Heartsong (23 page)

The pain eased and he moved. She felt full, too full, uncomfortable. Where had all the wonderful sensations gone?

“You must stop,” she breathed against his mouth. She wanted to move away from him but he had her pinned with his body.

“It will feel better soon.” He reached between them and she felt his fingers on what he called her woman’s seat of pleasure. When he touched her, pleasure zinged through her and she forgot all about the tearing pain, the full feeling. He moved and the same feelings changed, increased.

It was changing, growing, building, swelling, until she knew she would come apart. There was no question. She was going to die.

“Now,” he whispered in her ear.

He knew. He knew what was happening to her. Her eyes opened and she stared at him. He looked as if he too was in such pain that death would be as welcomed to him as it was going to be for her. She closed her eyes and surrendered.

Then it happened. She jerked, flooded with pulses that reached to her very soul with such force she felt tears spring to her eyes. Wave after wave seemed to consume her. Nothing, no experience she had ever had, prepared her for this.

She became aware that Garrett had stilled above her.

“What happened?” she asked when she could manage a coherent sound.

“You experienced a woman’s pleasure.” He smiled down at her and she noticed how smug he looked.

“And you?” After all, she didn’t like to think that such enjoyment was hers alone.

“Aye. ‘Twas better than I’ve ever experienced.”

She gritted her teeth, not liking the thought that he had down this before.

“Never this good,” he repeated. He rolled them over and pulled the furs up over them. “Now, we need to sleep.”

Rhianna gave no thought to his words. For the first time in months she relaxed completely. She was content.

Thirteen

Rhianna lifted her arms and stretched, bumping into a hard firm object. She froze. A male body occupied her bed. Then the events of the night before rushed through her mind. She rose up on her elbows and gazed at the man curled up beside her.

His masculine beauty took her breath away. Still, his looks had nothing to do with the fact she’d behaved like a wanton creature the night before. What would he think of her now?

When he rolled toward her she gasped. Even at Brynn Ffrydd she had never slept next to a living soul. As the daughter of the house, she had always had her own corner. This was a new experience for her but if she were honest she’d have to say she liked it. She glanced at his face and found him watching her.

“Good morn.”

Her face burned and she wanted to duck beneath the furs.

“Good morn to you,” she managed to croak.

He laughed. “Your face is a bright shade of pink. Are you embarrassed?”

“A bit,” she replied. “What must you think of me?” She pulled the furs up to her chin. What a question to ask.

“We enjoyed each other. There is nothing wrong with that.” He grinned at her and slid from the bed, then marched in all of his splendid, naked glory across the room to his pile of garments.

Rhianna gasped. He was magnificent, especially unclothed.

“But, mayhap you had better dress and quick. Your brother will return this day.”

“Arthur,” she squealed. Oh, he would be most unhappy to see her thus.

In record time she had donned her clothing. Garrett had already left the chamber and Rhianna wondered how many of his people saw him leave her room. Gossip spread like fire in a woodpile through a keep like this. She chewed her lower lip, wondering if she should tell Arthur about the previous night, or let him learn from those in the castle.

She’d better tell him herself she decided, as she made her way to the hall. He wasn’t going like it, that she knew. After all, she had slept with the enemy.

The day dragged as Rhianna awaited the arrival of those who had gone north to learn to care for the horses. Just before the evening meal, a commotion in the bailey announced the travelers. When Arthur burst into the hall, she knew she had explaining to do. What had he heard and how much?

He shot past her. In fact, he ignored her! And strode straight to Garrett.

“There was a trial?” Arthur demanded. Rhianna bit down on her lower lip. Arthur hadn’t even given Garrett his due by using his title.

“Aye, but it has been put to rights. Your sister was not injured.” Garrett seemed to understand all the unsaid words.

“I was told they tried to starve her, that she was given only a piece of bread and one mug of ale each day. That was barely enough to keep her alive. Then they thought to burn her as a witch.” Arthur’s voice had risen until everyone in the keep heard him. Rhianna ducked her head. Living through it had been bad enough.

“She’s fine.” Garrett pointed in her direction. “Rhianna, come. Assure this young whelp that you have survived.”

She stepped forward, but she didn’t want to look Arthur in the eye. Could he know about her night with Garrett? Did she look different to him?

“You have lost flesh.” His voice was at once awed and angry.

“A bit. But it is as he says. I am fine.”

Arthur made a noise as if he didn’t believe her and turned away from the dias. “I would talk with you,” he said, his voice quiet, as if he didn’t want Garrett to hear.

“Later,” she assured him. Oh, Blessed Virgin, he did know about her sleeping with Garrett. She swallowed with difficulty and added, “Much later.”

That appeared to satisfy Arthur for he left the hall. Rhianna climbed to her seat on the dias.

