The Conquest (21 page)

Her eyes opened. None of the innocence remained, but in her stead a vixen who rode him hard. “Ye feel good inside me.”

Her words filled and inflamed him. He dropped his head to her breasts, took a nipple into his mouth, and teased it with tongue and teeth.

Her hands clenched at his shoulders as she stopped moving, holding his head still as he teased one breast then the other. He placed a kiss over her heart, which beat frantically against her chest, and he urged her with hands on hips to continue to ride him.

Rhiannon’s fingers wove through the hair at the nape of his neck, pulling a little as her thighs clamped tight around his hips. Her breathing increased and soon her warm honey slid over his cock, her inner muscles squeezing him tight.

She opened her eyes and the pleased smile on her lips made him yearn to roar to the skies. Instead, he kissed her hard as he found his own release, shuddering as he came deep inside her.

They stayed like that, his cock still semihard within her hot sheath, her head resting on his shoulder. He kissed her shoulder, her neck.

When would he ever get enough of her?

Never
, came the answering reply.

Just as his heart rate started to return to normal, Adelstan heard a twig snap in the distance.

Dread filled him when he looked up and saw Jorden, Elspeth, and Dante in the distance. His friend’s face showed shock, as did the younger officer. Elspeth closed her eyes and ran a hand down her face.

“Adelstan, what’s wrong?” Rhiannon asked, looking over her shoulder. “Oh my God.” She scrambled to her feet, pulling her skirts down around her. “What do we do?”

Standing slowly, Adelstan came to his feet, a heaviness filling his chest as he tied his braies. Jorden and Elspeth he did not worry about, but the younger soldier concerned him, especially since he knew so little about Dante’s past. He could very well be loyal to de Cion already, which meant both he and Rhiannon could be in trouble.

“There is nothing we can do now, Rhiannon,” he said, taking her hand, bringing it to his lips. “I take full responsibility for my actions.”

To his surprise, the concern in her eyes faded, replaced with something that, dare he say it resembled love.

* * *

Jorden could scarcely believe his eyes. He had known Adelstan and Rhiannon had a close relationship, and were good friends, but he had not thought it would ever go beyond a simple flirtation.

Adelstan was too loyal, and his duty meant everything to him, as did his honor.

So what in God’s name was he thinking by defiling Lord Malgor’s betrothed? Lord de Wulf would be furious, and true, it would help that Adelstan was their liege’s brother-in-law, but that would not save him from the wrath of King William.

And everyone knew King William had called for his head once. He would not hesitate to do so now, de Wulf or no de Wulf.

True, Rhiannon MacKay was a beauty to behold. He himself had lost his breath when he first looked into those violet eyes. No doubt it had been the same for Adelstan, but they had formed a deeper connection.

No wonder his friend had become so quiet of late. So distant.

Dante looked at him, alarmed. Jorden grabbed his hand and said, “You say a word to anyone, and I shall kill you, is that understood?”

Looking shocked by the words, Dante merely nodded.

“Take the women back to camp. We shall be along shortly.”

Elspeth, who had been silent since coming up on Rhiannon and Adelstan, nodded and walked toward her charge. To her credit, Rhiannon did not appear embarrassed. Instead, she touched Adelstan’s arm and whispered something in his ear before joining Elspeth and Dante.

Adelstan ran a hand through his hair, watching as the three disappeared. Jorden was shocked to see he actually trembled. “Adelstan, what in God’s name are you thinking?”

“I can say nothing of my own defense. I wanted her from the moment I met her, and I stopped at nothing to seduce her.”

Jorden looked into his friend’s light green eyes. “I know you too well, and you would never seduce an innocent. I have seen the way she looks at you and the way you look at her. I just never imagined things had progressed so far. Had I known, I would have made sure Dante did not—”

“Dante is the least of my concerns right now.”

“How will she explain her lack of maidenhead come her wedding night?”

Adelstan flinched as though struck, and Jorden could see the torture in his friend’s eyes. Rhiannon’s impending marriage to their liege had to be torturing him. “There are ways.”

“I would take no chances. You know Malgor is a suspicious man anyway. End it now, Adelstan.”

