Chapter Nine
Watching Terric ride away was not an easy thing for Jacqueline to accept, but she had to agree with his motive for leaving Carisbrooke. It would have been close to impossible for the two of them to act as if nothing had happened between them. It was just too risky for him to stay.
No sooner had he and Edwin disappeared from sight then Beth grabbed Jacqueline by her arm and towed her up to her chamber. After shutting the door behind them, Beth smiled at her.
“Well, tell me. What did you and Terric talk about last night? Or should I say do?”
Jacqueline felt herself blush to the very roots of her hair, and said, “I think you know very well what happened.”
Beth laughed merrily. “Aye, I do, but I want to hear you say how it was. I can see you are no longer angry with Terric for leaving. So it could not have been all bad.”
“Nay, it was not. It was wonderful.”
“I hope you have not let him get away too easily then.”
“Nay. He will meet me at the grand tournament. Once that is over, he wants to talk to Mother.”
Beth embraced Jacqueline. “I knew Terric was the one for you. He just needed a little convincing.”
“A little trickery on your part.”
“Aye, and that too,” Beth said laughingly. “I hope you did not mind me locking your chamber door. I figured Terric would have beaten a hasty retreat if he could have managed it.”
Jacqueline shook her head. “Nay, I applaud you for your forethought in doing it.” Growing serious, she asked, “How do you manage, Beth?”
“How do I manage what?”
“The loss of William. Until now, I really did not know what it must be like for you. I have only been able to think of how not having William here affected me.”
The cheerfulness that had showed on Beth’s face a moment before was now replaced with sorrow. “Sometimes I feel as if I cannot live another day without him. It is getting easier, not by much, but I can bear it now.”
“I am so sorry that I have not helped you more. I love you as a sister. It has not been well done of me.”
Beth wiped away a tear and gave her a small smile. “As I love you, Jacqueline, but you have helped me. You and your plan to face the earl have given me something to center my attention upon. I look forward to the day you give him the comeuppance he so richly deserves. It will give me the greatest pleasure.”
“It is near at hand, Beth. I will do it for all of us. Most especially for William.”
* * * *
After two days of rain, Lady Elizabeth decided to enjoy the now bright sunny day. She donned her cloak and stepped outside. She took a deep breath of fresh air. It was nice to be able to leave the hall without getting wet. There was another reason for her stroll. One she had been putting off for some time.
The pounding of hooves along with the sound of a breaking lance reached her ears before the training ground came into view. Lady Elizabeth stopped a short distance from the activity taking place there and watched her daughter.
Instead of going against a quintain, Jacqueline took runs at a shield, which had been mounted onto a thick wooden post. Even though she did not ride against a live target, she wore full armor.
Jacqueline took another pass, and Lady Elizabeth did not find it hard to believe it was her son she observed. Her daughter rode with all the confidence of any true knight. There was no hesitation or faltering in Jacqueline as her lance struck the shield. Lady Elizabeth felt a grudging pride in her daughter’s ability. She had not expected to find her quite so skilled with a lance.
Sir Guy had kept her informed of Jacqueline’s progress over the months, but she had presumed the praise he lavished upon her daughter was slightly biased. He loved Jacqueline as if she were truly his child, as he had William. Obviously, his words had been spoken in truth.
As Jacqueline prepared to make another run, Lady Elizabeth smiled. Her daughter trained as if the grand tournament were only days away instead of the weeks that separated them from it. Terric’s leaving had precipitated these intense training sessions. Jacqueline had to be trying to distract herself, to make the separation from him more bearable.
It was after that last run that Jacqueline spotted her standing on the edge of the training ground, watching. Lady Elizabeth waved as Jacqueline rode her horse toward her. “I see you are trying to make up for the two days you lost to the rain.”
Jacqueline unlaced her helm, then pulled it from her head. She tucked it under her right arm and smiled. “You are the last person I expected to find here. I assumed you were keeping your distance from all this.”
“So I decided to see how you are doing with my own eyes. What of it? I am your mother. It is my job to look out for you.”
“And? What is your verdict?”
“Though I am reluctant to say it, I am impressed with your skill.” She was more than just mildly impressed, but she was not ready to give that much praise to Jacqueline.
