He was not the only one to confess. She confided her own secret passion for him. She'd buried it so deeply in her heart that she'd convinced herself it was fear and hate. She admitted with sadness that Warin must have been aware all along and had formed his plan with her future happiness in sight.
They took every opportunity when they were alone to tell each other of their love. Her body had healed enough that Raik no longer touched her as if she were a cracked egg likely to lose its form if he held her close. He had proved it last eve. More than once.
The memory heated her body. He slept now, sprawled on his stomach, his face turned to her. No signs of strain lingered there.
'Twas a crime for a man to be so handsome. Her fingertips floated above his face, exploring it in the air. Such dark brows. Full, long eyelashes. Though his nose had swollen near as much as her face had, it now showed naught but a thin scar. But it was no longer as straight as before. He did not remember whether it came from a blow while battling Julian, or from contact with the moat's debris and grappling with the bars of her broken cage.
Just that one slight flaw in his perfect face made him even more enticing. Slight puffs of air escaped his lips, soft in sleep. Desire trailed fire down to her belly. Remembering his teasing lips on her nipples a short time ago, they tingled and hardened.
The sun's soft rays crept over the horizon. Keeping watch on his face, she eased up on her knees and took care not to disturb him. Gently, as if she unclothed Aubrey, she removed the blanket and bared his fine arse. She leaned close and studied the brown mark and the scar immediately below it. He'd laughingly told her of the arrow that had found his nether cheek. Ranald had stitched his wound while he and the men teased Raik that his birdie sat on a perch and gazed at the crack between his nether cheeks.
"Dinna dare laugh, wife," Raik's sleepy voice cautioned.
"Never, my love. I find it precious." Letia feathered a kiss over his marked flesh.
"Precious?" Raik heaved over and toppled her into his arms. "By Lucifer's crooked toes! 'Tis more insulting than laughter." He folded her in his arms and nibbled his way over her ears and neck as he made his way down to her breasts. She propped herself on her elbows, giving him space to reach her breasts.
"It is precious to me. If this next child is a girl, do you think she might have her own birdie?"
"Hmm," he murmured then his lips released her nipple with a soft plopping sound. "We will have to wait to see." With a wicked glint in his eyes, his hips surged up as he guided his rampant tarse to bury himself in her.
o0o
Later that morn, Letia eyed the sumptuous bedchamber with distaste. "I could never be restful in a room filled with so many treasures. Near every surface holds something easily broken. I cannot imagine a man being comfortable here."
"Mayhap Julian needed wealthy possessions close to make himself feel valued?" His eyes twinkled at her and he nudged his chin toward the bed. The mattress was bare, for in their love play, they had shoved the bedding and plump pillows over the sides. "Dinna tell me ye dislike the oversized bed. Not once did we fall to the floor."
"There is that." Letia giggled. "Though if we had, we'd not have felt a thing."
Excited barking drew Letia to the window to look below. Freki spotted her and his strident barks as much as demanded she should join him. Julian's death had freed the dog of hate eating at his soul, and he had thrived this past fortnight. His bright yellow eyes were clear. The sun's light on his black hair made it shine as blue-black as a raven's feathers. He stood tall, his back as flat as a board, his head high, ears erect. The scars on either sides of his lips and his neck would always remain, but one had to look close to see them.
"Are you coming below, or should I delay your leaving until the morrow?" Cormac called from the chamber doorway.
"Have we kept you waiting?" Letia asked with a grin.
"Well, now. After you broke your fast, Raik said you only needed to retrieve your dagger." He eyed the bedding scattered over the floor; one brow rose in a wicked arch. "I see you had to fight the bed to get it back."
Heat crept up Letia's neck into her face. Why, she felt like a young bride must when she married the lord of her dreams. Raik chuckled at her discomfort and came to her rescue, putting his arm around her shoulders to lead her down and out of the keep.
When they reached the courtyard, all was orderly and peaceful. Seton warriors filled in the ranks atop the battlements and were in evidence around the castle. All who pledged loyally to King Stephen's decision as to their next lord would retain their positions. The dungeons had more than enough cells to detain those few who did not, for not many of Julian's men had thought well of him. Raik was leaving half of the Seton warriors with Cormac, who would command the castle until the king's men arrived.
