Defy Not the Heart (21 page)

“Who else does he need with a general in his corner?”

She ignored that. “While we are still on the subject of your cat—”

“Are we? I thought the subject was the boy.”

“The boy is my concern. The cat is yours, particularly where she is to sleep. I do not like waking up with her nose in my face, as I did this morn. She should never have been allowed upstairs.”

“She goes where I go, sleeps where I sleep. It has always been so.”

“That was well and good when you slept in tents, my lord, but a bedchamber is no place for animals.”

“And here I thought you had me in that class. Or do you mean to kick me out of the chamber, too?”

“As if you would go if I did,” she snorted.

“Nay, I would not. And neither does Lady Ella go.”

“Then we needs discuss it more.”

“The subject is closed, Reina,” he said, his tone warning that he meant it. “Now do you order me a bath. If you would like to join me, come along. Otherwise, I will see you at the evening meal.”

She had to grit her teeth to keep from calling him back as he walked away. She was supposed to have her
every
request agreed to, not the least of them denied. But she had to allow that two out of three was not bad. Only if he thought he had just atoned for his infidelity, he had best think again.

“
Y
ou will feel better do you talk about it.”

Reina did not answer, keeping her eyes closed as Theodric pulled the comb gently through her hair. She wished he were not so perceptive to her moods. She had said naught to him about her husband’s visit to Red Alma, nor did she intend to. He would hear about it soon enough once the gossip reached the castlefolk, but hopefully he would not relate that to the upset he sensed in her now. Confession might be good for the soul, but humiliation was not.

She felt like pacing, not sitting calmly on a stool. This nightly ritual was usually so soothing. Theo had the magic touch when it came to easing her tension. But her agitation was mounting, not decreasing, as it grew closer to the time Ranulf might appear.

“Did you get your legs spread again betwixt here and the village?”

“Do not be vulgar. Theo.”

“Well, did you?”

“Nay, I did not,” she gritted out.

He pulled her hair until her head bent back far enough so she could see him looking down at her. “Who are you wroth with, then, if not the giant?”

“Theo—”

“Tell, or I will go down and whisper in his ear that you are eagerly awaiting him—in bed.”

“Do, and you take your life in your hands,” she snapped, yanking her head back down.

That hint was sufficient and he said no more. But the ensuing silence only made Reina’s nerves more raw. She decided he might as well know half of it.

“You had the right man, Theo, but the wrong reason. I thought I had Ranulf’s agreement that he would give Louise de Burgh to Sir Arnulph in marriage. But at supper, he told not only Searle and Eric but Walter, too, to ride over and make the widow’s acquaintance.”

“So?”

“So I know now he means to give her to one of them, when I as much as had his promise just this afternoon that Arnulph could have her.”

“He does not strike me as a man who would break promises lightly, Reina.”

“He did not exactly promise,” she said grudgingly. “But he knew I wanted the match, and he said he would consider Arnulph.”

“Considering is not a firm decision, not by any means. It seems to me he is only preparing ahead does he decide against Sir Arnulph.”

“You do not understand, Theo. He owes me his concurrence on this.”

“How so?”

“Never mind how so, he just does,” Reina said impatiently. “And Arnulph is the best man to place there. He has given us excellent service. He has proved himself most capable of such responsibility. He is deserving of a reward. And besides all that, he knows the lady and likes her, too. They are well suited.”

“Ah, but what does she feel about it? Mayhap she
would appreciate having more than one man to choose from.”

“Since when is that a matter of importance, especially when the lady is so young?”

“Need I remind you that you were not much older than Lady de Burgh when you very logically and rationally chose John de Lascelles and Richard de Arcourt as the men you would prefer to marry of all those you had to pick from? And not only that, you changed your mind at the last moment.”

“Which proves that even at ten years and seven, a woman is an idiot if she thinks she knows what is best for herself,” Reina said, her tone disgruntled.

“Now, now, you know the giant is still the best choice, even if you are having your first discord with him. You cannot expect him to agree with you always, Reina, any more than your…father…would…”

Reina glanced up as Theo’s words trailed off into silence. Ranulf had entered without a sound and stood staring at them, his expression growing darker by the second. Lanzo stood just behind him, revealing a neck red with embarrassment as he gazed up at the ceiling.

Theo cleared his throat to get Reina’s attention, and when that did not work, nudged her shoulder. Only then did she realize what was causing the reaction of the two at the door. Her bedrobe had slid open down her front to expose one breast and a goodly portion of navel.

