Claire Delacroix (45 page)

Their gazes met and held for a breathless moment, then Luc’s fingers danced down the length of Brianna once more. “You are overdressed,” he observed and Brianna could not help but chuckle at the tangle left of her chemise. She sat up, well aware of her husband’s appreciative gaze, pulled it over her head and cast it aside.

“Better?”

A gleam lit Luc’s eye and his brows rose in comic alarm. “Why, you still wear your stockings!” He clicked his tongue in a mimicry of Uther’s disapproval. “They will be ruined, my lady, if you wear them to bed.”

Brianna had but a moment to guess Luc’s intent before he dove for the foot of the bed. She gasped at the heat of his breath upon her thighs, then felt the brush of his teeth against her knees. Luc lifted her leg and took care to kiss the back of her knees most thoroughly.

“Luc!” His touch tickled mercilessly, even as it heated her flesh anew. When he untied her garters with his teeth, his eyes glinting dangerously all the while, Brianna shivered. Luc’s strong fingers eased down her stockings. The warmth of his palm slid over her skin in the wake of each stocking removed.

And those deliberate kisses heated Brianna once again. Luc sampled her calves, tasted her ankles, kissed each toe in turn. He caressed her instep, the firm sweep of his thumb there enough to make Brianna’s bones melt.

His hands lay claim to her knees, kisses and hands easing over her thighs, as he crawled back toward the pillows. Luc ran his tongue over Brianna, his teeth, his lips, and his fingertips, changing from one to the next so quickly and persuasively that Brianna was aware of naught but his touch.

She reached for him as Luc drew near the pillows but only caught the flash of his smile as he evaded her touch. Brianna frowned in confusion. She eyed the broad strength of Luc’s shoulders, the snow and ebony of his hair, and the deep sapphire of his eyes, then felt his hands lay claim to her buttocks.

Then, the wet heat of Luc’s tongue slipped through the nest at the apex of her thighs and laved the secret spot he had caressed once before.

Brianna lay back against the linens with a gasp, realizing she had much to learn of the pleasures they might share within this bed. She smiled, even as Luc awakened her passion, loving that her new spouse was so intent on ensuring she learned with all haste.

T
he morning light was falling into the solar, cast into bands of light and shadow by the shutters, when Luc awakened again. He watched the marvel slumbering in his arms and felt himself smile. Indeed, the lady embraced every facet of life with the same unbridled passion.

And Luc liked that trait well indeed. His gaze traced the gracious sweep of Brianna’s jaw, the ripe curve of her lip, the golden splay of her lashes upon her ivory cheek.

A single unwelcome thought dismissed Luc’s sense of well-being. He leaned back and frowned at the canopy, irritated anew by the uncertainty of who had been Father Padraig’s accomplice. Whose voice had he heard in the stables?

Luc’s determination to protect Brianna redoubled in the wake of the night they had shared and he feared anew that this unknown accomplice might see fit to harm her. But he had made no progress in solving the puzzle any further these past days and was loathe to linger at Tullymullagh where danger could lurk at any turn.

There was but one course to follow. They must leave Tullymullagh, Luc and Brianna alone, in order to ensure her safety. They might well leave trouble behind or trouble might abandon the keep in their absence.

But in each other’s company alone, Luc could be certain of the lady’s security without trying to watch hundreds of souls he did not truly know.

But Brianna must know naught of Luc’s fears. He did not want to frighten her with a threat that might not materialize.

Ah! Luc smiled as the perfect solution slid into his thoughts. He would take Brianna to Llanvelyn with all haste. There were matters to be resolved there, at any rate, and Luc knew full well that there would be no danger to the lady at the remote estate. And there he knew every man, woman, and child.

’Twas perfect.

Brianna awakened, nestled against Luc, the length of his legs entangled with her own. He lay on his back, his arm held her against his side. Brianna stretched and opened her eyes to find Luc watching her. He smiled when he saw she had awakened, but Brianna had already noted his fleeting frown.

“Is something amiss?”

