* * * *
Just before dawn broke over the horizon, Terric carefully slipped from the bed. Jacqueline still slept. He gathered his clothes and then put them on.
Jacqueline rolled over and opened her eyes. She lifted her head and looked at him. “Did you plan to leave without saying goodbye?”
He went and sat on the edge of the bed next to her. “I told you this would not stop me from leaving.”
“So that was it then?”
Terric reached out and gently brushed her sleep-tousled hair away from her face. “Hardly. What we shared this night, Jacqueline, has changed everything. I will not give you up so easily.”
With a confused expression, Jacqueline sat up as she held the sheet against her chest. “Then why go?”
“Because if I do not, you will not be leaving this bed for quite some time.”
She must have known what he meant, because she blushed. “Oh.”
“Aye, oh. I do not think your mother would understand, either.”
“Nay, I think you are right.”
“You know I must leave, but it will not be forever. I will be by your side when you face your father at the grand tournament. After that, if you will still have me, I will speak to your mother.”
Jacqueline only stared at Terric. She probably was not expecting him to say he would speak to her mother. After what they had shared, he did not want any man touching her but him.
She remained silent, and a wave of uneasiness washed over Terric. Would she reject him now? “Say something. I cannot offer you much, Jacqueline, but I will make you happy. You have my vow.”
She quickly threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “You have surprised me is all. I accept your offer, Terric. I know what you are, and I do not care whether you have lands or not. I accept you for yourself, nothing more.”
Moved by her words, he pulled Jacqueline closer and kissed her thoroughly. Heedless of her nakedness, she pressed against him, returning his kiss. Although wanting nothing more than to press her back down onto the mattress and make love to her one last time, Terric resisted. He released her and quickly stood, putting much needed distance between them. It was impossible for him to think straight with her so near.
“I must return to my chamber before your mother awakens. I do not want you to suffer for my weakness.”
Jacqueline pressed her hand to her lips, kissed her open palm, and then blew it in Terric’s direction. “Then until the morn, my knight.”
Terric returned her token in kind before he quietly stepped through the chamber door, which Beth must have unlocked sometime during the night.
Chapter Nine
Watching Terric ride away was not an easy thing for Jacqueline to accept, but she had to agree with his motive for leaving Carisbrooke. It would have been close to impossible for the two of them to act as if nothing had happened between them. It was just too risky for him to stay.
No sooner had he and Edwin disappeared from sight then Beth grabbed Jacqueline by her arm and towed her up to her chamber. After shutting the door behind them, Beth smiled at her.
“Well, tell me. What did you and Terric talk about last night? Or should I say do?”
Jacqueline felt herself blush to the very roots of her hair, and said, “I think you know very well what happened.”
Beth laughed merrily. “Aye, I do, but I want to hear you say how it was. I can see you are no longer angry with Terric for leaving. So it could not have been all bad.”
“Nay, it was not. It was wonderful.”
“I hope you have not let him get away too easily then.”
“Nay. He will meet me at the grand tournament. Once that is over, he wants to talk to Mother.”
Beth embraced Jacqueline. “I knew Terric was the one for you. He just needed a little convincing.”
“A little trickery on your part.”
“Aye, and that too,” Beth said laughingly. “I hope you did not mind me locking your chamber door. I figured Terric would have beaten a hasty retreat if he could have managed it.”
Jacqueline shook her head. “Nay, I applaud you for your forethought in doing it.” Growing serious, she asked, “How do you manage, Beth?”
“How do I manage what?”
“The loss of William. Until now, I really did not know what it must be like for you. I have only been able to think of how not having William here affected me.”
The cheerfulness that had showed on Beth’s face a moment before was now replaced with sorrow. “Sometimes I feel as if I cannot live another day without him. It is getting easier, not by much, but I can bear it now.”
“I am so sorry that I have not helped you more. I love you as a sister. It has not been well done of me.”
Beth wiped away a tear and gave her a small smile. “As I love you, Jacqueline, but you have helped me. You and your plan to face the earl have given me something to center my attention upon. I look forward to the day you give him the comeuppance he so richly deserves. It will give me the greatest pleasure.”
“It is near at hand, Beth. I will do it for all of us. Most especially for William.”
* * * *
After two days of rain, Lady Elizabeth decided to enjoy the now bright sunny day. She donned her cloak and stepped outside. She took a deep breath of fresh air. It was nice to be able to leave the hall without getting wet. There was another reason for her stroll. One she had been putting off for some time.
The pounding of hooves along with the sound of a breaking lance reached her ears before the training ground came into view. Lady Elizabeth stopped a short distance from the activity taking place there and watched her daughter.
Instead of going against a quintain, Jacqueline took runs at a shield, which had been mounted onto a thick wooden post. Even though she did not ride against a live target, she wore full armor.
Jacqueline took another pass, and Lady Elizabeth did not find it hard to believe it was her son she observed. Her daughter rode with all the confidence of any true knight. There was no hesitation or faltering in Jacqueline as her lance struck the shield. Lady Elizabeth felt a grudging pride in her daughter’s ability. She had not expected to find her quite so skilled with a lance.
