The Defiant Bride (14 page)

Dariana could not help but overhear. She felt the blush flood her cheeks.

“Aye, your majesty. Lately I thank God every day that I am a fighting man, for I shall need all that and more to survive this journey.”

At this Dariana huffed. She turned away from her husband who, undaunted, took hold of her and spun her back to face him. He kissed her soundly on the mouth. Unable to help herself, she kissed him back and it took but a moment for them to remember they were surrounded by an audience. They parted and Dariana’s
embarrassment was obvious. Her response to this man amazed her. She could not help but wonder why she was powerless to resist him. She knew she must work harder to maintain her anger at him.

William and Dariana ate and laughed with the king until they ached. The king held a cherry tart for Dariana to sample, but she begged for mercy. “Please, your majesty, not another bite. I think I shall never eat again.”

“We have said such as that on many occasions. Of course, we meant it until it was time for the next meal.”

Dariana smiled at her king. The man was attractive and charming. He seemed so unlike the ogre she had pictured in her mind when she was hiding in the forest. This man was kind. He had humor and found her amusing. She did not doubt, however, that a keen mind was present in the man and that little escaped him. This was confirmed when he spoke to her at the end of the meal.

“There have been times, my dear, and we are sure they will occur again, when we have had to stand against the many. We sometimes need to declare a stance, whether or not it is unpopular. It is then that we must ask if what we do is truly the right thing or simply a choice that suits our own will.”

Fear rose in her chest as his words penetrated. He held her gaze and smiled.

“Truth be told, we cannot blame your choice, for we, too, would balk at being forced against our will. It took great strength and courage to hold with your decision to not falter, to believe that coming forth after the fact might cause irreparable harm to others. Now knowing the facts, we must render the decision that no great damage was done. It is obvious that no evil intent lay behind the choice you made. Yet, we must not allow this action to go unpunished or others might be influenced to defy their king.”

Dariana had stopped breathing at this point. The king was speaking so softly to her that no one could overhear, but she felt William’s eyes on her. Her spine straightened in response to the king. William took hold of her hand and held tightly. She squeezed his hand and drew it to her breast, dreading the next words.

The king’s voice rose loudly enough to carry throughout the hall. “So this is how we have decided to accomplish what must be done. We are going to seize all of your father’s holdings and those
of your husband, as well. This is in retribution for your treasonous act. A value shall be set and perhaps, if we are sufficiently satisfied with your chastisement, they can be purchased back from us. But, make no mistake, the price shall be
high
.” He announced this to the company at large. A collective gasp went up from the guests.

A sob tore itself from Dariana’s chest. Tears filled her eyes. But, before she could speak, the king held up his hand for silence. Then, he leaned in toward her and whispered for her ears alone.

“However, your father and your husband may both buy all the lands back from the crown for the sum of one gold sovereign each. The price shall remain our secret. If the two earls could loudly complain of the heavy fine, it would be appreciated. That way, all should know that to defy the crown carries with it steep penalties. How much the crown actually requires is no one’s business but ours. So, smile not at me, my girl, but appear chastened.”

Dariana blew out her breath and relaxed, tears spilling down her cheeks, but this time it was with relief and joy rather than sorrow.

“Your majesty, there are not words…” She did not smile, but lowered her head to conceal her joy.

“Are you sufficiently chastised for you actions?” This last was spoken very loudly.

“Yes, your majesty.”

“And you shall never defy your king again?” Spoken louder yet.

“Never, majesty.”

“Good. Then we have accomplished our purpose. See that your father and your husband pay the required amount quickly, before I change my mind.” This last was said so loudly, so gruffly, that all around them felt humbled by the proclamation. There was a moment of silence. Then the chattering rose, the company speculating among themselves as to the severity of the punishment. They had clearly all witnessed Dariana’s tension and her tears. Dariana came to a realization at that moment: court gossip was both a blessing and a curse.

