The Bargain (16 page)

The possession in his eyes took her aback, but the jealousy she saw there even more so. She had never understood before that she could have such power over a man. Especially a man such as Renaud de Wulf. It was both frightening and exhilarating.

She looked away and saw that Galeran sat on a bench beside Elena, shoving the other knight's food away in his haste to make room. Renaud shook his head, obviously aware of the bond that was forming between Elena and Galeran. Elena, whose shawl was firmly on her shoulders, glanced at Aleysia and smiled.

One of Renaud's guests stood and clapped his hands, until the entire hall fell silent. "To show our appreciation for your fine hospitality, de Wulf, we have a gift for you. One we hope you will all enjoy."

The sound of drums and pipes played in a seductive tune, which carried up to the high ceiling.

Four dark-skinned men entered the hall, all wearing red vests embroidered with gold. Following them were six women, wearing cropped, sleeveless chemises made from a sheer cloth threaded with gold. All around them, men clapped loud, their voices raised in praise for such a spectacle. Aleysia sat up straight, conscious that Renaud's attention was fully on the women, their skirts a combination of blood-red to bright orange that floated around their slender legs. Golden chains encircled their hips and golden bracelets with bells encased small wrists and dainty ankles, causing a melodious tune with every movement.

Many of the women at the lower tables took their leave, obviously not enjoying the spectacle, some pushing stunned children toward the door, while others sat intrigued. Indeed, most of the men shouted their praises loudly.

Aleysia herself felt a sudden desire to leave, and even moved to stand, when a hand clasped her wrist. It was not Renaud, but Elena who leaned forward and whispered, "Stay. Watch. You may learn something. Watch how they use their bodies, particularly their hips. Does it remind you of something else?"

Aleysia felt her cheeks burn. No wonder men enjoyed watching such a display. In fact, strangely enough, she felt aroused watching the men and women dance to the pounding rhythm.

Sparing a glance at Renaud, she noticed his attention focused on a large-breasted blonde. Her breasts were so large, the cloth barely covered her nipples.

Her hips were wide and womanly and as she rotated them from side to side in a circular motion, the men around the hall yelled their approval.

The blonde smiled seductively as she twirled, the motion sending her skirts flying up, giving everyone a view of her long legs and firm buttocks.

Aleysia scanned the hall to find every man focused on the one woman. To her horror, she felt jealous that they all wanted her, this woman who danced for money, and no doubt did far more for the right price.

Mayhap Renaud wanted the big-breasted blonde in his bed tonight? The very thought made her furious.

She watched him from the corner of her eye. Damn! He certainly was entranced; taking a sip of wine, he watched the woman over the rim of the goblet. Aleysia glanced at Philip, hoping Renaud would catch her flirting, but even Philip had become distracted by the dancers.

The music picked up in tempo, and so did the dancers. They fell into a straight line, directly in front of the high table. The blonde gypsy danced in the middle, right before Renaud. The whore's light eyes were outlined with black kohl, her lips stained red. Her long, straight hair, darker than Aleysia's, fell past her hips, like a shimmering veil of silk.

Her hips moved fast, back and forth in a way Aleysia had never before seen. The men applauded and she moved faster, rotating her hips harder. With every second that passed, Aleysia found herself more irritated, and she dug her nails into her palms.

What was wrong with her? Why should she care that Renaud looked like he was ready to jump over the table, grab the woman up in his arms, and take her back to his bed?

The same bed where he had taken her virginity!

Aleysia took a long drink of wine. She could feel Renaud watching her, which surprised her since she thought he hadn't taken his eyes off the wench who was still undulating before him.

Elena whispered in her ear, "Play the game, Aleysia. Remember that there are more than women here." She motioned to one of the dark-haired gypsies, his skin glistening with oil.

His gold eyes shone brightly in the dark room, and as he flung off his vest, she saw how strong his body was. Not as powerful and muscular as Renaud, but still appealing. He came closer to the high dais and lifted one of the women up in his arms, to where she stood on his shoulders. His muscles bunched with the strain and Aleysia smiled when he glanced at her. The young man smiled in return, flashing white teeth, before turning his attention back to the woman on his shoulders.

