Several weeks later Hugh rode back to Naward, lying flat in a wagon while Aliyar rode alongside, growing more irked each mile. “I’ll stuff a rag in your mouth, m’lord, if you don’t stop asking.”
“But I must ride into the keep. What if Scots are about and see I’m nothing but an invalid? They’ll take Naward.”
“There’ll be no more Scot attacks.”
“And why is that?”
“DeBruce wrote to de Wolfe who’s on his way with a small army. I believe you’re to be wed to his goddaughter in the keep chapel as soon as he arrives.”
Hugh moaned, thinking of all the things that needed to be done. “Once he takes a whiff of Naward, he’ll no doubt burn the place to the ground. The place is unworthy.”
Ali chuckled. “You may be surprised.”
When they got to the edge of the forest, Hugh sat up. “Enough, Aliyar. God’s blood, I’ll ride like a man or die trying.”
“You’ll explain to Rose that you threatened my life if I did not?”
“Afraid?”
“Terrified.”
Once astride Wind, Hugh happily waved to his people who’d exited their shops to cheer. He was well-pleased at how the streets were cleaned of filth, with only a small stream of liquid that ran down the borders.
Stunned, Hugh stared when they reached the now dry moat. “What’s this?”
“Rose found an ancient chain in the wall, pulled, and the moat emptied into the river. Then, we buried everything and added the sharp spikes at the bottom.”
After crossing the drawbridge, a page took Wind’s reins, and Hugh lifted a leg. He sucked in his breath as he clutched his painful waist, and dismounted. Inside the great hall, he nearly tumbled onto his arse.
The former dark cavern was lit as day with new torches. Bright banners hung on the walls, trestle tables were stacked on their sides, and benches piled high. However, the most amazing thing was the floor.
The filthy rush carpet was gone, replaced by shining marble mosaics. Intricate woven rugs from the east were placed on the floor by the far wall with thick sitting pillows in front of an inviting fireplace.
“My God. This palace is worthy of the sultan. How?”
Aliyar shook his head and stared at the wonder. “Rose. She insisted the whole priory come and work as penance for almost killing her. Apparently, none wanted an enemy a stone’s throw from Lanercost, especially when they heard she’s goddaughter to de Wolfe.”
“M’lord?” Rose, his wonderous angel approached wearing a stunning blue tunic, her short red curls covered by a simple veil.
He dropped onto one knee in front of her and kissed her hand. “M’lady. I’m undone by your beauty.”
“Don’t be daft. ’Tis still me.” Her face, however, lit up at his compliment.
Then, she dropped to her knees in front of him and placed her lips on his. The people who’d followed from the bailey and inside the kitchen cheered.
Laughing, he groaned as he rose off his knees and hugged her. “I cannot believe how much you’ve accomplished while I lay sick. This hall is like you, a beautiful rose, newly bloomed.”
“Sit, m’lord, or I’ll make ye drink my latest batch of dwale.” She grinned with a twinkle to her eye. “According to a missive that just arrived, de Wolfe comes with my uncle. I cannae even begin to imagine what it’ll be like to have family. Your father comes too.”
“My sire?”
Hugh moaned and elbowed Aliyar who whispered, “Apparently, your father found a miraculous document when all his legitimate heirs died in Wales. He’s petitioned Edward that you inherit his holdings.”
Aliyar produced a parchment proving that Lord le Despencer supposedly married a servant girl. Years ago, Hugh would’ve fought the devil himself to be legitimate. Now, it only smelled like stale fish. Surprisingly, though, the bitterness he’d carried for years was less.
“I suppose I cannot uninvite him?”
“Certainly not.” Rose lifted to her toes and kissed his cheek. “Now sit. Will ye eat something?”
“Only if you dine with me.” He tucked a red curl behind her ear and his shaft swelled at the thought of entering her sweet sheath. It’d been way too long since he held her.