After the food had been cleared away and all were satiated with wine, the king played his harp, coaxing such sad, sweet music from the pliant strings that Dariana’s heart had filled to bursting. She breathed in the music, transported. After a while, she turned to William. “It must be so very sad to be the king,” she whispered.

“Why, love?”

“He must live within boundaries determined before his birth. He is married to the wife of his dead brother and so many other of the choices in his life have not been his own. Unlike me, though, he could not run and hide. Yet he holds no ill feelings that I could do what he could not.”

“All that is true. And there are times, I’m sure, when he wonders who he can trust.”

“That must make him feel very alone. For without trust, there cannot be love.”

William seemed very serious. “I love you, Dariana. And I long for the day when you will trust me enough to say those same words to me.”

Before she could respond, the king finished playing and jumped up, announcing there would be a hunt on the morrow. All seemed to realize the lateness of the hour as one. The hall was cleared, for the king would rise early. He would be eager to go and no one dared disappoint him.

As Dariana and William started toward their chamber, the events of the day swirled in her head. So much had occurred. The outcome was far better than she had hoped. She knew this was because her husband had intervened with the king and received his favor. Gratefully, she leaned against him as they walked. Her hand stroked his arm.

“Thank you, William.”

He touched her chin and lifted her face to his. The kiss he placed on her mouth was so sweet and full of longing, she threw her arms about his neck. She pulled him to her, returning the passion in equal measure. He swept her into his arms and pushed open the chamber door, placing her on the bed. He closed the door, then stood before her as he removed his boots, followed by the rest of his clothing. Finally, he stood in only a linen shirt whose short lengthbetrayed his hot desire for her.

Before he could reach her, she put up her hand to stay him. She rose, stood up next to the bed, and very slowly, sensuously, removed her clothing as well. She was playing the wanton for him and Dariana immensely enjoyed watching his struggle. He stepped forward, but her upraised hand stayed him again. When she stood before him naked, she reached out to him. He instantly pulled of his shirt and grabbed her, the impact landing her on the bed with him on top of her.

Their laughter rang out. They made love slowly, touching, exploring. He kissed her neck, leaving a molten trail to her breasts. Taking one hard nipple in his mouth, he ran his tongue around the rosy tip until she cried for mercy. It amazed her what this man could do to. He did the same to the other nipple and then made his way down to her legs. She closed her eyes tightly with the pleasure of it, begged him to stop, no, not to stop. She tried to lay there pliantly beneath him, inside aching with the force of it all. Was this love or lust? Her feelings bubbled up and she wanted—what? To love him. Suddenly, his tongue sought between her legs and tasted her there, teasing, licking, touching. There was naught but the intense feeling, the demand of her core. Her climax was upon her before she even sensed it. She screamed his name in the pleasure of the moment.

He had guided himself, his manhood so hard, into the soft, welcoming warmth of her. Together they had built the fire until it threatened to consume them. Finally, awash in the release, their bodies joined in the ultimate seeking and giving.

C
HAPTER
11

W
illiam and Dariana
approached the group at the edge of the forest. William was mounted on a huge roan stallion; she was seated on Moonshadow. The day had dawned brilliantly, the sky blue, the breeze warm, the sun coloring everything with vivid, intense hues. It was a rare morning, one to be appreciated.

Dariana was clearly awed by the people, the colors, the excitement, the food laid out on trestle tables. William had to admit the king’s table was a feast beyond compare.

“Amazing,” Dariana breathed.

“He is the king. He could certainly not be outdone.”

“And who would dare try?” Dariana’s good humor matched his on this lovely morning. Last night had been beyond memorable in so many ways. After the meal, Dariana and William celebrated their levy from the king by making love not once, not twice, but thrice. He wondered that she must be tired, but the excitement seemed to be sweeping away the cobwebs.

William reached over, squeezing her hand. Right then, the king appeared, resplendent in hunter green, slashed to show cloth of gold beneath. The company turned in unison to applaud their monarch. Henry waved his hand as if to dismiss the praises, although he was clearly enjoying them.