Taking a deep breath, Adelstan planted both hands on his hips. “We will just have to be discreet.”

“You will continue to see her after we arrive at Almeron?”

“I do not know.”

“Adelstan, this is madness. You have managed to carry on an affair without anyone else knowing, but what if de Cion himself finds you in such a position as I found you this evening? You will be killed for treason, and Rhiannon as well. Indeed, I think he would kill you both in a rage before he had the chance to torture either of you.”

“I would die a happy man at least.”

He shook his head. “Tell me this, my friend, will you be happy knowing each night your lover sleeps with another man, perhaps the very same day you do?”

“Shut your mouth, Jorden, before I shut it for you.”

Jorden crossed his arms over his chest. “What if she has a child, whose will it be?”

“You might find yourself in a similar position with a certain servant, so I would be careful if I were you.”

“Touché.”

Adelstan frowned. “My quarrel is not with you, Jorden. I have done this, and I accept all responsibility.”

“I wondered about the abrupt departure from Castle MacKay. Did her father know?”

“Yes, he discovered her coming to my room one night.”

“No wonder Elspeth was always wanting to be alone with me when the four of us were together.”

“You underestimate yourself,” Adelstan said with a strained smile. “Elspeth likes you, and her feelings are sincere.”

“She knows the truth.” It wasn’t a question.

Adelstan nodded. “Yes.”

Jorden snorted. “Rhiannon’s servant knows and yet I am your best friend and I had to find out this way.”

“Why bring anyone else into this mess?”

“Break it off while you can, my friend.”

Adelstan reached overhead and picked a leaf off a branch, rolling it between his fingers. “You don’t understand. It’s not that easy.”

“What ye need is a willing whore in your bed as soon as we return to Almeron. What of de Cion’s niece? She was always slipping into your bed at Braemere. Perhaps she can help ease the pain?”

“I don’t want anyone else in my bed but Rhiannon.”

Jorden ran his hands down his face, frustrated.

“You are my friend, Jorden, and I respect you as a man and as a soldier. If you decide to tell de Cion what you know, I will understand.”

Jorden’s hands fell to his sides. “Fuck you!”

Adelstan reared back. “What?”

“I swore an oath to defend king and country, and I have always done that. However, I will not betray my best friend and the woman who loves him, not even to King William. If you think me capable of betraying you, then you wound me greatly.”

Adelstan stared at Jorden for a long, awkward moment. Relief and something else shone in his eyes, and he took the steps that separated them and embraced him. “Thank you, my friend, for your honesty and your loyalty. I owe you.”

Jorden hugged him back, realizing it was the first time they had ever embraced in all the years they had known each other. “And I shall remind you of that at every given opportunity.” He put Adelstan at arm’s length. “Be careful, my friend. Watch yourself. We have both seen Malgor in battle and know what a fierce adversary he can be. He would be merciless if he discovered the truth.”

“Then I pray he never does.”

Almeron Castle,

The Borderlands

Lord Malgor welcomed Rhiannon to Almeron in grand style.

The carriage approached Almeron Castle, a lovely fortress made of gray stone, surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of trees, nestled against a large river…just as Adelstan had said.

A legion of people had gathered to greet her, but Rhiannon’s gaze settled on a tall, barrel-chested man standing at the head of the pack. He looked a good decade older than her father. “That must be de Cion.”

Elspeth squeezed her hand tight. “Aye, I do believe it is.”

Unable to say anything else for fear of bursting into tears, Rhiannon took a deep breath to steady her emotions. She must endure what was to come, even if it killed her.

As the carriage finally rolled to a stop, she said a silent prayer before the door opened and Adelstan appeared.

Her heart gave a jolt. How handsome he was, his windswept hair falling to broad shoulders, his light green eyes filled with an anguish she felt all the way to her soul. He looked at her, swallowed hard. “Lady Rhiannon, we have arrived,” he said softly. He took her hand, helped her down the carriage steps.

His hand slipped from hers almost immediately, and it took everything she possessed not to grab for it.

Do not leave me, Adelstan.

Just last night they had made love under the stars in the forest not far from Almeron. They would have made the castle last night, but she pretended to be ill, knowing once she arrived at the castle, precious time away would be rare, if not impossible.

