Tamsin gasped with horror.
“No, she will not,” Rheged said firmly. “Get out of Cwm Bron and take DeLac with you.”
His voice was so hard and cold, his manner so commanding, she marveled that Broderick didn’t turn tail and run.
Instead, Broderick regarded Rheged as if he were an insect he’d like to crush. “Who do you think you are, Welshman, to disregard the law? An agreement has been made and signed, and will be upheld.” He took three steps closer. “And I intend to have you charged and executed for this lady’s abduction and rape.”
Tamsin stepped forward. “Whatever my uncle has said and signed, I have not agreed to marry you, my lord. Nor have I been raped.”
“Do you think anyone will believe that, if I say otherwise?” Broderick scornfully demanded. “I am my father’s heir and have the ear of the king. So you will marry me, and I will have this Welshman tried and convicted.
“What say you, my lord?” he demanded, abruptly addressing Sir Algar. “Are you willing to risk your lands and titles for a liegeman who acts with such selfish arrogance and disrespect for the law? For I assure you, if you interfere, the king will know that you hindered the return of this lady to her uncle.”
“I won’t let you force Tamsin to do anything against her will,” Sir Algar replied. “If you bring charges against Rheged, I will speak on his behalf. As for the king, you may find he’s not so great a friend to DeLac as he’s led you to believe, or to you, either. John thinks first and foremost of John, and I have influential friends at court, too.”
“You would put your entire demesne at risk for this Welshman and my niece?” DeLac scoffed, his vanity and vitality momentarily reviving. “Have you grown a spine, then, after all this time?”
Swaying, her uncle made his way to Tamsin. She could smell the wine on his breath from ten paces away. “Tell me, my dear, has Algar told you how he deserted your mother, a woman he claimed to love, rather than risk losing even a portion of his lands? All it took was a hint from my father that it could be so, and Algar departed DeLac, never to enter our hall again. Didn’t you ever wonder, now that he’s apparently become such a friend, why he never sought you out when you arrived in my household? He’s had years to do so.”
Tamsin looked at the man who had been so kind to her and read guilt as well as dismay in his face.
Yet even if her uncle spoke the truth, and no matter what had happened in the past, Sir Algar had been more like a loving relative to her since her arrival here than Simon DeLac had ever been. “There is no need to involve Sir Algar in this dispute, my lords. I’m willing to return to DeLac and marry Sir Broderick.”
“I won’t let you,” Rheged declared.
She turned to him and regarded him with sorrowful determination. “Please don’t try to stop me, Rheged. I could never be happy, not even here with you, knowing—”
“What sort of talk is this?” Broderick interrupted. “Perhaps there was no abduction at all. Perhaps the lady planned to come here all along, to live in this hovel and be this Welshman’s whore.”
With an oath, Rheged drew his sword and marched up to Broderick until they were nose to nose. “Leave Cwm Bron, Broderick, and take DeLac with you before I kill you. I will not warn you again.”
Tamsin rushed to intervene. “Rheged, I will go with them. I must go with them.”
“Not while I breathe.”
When Broderick pulled his broadsword from its sheath, Sir Algar hurried to stand between them. “There is another way, my lords,” he said, his tone and expression desperate, yet commanding. “Surely this matter can be settled on the tournament field, by combat. Lord DeLac and I can be the judges.”
“Gladly,” Rheged instantly agreed.
Broderick straightened his shoulders. “I am willing, on one condition—that it be a fight to the death.”
“Agreed,” Rheged said just as swiftly, before Tamsin or Sir Algar or anyone else could protest.
“And if you try to cheat, Welshman, as you did before, you will also be considered guilty and put to death at once.”
Tamsin had no idea what Broderick was talking about. Nevertheless she was certain of one thing. “Rheged has no need to cheat to win.”
“Such a passionate defense!” Broderick said with another smirk. “I trust you’ll defend me just as passionately when we are wed.”