With a gasp she yanked her robe closed, then glared furiously at her husband. That this should happen once was bad enough. Twice was just too much.

“A little warning ere you enter would not be amiss,
my lord,” she bit out caustically. “’Tis called knocking.”

“At my own door? I think not.”

“If you are alone, it makes no difference, but you are not alone.”

“Neither are you, lady, and I will know the reason for
that
right quickly.”

Too late she saw that he was not just scowling as was his usual wont. He was seething with anger, the cords of his neck taut with it, his violet eyes blazing with it. And those eyes were riveted on Theodric, not on her. But Reina was angry herself, and not just at being embarrassed again.

She came swiftly to her feet to demand, “Just what are you insinuating? You were apprised long ago that Theodric is my personal servant. Why else would he be here except to attend to his duties?”

“And what duties has he that have you sitting before him half naked?”

“Do not be stupid,” she snapped. “He looks at me as he looks at you—nay, that is not right. He would rather look at you. Me he does not even notice, any more than Lanzo would notice you when he bathes or dresses you.”

“Do you tell me
those
are his duties?”

“Of course.”

“Not anymore, by God!” Ranulf snarled, and to Theodric, “Out!”

Reina stiffened and put out an arm to detain the boy. “You do not have to leave, Theo.”

“
Jesú
, Reina!” Theo croaked behind her. “Do you
want
me to die?”

“He will not touch you.”

“I would not wager on that, wife,” Ranulf said,
the softer tone more ominous. “Do you think on it, you will recall that I owe him a thrashing that I will be most happy to administer is he not gone in…”

It was unnecessary to continue, Theo already having slipped under Reina’s arm to bolt past Ranulf and out the door. Lanzo chuckled at the comical exit. Reina gave him a withering look before turning her back on the pair. She did not trust herself to speak just then. Her temper was that close to making her scream like an idiot.

“You may go, too, Lanzo,” Ranulf said in a tone indicating his emotions were back under control. “My lady will help me disrobe.”

“And have you accuse me of usurping another of his jobs?” Reina tossed over her shoulder with a baleful look. “Do not count on it, my lord.”

“Is it not your duty to assist your husband in whatever manner he bids you?”

“Do not talk to me of duty after that childish display.”

“You refuse?”

“
Jesú
, he understands,” she said to the ceiling. “Thank you.”

“’Twould seem your Theo is not the only one long overdue a thrashing.”

She had not heard him come up behind her, though he was so close his breath stirred her hair. She had not heard the door close either, but they were now alone.

“Mayhap you can frighten Theo half to death with that threat, but I am not so fainthearted.”

“What threat? Do I deem it needful, I promise you will find it uncomfortable to sit down for at least a
sennight.” His hand came to the back of her neck to turn her around to face him. “Is it needful, Reina?”

“Are you asking for my permission?”

He grinned. “I would not be so foolish as to leave the matter for you to decide. I asked if ’tis needful. Do you intend more defiance?”

“Nay,” she whispered resentfully, fainthearted after all.

“Good. ’Twas not in my mind to chastise you when I came in here. I had something altogether different in mind.”

She jerked away from him, her eyes flaring with suspicion. “You cannot mean…not after…how do you
dare
to think I—”

“So we had a little disagreement,” he interjected with a shrug. “’Tis over now.”

“Over? Little?” she choked. “If that is how you see it, fine. ’Tis no more than I could expect from a barbarous lout. But you will not have your ‘something altogether different’ from me, not in the same day you had it from Red Alma!”

“Red… You had best explain yourself right quickly, lady.”

“Me?”
she gasped. “You visit a whore, and I am to explain
myself?
”

“So that is the tick got under your skirt today.” He grinned suddenly, then furthered her outrage by laughing. “And I told her you would not be that silly.”

“You told…silly?” she sputtered. “Aye, then I must be, to think my husband would not shame me so openly.”

He shook his head at her, still grinning. “My lady, you were in nowise shamed—”

“And the pigs will fly on the morrow,” she
snorted. “Best you inform the falconer to prepare for this wonder.”

“—nor have you reason to be wroth.”

“So I am to wonder daily whose bed I will find you in next, but never to say aught about it? Is that what you are telling me?”

“Did you find me in bed with the wench?”

“I found you with your hand stuck to her breast. Discussing the rent, my lord?”