Luc pursed his lips. “Not truly. I was but thinking.”

“Of what?”

His blue gaze slid to meet hers. “Of Llanvelyn.”

Brianna sat up abruptly, her hair spilling over her shoulders. A lump of dread rose in her throat, for she knew that Luc himself had confessed he had only come to Tullymullagh to win that estate in full. “What of Llanvelyn?”

Luc shrugged. “There is no steward there. I did not appoint one after Pyrs died, but merely filled the task myself.” He eyed her carefully, as though choosing his words, his hand caressing the small of her back. “What would you think if we went there?”

Brianna swallowed and fought against her impulsive response. “To live?”

Luc shook his head so quickly that she was relieved. “Nay!” He flicked a playful fingertip across the tip of her nose and smiled with affection. “You look dismayed at the very prospect.”

Brianna flushed slightly. “I thought perhaps you did not want to administer Tullymullagh.” She traced the outline of his hand lying against the linens between them. “I thought it might not suit your conviction to leave the noble life behind.”

“Ah, well, ’twas eleven long years ago I made that choice.”

“Then, you are pleased to hold Tullymullagh?”

Luc nodded solemnly. “Aye, ’tis a fine holding.”

Brianna smiled. “You hesitated when your father summoned you. I thought perhaps you would decline.”

Luc rolled his eyes. “I but considered the wisdom of pledging fealty to him.”

“Did you not before?”

“Nay. Though effectively, I was his vassal, for I administered Llanvelyn in his stead. In truth, the responsibility is not much different, though Tullymullagh is certainly larger and more complex.” He lifted a hand to her cheek and smiled. “I can well understand that you would want your father’s holding free of Gavin’s immediate grip.”

“He must think you will obey his bidding.”

Luc grimaced, then grinned ruefully. “Gavin must know better than that, after all these years.”

Brianna had to have all clear between them. She leaned closer and tapped a finger on the mattress. “But you told me that you made a pledge when Tyrell died.”

“A pledge that accepting this seal does not challenge,” Luc argued with resolve. “A man with his wits about him can learn much in eleven years and should have the grace to admit when he has erred. I cannot flee what I am, I cannot
hide from my own ambitions. I admired Tullymullagh from first sight and since coming here, I have learned that there is another role of leadership beyond that of both my father and Tyrell’s father.”

Brianna dared to meet Luc’s eyes, only to find sincerity gleaming there.

“Your own father,” he said firmly, “was a shining example of how a nobleman might lead his life with honor and treat his villeins justly. I would follow his example alone. ’Tis a grand legacy he has left Tullymullagh and one I would see continue.”

Brianna smiled in her reassurance. “Then why go to Llanvelyn at all?”

Luc shrugged, his gaze flicking away from her own. “I simply must see matters in order if we are to make Tullymullagh our residence,” he said stiffly and Brianna sensed that this was not all of the tale. “Llanvelyn has need of a steward, at least.”

“Will Gavin not see to such concerns?”

Luc snorted. “Not he!” He caught her hand and kissed her fingertips. “Brianna, I am not one to leave a task half finished.” Luc’s voice dropped low, his eyes were solemn. “I but ask you to indulge me in this one detail, my lady fair.”

Brianna’s breath caught. How could she refuse him when he had already done so much to assure her happiness?

But still she would tease him, much as he teased her. “Perhaps!” she said archly. “But what reward shall be mine for such indulgence?”

She liked how her words put that wicked twinkle in his eyes. “Fear not, Brianna, I shall make the concession worth your while,” Luc growled, then tickled her until she squealed. Brianna squirmed and tried to tickle him in turn,
but without success. She laughed, she struggled, and they rolled back and forth across the great bed.

Until finally, Luc had her cornered against one of the heavy posts. Brianna tossed her hair and folded her arms across her chest, keeping a wary eye on his mischievous fingers. “How long shall we be gone?” she asked with a defiant tilt of her chin.

