They lay tangled in each other’s arms, whispering words of love.
Chloe felt the heat of Alexander’s erection as it grew and pressed against her hip. Curiosity got the better of her.
“Alexander, you mentioned something before…” She was glad for the dark, her face was most likely crimson with embarrassment.
“Aye?”
“You said you would take me from behind?”
Alexander groaned against her ear. “Oh, yes, I will.”
His mouth caught hers in a possessive kiss and then he rolled her from her back to her belly. He knelt behind her and lifted her hips, so her bottom was in the air. Chloe’s eyes widened. His shaft pressed against the heat of her. The tip dipped into her slick center and she gasped.
“Oh, Alexander, I didn’t know…” she murmured.
He thrust home, and she shrieked her pleasure. His sex touched a part of her deep inside sending shooting sparks through her limbs. Slowly, he pulled out, and then thrust home again.
“Oh, Chloe,” he growled.
“Yes! Take me!”
His thrust deeper and deeper, faster, harder. Strong, deft fingers reached around the front of her, slipping between her folds until he found her pleasure nub. He stroked furiously, in tune with the thrusts of his hips.
Chloe bucked wildly, her behind pushing back with each plunge of his thick shaft. Wild abandon took over as he rode her hard. Her head thrown back, she moaned her pleasure. Amazement filled her mind at how much she loved and trusted this man. The things he did to her mind, her body. But soon the pleasure he wrought on her took over, and she could no longer think of anything but the sensations whipping through her body.
Tiny lights sparked before her eyes as her body shuddered and contracted around his length, sucking him deeper against her womb. They shouted out in unison as the strength of both their climaxes took hold.
The next few days were as blissful and pleasant as they could be. Chloe and Alexander filled their time with the regular hum drum of keeping the village alive and well, and their nights were consumed with passion. Not a single incident happened to dampen their feelings of wedded bliss.
At the evening meal, Alexander clasped Chloe’s hand in his.
“What do you think of honeymooning at South Hearth?” he asked, his voice and smile sincere.
Chloe’s heart leapt at the idea. She hadn’t been home in so long that she had nearly forgotten its existence. Nearly. A frown crossed her lips.
“It used to be a place of happiness to me. But…”
“But what, my love?” His grip on her hand tightened showing his concern, and she couldn’t help but look up and smile at him. He truly was such a dear and gentle man.
“My last memories of the place are not so happy. And from what I have learned here of happiness, I am not so sure that I really hold any fondness for it.”
“Ah, but it is the place you first saw me. A gallant and handsome knight upon his noble steed, come to steal away the prized bride,” he teased. His words, so very close to the truth, did not hit a hard spot in her heart.
“Ah yes, and the place where I ran from the horrendous knight who scared the living daylights out of me,” she countered with a wink.
“Come now, it can’t be all that bad. You can show me around your village, and we can make a merry time of it. We can show your people that you are alive and well. They would surely be glad to see you.”
“My people?”
“Aye.” He nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing a bit. “Did you think we had them all executed?”
“I only assumed that you had.”
Alexander shook his head slightly, and smile of regret touching his lips. “I won’t take offense to that, although I should. I may be a ruthless warrior, but I would never harm a person, peasant or nobleman that swore allegiance to me.”
Chloe shook her head. “Of course not. I did not mean to offend you, my love. We shall go, we will make it a happy place for the both of us.” Chloe paused. “But won’t it be dangerous?”
“Dangerous?” Alexander looked at her oddly.
“My family…” She trailed off, suddenly feeling awkward that she should fear her own family’s retribution. It seemed she should have no fear at all, now that she was married to the lord of South Hearth, couldn’t that be enough.
“There is no need to worry, my darling. I’ve sent a messenger to inform your family of our marriage. A peace treaty will be drawn up when they respond.”
Peace. Peace with the English and the Fergussons. It would be a dream come true.
When she smiled, Alexander responded. “It is settled then. We shall leave in the morning and honeymoon there for two months before returning to Hardwyck.”
“Well, we best take care to make all of the arrangements then. There is much to be done should we leave so soon.”
“Aye, there is.” He grabbed her about the arm twisting her from her chair and carried her, nearly running up the stairs to their bedchamber. “There is much to be done, and I have been waiting all day to do it.”
He silenced her protests with a searing kiss.
Before dawn, Chloe left their chamber to go to her herb garden. She wanted to gather some of the herbs and flowers she had grown, to take with them on their journey to South Hearth. The sun had not even touched the horizon. Stars still sprinkled the sky. She walked into the heady scents of her growing miracles, and breathed in the aroma.
From behind her a branch cracked. Spinning around, she couldn’t help but think it would be her luck to be abducted again by some marauder who wished her harm. From where she was no one would be able to see her, the foliage and stone walls blocking her. The last few days had been all too pleasant. Her luck had to be running out sometime. Her mouth went dry when she couldn’t locate the culprit.