Aleysia jumped when she felt a hand on her thigh. She looked down at where Renaud's hand rested, then up at him.

He smiled as their eyes met, and before she knew what she was doing, she placed her hand over his, her fingers sliding between his long ones.

Strangely, relief washed over her, along with a heat that settled low into her belly.

His gray eyes searched hers and she could see the pleasure there.

The music stopped abruptly and everyone around them came to their feet, applauding loudly. Aleysia lifted her hands to do likewise, but Renaud held the one hand firmly. "Are you ready to see your brother, Aleysia?"

Excitement rushed along her spine and she nodded. "Indeed, my lord. I am."

CHAPTER 14

They walked the stairs in silence. Neither one had said a word since the gypsies had left the hall. Aleysia had been sick to her stomach when she heard Renaud invite the guests to stay for an extended time, fearful the gypsies would stay, too. The blonde-haired gypsy had not been able to hide her excitement or her desire for Renaud, whom she kept watching under thick lashes. The woman had to have noticed that Aleysia and Renaud held hands beneath the table. A clear sign they were lovers, but as Elena had said, some women did not care if a man was taken or not. If they desired that person, then they would stop at nothing to get him in their bed.

Aleysia had never hated another woman so much in her life.

"You are meeting with your men so soon?"

"I have matters to attend to beforehand."

Aleysia wondered if that
matter
wore a gold top and a red and orange skirt.

"Will you come for me after your meeting, my lord? Or do you wish me to sleep elsewhere this evening?"

He frowned as he stared at her, and then she saw him comprehend the question for his lips curved just the slightest bit. "Why do you ask, Aleysia?"

"I thought perhaps you would want to spend time alone with your guests."

"I consider all three barons my good friends, but that does not mean I desire to be alone with them."

She frowned. "You know I was not speaking of the men."

"I did not invite the gypsies, Aleysia."

"Did you not, my lord? It seemed you were well acquainted with at least one of them."

"Which one would that be?" he asked, stopping and taking a lock of Aleysia's hair, wrapping it about his finger.

She looked down to where his thumb and finger stroked the strands, remembering the feel of those long, strong fingers in her slick passage. "The wanton dancing before you."

"I saw no one dancing for
me.
They danced for all of us."

"Then you must be blind, for she was doing everything she could to gain your attention." Aleysia lifted her arms over her head and mimicked the gypsy's movements as best she could.

Renaud's hand fell to his side, and he leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched her.

"Does that not look familiar, my lord?"

His gaze slid from hers, making a slow path down her body, stopping at her breasts for a moment before moving farther down.

She turned in a circle, just as the wanton had, swaying her hips to and fro. When she faced Renaud again there was no mistaking the lust in his eyes—which stopped her cold.

What had Elena said? To watch and learn. How smart her new friend was. The look in Renaud's silver eyes made her nipples harden and gave her a tingle right between her legs.

Renaud moved toward her and pulled her into his arms, kissing her hard.

His cock pressed against her belly and he pulled up her skirts.

She stepped away, looking up into his passion-filled eyes.

"I want you now," he said, his words low and husky, kissing her jaw, her neck.

"Here? Are you mad?"

He kissed her again, then lifted her in his arms. He took the steps two at a time, and pushed open the door of his chamber. A moment later they were inside the room and Aleysia's back was against the hard door. He lifted her gown with one hand while untying the cord of his braies with the other. "I need you. Now," he said, as he lifted her legs. "Lock your ankles behind my waist."

She did as he asked, and gasped when he thrust inside her, surprised how hard he was. He filled her so completely, stretching her hot walls in a deliciously painful way.

Footsteps sounded outside in the hall, but it did not deter Renaud, who thrust, the action sending her back up against the door, making a knocking sound. "Someone will hear."

