"You.” She stepped in front of Syndra and narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing down here?"
"I saw the men leave and came down to work."
"A likely story. Perhaps a few lashes will remind you to of my order to stay upstairs."
"I am tired of listening to you. From what I heard last night, you are no longer in charge here."
A collective gasp filled the room, which then drew silent. Two of Nathaniel's men stood in the doorway, watching.
"Justin,” Elizabeth said. “Bind Tillie to the whipping post. She will take Syndra's lashes."
"No!” Syndra launched herself at Elizabeth, but Justin knocked her down as he grabbed Tillie, who tried to flee. “You have no authority! We all heard."
"He is not here, is he? And if he finds out, if someone tells him, I will whip her again. I will find a way.” She turned to Justin, who held a struggling Tillie close. “What are you waiting for? Do it!"
"Milady, do you think it wise? She has been in one of their beds."
He let out a loud yell when Tillie's foot connected with his shin.
"Obey me, or take the lashes yourself."
Syndra tried to seize his feet, but he pushed her away and drug Tillie from the room. She scrambled up and made to follow them, but the other man at the door grabbed her.
"Bring her. Let her see what her mouth brings about."
The room had grown silent, everyone staring after them in horror. Their destination was clear, a room set up after Richard's death with a post in the middle, and plenty of room for people to crowd in and watch someone whipped. Elizabeth made use of it at least once a week.
The man carried Syndra down the hall, and they entered the room in time to see Justin rip Tillie's bodice and bear her back. Her arms were tied above her head, and she was screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Go ahead. Do it. You'll get yours for it, and it will be worth it."
Syndra struggled against her captor as Tillie turned to look at her. Her friend blinked, then nodded, and Syndra shook her head. “No!"
"She will get hers. You will see."
"Believe it if you want,” Elizabeth said. She flicked a heavy piece of leather against the floor. The cracking sound made everyone jump. “Once he is married to Leora, I can control him. If he refuses to cooperate with me, it will be easy enough to poison him and be done with it."
The leather cracked again and Syndra cried out. Elizabeth's laugh sent chills up her spine. When the woman pulled her arm back to let the leather fly again, Syndra screamed.
* * * *
Keran jumped from his horse and slapped at the dirt that clung to his breeches. He handed his reins to the stable boy, then stepped toward Patrick and Brody. What he had just seen made him sick to his stomach. Traitors, making themselves stronger so they could try to overthrow their king. It also made him want to follow Patrick's advice to attack, immediately, although he knew it would be futile.
"We will send two men toward London tonight. It should not take them more than four or five days on horseback. From there we will await instructions. And Brody, take care of that other matter tonight."
"Consider it done, milord."
"Shall I send Timmons and Markham?"
"Good idea, Patrick. I'll go and compose—” The sound of a woman's scream stopped them all in their tracks. Seconds later they ran for the castle, stopping just inside the doorway. The next sound they heard was a whip cracking and Keran balled his hands into fists. If Elizabeth touched Syndra he would kill her with his bare hands.
A boy ran up to them, a terrified look on his face. His trembling finger pointed down the hallway. “There!"
The three took off with Keran in the lead. He pushed open a door in time to have leather fly backwards and hit his arm. He grabbed it and pulled it hard, jerking Elizabeth backward onto her bottom.
"What in God's name do you think you are doing?” His angry voice echoed in the mostly empty room. Patrick rushed past him toward Tillie, who fought like a mad woman against her bonds.
"Exacting punishment.” Elizabeth stood and faced him. “This is not your concern."
"You forget, madam, this is my keep now. Everything is my concern. You will not whip people like cattle.” He kept his tone even and menacing, and when she glared at him, he wanted to bind her to the post, show her what it felt like.
"I am lady of this keep until you marry my daughter. And as such, it is my duty—"
"You are no longer mistress here.” He stepped closer. “I thought I made myself clear. If not, let me make it clearer. You are nothing here, and if I hear of you touching another person, or issuing another order without my consent, I will have you shipped to court to stand before the king in judgment for disobeying your new lord. Do you understand me?"
Keran thought she would try to take the whip back and turn it on him. He had never seen such venom in someone before. He cut his eyes to the doorway where Nathaniel pushed inside.
"Milady.” He crossed to her and tried to pull her close, but she pushed him off and focused a penetrating gaze on Keran.
"You will whip her for her insolence."
"What is her offense?"
"Nothing.” Syndra pushed forward. “She is whipping her to get to me, nothing more."
Keran stared at her, barely concealing his surprise. What was she doing here? Had he not told her last night they needed to play things quietly until he decided what to do?
He prayed she would follow his lead. “And who are you?"
"No one, milord.” Her words tumbled out, and he almost sighed in relief. “Just a kitchen worker. The Lady Elizabeth is angry with me for—spilling food."
"Then why did she not whip you?"
"I will whip them both,” Elizabeth said, reaching for the leather. “One is clumsy, and the other laughed at me."
"You will do no such thing.” Keran wrapped the length in his hand, then glanced at his future wife. “What is your name?"
"Syn...” She glanced at Elizabeth, then clamped her mouth shut.