“That day will never come,” Rheged said sternly, “for I’m going to kill you. And as the lady says, I have no need to cheat, since I can win by skill alone. However, I shall agree to those terms as long as the same holds true for you, and that you’ll swear before God that when I win, both Tamsin and Mavis will be free of any obligation to your family.”
“And the rest of your family will leave us alone, too,” Tamsin added. “Will you agree to that, Sir Broderick?”
His dark eyes flared. “Yes.”
Sir Algar turned to Lord DeLac. “Simon?”
“Yes, by God. I want this over and done with!”
“As do I,” Rheged said. “I’m ready to fight Broderick here and now.”
“Of course you are,” Broderick retorted. “You have your warhorse here, and all your men-at-arms. I don’t.”
“Tomorrow, then?” Sir Algar proposed.
“Tomorrow,” Broderick agreed. “At Castle DeLac, and the lady will come with us now.”
“Here,” Rheged retorted. “And the lady stays, unless you feel fighting here gives me an advantage. If so, we’ll go to Castle DeLac in the morning.”
“I need no advantage of any kind!” Broderick retorted. “Let the combat be here, then—to your advantage.”
“Stop!” Tamsin cried, sick of the arguing. Sick of the fighting. Sick of men deciding her fate for her, even Rheged. “Rheged fought at Castle DeLac, so you could say he knows that ground, too. Wherever you fight, though, I have no wish to return to Castle DeLac unless and until I must.”
“As we are all chivalrous men, we should let the lady have her way in this,” Sir Algar interposed. “As for where the combat will be—”
“Oh, for God’s sake, let it be here and let her stay!” DeLac declared as he staggered to his horse. “What does it matter if she’s here or there, or where the combat is?”
“I am willing to fight here,” Broderick declared magnanimously.
“Excellent,” Sir Algar said. “The combat that will decide the ladies’ fates will be tomorrow, at the noon, in the meadow by the river. Are we all in agreement?”
“Yes,” Broderick said with another nasty smile.
“Yes!” DeLac replied impatiently.
“Yes,” Rheged said with a brisk nod. “Enjoy this night, my lord, because it’s going to be your last.”
Broderick flushed even as he scowled. “Tomorrow you die, Welshman, and this woman will be mine. Now come, Lord DeLac. We’re leaving.”
Broderick grabbed DeLac by the arm and pulled the older man toward his horse. DeLac hoisted himself into the saddle, nearly falling before he managed to get himself balanced and upright.
In the meantime, Broderick got on his horse and regarded Tamsin with another terrible smile. “You need have no fear, my lady. When we’re married, I’ll forgive you any little...lapses of judgment. After all, I wouldn’t want my bride to hate me.”
“It is already too late for that,” Tamsin replied grimly.
With a curse, Broderick savagely wheeled his horse and led her uncle and his men out of the gates.
* * *
When they were gone, Tamsin let out her breath, then turned to Sir Algar. “If you’ll excuse us, Sir Algar, I would speak with Rheged alone.”
She didn’t wait for his answer, or for Rheged to agree, before she started toward the keep.
Of course she would have many questions, and explanations must be made, Rheged thought as he followed her to the hall.
Instead of asking her questions in the hall, however, Tamsin continued to the steps leading to the upper chamber. Once they were alone, Tamsin turned to face
him, her hands clasped before her and an anxious and troubled expression on her lovely face. “You didn’t tell me you’ve met and fought Broderick before,” she began without preamble.
“I didn’t think it mattered, since you would be going back to Castle DeLac. I did tell you the family was a brood of vipers.”
“But not exactly how you knew.” Tamsin looked at him with a wariness that it hurt him to see. “Why does he claim you cheated the last time you fought?”
“Because he refuses to believe I beat him honestly even though I could hardly stand. On the morning before the melee, I was dizzy and weak like I’ve never been before or since. I’m sure I was weakened on purpose, with some kind of poison. Not enough to kill, but enough to ensure that I couldn’t fight well. I have no doubt Broderick wanted to make certain that his list of triumphs remained unsullied by a loss, especially to a man like me, without noble blood. Unfortunately I had no proof of his perfidy, so I could make no formal charge.”