Bowing in the saddle, Jacqueline saluted. “I will take that as an encouraging thought.”
Lady Elizabeth snorted. “I still do not approve. So do not get full of yourself.”
Jacqueline smiled. “Whatever you say, Mother.”
“There is one thing I wish to say before I return to the hall.”
“That would be?”
“Relax a bit. Do not try so hard. It will not make the days go any faster. Just two short months, then you will be with him again.”
It was obvious Jacqueline tried to act as if she did not know what she had meant, as she asked offhandedly, “Whom do you mean, Mother?”
Lady Elizabeth backed away as she smiled. “Terric, of course.”
* * * *
The two remaining months before the grand tournament Jacqueline spent training, improving her skill. She would be more than able to go against the earl now. It helped to keep her mind off Terric too.
She missed him and looked forward to when they would be reunited in London. Even with her days occupied with training, her nights were filled with dreams of him. Now that he had fully awakened her body to passion, she craved his touch. She awoke wet and aching for him.
Once all the long months of training were complete, the true test would come. The day of the grand tournament quickly approached. The time had come for Jacqueline, her mother, and Beth to travel to London. Jacqueline could not wait.
* * * *
With the long, tiring days of travel behind her, Jacqueline was happy to finally see the city gates looming before her. She had only been to London once before when she had been a small child. Her mother had decided she and William had needed to experience the large city.
Once they had worked their way through the crowded streets and had reached their destination, Jacqueline, playing the part of William, directed the men-at-arms to set up her pavilion. The place set aside for the contestants was almost filled to capacity. It very much seemed as if a small city had been erected within the larger one of London. The positions of the pavilions caused a maze of pathways running throughout.
Hoping to see Terric’s standard among the pavilions closest to where she was situated, Jacqueline scanned those nearby. Not surprisingly, she did not find it. Spotting his standard would be nigh impossible without knowing exactly where he was camped. There were just too many. Her mother called to her, and she gave up on her search. She stepped into the pavilion to find out what her mother wanted.
“Now, Jacqueline, I am going to your father. He requested I seek him out upon our arrival. You and Beth may stay here. I do not think it wise for the earl to see you up close.”
“I agree. I intend to avoid him as much as I possibly can. What excuse will you give should he ask why William does not accompany you?”
Her lady mother casually waved away her concerns. “He will not ask, at least not yet. Besides, I know how to handle the earl.”
“If you do not return before the feast, Beth and I will make our own way there.”
With a nod, her mother motioned for the two men-at-arms to follow her as she walked out of the pavilion. Jacqueline and Beth were now left on their own.
“Well, Jacqueline, how do you feel? Now, after all the months of training, the day you have strived for is finally upon you,” Beth said.
“I am ready, but I just want to have it over with. William has waited long enough for retribution.”
“Then tomorrow cannot come soon enough.”
* * * *
Her mother did not return before the feast that was to take place in the evening. So Jacqueline and Beth went on their own as planned. It was being held at a hall nearby.
Having waited for as long as they could, they found the hall filled with all the knights and those in their retinue when they arrived. It was with great difficulty that Jacqueline found two empty spaces at one of the many trestle tables. Once Beth was seated, Jacqueline took the opportunity to search the hall for Terric. Again it was futile.
She sat and accepted the food Beth passed her. She was being silly, but having not seen Terric since her arrival had made her concerned. Had he changed his mind over the intervening months? It was a possibility. She really had no hold over him and no betrothal to bind him to her.
An hour after their arrival, her mother and the earl entered the hall. At the sight of her father, all the anger and resentment she felt toward him rose inside her. He led her mother to the raised dais where the higher nobles were seated. Her disgust in seeing him increased.
At the age of two and sixty, the earl still had the bearing of a much younger man. His shoulders were not stooped by age. His light brown hair that he wore closely cropped to his head was well sprinkled with gray. Jacqueline could see what had drawn her mother to him in the beginning. Even at his age, he still retained his fair face, and he was charming. Even now, he wielded his charm like a weapon, impressing all the nobles with who he paused to speak.
Beth leaned in closer and whispered into Jacqueline’s ear. “I wonder if the earls realize how your father is manipulating them. They all seem so thrilled to be in his presence.”