But then, Alexander stepped from behind a stone wall, his body outlined by the slowly disappearing moon and a tantalizing curve on his lips. His smile could tempt an angel. He looked so wicked, with whatever he had on his mind. And she had a pretty good idea what that might be. Her knees went weak, nipples hardened, and the core of her femininity moistened just looking at him. He was the epitome of masculinity. His broad shoulders spanned wide, down to his trim waist, his long lean legs holding up his tall frame. His hair had fallen a little onto his forehead, giving him a devilish look, which didn’t help the glint in his eyes.
“A pretty angel like you shouldn’t be out alone in the dark.” His voice was husky, and his hooded gaze raked up and down her body.
“I was just thinking, it would be my luck if some handsome devil would come to ravish me,” she rasped.
He needed no other enticement than that as he walked toward her, every step filled with confidence and raw male sensuality. With a low growl in his throat, he kissed the sensitive spot on her neck, letting her know what his thoughts were, and then crushed his mouth to hers. It was a rough possessive kiss, and she returned it, yanking on the back of his hair with one hand and the other snaking around his waist, pulling him against her. Placing his hands on her buttocks, he lifted her up and she simultaneously wrapped her legs around him, wanting to be closer to him, wanting to be one with him.
He walked with her until they reached the wall where he could brace her against it. Roughly and urgently he shoved her gown up over her thighs. She reached down to move them further out of the way. The desire ignited inside her and spread throughout her body. The fact that they were outside completely slipped her mind.
He fumbled with his own clothes, freeing his swollen member. Chloe’s head fell back on a moan as he thrust inside of her. Alexander buried his head in the crook between her neck and shoulder, licking her skin there and gently suckling on the sensitive spot below her ear. Every moment with her husband was an adventure and each encounter filled her with pure pleasure. He carried her to new heights. Her insides sizzled with the feel of him inside her as he pounded her against the wall. Her gown around her hips served as a barrier from the
stone hitting her skin. She moaned with him, egging him on further with her hands as she ran her nails up and down his back. Their bodies undulated wildly, quivering together as they both came apart with one final thrust.
They collapsed against the wall, their breathing rough and raged.
“Yet another way you have amazed me,” Chloe breathed.
The trip to South Hearth took less time than Chloe expected. It was also a much fancier affair than her last bit of travel, with tents, furniture, servants, and good food.
Along the way Chloe and Alexander made love countless times, growing to know more about each other and their bodies. All were happy and peaceful that traveled with them, basking in the glow of their lord and lady’s love.
As they sat astride their mounts upon the same hill that Alexander had first seen Chloe and gazed down at the castle walls, it looked as though nothing had changed. People scurried here and there. Wagons carried their wares, and all around people were working, going about their daily routines.
Chloe turned to Alexander and smiled nervously.
“So we return.” Her voice was strong belying the nerves that twisted her stomach into knots. Despite Alexander’s reassurance that a peace treaty would soon be signed, he’d never received a response from her family about their marriage. She was worried. The more she thought about it, the more positive she became that her father would be furious at her nuptials. Her mother would be pleased as long as Chloe was happy, but she would also side with her father as she’d done on so many other occasions.
Then again, her parents’ lives were all speculation. No one had actually corresponded with them since their flight from South Hearth. Only rumors and brief sightings were testament to their survival.
“Aye, we do. Come let’s greet our people.” He urged his mount forward with Chloe by his side.
People stopped what they were doing to stare at the flags that contained the dragon crest. Their brows furrowed at first, but when they recognized Chloe, cheers went up, children tossed flowers at her and the people called their greetings.
“Lady Chloe has returned,” they shouted.
Chloe smiled and waved, clasping hands of a few, until they reached the tall stone steps of the keep.
Alexander assisted her in dismounting from her mare and she turned to the crowd.
“My people, I have returned with your new lord, my husband, Lord Hardwyck.” She held his hand and raised it in the air.
The people bowed low in unison to their new lord. Her heart leapt at their easy acceptance of her husband. Hand in hand, they turned and walked through the wide oak double doors.
“They have much respect for you,” Alexander stated as they entered.
Chloe smiled, but her joy fell when they walked into the great hall. She tried to hide her crestfallen face as she viewed her surroundings, but she could never seem to hide much from Alexander.
“What is it, my love?” He took her hands in his, his face registering concern.
“Much has changed here. There are no tapestries, no brocade chairs, no games of chess set up. ‘Tis much different.”
Alexander scanned the room, but she knew he would not be able to notice like she did. This was not his childhood home.
“Looters. You shall make it right again. We will be here for quite some time. You were able to turn my dull keep into a lovely home in a week.” He chucked her chin, and winked at her, reminding her how much she truly loved him.
“Aye, and ‘twas more work to fix yours than this will be,” she teased.
The servants gathered in the great hall and Chloe wasted no time giving out directions for the changes that were to be made and the meals that were to be prepared. The people scurried about their actions making it obvious they had indeed missed having a mistress and the order that such a position could bring.