“Couldn’t you have simply been ill?”
“I’m never sick.”
“You could have bowed out of the fight when you realized you were too weak to win.”
“Except that I needed the prize money, or Jevan and I were going to starve.”
“Is there anything else you haven’t you told me?”
“I would never have guessed that Broderick would want you for himself. But rest assured, my lady, I will beat him tomorrow.”
“I wish it hadn’t come to this!” she cried, clasping her hands in agitation. “I should have gone back sooner!”
“No, you shouldn’t have. You couldn’t. You could have lost your limb, or perhaps your life.”
“But now you stand to lose your life because of me.”
“No, my lady, because of what I did. I took you from Castle DeLac, and whatever happens, I have no regrets. If I had left you there—”
“I would be marrying Broderick, with no hope for freedom.” She regarded him with a desperate yearning. “Now I have hope, but at what cost?”
“Don’t worry, my lady, I—”
“Tamsin,” she whispered.
“Have no fear, Tamsin. I’ll beat him,” Rheged said softly, taking her hands in his. “And whatever happens, you mustn’t blame yourself. He would have found some other reason to fight me one day. He’s determined to assuage his wounded pride and have his vengeance. Nor would Algar be safe from his scheming, since I’m his liegeman, especially now that Blane is dead.”
“I only wish there was another way!”
“I would fight a hundred men to keep you safe and happy,” he replied.
For once his emotions were plain to see upon his face, so visible and vivid she could scarcely draw breath.
He loved her. Loved her as she had always dreamed of being loved. Loved her as she loved him.
“I want to be with you every day and every night,” he whispered, his words confirming the evidence in his eyes. “I want to be in your heart the way you’re in mine. I want you in my bed, my arms, my life forever. I love you, Tamsin. I need you, as I never thought I’d need or want another living soul. I want you with me always. I want you for my wife.”
His expression changed again, and suddenly Sir Rheged of Cwm Bron, champion of tournaments, warrior and knight, looked at her as if she held the power of life or death over him, as if she alone possessed the keys of the kingdom both here and in the life to come. “If you don’t want me for a husband, tell me so.”
Before she could answer, he stepped back and shook his head. “You should refuse me. You deserve more than a peasant raised to knighthood who rules a ramshackle castle and has no money to repair it. You should be a great and respected lady, wed to a husband who realizes what a priceless prize he’s won. After I defeat Broderick, you should leave Cwm Bron and find a better man.”
She put her finger against his full lips and shook her head, for that look of sorrowful yet resolute decision told her all she needed to know, all she would ever need to know, about the true depth of his feelings for her. Despite the missteps, the mistakes, the errors and arguments, against all odds, she had found the best man in England, and he loved her. As she loved him. As she would always love him. “There is no better man. No braver, finer man. No one else has ever loved me as you do, or thought me a priceless prize. If I could stay here with you, if I could be your wife, I would be the happiest woman in England.”
Then doubt brought forth its cruel little fangs. “I only wish I had a dowry worthy—”
“You have wisdom and spirit and goodness and beauty. You have everything and more a man can want. You alone are dowry enough.”
“As you alone are enough. I want nothing more than to be your wife, Rheged. I’ve wanted it since that first night, but I was afraid to even dream that such a thing could be. I love you, Rheged. Knight or peasant, king or servant, I love you. But Broderick—”
“Will die and you will be free.” He smiled then, joyfully, wonderfully. “I’ve never had better cause to fight well. When I win and you’re free—”
“I will gladly marry you.”
Like an arrow released from a bow, he tugged her into his arms and kissed her with all the passion and heat and longing any woman could ever want or hope for.
Confirmed in her love, keen in her desire, she surrendered to the desire surging within her.
Until he broke the kiss and stepped back. “I should go. I must go. Now.”
She stood motionless and silent, her heartbeat throbbing in her ears, her body warm and waiting.
“I must go, Tamsin,” he insisted, his voice rough with need. “Tell me to go. Order me to leave.”
