by Alexa Aston
When she finished, she barely got out, “I’m through.” Landon cupped his hands and splashed water against his face and throat. Cassiana had thought him handsome before with his days’ old stubble but now that he was clean-shaven, she could hardly think. All she wanted was to touch him again. An idea came to her.
“Lean your head back. I need to rinse the suds from your hair.”
Landon did as she requested and Cassiana slowly poured fresh water through his locks as she washed away all traces of the soap.
“I can do the rest,” he said matter-of-factly. Without warning, he stood in the tub and lifted the last bucket of heated water.
Once again, she found herself struggling to breathe. She’d never seen a body as sculpted as his. As the water sluiced down it and the muscles glistened, she forced herself to remain in place and keep her hands to herself. The urge to reach out and touch him proved almost uncontrollable.
And it frightened her more than any fear she’d ever known.
Cassiana moved away to fetch the large bath sheet that Messina had left. She opened the folded material and raised it in her arms so that it wouldn’t scrap the floor. Walking it to him, she waited for him to take it, hiding behind it so her gaze wouldn’t fall places it shouldn’t be looking.
“Thank you,” Landon said and claimed it from her.
She turned and took her time retrieving the clothes she’d found in her father’s trunk in order to bring them to him. Turning, she saw he’d stepped from the tub, the sheet now wrapped about his waist, leaving his upper torso and legs bare. Dark, fine hair covered his chest. She had the outrageous desire to stroke it. Run her hands over it. Lick it.
In that moment, Cassiana decided she had gone mad. Grief from her brother’s death had driven her into some abyss where she’d lost the ability to reason. Thoughts she’d never dare put into words peppered her mind.
“Might I have the clothes?”
The question startled her. “Oh . . . aye.” She hurried to him. “I did not mean to keep you waiting.”
Her gaze met his, his green eyes shining like wildfire. “I think I would wait a great length of time for you, Cassiana,” he said softly, danger lurking in his tone.
She licked her lips nervously and saw the fire spark into life. Before she could hand him his clothes, his hands gripped her upper arms and pulled her toward him. His lips slowly descended toward hers. It seemed as if they took a lifetime to arrive.
Then his mouth was on hers.
Chapter Nine
Cassiana’s fingers released the clothing she held. Her palms landed against his damp chest. But the idea of stroking him fled as his mouth moved on hers, dominating her every thought.
Her kisses from Tarquin had been soft and chaste. Landon’s was the opposite in every way. His lips moved against hers, firm and commanding from the start. His tongue began to trace the outline of her lips, a hot, fiery swish that branded her as it swirled. Then he ran his tongue along the seam of her mouth, urging her to open to him.
She did.
Landon’s kiss became more heated. More possessive. He drew her close, so that her breasts pushed against the hard wall of his bare chest. His hands slid down her back to her waist and stayed there, flattened so that she couldn’t escape. His tongue swept along hers, teasing it as if he asked it to come out to play. Cassiana had no idea what she was to do but, suddenly, instinct took over. She slid her own tongue against his and heard the low growl he emitted. She did it again, playfully teasing him, enjoying the sounds she drew from him.
But this was no man to tease. Soon, he took command again, his mouth dominating hers as he greedily took. Her heart raced so rapidly that she knew he felt it pounding against him. Her insides began to melt and she might have become a puddle if not for him holding her close. Deep in her belly, no lower, something began to stir. Something strange and foreign and with a beat all its own. Cassiana longed for him to touch her there.
His lips finally parted from hers, sliding along her cheek and to her ear. She’d never realized what a man’s tongue could do to a woman’s ear until Landon thoroughly explored it. Shivers of delight rippled through her. Then he pressed his mouth to the tender spot directly below her ear and she gasped. His tongue swirled in small circles and then traveled along her neck and back up to her mouth. Another wave of kisses came, one blending into another, as Landon de Blays marked her as his. His alone. Cassiana understood this—and accepted it.
With joy.
Her hands now became aware of where they were, flat against the wall of hard muscle. Though he still held her tightly against him, she managed to find a sliver of room and slid them up and down, reveling in the feel of him, inhaling his clean scent from the recent bath. Once again, that low growl came from deep within his throat. His hands moved from her waist and cupped her buttocks, sending a jolt of desire through her as he kneaded them.
She became aware of something else. His manhood. It rose, hard and firm. Cassiana stilled, terrified by the thought of him entering her. Of the pain it would cause. She broke the kiss and stared up at him, willing him to release her. Those shockingly green eyes looked down on her, filled with heat and passion. His sensual lips curled into a lazy smile.
“I’d hoped we would suit,” he said softly. “Now, I know we will.”
Landon kissed her once more, this time, feather soft. His hands fell away, releasing her. Quickly, Cassiana stepped back, her lips already missing his. She found herself breathing hard, her breasts rising and falling as rapid as her heart beat.
“Why don’t you return to the great hall?” he suggested. “I’m sure it’s close to the evening meal.” He studied her a moment. “Better yet, you might wish to return to your bedchamber and compose yourself before you see others.”
She stared at him, confused for a moment. “I’ll take your advice, my lord.”