Luc shrugged. “With all likelihood, for the winter’s duration. The foul weather draws near, after all.” He regarded her with a slow smile that heated her very blood. “But how, my lady, will we ensure we keep warm?” Luc arched a dark brow and Brianna thought of a dozen ways before more immediate concerns stilled her smile.

Brianna gripped Luc’s arm. “But what of Fenella?” Luc’s eyes narrowed in consideration as she voiced her worries. “If Dermot spurns Fenella and her father casts her out, she might be round with child by the spring.” She raised her gaze to Luc’s. “What if her father comes while we are gone? Luc, he might beat her!”

Luc’s lips set grimly. “No woman shall be beaten within this hall.” He grasped Brianna’s shoulders and looked into her eyes with determination. “Fenella is entrusted to the care of Tullymullagh, leaving her as our responsibility. If Dermot spurns her and her father casts her out, we shall ensure her welfare. I promise you as much.”

“Then we will not go?”

Luc frowned, then rolled quickly from the bed. He restlessly paced the width of the room and back. Brianna’s heart sank at the evidence of how desperately Luc wanted to return to his Llanvelyn. Would he ever be truly content at Tullymullagh?

“How far is it to Fenella’s father’s holding?”

Brianna struggled to recall. “A week’s ride, perhaps a day or two longer.”

“And what manner of man is Fenella’s sire?”

Brianna shrugged. “I do not know him well enough to say. He is a distant cousin—I daresay my father knew his character better than I.”

Luc frowned out the window for a long moment, then flicked a piercing glance her way. His words were terse. “We shall await his arrival, to see your concerns set at ease. I would not have you worry for her all the winter long.” Luc nodded quickly. “Indeed, ’twill grant us time to see all set to rights here at Tullymullagh before we leave.”

There was a rap at the door and Luc dove back for the warmth of the bed. “They come for the linens.” Brianna gasped, sneaking a glance to ensure all was in order.

The dark stain of her maidenhead was more than clear.

“Ah, but
who
comes to gather the evidence?” Luc jested, his playful manner restored as he cuddled Brianna against his side. His protectiveness made her feel less self-conscious about this necessary rite and she was glad he ensured they faced the scrutiny of the household together.

“Gavin,” Brianna whispered with certainty, pulling the linens over her bare breasts. “He wants to ensure your prize is truly won.”

“Nay, ’tis Uther,” Luc argued with conviction. “He wants to see with his own eyes that his lord’s daughter is not shamed.” He scooped his chemise from the floor and eased it over her shoulders, fastening the tie with quick fingers. His hand paused against her jaw, and their gazes clung in recollection of the night they had shared.

It truly had been a wedding night worthy of a bard’s tale, to Brianna’s thinking.

“I do not think she is,” Brianna said breathlessly.

Luc smiled slowly, then bent closer. “Good,” he whispered against her lips, then kissed her once again.

Another rap sounded and Luc lifted his lips reluctantly,
then arched a brow. His sapphire eyes glinted dangerously. “Shall we make a wager, my lady, on who crosses the threshold first?”

Brianna laughed in delight at this unexpected suggestion. She guessed well enough that even losing would be no loss. “Aye!” she agreed and poked a finger in Luc’s chest. “Winner names the terms.”

Luc’s eyes widened, his grin flashed, then he turned to face the portal. “Enter!” he bellowed and the door was opened immediately.

Both men were there, both clearly anxious to see the truth. Uther would have stepped across the threshold, but Gavin dug his elbow into the other man’s ribs with resolve and forced his way into the solar first. His expression was triumphant, but his rough manner launched a tremor of fear within Brianna.

For she recalled well enough that Luc’s long-ago pledge was to never take a blade within his grip again. What if another like Gavin came to Tullymullagh’s gates in the years ahead? Would Tullymullagh be captured anew?

And would all be resolved so satisfactorily as it had this time? Brianna could not believe the fates would smile so benevolently upon her again.

She swallowed and realized she could only hope that Luc would come to change his thinking. Perhaps he would come to take not only the peaceful life of the nobility once more, but resume the responsibility of war.