Still she said nothing.
Before she moved to block the door.
Chapter Fifteen
“Rheged,” she whispered, opening her arms to him. “Rheged, my love.”
All the reasons he should leave her fled his mind. Nothing existed but her, here with him, as he took her in his arms and kissed her with all the passion and desire she inspired.
Aroused, excited, he brushed his fingers over her bodice, until he encountered the knot of the lacing at the neck of her gown. Swiftly, eagerly, he untied it and slipped his hand inside. Her breasts were perfect, her mouth and tongue amazing, her body made to fit against his. She was perfect.
How warm her skin was! How soft, like the finest fleece. And her hair...so long and thick and soft. His lips left hers and he nuzzled her open bodice lower, his mouth gliding across her firm hot flesh lower and lower, until he reached her nipple and drew it into his mouth.
She gasped and arched, her hands clutching him. “Take me to your bed, Rheged,” she pleaded softly and without a hint of shame. “Please, Rheged!”
He would have had to be immortal to resist her insistent invitation, and he was not.
He swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. She pulled him down atop her and captured his lips with hers, a demanding, harsh kiss that spoke of needs that must and would be met. Desire that would permit no refusal. She would have him now, and he would not, could not, deny her, for they were one in passion, one in need, one in desire. One in love.
She shifted to untie the drawstring of his breeches. He held his breath until she succeeded, and he was free. His heartbeat pounding like a blacksmith’s hammer on an anvil, he reached down and dragged her skirts up to her hips, his knuckles grazing her stockings, then the bare skin of her thigh.
Primitive need and primal excitement took control. Thoughts ceased, replaced only by the longing to possess her. Hands and fingers and palms grazed and brushed and stroked, explored, discovered as tongues entwined, joined in a sinuous dance.
He touched her where her thighs met. If he had any doubts that she was ready, another eager arch of her body put them swiftly to rest.
He positioned himself, then slowly pushed inside. She was tight, so tight. With renewed need and urgent yearning, he pulled back a bit, then thrust again. Panting, she gripped his shoulders and raise
d herself as if offering her bared breasts to him. He eagerly licked and teased her pebbled nipples, while her gasps and moans excited him yet more.
Tension built, coiled, waited...until she grabbed his shoulders, levered herself up and cried out like a feral creature, her body throbbing and gripping him. With an answering growl low in his throat, he climaxed, carried away on wave after wave of blissful release.
Panting, sated, he lowered her and laid his head upon her shoulder. He had never felt so wanted, so necessary, to any woman. No other woman had ever seemed so eager to be in his arms or as excited to be there.
He had admired her from afar, wondered what it would be like to make love with her, and now...and now he was as close to heaven as it was likely possible for a mortal man to be.
Sighing, Tamsin reached up to tuck a lock of his long, dark hair behind his ear, for the first time noticing the thin scar there. “How did you get this?”
“I think that was...France. Yes, shortly after I arrived. The padding of my helmet came away and I cut myself trying to get it off when the battle was over. If I hadn’t been so parched, I would have had more patience.”
“Was that the battle after you scaled the wall?”
“No, another, minor one some years before.”
“I want to hear all about your battles, and everything else about you.”
He smiled. “That would take some time.”
“A lifetime,” she agreed. “Oh, Rheged, I pray we have a lifetime!”
Determined to make her forget what awaited the next day, he stroked her hair, marveling at its rich thickness. “When was the last time you cut your hair?”
He felt her lips turn up in a smile. “Mavis tried to trim my hair when I was thirteen. Trying to get it straight at the bottom, she kept cutting and cutting until she was almost at the scalp. A scarecrow had better hair by the time she was done.”
“And what about you, Wolf of Wales with the savage hair?” she asked, looking up at him and twisting the end of a lock of his hair around her finger. “When was the last time you cut your hair?”
“When Algar gave me Cwm Bron. I thought I ought to look the part of a landed knight. Instead, I looked like a shorn sheep and swore that never again would I cut my hair like a Norman.”
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