ended in violence with pain and disgrace for the woman. Had not several of the servants at Fenton suffered such a violation?