“Landon,” he reminded again, this time a wisp of a smile playing about his lips.
“Landon,” she confirmed, enjoying hearing his name spoken aloud by her.
She was only a few steps away when he called her name. She turned, not knowing what to expect.
“Thank you,” he said. “I know it can’t be easy for you. Losing your father and brother. Having a complete stranger arrive and claim you and your home as his. But you have made me feel welcomed. I hope . . . I hope . . . that our union will agreeable to you.”
Cassiana found herself speechless and merely bowed her head before retreating from the solar. She raced to her bedchamber and closed the door, leaning against it for support. Her fingertips touched her lips in wonder, knowing his mouth had been there a short while ago. She reached and brushed them along her ear, remembering how he’d toyed with it. Her breasts ached, feeling heavy, aching for his touch. In fact, she couldn’t think of a place on her body that didn’t long for his hand. His mouth. His tongue.
A war raged within her. Part of her wanted to continue to behave cold and haughty toward him. This man was a usurper, invading her home and taking everything within it—including her—as his. Yet, he held the parchment that entitled him to do so. Her father had died and no more Campion sons remained as his heir. The king merely asserted his rights in awarding the estate to another. Knowing Briarwood’s value as one of the largest estates in England made Cassiana very aware that Landon de Blays had done something remarkable to earn his reward. With the land also being so close to the Scottish border, she knew King Edward must not only think Landon brave but also incredibly trustworthy for him to give Briarwood to the knight. It took a man of exceptional intelligence and character to hold land so precious and important to England’s protection. That their king had seen Landon fit to become the Earl of Briargate was statement enough of how dearly he viewed the knight.
Knowing the faith King Edward placed in Landon allowed Cassiana to let her guard down and accept her fate without further protest. She was thrilled to be allowed to continue to live at her home. More importantly, Landon was beginning to see
she had value beyond what ordinary females displayed. Though reluctant at first, she saw her future husband becoming aware of what she could contribute.
Her husband . . .
That had been something she’d never dwelt upon. It had never been her dream to wed a man and bear his children. Even knowing that Tobyn searched for a bridegroom at her request had been something she would deal with months, if not years, down the road.
Landon de Blays’ arrival changed all that. For some reason, the war between England and France had come to a standstill and her future had arrived in the shape of a man she wished would kiss from now through Doomsday. If she craved his kiss this much, what would love play be like between them?
Readying herself to go downstairs, Cassiana inhaled deeply and released the breath slowly. Once more, she felt calm and in control.
Until the next time Landon ventured to kiss her.
*
Landon removed the bath sheet from his waist and draped it over the edge of the wooden tub. He dressed slowly in the borrowed clothes, unsure of the feelings that Cassiana Campion had stirred within him. He hadn’t meant to kiss her. He hadn’t planned on touching her until their wedding night. That had all changed the moment she sat near him as he bathed. Custom dictated that she aid him in his bath but he had gruffly told her he could manage on his own. The thought of her bent near, his eyes feasting on the round globes of her breasts as she scrubbed him, had caused him to keep her at arm’s length. Only he regretted telling her so and compromised by saying she could help him wash his back. Cassiana’s nearness and then her soothing touch had caused him to throw all good judgment out the window. Seating himself, Landon slipped into his own boots and leaned back, contemplating the last few minutes with the woman who would soon be his wife.
She had never been kissed before or if she had, her partner hadn’t kissed her properly. Nevertheless, what she lacked in knowledge she’d made up for with a breathtaking enthusiasm. Shyness wasn’t a trait that applied to this noblewoman. Cassiana had allowed him to lead until she understood what to do. Then she asserted herself, almost bringing him to his knees. Eventually, he’d stepped up and taken control again but it surprised him how little it had taken for him to fall under her spell.
He’d always been generous with a lover but Landon found himself wanting to please her beyond anything he’d done in the past. He recalled her fingers splayed on his bare chest and the dizzyingly slow movement as she began moving her hands up and down him. Oh, they would be well matched in the bedchamber. He had no doubt of that after having kissed her and seen how she responded.
Cassiana had surprised him in other ways, as well, especially with her temper. Landon admitted he’d pushed aside much of what she’d said—and she hadn’t liked not being taken seriously. He appreciated that she spoke up for herself. Her intelligence was obvious. Whether he cared to admit it or not, this daughter of the house seemed to know a great deal about the estate and how it was run. In truth, she would be the best tutor he might have.
If he could concentrate long enough and keep his hands off her.
Already, Briarwood’s steward and captain of the guard had offered Landon their high opinions of her. Tobyn—and even Nicholas—had done the same. All in all, it seemed as if Landon had achieved not only an earldom and a valued estate, but one that included a beautiful, clever, desirable woman as his wife.
He only wished he hadn’t agreed to waiting two weeks to wed.
Rising, he stroked his bare face, now shorn of its heavy stubble, and eyed the door to the bedchamber. Landon moved toward it and entered. The room was spacious, as large as the solar, with a bed large enough to rival that of the king’s. A table rested next to it and another table stood in a corner, two chairs placed next to it. On it sat a chessboard. Idly, he wondered if Cassiana played chess. She probably did, even better than he. Smiling, he thought about challenging her to a game, wondering what their wager should be.