Jacqueline snorted in disgust. “It is very doubtful they do. The earl is cunning. He could charm a priest out of his robes if it furthered him.”
Another hour passed, and Jacqueline felt a great need to leave the hall. If she did not, she would make a fool of herself in front of all present. The more she watched her father, the more she wanted to ram her fist into his face. His arrogance knew no limits. The way he treated her mother was inexcusable. He had reduced a strong-willed woman to a submissive possession. It was all too clear that the earl had only demanded his wife’s presence to further his position amongst the other earls. How he had gained such control over her mother was a mystery. Seeing her only speaking when he spoke to her made Jacqueline feel physically ill.
She turned to Beth, and said, “I cannot take anymore. Let us leave.”
Having surely watched Jacqueline scowl in the direction of the earl since his arrival, she agreed. “I do not think we will be missing much. The main entertainment here seems to be how much wine one can down.”
Jacqueline took a closer look at those seated around them. Beth was correct. How some of the knights would be in any condition to joust the following day was beyond her. As they walked to the hall doors, Jacqueline had the distinct feeling she was being watched. She turned her head to look over her shoulder and found the earl staring directly at her. He in no way acknowledged that he knew she stared back at him. He just sat there with no expression upon his face. She turned back around once more and hurriedly ushered Beth through the doors. She was relieved to be able to close them behind her, separating herself from her father’s unsettling regard.
All her tension she left her in a rush once inside her pavilion. She let loose a string of curses.
Beth, who had come in a step behind her, asked, “What is the matter?”
“Mother’s trunk is gone. I do not think she will be returning, after all.”
“I had a feeling she would not. The earl must have some need of her.”
Jacqueline grumbled, “First, I cannot find Terric, now this.”
Having poured them each a goblet of wine from the pitcher that sat on a small table in the center of the pavilion, Beth passed one to Jacqueline. “What is wrong? You do not think Terric would go against his word, do you?”
Jacqueline accepted the proffered goblet, then swallowed a large gulp from it. “Of course I do. It has been two months since I last saw him. Anything could have happened to make him change his mind. Including another woman.”
“Oh, Jacqueline, Terric would not do that to you.”
“How can you be so sure? I really have not known him all that long. He could have been lying, and I would not have been the wiser. He did not profess his undying love for me before he left.”
Beth sighed. “He will be here for you. Terric is not the type of man to make false promises.”
“You are quite right, Beth. I do not make false promises.”
At the sound of Terric’s voice, Jacqueline whirled around, causing some of the wine in her goblet to slosh over the rim and onto her hand. The first thought that came to her mind was, He is here. He is actually here.
Terric came to stand before her. He took the goblet from her and had a sip. He grabbed her hand and licked the wine from her skin. She uttered a small surprised gasp of pleasure.
Beth, whose presence had been forgotten, discreetly coughed. “I am pleased to see you again, Terric. Jacqueline was most worried.”
Blinking, as if coming out of a trance, Terric turned to look at Beth. “I heard you trying to reassure her. My thanks for having such confidence in me.”
“Do not think badly of Jacqueline. She has been under a lot of strain since our arrival.”
“Well, I am here now. So she has one less thing to worry about.” Terric released Jacqueline’s hand, then reached for Beth’s. After she placed it in his, he spoke once more. “If you agree, I would like some time alone with Jacqueline. Edwin is waiting just outside to escort you to my pavilion.”
“I will leave you both alone, but I suggest you do not take very long. Who knows who might come to call when you least expect it.” She looked pointedly at Jacqueline, who gave her a curt nod in understanding. Satisfied they had heeded her warning, Beth released Terric’s hand and then stepped outside to where Edwin awaited her.
Seeing Terric again made Jacqueline realize how much she had missed him. She welcomed his embrace when he pulled her into his arms. The meeting of their lips was like a catalyst, and an explosion of flames engulfed her.
Their joining would be quick. The two long months of being separated from Terric had forced her to realize how much he really meant to her. She loved him. It was that simple.
He picked Jacqueline up into his arms and carried her to the cot in the corner. He dragged the furs from it and placed them on the ground. He laid her on them, then fell atop her.
