His Captive Lady (21 page)

The door opened. Wulf. Candles guttered as he approached the bed, his shadow stretched across the star-painted walls.

'Still awake,
ma belle
?' The mattress dipped under his weight as he sat down beside her. 'I am glad of that, because I have something for you.'

'Oh?'

He pressed a folded cloth into her hands. 'Here.'

Erica blinked. Green, blue and white, like the ribbons on the door latch. Her heartbeat increased. The ribbons had not been a coincidence then, Wulf knew about her father's device. Green, blue and white--the shades were an exact match of the colours her father had chosen for his battle pennon.

'Aren't you going to look at it?'

Carefully, scarcely daring to breathe, Erica unfolded the fabric. Yes, as she suspected, it was a newly made pennon. Her eyes stung. Here was the green of the sea, dancetty with waves; and here some blue silk to represent the sky above the cliffs near Lewes; while the white cliffs themselves...

She opened the last fold and blinked in surprise. 'What's this?' The white cliffs had changed--oh, there was still a broad band of white in the middle of the pennon--but superimposed over them someone had stitched a wolf's head, in profile. A black wolf with a red eye and tongue.

Wulf's expression was guarded, but his mouth went up at one corner. 'It's a wolf.'

'I can see that, but--'

A large finger reached out to trace the outline of the head. 'It is--' his smile enlarged '--an ambiguous device. De Warenne has approved it, by the way.'

Erica's eyes went from Wulf's to the pennon and back again to Wulf's.

'I...see. A wolf's head--outlaws and rebels.'

'That's
you
, my lady, my outlaw wife who bears the wolf's head. And your men, too, the housecarls who went with you into the fens.'

She shook her head. 'But you, your name, it is also
you
, Sir Wulf.' Erica's lips curved as she bent her head over the pennon, smoothing out the fabric. Wulf had just succeeded in dispelling any lingering doubts as to whether he would be accepted at Whitecliffe. 'It is fine work, I like it. Rose?'

'Yes.' Taking the pennon from her, Wulf put it to one side. 'I want you to know I will protect you, Erica. Always.'

She tipped her head to one side. 'That is important to you?'

'It is the most important thing. Ever since Marie died, I have longed to be in a position to be able to protect those I love.'

He leaned over her, and a large hand cupped her cheek even as she reached for him.

'Those you love, Wulf?'

Wulf's cheeks darkened, but before she could question him more closely, his lips were moving over hers and his hand was sliding into the neck of her nightgown, making her feel that sensual tug between breast and womb.

'Wulf?' Managing to draw back, Erica gave him a little shake. 'It is not fair, you had my confession in the chapel, before witnesses. I need yours. You love me?'

'I am not good with words,
ma belle
,' he muttered, tossing his belt aside. 'But I can show you what I feel.' He placed her hand low on his hose. 'See what you do to me. No other woman has ever affected me like this. You only have to enter a room and this happens.'

'Wulf FitzRobert, I need the words!'

'Erica,
je t'adore
, and well you know it. Stop being a tease and let me prove it to you. If, that is--' an endearing look of uncertainty entered his eyes '--you are not...recovering after last night.'

She took him by the shoulder and looked deep into his eyes. 'The words do not frighten me. I love you, Wulf, and I would have you know that I will be proud to return to Whitecliffe with you at my side.' She grinned. 'And as for last night, I was afraid you might chastise me for my unseemly behaviour.'

'I must admit, I was shocked.'

She widened her eyes. 'You were? Truly?'

He nodded. 'I expected much more in the way of maidenly behaviour.'

'You did?'

'Mmm.' Lifting the bedcovers, Wulf slid in next to her and pulled her close. 'And since you are a knight's lady, I think we had better try again.'

'You want maidenly, ladylike behaviour? Are you sure?'

'Indeed, and you must learn to be obedient. Kiss me.'

Meekly, she lifted her lips to his. 'Yes, Wulf.'

In an instant the kiss flashed from meek to intense. Erica moaned and opened her mouth. Wulf pressed close, closer. After a moment, he lifted his head. His eyes sparkled in the candlelight, his mouth curved and he shook his head. 'It's no good, you definitely need more practice.'

'Mmm? What's that?'

Gentle hands swept up and down her length, holding her tightly to him. A dark brow lifted. 'Maidenly modesty,
ma belle
, you really haven't got the hang of it. I can see we will have to try again and again until you get it right...'