While Alexander went with his men to see about reinforcing the keep’s defenses, Chloe walked the grounds speaking to the different merchants and tradesmen. She gave them advice on improvements that needed to be made and new items to prepare. Although South Hearth had looked busy before, the way the people moved and worked now made it seem as though they had all been napping when their lord and lady arrived.
By the evening meal, Chloe and Alexander were both exhausted. Cook prepared a decadent welcome home feast of meat pasties, roasted turkey, pork with cinnamon raisin sauce, roasted vegetables, pies, stewed fruit and freshly baked bread. A jongleur entertained them, but was discouraged with the amount of yawning and sighing from both Alexander and Chloe.
“Jongleur,” Alexander called. “Please come back tomorrow. I’m afraid we are so exhausted from our trip and the day’s duties, that we are not able to enjoy your entertainments. We shall be well rested on the morrow.”
The man nodded to them, and cartwheeled away. Alexander grasped Chloe’s hand in his and together they walked slowly to their chamber, which was freshly cleaned and smelled of the dozens of flowers that lined the room. Both collapsed onto the bed, and for the first night since they’d been married, fell asleep before thoughts of removing their clothing even crossed their minds.
The morning light was bright as it streamed through the open window in their bedroom, when Alexander awoke. He gazed at his sleeping wife, who seemed so peaceful in her slumber that he didn’t dare to wake her.
He quietly slipped from the bed and went to the great hall to check and see if there had been any messengers to see him. He was surprised to see there were not one but three. He kept his expression hidden, not wanting to show his alarm. He had left Edward in charge of locating the Fergusson family and the band that had been rumored to follow them. The king’s order had been for him to locate Baron Fergusson and his followers and bring justice to them. He was grateful that Chloe slept, she would have questions about the messengers and he was not prepared to tell her about the king’s order for her family and friends yet.
“Who arrived first?”
The first one stepped forward and handed him the missive he carried. Alexander opened it and read silently. It was from Edward. He’d sent out men, who acted as disloyal ex-servants of Alexander’s to spread the word of his and Chloe’s return to South Hearth, to hopefully glean information. The men returned with news that they had been questioned intensely by an individual. They believed they’d spoken with a loyal servant of the Fergussons. Edward was sure that the Fergussons now knew about Alexander and Chloe’s arrival, and Alexander should prepare for their safety, since it was yet to be determined the size of their band and if they would attack.
“Damn,” Alexander said throwing the paper into the fire. He was glad the day before he’d worked his knights hard in preparing better reinforcements for the keep and surrounding wall. It wasn’t as safe as he’d like, but it was better than when they’d arrived. “Get me Brendan,” he ordered taking the missive from the next messenger.
This one was from the king, passing along his condolences at his fathers’ death and also congratulating him on now being the new Earl of Northumberland. A formal ceremony would be held when he completed his latest mission. Alexander was stunned. He had completely forgotten about his inheriting his father’s title. This changed so much at once for him. He had many more duties that he had been ignoring.
“You will each wait for me, so that I may give you messages to send out. You will be compensated.”
He had to write to the holdings he now controlled. He would visit the estates and appoint new overseers to them all, after he and Chloe left South Hearth. He wanted to wipe any memory of his father from the holdings and the lands. The people would be introduced to a kinder more loving lord. They would learn that he respected them for their roles, and in return he would gain their loyalty. Chloe’s way of doing things. He smiled thinking about her. She was so intelligent when it came to people.
The third messenger cleared his throat reminding Alexander of his presence.
Alexander held out his hand and opened the next letter. Edward had been i
nformed the Fergusson band gained knowledge of Alexander and Chloe’s return to South Hearth, and they were now preparing a siege. Edward had taken his men and was in pursuit of the baron and his wife. They would either take them over before they reached South Hearth, or they would meet them here. Either way, it was imperative that Alexander prepare fortifications and expect the impending battle.
Alexander’s face went white. It had been at least several days since Edward’s message had been sent. His heart beat a rapid pace in his chest. He had to move. At any moment the rebels could reach South Hearth. Obviously, there would be no peace treaty.
Brendan arrived just in time for Alexander to start barking orders regarding fortifications, weapons, armor and positions. He also made it clear to Brendan that he was not to say a word to anyone except the knights regarding why they were preparing for battle. Should word get to any of the servants the Fergussons could be warned, and he didn’t want that to happen. Most important was that the knights were not to tell Chloe about the preparations at all. For anyone observing, it was only for precaution.
When Brendan left and he felt confident that his orders were being carried out, he wrote a message to the king with an update regarding his mission with Chloe’s family. The letters to his new holdings would have to wait.
By the time he was done, his stomach growled for food, and he went in search of his wife so they could break their fast. He didn’t know whether it would be the last meal they ate together for awhile. If they were attacked, he would be on the battlefield. He needed to spend every precious moment of peace he had left with her. As he ascended the stairs, the sounds of shouting and metal clanging sang through the air.
Chloe’s eyes popped open, the worst of her nightmares seeming to come true. She had awakened to the sounds of screams from all around her, and memories of the last time she was in South Hearth came flooding back.
Daring Damsels Page 32