Freki came over to nudge her hand with his wet nose and then flipped his head sideways to press it against her stomach as if he knew the new bairn nested there. 'Twas a gesture he had started the first day he was allowed to press against Letia.
The men were already mounted and waiting. Edulf rode over, leading Storm. Raik took the reins, put his foot in the stirrup and rose up onto Storm's saddle.
"Come, love." He leaned down to grasp Letia under her arms as Cormac lifted her by her waist. "You'll be more comfortable across my legs than behind me," he said as he settled his arms around her.
Letia spotted and waved at the two men who had chanced a flogging had Julian learned they had given her clean water. Raik allotted them a goodly amount of coins and appointed them as captain over the barbican guards, one for daylight hours, and the other for nighttime.
Before they started out, Cormac stood as if he was undecided about speaking.
"Out with it, man. What ails ye?" Raik cocked his head, his eyes puzzled.
"Um, my lady? Would you kindly tell Lady Sybilla I think often about her?" He blushed as bright as a spring rose.
Letia dug her elbow into Raik's side when she felt his chest start to rumble with a chuckle. She shot him a warning look. "I will. I'm sure my sister will be most happy when you return to Seton. You may start now, husband."
Freki barked with happiness as he streaked ahead. While they followed him over the cobblestones leading to the drawbridge, she leaned over to wave and smile at Cormac and the men staying behind.
"Why did ye not let me prick Cormac a little?" Raik's voice sounded peeved like a thwarted child. "He has spent many years teasing me about my birdie."
"Because it is different. Cormac is in love with Sybilla."
She looked up to see his surprised expression. She shook her head and laughed.
o0o
They made good time returning to Seton Castle, taking but two full days and part of another. The warriors were as anxious to return as she was. When they came out into the open around Seton, lookouts spotted them and lowered the drawbridge. As they rode close, the guards atop the wall walks waved and whistled.
"Look, my love, Mother and Aubrey are waiting on the steps. Hm, Sir William stands quite close to Mother. Mayhap another love match is in the making?" Raik's pleased laughter echoed as they crossed through the barbican.
Letia could hardly wait. When Raik led Storm over to the steps, she would have spilled out of his arms had he not held her tightly.
"Hold still, wife, afore ye do yerself an injury." He gripped her waist and lowered her to the second step. He was soon beside her when Edulf took Storm's reins to lead him away.
Letia couldn't wait to hold her son when Lady Joneta handed him to her. When he smiled and mouthed her cheek, leaving it dripping with spit, she thanked him for his kiss. Sir William stood back as Sybilla, Maud and Lady Joneta took turns hugging her shoulders. Finally, noting Raik's questioning eyes, Letia handed Aubrey to him. This time, she felt no fear, no worry that he would take him away from her. She felt nothing but joy.
"Go to your Da, sweetling."
Raik hugged him close, murmuring how much he had grown in such a short time. Whe
n Aubrey grabbed his father's nose, Raik laughed.
"He's such a strong lad he'll soon have it straight again." He leaned over and soundly kissed Letia's lips.
"Thank you for giving me my son, love."
Letia's heart lifted knowing he forgave her deceit. Leofwan stood behind Raik, his thin face lit with a tender smile.
Letia blinked in surprise. For just a flash of a moment in time, Letia saw Warin at Leofwan's shoulder, his essence glowing with beautiful peace.
-o0o-
Look for these intriguing romances in
Sophia Johnson's Raptor Castle Series
Available Now
Book 1
FORBIDDEN
Brother Ranald of Raptor Castle, a scarred monk in Scotland's Kelso Abbey, has a fearsome temper that causes objects to fly about, turn still waters stormy and candles to light with but a look. In the peace of the abbey. He controls his rage and fights his forbidden desires, but what would he become in the secular world?
'Tis his greatest fear when his father arrives with an army to force Ranald to return to Raptor Castle and wed. This monk turned man must now become husband and warrior.
Book 2
SEDUCED
Letia of Seton Castle is as beautiful as she is capable. Famed for her skill at training archers and slingers, she is used to commanding the castles defenses when needful. Married to elderly Baron de Burgh, she has never birthed an heir.
She must protect her castle and people when Maud and Stephen's battles throw England into anarchy. She sacrifices all when her husband devises a plan to save Seton Castle from ruin when he dies.