Her sarcasm was getting more deadly. He had forgotten that she had appeared at Red Alma’s door at just that moment.

“Actually, we were discussing you.”

“Certainly.” Her tone turned dry.

“The door was open, if you will recall.”

“Which only proves what you told me was true. You do not care whether you have privacy or not. In the woods, in a whore’s hut with the door wide open, what difference?”

She
would
have to remember that just now. “You know, little general, you could have saved yourself this jealous grief had you just answered my question yestereve. If you do not want me to lust after anyone but yourself, you should have said so.”

“So you admit it?” she asked with little triumph.

“Do you?” he countered.

“Since you cannot be discreet, I suppose I must, though ’tis pointless after the fact,” she replied bitterly. “And I was
not
jealous. I was appalled and humiliated, but not jealous.”

“Very well, you were not jealous,” he allowed, though his smile said he did not believe it. “You still could have avoided any upset at all by simply asking me what I was doing there.”

“There is only one reason a man visits a whore.”

“Then why did I only talk to her?”

“Talk?” she snorted. “As in putting your hands on her breasts?”

Instead of squirming in abashment, he chuckled. “How else was she to determine whether or not my touch would bruise you?”

“Me? You expect me to believe you caressed her for my sake?” she sneered. “Do you try again.”

At last he frowned. “Was I in need of a woman, I would not have had to go to the village to find one. There are plenty here who would not tell me nay, including yourself. What I was in need of was an answer that only a woman of vast and varied experience might know. That is the only reason I sought out Red Alma, and that is all I got from her. Even when her answer aroused me, I did not stay to take advantage of her profession. But had I found you waiting outside, lady, you can be sure you would have had proof that you assumed wrongly.”

She did not mistake his meaning, which brought color to her cheeks. And she believed him, unwisely or not, because she wanted to. Only that meant she had made an utter fool of herself with her accusation. She should be grateful he had not lost patience with her completely. But he was still frowning, which added to her present discomfit.

“Will you—” She had to clear her throat, nor could she meet his gaze just now. “Will you tell me what answer you sought?”

He took a step closer, and his voice was a low, husky rumble. “How I might pleasure you without hurting you.”

Reina’s head snapped up, hot indignation rushing back to the fore. “You asked her
that?
”

“Aye.”

“But you have never hurt me.”

“I have never touched you as I would like, either, too afeard that these hands would cause you pain when I lose control, as I have repeatedly done with you.” He became exasperated at her doubtful expression. “Look at you! Do you know how breakable you seem to me? You are the tiniest, most delicate woman I have ever taken to my bed. Lifting you puts no more strain on me than lifting Lady Ella.”

That was an exaggeration, but neither of them noticed as he grasped her beneath the arms and lifted her high to prove his point. She was looking down on him now, but he looked no farther than her chest, mesmerized by the parting of her robe. Both breasts were revealed, the large, dusky rose areolas in sharp contrast with the creamy white skin, the nipples puckering even as he watched, as if reaching for his lips. He obliged, bending his head just enough to taste one, and then sucking it deeply into his mouth.

Reina saw it coming when his eyes darkened to indigo, held her breath waiting, and now let it out in a soft moan. Her head rolled back as heat swirled in her belly. Her hands, lightly resting on his shoulders, reached up, fingers digging into his golden mane. That her body was not braced against his, was just dangling from his hands, was of no moment. Her limbs had turned to mush anyway. His remained rock-steady; even his arms still holding her aloft did not tremble.

He finally let go of her breast, only to lick his way to the other, drawing a deeper moan from her as he flayed this virgin nipple. The feeling became nearly
unbearable it was so intense, but Reina would not have cried mercy even did she think to.

Then suddenly she was being lifted even higher. His lips did not leave her skin, pressing hot kisses across her belly, stopping briefly at her navel for his tongue to delve inside. She barely caught her breath from this onslaught when she was lowered again, slowly, with his tongue now licking a path from belly to neck, to cheek, finally into her mouth for a scorching kiss that curled her fingers and toes.

When he at last set her back on the floor, she would have crumbled at his feet were she not still gripping fistfuls of his hair. As it was, she collapsed against his body and hardly noticed when he untangled her fingers and lowered her arms to her sides, pushing her robe off her shoulders until it slithered to the floor. She did notice being lifted again, this time cradled in his arms, and vaguely knew where he was carrying her. But no other thoughts intruded through the misty haze of pleasure she was still feeling.