"I do not care," he said, cutting off any more protests with a kiss. His tongue delved past her lips, tasting her, teasing her.

Her channel tightened around him, growing wetter with each stroke. His lips left hers, nipping at her earlobe, sucking gently. Her nipples ached, stabbing against his chest. As though sensing her need, he covered one breast with his hand, his fingers plucking at the sensitive nipple, pinching it, pulling it.

Still holding her up with one hand, those fingers tightened on her buttocks, fingers brushing against her cleft.

The first quivers of climax came, her breathing quickening as she rocked against him. He followed right behind, moaning low in his throat as he filled her with his seed.

A minute later, her feet once again on solid ground, he led her over to the bed. She still trembled from the force of her orgasm, her legs feeling weak. "Renaud, I must see Adelstan."

"Aye, and you will. But the least I can do is clean you before you go."

She frowned, not wanting to take a bath when she could be spending precious time with her brother. But when Renaud took a rag and dabbed it in rose water, she understood his meaning and held out her hand. "I shall clean myself."

He held the rag back. "Nay, I will clean you. Hold your skirts up."

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "Renaud."

"I have seen every inch of your body, Aleysia."

Doing as he asked, she held up her skirts while he washed her gently. The touch of his fingers against her heated flesh aroused her yet again. She could not think clearly when in his presence, particularly when he touched her so intimately.

Finished washing her, he next used a soft drying cloth. Brushing over her bud, the little bit of pressure sent a delicious ripple throughout her body.

When he continued long after he had dried her, she swatted his hand away.

He laughed lightly and took her hand. "Come, we had best be on our way. There will be plenty of time to attend to you later. 'Tis a cold evening. Bring your cloak."

They walked the tower steps in silence. Two guards stood on either side of the door, and one turned to unlock the door. "I'll return for you in a few hours," Renaud said, already heading back down the stairs.

"I will see you then," she said, entering the room. The guard shut the door.

Adelstan, who had been lying on the cot, stood.

Aleysia rushed toward him and hugged him tight. Tears clogged her throat and she clung to him, knowing it might be for the last time.

Finally, he put her at arm's length. She saw that his wrists and ankles were not shackled and had been bandaged recently. However, he had lost a good deal of weight.

A bowl of stew and a loaf of bread sat next to his cot, untouched.

"Why do you not eat?"

He smiled then, taking her hand in his. "I have had no appetite."

"But you must eat for strength."

"They take me to York." She was shocked to see defeat in his eyes. He had given up and accepted his fate.

"I know they do."

"I am sorry you have suffered."

Her cheeks felt hot. If he only knew how little she had suffered.

"When I am gone, you must try to make peace with the Norman."

She brushed the tears from her eyes. "I will never have peace."

"King William is here to stay, Aleysia. Do what you must in order to stay alive."

"I hate him!"

His lips curved slightly. "King William or de Wulf?"

"Both."

His brows drew together. "You do not hate de Wulf, sister."

She was struck silent by the observation. How could he think she liked Renaud?

Unable to keep eye contact, she dropped her gaze. "I do hate him."

"Yet your eyes tell a different story," he said, his gaze shifting to her neck, where Renaud's rough beard had scratched the delicate skin there.

It was no use lying to her twin, as embarrassing as it was. He knew the truth. "It is wrong to care for him."

"Who says it is wrong?" Adelstan cupped her face with his hands. "Look at Father and Mother, she a Dane and he a Saxon. Enemies, born to hate each other, but even they found love. It is not so different for you now, save for de Wulf is Norman. Just remember, he is not the man who killed our parents."

"Aye, but the Normans took everything from us, even our family. They are the reason for all our suffering."

"You cannot blame one man for all of his countrymen's sins, Aleysia."

"But that makes him no less a murderer. He is taking you to York."

"He does so because it is his duty. Think you that he wants to do this?" Adelstan's lips curved a little. "Nay, he does not. If he could save you the pain, he would do it. I know it, Aleysia. I have seen it in his eyes, and the eyes do not lie."