'Twas a simple plan with very few steps to follow: Capture her enemy, seduce him, bear his child and save her people. But falling in love was not in the plan.
Book 3
RUTHLESS
The Morgan and Gunn clans in the Highlands of Scotland have been feuding for longer than anyone can remember, until the chiefs decided to foster their sons with each other.
Before Magnus of Clibrick Castle and Feradoch of Kinbrace Castle exchanged places when they reached their seventh year, their fathers ordered them to swear a blood oath that each would uphold the peace when they became men. Once they are grown and return to their own strongholds, should either man be felled by treachery, the other will seek vengeance for the deed.
Years later when the Gunn's call Magnus to honor the oath, he never expects to hunt down and hang Muriel of Blackbriar, the bewitching woman he captured and fell in love with when he besieged her castle.
Book 4
SURRENDER
In the Taming of the Shrew, Katharine met her match in Petruchio. She was fortunate not to be in Elyne of Raptor Castle's shoes. When Elyne goes toe to toe with Graemme of Clibrick Castle, he checkmates her every move!
Graemme is not the harsh man Magnus is, but a vow made is also sacred to him. Elyne keeps one step ahead of him and leads him a merry and sometimes treacherous race before he gets the better of her.
But all is not laughter. Someone plots to kidnap Elyne, and when he tires of her, he will delight in killing her.
Dedication Page
I want to express my gratitude to Jenny Bent and Holly Root, two great agents. They never lost faith in my writing even when N.Y. failed to offer a contract for these four tales.
Their belief in the Raptor Castle Series kept me from starting a bonfire with the novels.
Again, thanks to my dear husband Gil, I have never starved. When he sees me sitting like a zombie in front of the computer, he fixes dinner without a fuss. What author could ask for a man better than that!
Special thanks to my eagle-eyed daughter, Valeri Sperry, for editing Seduced. She should have been an editor for our Florida newspapers!
With much gratitude to Lori Devoti for formatting The Raptor Castle Series, and to Delle Jacobs whose cover designs set the mood for these intriguing tale.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Dear Readers,
When I thought of the plot for Book 2 of the Raptor Castle Series, I wanted to start with something true to history.
King Henry I is famous for the largest number of acknowledged illegitimate children of any English monarch. He sired 20 to 25 offspring with many mistresses. You can imagine that sorting out which child belonged to which woman must have been a great chore. The records ended with the names of eighteen acknowledged and documented children, their names and supposed mothers. (They weren't sure they were accurate.) He must have had "bed sport" amnesia about the other five or seven unacknowledged bastards!
Since Henry had so many bastards, why not give him one more and make that bitter son the villain on the story? I named him Julian of Durham and pretended he was the only child the king refused to acknowledge. I gave him a good excuse, though. Julian had an amazing likeness to a commoner seen sneaking out of the leman's window one night. When Henry heard of it, I doubt he visited her again. But that didn't stop the woman from raising Julian of Durham to think he was a true son of Henry and deserved titles and lands like his supposed half-brothers and sisters. He made a great villain.
When Stephen usurped England from the Empress Matilda, their struggle resulted in a long civil war known as the Anarchy.
'Twas the perfect time for Julian to wrest Seton Castle from Baron de Burgh, but he hadn't counted on a woman as determined to save her people as our Letia.
o0o
As in the Blackthorn Trilogy, please keep in mind that it is not always possible to use only words appropriate to the time. I kept the dialect down to few characters. If any word puzzles you, check the Glossary Page at www.sophiajohnson.net. Also, Seton Castle was in Northumbria while Raptor was in Scotland.
o0o
About the Author
A native Floridian, Sophia Johnson spent her early years in Key West and the Panama Canal Zone. On the island, her favorite pastime was sitting beneath a coconut tree and daydreaming while listening to the sound of the surf and sniffing the briny smell of the ocean.
One day while she was reading, her father asked her, "Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you awoke one morning to find you had traveled back through centuries? What if you were in a strange bedroom and someone came in and called you by another name?"
It started her thinking how she would react if she was a character in the book she was reading.
Her parents passed on to their children their love of reading about far away places. Throughout her life, she always had her nose in a book when she had free time.
Her Tag Line is "Love through the Ages," the theme of her novels.
www.sophiajohnson.net
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