“Lady Rhiannon,” came a booming voice, laced with a surprisingly thick French accent.

Elspeth stood directly behind her, and she rested a hand on the small of Rhiannon’s back, her way of giving small comfort in this most horrible moment.

With firm resolve, Rhiannon looked into the dark brown eyes of her betrothed and forced a smile. To his credit, Malgor de Cion must have been a handsome man in his day, his red hair still thick, though streaked with gray, his eyes framed by dark lashes, his features not too dominating for his face. He was dressed in an expensive tunic of dark green, with thick embroidery at the neck and cuffs, a stunning brooch of gold and emeralds holding his fur-lined mantle together.

“Come, let me see you,” he said, walking a wide circle around her, which made the soldiers lined on the walls behind him laugh and applaud. Beside her, Adelstan straightened, the nerve in his jaw clinching.

Malgor wore a cocky smile, inspecting her like one would horseflesh. “Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I am well pleased.”

Rhiannon bit the inside of her mouth to keep from saying something she would surely regret.

He came full circle to stand in front of her. “Already I yearn for our wedding night.”

Only those close by could hear him, Adelstan and Jorden included. She watched them from the corner of her eyes, and neither one laughed.

Malgor must have seen their lack of humor for he looked at the duo, the smile on his mouth thinning. “So somber, Cawdor. And what of you, Louvet?”

“We are both tired, my lord,” Jorden said, while Adelstan remained silent. He glanced at Rhiannon, and she wanted to cry for the anguish she saw in his eyes.

Forgive me
, those eyes said before he dropped his gaze.

Malgor clapped Adelstan on the back. “Thank you for bringing my bride to me safe and sound. Robert shall show you to your quarters, where you can bathe and relax until this evening when we celebrate and feast.”

Adelstan nodded and walked off with Jorden at his side, over the drawbridge and into the bailey. Rhiannon’s gaze followed him, noting a lovely woman near her own age calling out his name. He merely nodded in greeting but kept on walking, following Robert into the bailey.

Jealousy ate at Rhiannon’s innards, but she pushed the sensation aside.

Malgor took her hand with his beefy, callused one, and they followed behind the man who had stolen her heart. Villagers and officers alike filled the bailey, leaving only a small path.

Rhiannon could still see Adelstan ahead. The woman had caught up to him, and now walked with him, her hand winding around his arm.

“Our bedchamber is in this tower.” Malgor motioned in the opposite direction Adelstan was walking. “You first, my lady.” At the tower steps, Malgor dropped her hand and motioned for her to go before him.

Rhiannon looked to Elspeth and held out her hand. Elspeth’s hand tightened around Rhiannon’s, and Malgor frowned.

They came to the first door and she hesitated. “Nay, it is the top chamber, my lady.”

Feeling Malgor’s gaze on her backside the entire way, Rhiannon stopped before the third and final door. He reached beside her and opened the door, his hand brushing against her breast.

He smelled of ale and onions.

“Here is our chamber.” He pushed the door open with his foot, and she walked in, more than ready to be away from his disquieting touch.

The stone walls were covered with large tapestries of religious significance, and the large canopy bed with its thick curtains reminded her of her upcoming duty.

Bile rose in her throat.

“I see where your gaze lingers, my lady,” he whispered in her ear and she jumped away.

His laughter followed her across the room. The only window was narrow and over halfway up the wall, too far above to reach by chair or bed. Though vast, the chamber had a stifling quality that made her want to run far and fast.

Or mayhap it was just the man beside her who brought about such a reaction.

“Do you like it?”

“Aye.” She turned to face him, disquieted to find him right behind her. “But where is my chamber, my lord?”

He frowned, his eyes appearing like slits. “As I already said, this is
our
chamber.”

She swallowed hard and forced herself to keep eye contact. “We are not married yet, my lord. It would hardly be appropriate to sleep in the same chamber before the vows have been spoken.”

The sides of his mouth curved in a sly smile as his gaze slid down her body, stopping in the vicinity of her breasts before moving downward, over her mons and the girdle’s tassels that fell between her legs.