Sir Guy had kept her informed of Jacqueline’s progress over the months, but she had presumed the praise he lavished upon her daughter was slightly biased. He loved Jacqueline as if she were truly his child, as he had William. Obviously, his words had been spoken in truth.
As Jacqueline prepared to make another run, Lady Elizabeth smiled. Her daughter trained as if the grand tournament were only days away instead of the weeks that separated them from it. Terric’s leaving had precipitated these intense training sessions. Jacqueline had to be trying to distract herself, to make the separation from him more bearable.
It was after that last run that Jacqueline spotted her standing on the edge of the training ground, watching. Lady Elizabeth waved as Jacqueline rode her horse toward her. “I see you are trying to make up for the two days you lost to the rain.”
Jacqueline unlaced her helm, then pulled it from her head. She tucked it under her right arm and smiled. “You are the last person I expected to find here. I assumed you were keeping your distance from all this.”
“So I decided to see how you are doing with my own eyes. What of it? I am your mother. It is my job to look out for you.”
“And? What is your verdict?”
“Though I am reluctant to say it, I am impressed with your skill.” She was more than just mildly impressed, but she was not ready to give that much praise to Jacqueline.
Bowing in the saddle, Jacqueline saluted. “I will take that as an encouraging thought.”
Lady Elizabeth snorted. “I still do not approve. So do not get full of yourself.”
Jacqueline smiled. “Whatever you say, Mother.”
“There is one thing I wish to say before I return to the hall.”
“That would be?”
“Relax a bit. Do not try so
hard. It will not make the days go any faster. Just two short months, then you will be with him again.”
It was obvious Jacqueline tried to act as if she did not know what she had meant, as she asked offhandedly, “Whom do you mean, Mother?”
Lady Elizabeth backed away as she smiled. “Terric, of course.”
* * * *
The two remaining months before the grand tournament Jacqueline spent training, improving her skill. She would be more than able to go against the earl now. It helped to keep her mind off Terric too.
She missed him and looked forward to when they would be reunited in London. Even with her days occupied with training, her nights were filled with dreams of him. Now that he had fully awakened her body to passion, she craved his touch. She awoke wet and aching for him.
Once all the long months of training were complete, the true test would come. The day of the grand tournament quickly approached. The time had come for Jacqueline, her mother, and Beth to travel to London. Jacqueline could not wait.
* * * *
With the long, tiring days of travel behind her, Jacqueline was happy to finally see the city gates looming before her. She had only been to London once before when she had been a small child. Her mother had decided she and William had needed to experience the large city.
Once they had worked their way through the crowded streets and had reached their destination, Jacqueline, playing the part of William, directed the men-at-arms to set up her pavilion. The place set aside for the contestants was almost filled to capacity. It very much seemed as if a small city had been erected within the larger one of London. The positions of the pavilions caused a maze of pathways running throughout.
Hoping to see Terric’s standard among the pavilions closest to where she was situated, Jacqueline scanned those nearby. Not surprisingly, she did not find it. Spotting his standard would be nigh impossible without knowing exactly where he was camped. There were just too many. Her mother called to her, and she gave up on her search. She stepped into the pavilion to find out what her mother wanted.
“Now, Jacqueline, I am going to your father. He requested I seek him out upon our arrival. You and Beth may stay here. I do not think it wise for the earl to see you up close.”
“I agree. I intend to avoid him as much as I possibly can. What excuse will you give should he ask why William does not accompany you?”
Her lady mother casually waved away her concerns. “He will not ask, at least not yet. Besides, I know how to handle the earl.”
“If you do not return before the feast, Beth and I will make our own way there.”
With a nod, her mother motioned for the two men-at-arms to follow her as she walked out of the pavilion. Jacqueline and Beth were now left on their own.
“Well, Jacqueline, how do you feel? Now, after all the months of training, the day you have strived for is finally upon you,” Beth said.
“I am ready, but I just want to have it over with. William has waited long enough for retribution.”
“Then tomorrow cannot come soon enough.”
* * * *
Her mother did not return before the feast that was to take place in the evening. So Jacqueline and Beth went on their own as planned. It was being held at a hall nearby.
Having waited for as long as they could, they found the hall filled with all the knights and those in their retinue when they arrived. It was with great difficulty that Jacqueline found two empty spaces at one of the many trestle tables. Once Beth was seated, Jacqueline took the opportunity to search the hall for Terric. Again it was futile.
She sat and accepted the food Beth passed her. She was being silly, but having not seen Terric since her arrival had made her concerned. Had he changed his mind over the intervening months? It was a possibility. She really had no hold over him and no betrothal to bind him to her.
An hour after their arrival, her mother and the earl entered the hall. At the sight of her father, all the anger and resentment she felt toward him rose inside her. He led her mother to the raised dais where the higher nobles were seated. Her disgust in seeing him increased.