"Syn, hum? A perfect name for such a beauty. It would be a shame to waste you in the kitchen. Curves such as yours are indeed made for sinning.” He turned to Elizabeth and glared at her. “You will go to your chamber and stay there until I call for you. I will have your meals delivered. If I see you outside your rooms even once, I will tie you to the post."
He looked to where Patrick held Tillie close. “Is she injured?"
"No, milord. The whip missed her flesh and hit her skirts.” He shot an evil look at Elizabeth, and Keran could tell he wanted to strike out at the woman, but held back.
Satisfied Tillie was well, Keran turned to Syndra. “You will come with me. I am dirty after my ride, and you can help me wash the dust from my body. And then, we will see whether you can live up to your name, sweet Syn."
Elizabeth stepped between them, an angry glare in her eyes. “You would disgrace my daughter by taking a whore to your bed?"
"Disgrace her? You offered your daughter's body to me just two nights ago, without the benefit of marriage. Do not dare to question my morals.” He glanced at Nathaniel. “Take her from my sight. Now."
Elizabeth violently brushed off Nathaniel's hands and stormed out.
When the room emptied, Syndra rushed to Tillie. “I am so sorry."
"It is not your fault,” Tillie said. “Besides, she did not touch me. I think she was trying to draw it out, to frighten us both.” She laid her head on Patrick's shoulder. He promptly gathered her in his arms and carried her from the room.
"I will go back upstairs,” Syndra said, keeping her voice low.
"You will do no such thing. You are mine now. If I let you leave without coming to my rooms, she would know something is amiss. You are my bedmate, Syn. And I could not be happier about it."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Seven
Syndra stood in the middle of Keran's chamber, not sure what to do. Last night, she knew exactly what to do. Eat an
d talk. But today was an entirely different situation. Men and women carried in large buckets of steaming water, and they all glanced at her, large smiles plastered on their faces. She shrugged at them and tried not to look at Keran.
When they had first entered the room, he had gone directly to his desk, sat, and began writing something, making several goes of it, before he folding up the parchment and sealing it. The earlier drafts he threw in the fire.
He watched as they filled the tub, then walked to the door and handed his missive to someone she could not see.
When the servants had delivered the last of the water and left, the room suddenly seemed very small. He sat down and took off his boots. Other parts of his clothing followed, his belt, his jerkin, his doublet. When he reached for his breeches, she gasped.
He turned and grinned at her. “I am sorry, would you like the honors?"
The look on his face made her nipples harden, and the tingly feeling she'd had last night returned. She felt heat coat her cheeks. “Milord, I am a ... not accustomed to..."
"You are a virgin.” It was not a question, or an accusation, just a statement of fact. She nodded, grateful when he nodded in return. “Do not worry, Syn. I will not ravish you. Not yet. And remember you shall be my wife. When I do take your maidenhead, I will be very gentle."
His hands, still at the fastenings of his beeches, started loosening the leather. Her gaze froze there, watching.
"Come to me, Syn."
Their gazes locked as his hands worked the ties of his breeches. She shook her head even as she walked toward him.
When she was inches just away, she stopped, keeping her hands clasped in front of her.
"Touch me."
His voice cascaded over her skin, making it ripple with excitement. She did not move, just let her gaze travel down his half-naked body. He was magnificent. His muscular shoulders, his broad chest lightly coated with soft hair, his hips still encased in leather. And at the center of his legs ... she swallowed hard. The outline of his cock pressed against his breeches. He was hard and ready for her.
"It is all right. Touch me."
"I...” She swallowed hard again, then tentatively moved her fingers toward him, lightly touching the hard ridge of his manhood. When he sucked in a deep breath of air, she pulled away.
"No, do not stop. It feels wonderful. Do it again."
She stepped away, then bit her lip. “You should not tempt me so. Elizabeth is right. It is sinful for us to lie together."
"Is it? Well, I do not see it as such. Do you think your friend Tillie a sinner?"
A smile spread across her face. “No, just an adventurer."
"Then follow in her adventurous footsteps, not with Patrick, but with me. Touch me, Syn."
Oh she wanted to, very badly. She'd dreamed about him last night, and had thought of him all day long. Why should she let fear of the unknown stop her now? Besides, he was right. They would be married soon.
She snaked her finger out again, tracing the outline of his rod. This time, his sharp intake of breath did not scare her. He took several more, then groaned. His sounds emboldened her, and she increased the pressure, pushing into his hard flesh.
In response, her nipples throbbed and the center of her quim began to ache. Was this desire? Tillie and Alma had both told her of the feeling, of how it swept through your body making you want to do nothing more than lie under a man, let him touch you and to touch him in return.
She had been excited last night thinking about him, but this was so much more than just excitement. Touching him felt wicked, and deliciously wonderful, and Syn wanted more, so much more. She ran her finger back down, then put a finger on either side of his width and gently squeezed.
"You do live up to your name,” he said, throwing back his head. She stared at the curve of his throat as she caressed him.
"I like it,” she said in a feathery smooth voice. “But will it fit inside me?"
"Perfectly."
He inhaled sharply again, then his fingers went to his stays, working them furiously. She stepped back and watched as he worked, and when his hands went to his waistband and pulled down, she licked her lips.