Before he left the solar, he went to his clothes on the floor and removed his most prized possession, one that he’d never mentioned to another. He studied the ruby brooch, remembering the last thing his father had told him when he placed it in Landon’s palm.
Give it to the woman you love.
He wondered if—or when—he might gift it to his new wife.
Landon made his way downstairs after hiding the brooch at the bottom of the chest that contained the former earl’s clothing. As he descended the staircase, he heard noise coming from the great hall and saw people pouring into it from the outside. He followed the group and headed for the dais, where Cassiana already sat.
“May I join you?” he asked.
“Certainly, my lord,” she said formally, her features schooled and showing no emotion.
As he sat, he leaned toward her, his lips brushing her ear. He sensed her tremble and found himself satisfied.
“I thought you were going to address me as Landon.” He drew back and contemplated her.
“I will do so in private,” she said primly. “While others are present, even if they cannot hear our conversation, you will be Lord Landon. Or my lord.”
He reached for her hand under the table and entwined his fingers through hers. It pleased him to hear her sharp intake of breath.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her eyes widening.
Landon looked down at her lap and back into her eyes. “I believe I am holding your hand. The hand of my future countess.”
“What if someone sees?”
“What if they do?” he countered, teasing her as he watched her brown eyes flicker with more amber now. “Did your parents never hold hands?”
“I . . . I don’t remember.”
Landon shrugged. “Not all wedded couples do. Hold hands, that is.”
“Did yours?” she asked curiously.
He stiffened. “Nay. Never.”
He released her hand and looked out over the great hall. Suddenly, her hand rested atop his, wriggling until their fingers were once more interlaced. Landon turned and faced her.
“I think I like holding your hand,” she said boldly.
He laughed, relaxing at the contact between them. “Likewise, my lady.”
Landon lifted their joined hands and, never taking his eyes from hers, kissed her fingers. Suddenly, all conversation died in the great hall. He saw the startled look on Cassiana’s face and turned to survey those gathered. With her hand still in his, he rose and urged her to do the same.
“Good people of Briarwood,” he began. “I am Landon de Blays, formerly of King Edward’s royal guard, and the new Earl of Briargate.”
A pleased murmur sounded throughout the room.
“I have already met a few of you—Sir Adam and Sir Baldwin. Hobart. Messina. They have been most welcoming and I appreciate their kindness. I realize I am a stranger to you and that you are in mourning, both for your liege lord and Sir Tobyn, but I hope that you will find me to be a fair, considerate lord. I look forward to meeting everyone seated in the great hall and those who live beyond the walls of the castle.”
Landon turned and bowed his head in acknowledgement of Cassiana before looking out at the room again. “The king knows how blessed Briarwood has been to have Lady Cassiana all of these years. He wishes for her to remain and she will—as my wife.”
Once more, he raised her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles as the room erupted in cheers.
“You certainly know how to introduce yourself,” she murmured.
Landon smiled. “And I cannot wait to introduce you into the ways of love, my lady.” He squeezed her hand and released it and then raised his arms high. “Wine for everyone,” he shouted. “The best Briarwood has.”
More shouts of approval exploded.
“You certainly know how to make yourself a popular liege lord,” Cassiana remarked as she seated herself, a blush staining her cheeks. “With our wedding in a few weeks, we’re going to certainly need to purchase more.”
; “Two weeks, Cassiana. ’Tis all I plan to wait.”
She grinned at him. “I thought you said you would wait, what was it? A great length of time. Aye, that’s what you said, I believe.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.
Landon laughed heartily. “You are too clever for your own good, my lady.”
Her brows arched. “Someone’s going to have to keep you in line and teach you how to be an earl, my lord.”
He eyed her approvingly. “I’m glad that someone will be you.”
Cassiana looked at him a long moment. “I am also glad that it will be me, Landon.”
“Fire!” a voice shouted, and Landon watched a man race into the great hall and toward the dais. “Fire! At the drying barn!”
Chapter Ten
Cassiana sprang to her feet as Landon did.
He grabbed her about the waist and lowered her from the dais, telling her, “You are familiar with what to do. Give the orders. I’ll see them carried through.”
“To your stations!” she cried as the mass of people present stood, recognizing the danger that beheld them all.
Lifting her skirts, Cassiana raced from the great hall and out the doors of the keep. Hurrying down the stone staircase, others passed her, heading in various directions. She ran through the baileys and out the already opened gates, trusting that the drills she’d put the people through would let everyone know what to do. Her nostrils filled with the acrid smell of fire and she prayed frantically that they would be able to save some of the harvest.
The drying shed stood a couple of hundred yards away from the wheat fields, on the opposite side of the road. She saw the right side of the building smoking as flames licked it and leaped toward the sky. The wattle and daub structure contained a thatched roof and it was this roof that concerned her most. If the fire spread throughout it and then the roof collapsed, all of the collected wheat would be lost. She would be hard pressed to feed her people and the nearby town of Stony Eastbridge, which depended upon Briarwood for its grain supply.