Having dreamed for so many nights of being like this with Terric, Jacqueline once more relished the feel of him pressed so close. His kisses were not gentle, but demanding, almost as if he wanted to devour her. To know she had such an effect upon him increased her desire. She pulled at his tunic, wanting to be closer.
Terric leaned back and quickly shed it. As soon as his bared chest was exposed, Jacqueline rained it with kisses. He growled in the back of his throat. As she shoved him onto his back, she climbed on top of him. She straddled his hips and untied the laces on his hose. He silently watched as she pulled the garment down, exposing his full, erect member. He hissed with pleasure as she softly touched the tip.
Jacqueline circled the head of Terric’s shaft with her finger. Finding a drop of fluid on the very end of it, she rubbed it into the soft skin. The first time they had made love she had not had a chance to get a good look at that part of him. She fully intended to satisfy her curiosity now.
She glanced down at Terric and found his eyes dark with desire. He made no move to stop her as she ran a finger down the length of him. She grew bolder, running her hand farther downward and then cupping his sac. At his groan, she wondered if he would like what he had done to her while back at Carisbrooke.
Before he could stop her, she shifted lower, took his cock in her hand, and licked him from base to tip. He jerked and groaned with pleasure. Once she took him into her mouth and sucked, he moaned even louder. He let her have her way with him for a few seconds more before he seemed to reach his limit.
“If you continue what you are doing, this will be over even before it has begun,” Terric gasped.
With a moan, Terric grabbed her and flipped her onto her back. He undid her hose and removed them after he roughly pulled her boots off. Once she was exposed, he pushed her legs apart with his knee and slowly worked himself home. They moaned. He surged into Jacqueline’s body. She gasped. Her inner walls spasmed as she lifted her hips to meet his thrusts. He grasped hers, then thrust into her once, twice, before his release ripped through him. Out of breath, he collapsed on top of her.
Once their breathing slowed, Terric caressed Jacqueline’s back. She nestled against his side with her head on his chest. She only wore her tunic, and his hose were pooled at his ankles. He still had his boots on.
“We have to get up, Jacqueline. Beth is right. We could have uninvited guests at any moment.”
“I wish we did not have to. This feels too good. I could get used to having you as my pillow.”
Terric chuckled. “I would not mind being used as one in the slightest, but your pillow is going to do what is best for you and get dressed.”
As he slipped out from under her, Jacqueline groaned and put her face into the pile of furs. After he pulled up his hose and fastened the laces, Terric grabbed her hose and threw it at her head.
“Come now. Get up. Think of poor Beth. I am sure she wants to sleep soon, and she only has Edwin for company. I doubt she will be able to stomach his lovesick looks for long.”
She pulled her hose from her head and smiled at the thought of Beth having to fend off Edwin’s admiring glances. “Then we had best rescue her. She is likely to smack him silly.”
Finally accepting the fact he would not stay any longer with her, she hurriedly donned her hose. He was not totally unaffected by her. The evidence was there to see by the bulge between his legs. “Are you sure you have to leave, Terric?”
He nodded. “I must. There will be other nights.”
“You promise?”
Desire showed in his eyes as Terric replied, “I promise, Jacqueline. You will not be rid of me so easily.”
“Nor you of me.”
“Until the morrow, my love.”
Terric walked out of the pavilion. Had she heard him correctly? Had he just called her his love? Sighing deeply, she fell back down upon the furs. She looked up at the roof of the pavilion. She could not take the idiotic grin from her face.
That was how Beth found her upon her return. “I see Terric and you had an enjoyable…talk.”
Jacqueline turned her head in Beth’s direction and giggled. She acted like a fool, but she seemed unable to help herself. She was just so happy. “Very. I hope Edwin did not bother you much.”
Beth laughed. “Nay, he was vastly amusing with his worshipping looks. I must admit I found his attention flattering, even though he is only a boy.”
“That boy, as you call him, is the same age as you. Eight and ten.”
“Really?”
Jacqueline shook her head in amusement. Maybe having her friend spend more time with Edwin would not be such a bad thing, after all. If he could help Beth handle the loss of William, he would be a blessing. Beth had suffered enough, and she was too young to act the widow for the rest of her days. Edwin could be the man who could make her put away her mourning for good.