His cock sprang forth from its prison, and she gasped. “I ... I..."
"Touch me now, sweet Syn."
Her gaze feasted on him. When she did not move, he quickly pulled her to him and kissed her, his lips demanding yet gentle. He cupped the back of her head and held her close, his tongue caressing the slit between her lips. She opened, welcoming the feel of him inside her, moaning as he moved around, softly licking at her teeth and tongue.
His length pressed into her stomach and one of his hands moved down her back to cup her buttock, pulling her into his hardness. When both hands grasped her and held her close, she ground into him, the friction increasing the feeling of desire in her quim as they writhed together.
"Keran."
"Syndra."
She tilted her head back, and he rained kisses on her cheeks, her chin and her neck. He pulled her closer still. Each thrust of his hardness brought a new feeling, a stronger sensation, an almost overwhelming need to scream at him for something, but she did not know what.
When he pulled away, she sobbed at the loss of him. He stepped closer, putting his hands on her hips and caressing her, but not giving her the intimate embrace he had done earlier.
"Why? What is wrong?"
"Shush, I forget myself. You told me you are a virgin, and I told you I would not ravish you. Yet, it is the first thing I do."
His hand was on his cock, gently moving up and down. She clasped her own hand around his, loving the look of pure pleasure that came over his face.
She ran her free hand down his bare chest, toying with the curly hairs. “Then take my maidenhead. Now."
"It would be over too quickly. I want to play, to get to know you, and to let you become accustomed to me. I want to feel you wiggle in my arms as ecstasy flows through your veins. I want to watch the desire light your eyes and flow through your body.
Small gasps of breath escaped her as he talked, his hand stroking her hips and up to just under her breasts and back down again. The feel of him was like nothing she had ever experienced, and she could see now why Tillie and Alma told extolled the virtues of taking a man to their beds.
She continued to stroke him, loving the feel of his thickness in her hand. When he stilled her movement, she looked at him questioningly. “Did I do something wrong?"
"You did everything right,” he said. “I cannot decide whether I want to bathe, or feast on you."
"Do I get to help you make your choice?"
"You are a little vixen.” He kissed the side of her mouth.
"I feel like it, yes. I loved watching you take down Elizabeth. It made me feel free, as if she could never harm me again."
"And she never will. That is my promise to you."
Syndra lightly traced his cock with her fingertip, a little surprised by her own boldness. “Let me wash you."
"Only if you undress for me first.” His cocky grin made her insides curl. “And we had best hurry before the water gets cold.” He stepped around her and walked to the large tub.
"I did not think we had a tub that large."
"I brought it with me.” He stepped over the edges, then settled himself into the warm water, laying back with a sigh. “I am a large man and I like to stretch out in a bath. Plus, it is big enough to share with my wife."
She walked toward him, swaying her hips as her friends had taught her. Then she kneeled down and took the bar of soap in her hands.
"You are not playing fair. I am the only one who's naked."
Her shoulders stiffened, and she was grateful that he did not push the issue.
"Tell me why you have never had a lover. Most women your age have had at least one."
Warmth crept up her chest and into her cheeks, and she said the first thing that popped into her mind. “I am not pleasing to men."
"Who told yo
u that?"
"Elizabeth."
She lathered the soap between her hands, then reached into the water and massaged his calves, keeping her gaze trained on what she was doing, though she could feel him watching her. She moved up his thigh, taking more of the soap into her hands. When she moved even further up, she felt his hard manhood press against her hand.
The feel of him made lick her lips as she remembered caressing him earlier.
"Do you like that?"
"Yes."
"Let me tell you something, sweet Syn. My cock would not be hard if I did not think you were beautiful.” She glanced up at him, and he nodded very slowly. “Now, undress for me. Slowly. I want to enjoy every minute of seeing my future wife naked for the first time."
She shook her head and looked away.
"Syndra, do it now. My cock aches to see you, and I will not be responsible for my actions if you continue to tease me by remaining clothed."
The rich timbre of his voice made her shiver. She pushed away from the tub, then stared down at him. Touching him had seemed so easy, but baring herself to him would not be easy at all. The only people she had ever been naked in front of were Tillie and Alma when they shared baths.
Her hands went to the tie at her bosom, then dropped to her waist. “I am not sure where to start.” She could hear her own nervousness, and all it did was increase the pressure she felt.
"Top first,” Keran said, sinking down into the tub. The tips of his hair hit the water level, and then his chin did. He licked his lips as he went in up to his nose, then came back up. She could see his hand between his thighs, stroking himself.
She took her kerchief from her hair first, letting her braid fall down her back. His nod of encouragement stilled her shaking hands as she gathered her kirtle in her hands, slowly tugging it up her body. Her breasts jiggled as she lifted it over her head and let it drop to the ground. His gaze stayed on her breasts, just as she had focused on his cock earlier. Her shift was low and well used, being a hand-me-down from Leticia, who was a great deal smaller than Syndra. She'd had to cut pieces from the skirt to add to the bodice so it would fit, and now she felt a little embarrassed about him seeing the sad state of her underclothes.
A Dusting of Syn Page 5