At the age of two and sixty, the earl still had the bearing of a much younger man. His shoulders were not stooped by age. His light brown hair that he wore closely cropped to his head was well sprinkled with gray. Jacqueline could see what had drawn her mother to him in the beginning. Even at his age, he still retained his fair face, and he was charming. Even now, he wielded his charm like a weapon, impressing all the nobles with who he paused to speak.
Beth leaned in closer and whispered into Jacqueline’s ear. “I wonder if the earls realize how your father is manipulating them. They all seem so thrilled to be in his presence.”
Jacqueline snorted in disgust. “It is very doubtful they do. The earl is cunning. He could charm a priest out of his robes if it furthered him.”
Another hour passed, and Jacqueline felt a great need to leave the hall. If she did not, she would make a fool of herself in front of all present. The more she watched her father, the more she wanted to ram her fist into his face. His arrogance knew no limits. The way he treated her mother was inexcusable. He had reduced a strong-willed woman to a submissive possession. It was all too clear that the earl had only demanded his wife’s presence to further his position amongst the other earls. How he had gained such control over her mother was a mystery. Seeing her only speaking when he spoke to her made Jacqueline feel physically ill.
She turned to Beth, and said, “I cannot take anymore. Let us leave.”
Having surely watched Jacqueline scowl in the direction of the earl since his arrival, she agreed. “I do not think we will be missing much. The main entertainment here seems to be how much wine one can down.”
Jacqueline took a closer look at those seated around them. Beth was correct. How some of the knights would be in any condition to joust the following day was beyond her. As they walked to the hall doors, Jacqueline had the distinct feeling she was being watched. She turned her head to look over her shoulder and found the earl staring directly at her. He in no way acknowledged that he knew she stared back at him. He just sat there with no expression upon his face. She turned back around once more and hurriedly ushered Beth through the doors. She was relieved to be able to close them behind her, separating herself from her father’s unsettling regard.
All her tension she left her in a rush once inside her pavilion. She let loose a string of curses.
Beth, who had come in a step behind her, asked, “What is the matter?”
“Mother’s trunk is gone. I do not think she will be returning, after all.”
“I had a feeling she would not. The earl must have some need of her.”
Jacqueline grumbled, “First, I cannot find Terric, now this.”
Having poured them each a goblet of wine from the pitcher that sat on a small table in the center of the pavilion, Beth passed one to Jacqueline. “What is wrong? You do not think Terric would go against his word, do you?”
Jacqueline accepted the proffered goblet, then swallowed a large gulp from it. “Of course I do. It has been two months since I last saw him. Anything could have happened to make him change his mind. Including another woman.”
“Oh, Jacqueline, Terric would not do that to you.”
“How can you be so sure? I really have not known him all that long. He could have been lying, and I would not have been the wiser. He did not profess his undying love for me before he left.”
Beth sighed. “He will be here for you. Terric is not the type of man to make false promises.”
“You are quite right, Beth. I do not make false promises.”
At the sound of Terric’s voice, Jacqueline whirled around, causing some of the wine in her goblet to slosh over the rim and onto her hand. The first thought that came to her mind was, He is here. He is actually here.
Terric came to stand before her. He took the goblet from her and had a sip. He grabbed her hand and licked the wine from her skin. She ut
tered a small surprised gasp of pleasure.
Beth, whose presence had been forgotten, discreetly coughed. “I am pleased to see you again, Terric. Jacqueline was most worried.”
Blinking, as if coming out of a trance, Terric turned to look at Beth. “I heard you trying to reassure her. My thanks for having such confidence in me.”
“Do not think badly of Jacqueline. She has been under a lot of strain since our arrival.”
“Well, I am here now. So she has one less thing to worry about.” Terric released Jacqueline’s hand, then reached for Beth’s. After she placed it in his, he spoke once more. “If you agree, I would like some time alone with Jacqueline. Edwin is waiting just outside to escort you to my pavilion.”
“I will leave you both alone, but I suggest you do not take very long. Who knows who might come to call when you least expect it.” She looked pointedly at Jacqueline, who gave her a curt nod in understanding. Satisfied they had heeded her warning, Beth released Terric’s hand and then stepped outside to where Edwin awaited her.
Seeing Terric again made Jacqueline realize how much she had missed him. She welcomed his embrace when he pulled her into his arms. The meeting of their lips was like a catalyst, and an explosion of flames engulfed her.
Their joining would be quick. The two long months of being separated from Terric had forced her to realize how much he really meant to her. She loved him. It was that simple.
He picked Jacqueline up into his arms and carried her to the cot in the corner. He dragged the furs from it and placed them on the ground. He laid her on them, then fell atop her.
Having dreamed for so many nights of being like this with Terric, Jacqueline once more relished the feel of him pressed so close. His kisses were not gentle, but demanding, almost as if he wanted to devour her. To know she had such an effect upon him increased her desire. She pulled at his tunic, wanting to be closer.
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