“I fear I am underdressed. Although I do favor my new riding habit,” Dariana said.

“Not underdressed, love, since even less would suit me more.” He leered at her.

“You are a wastrel, a good-for-naught. Have you no dragons to slay, wars to fight?”

“I am hoping our war is at an end.”

“Hmph. I might be willing to call a truce. I might even try and forget you forced me into marriage.”

“A truce is something I profoundly wish for. I cannot say I will ever regret marrying you, but I am willing to agree that my methods were perhaps not the best.”

His words were heartfelt and Dariana seemed moved by this attempt at an apology. He hoped she had tired of anger and would be forced to admit to herself that she cared for him. Maybe she could put aside her pride enough to actually take him into her heart. The thought made him smile.

“Shall we partake of the king’s hospitality?”

“Yes, indeed we should. I am famished.”

William raised a golden eyebrow at her. “Truly? I thought you said you would never eat again after your supper last eve.”

“As the king said, that was before it was time to eat again,” Dariana giggled, dismounting.

When the huntsman appeared, the company mounted their horses. The hounds were loosed into the woods, barking with excitement, the scent of prey in their nostrils.

William, Dariana beside him, rode with the group for a while, enjoying the smell of the earth and the scent of the trees around them.

“I thought this was to be a bracing ride.” She sounded disappointed.

“I shall see to your excitement, my lady.” William winked at her. With that, he directed his horse in front of Moonshadow, who was forced to move left in a direction that separated them from the group.

Dariana followed him to a small clearing. In the center was a grotto, a small pond formed from stone surrounded by lush foliage. “What of the hunt?”

“Will you be bereft if you do not run down a fox?”

“Perhaps you are hoping I seek another kind of animal?” Her attempt at a leer made him laugh.

The two dismounted and the horses moved to the water to drink lustily.

Then William was behind her, wrapping his arms about her chest. He felt Dariana take a deep breath. He reveled in the feel of her against his chest. She reached back and pulled his head closer. He was thrilled when she returned his passion. If naught else, he could move her body. If only he could be sure her heart followed.

He laid her in the fragrant grass, his hands working to remove her gown, her petticoats, and her soft chemise. She appeared as a goddess to him, surrounded by the rich, green grass, her hair spread like a coverlet of deepest, blackest velvet. He just stared at her for a moment, fearful the vision would take flight and he would be left alone in this perfect morning light staring into a void. Happily, she did not fade into the wood, but only lay there looking into his eyes, her wanting clear in the depths. He stroked her creamy silken skin, then sought her lips, her full breasts, her narrow waist, exploring with his fingertips. Suddenly, he could bear no more as the lust to possess this wood nymph enveloped him. He tore his clothes from his body. Her rhythms matched his, her need clearly as great.

He felt the waves of release as they tore through her. She cried out and dug her nails into the thick, hard muscles of his back. He shuddered deep inside her and then he relaxed, satiated. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held tightly, as if she desired to never be parted from him, exulting in the weight of him, the dampness of his skin against hers. His cheek was against hers and he tasted the salty tears as they coursed down her cheeks.

“Have I hurt you, love?”

“Nay. It is I who has nearly hurt us both.” Her voice was very soft.

“I understand you not, love.”

“I love you, William. I realize that now. My pride be damned. It matters not how our union came to be. I know you love me, too.”

He could not believe his ears. “You have spoken the words I have waited to hear. I feared you would never forgive me. It seems you have. That is everything that matters.” He held her; the war ended.

After a time, William decided that good manners dictated they return to the company. He helped Dariana, then gathered his own clothes. He noticed the horses had gone some distance away to seek sweet grass.

“Thunder should be punished for wandering so far,” William stated, disgusted with his stallion. “He has learned not to leave my sight.”

“I am certain Moonshadow told him we wanted privacy.” She grinned.

“You attribute much to that beastie of yours.”