At the clap of her hands, trestle tables filled the room, and women brought in trencher bowls filled with spicy lamb stew. Rose sat down by his side with her plump lips turned up at the corners.
His chest grew tight when lovely blue eyes met his with thick red lashes wide and cheeks pink with blush. It was if some shell around his heart had broken wide open.
“Will ye cut my meat and feed me little bits?” A tongue flicked over her lower lip and his besotted heart pounded as he stabbed a miniscule piece of meat and brought it to her mouth.
“If need be.”
She stared for a moment, nipped, and grinned. “This could take all afternoon and into the night as well.”
“I cannot wait that long. I need to have you in my bed, your legs wrapped around me.” His lust for her stirred as he cut another morsel and placed it in her open mouth.
Her blush bloomed more as she captured his gaze, chewing slowly. “I’ll come to ye tonight, if ye wish it.”
“Sooner.”
Without warning, she scraped back her bench and jumped upon it. “Ye all must excuse us, good friends. M’lord’s injury is still much. As his healer, I must take him to his chambers so I bid ye all a good day.”
Eyes merry, she put an arm around his waist. “Make this look true, Destroyer.”
As he had in the priory, he put some weight on her and climbed the stairs. Once inside the room, he barred the door, dropped his sword, and took her into his arms.
She responded to his kisses with a lust that matched his own, her fingertips digging into the back of his head, her lower half pressing against his.
He recalled the last time they’d made love was her first and he needed to slow down. “Are you sure you want this?”
“What magic have you done to me, m’lord? I cannae sleep nor eat for want of you. Och, it’s as if my verra soul is dying for your touch.”
“It’s like that for me, as well. Should my want grow more, I’d spend my seed or mayhap go blind.” He sat on the mattress and pulled her onto him while the sweetest of giggles came forth.
“I should not want that, m’lord.”
He unclasped the chain around her waist, unpinned the veil from her locks, and placed both on the table beside his bed.
“After all we’ve shared, would you call me Hugh?”
“Aye. I’d like that.”
“As would I.” Scooting closer, he hugged her curvy body and at the scent of lavender, his shaft grew more.
“I need us to be one, dear angel. It’s been too long.” Slowly, he threaded his fingers through her hair, tilted her head, and pulled her open mouth to his.
His tongue thrust in and out, exploring while she shyly tangled back. Then, kissing grew so intense that they panted to catch their breaths as he lay her back on the bed. Needing more, he pressed a knee up between her legs. she lifted her arms, and he pulled off her tunic. A moment later, she lay gloriously naked before him.
“Now, you.” She didn’t need to ask twice.
Off came his boots, he tore off his tunics, and unwrapped his braies. Laying side by side, he caressed her body while devouring her with his eyes.
Would she belong to him? Could they hold onto this forever?
Eyes bluer than Sultan’s sapphires glistened and held his gaze while her small hands cupped his beard. “I thought I’d lost ye.”
“’Twas no more than a scratch, angel.” He rolled on top of her, put his weight on his elbows and spread her legs open with his knees.
Even though his sword was begging at her opening, he held back, and felt between her legs.
When he found hot honey, he licked his finger and moaned. “You’re so ready.”
“It’s thus, whenever I think of ye.” At her sweet admission Hugh slid off the mattress onto his knees and threw her legs over his shoulder.
Then, he lapped up her juices while she squirmed and arched. Suddenly, she went taut as his bow, screamed, and shuddered. On the edge of his own release, he climbed up her body and plunged. She bucked like a charger, driving him to madness and he rocked into her repeatedly.
So damn close.
She arched up, he met her core, and they both hit splendor beyond heaven at the same moment.
Later, as they floated back down to earth, his tears mixed with hers. “There are no words, sweet lady, when I’m one with you.”
“Shush.” She reached up and touched his wet cheeks, played with ears, and put fingertips to his lips.
Just like that, he was hard again. All afternoon and into the night, they sated their hunger and it wasn’t until dawn broke, they slept.