“He is upset at hearing about the trial.” She didn’t want Garrett to think much on Arthur’s lack of courtesy. It wouldn’t do for Garrett to develop suspicions about their heritage now.

“Of course he is upset. I, too, was furious when I learned what happened here. Now, no more about your brother. Let’s sup. A game or two of chess and then we’ll retire.”

“Together?” she squeaked.

“Aye.” Garrett laughed. “I’ve not had my fill of you, wench. Nor you of me if I am not mistaken.”

~ * ~

Over the next several days, Rhianna basked in Garrett’s attention even though she had been assigned much to do. Lydon and Edina were to be married, and the abbot was returning to hear their pledges. Garrett had directed Rhianna to help with preparations. With Mildred’s help, she’d sewn Edina a bright blue kirtle, embroidering a trail of small birds along the edge and around the neck. Much to Rhianna’s surprise, the cook asked her opinion of the meals he planned to serve on the day of celebration.

Arthur was busy with the horses and appeared to have lost his need to talk to her. She breathed a sigh of relief when her brother acted more concerned with the mounts under his care than his sister in the keep.

Much to Rhianna’s delight, but also her embarrassment, Garrett joined her each night after the castle folk had retired. It seemed he understood her need for some secrecy. Mildred knew and so did both Lydon and Joseph, but Rhianna doubted it was common knowledge. For this she was grateful. Arthur did not need to know she enjoyed sleeping with an English lord.

On the wedding day, everything went according to plan and Rhianna experienced a touch of sadness remembering she would never speak vows. She refused to wonder why she no longer held Garrett accountable for the actions of other English soldiers in destroying her future as a wife and mother of her own children.

Once again that night, he joined her in her bed. They talked about the wedding, then he made slow, impassioned love to her. His gentleness brought tears to her eyes and she wondered if he too thought about the vows spoken by Edina and his friend this day.

The next morn dawned bright and clear.

“We should go hunting today. Do you feel up to it, wench?”

“Aye. A day of hunting would not be remiss.” The words had scarce left Rhianna mouth, when a soldier rushed into the hall.

“A messenger approaches. He carries Edward’s colors.”

A sliver of apprehension raced down her back. Was this another summons for Garrett to leave the castle to fight the Welsh, or had she and Arthur been found out? Was the king finally demanding the hostages he wanted?

“Prepare food for the king’s man,” Garrett ordered.

She chanced to look at his face. He was none too pleased receiving a message from his liege. She didn’t want it to be another summons to battle, for the last time Garrett left she had been tried as a witch. She didn’t want him riding off to fight either, but she refused to examine the reason why, telling herself only that she was afraid of what might happen to her.

The messenger arrived and everyone waited for Garrett to read the scroll. He completed the task and turned to his people gathered in the hall. He wore a huge smile.

“I have been invited to Edward’s castle in North Wales. Edward’s Eleanor has presented my liege with a son. I go to Caernarvon Castle to celebrate the birth and christening of Edward, the second, the Prince of Wales.”

Amid the loud hurrays, Rhianna’s stomach revolted.

Growing nausea had her swallowing hard and fast. The king had conquered enough of Wales to invite his countrymen to a celebration? His wife had given him a son he called Prince of Wales? Nay, this child could not rule her homeland.

Garrett spoke but the buzzing in her ears over what the message meant kept her from recognizing his words.

“You agree?” he asked her. She shook her head, then nodded for she had no idea what he had asked.

“I’m sorry, my Lord. I don’t understand.”

He raised an eyebrow and gazed at her. She felt compelled to defend herself. “I was but thinking about the announcement of the birth, about what it means to Wales.”

“Aye,” Garrett said and nodded. “This has upset you. Well, you had to know that Edward intends to conquer Wales, else I would not have gone to fight there. But, ‘tis not what I was about. I said, we will travel together, you and I. You will go with me to Caernarvon.”

“Nay, I cannot.” Rhianna shuddered. What if someone who knew her father recognized her? “Some there might know of me. I cannot attend. I am Welsh.”

“But you will be with me. Margot and her husband, Richard, my mentor and friend, will be going. You will not be alone. And I think we will also take Arthur with us. I will not leave him here.” Garrett chuckled. “The lad might get himself into trouble if he remained and I had you with me. Aye, the two of you will come with me to the christening.”

Rhianna shivered at his words. If they traveled together, she and Garrett, Arthur would know for certain she shared his bed, for she doubted Garrett would allow her a tent of her own. And what of the people she met? What would they think of her? There were also her older brothers. Surely they would hear of her arrival. And if they knew she was leman to the English Baron, for certain they would kill Garrett. Oh, nay, it was fraught with too much danger. She could not go. As much as she wanted to return to Wales, she had to find a reason to absent herself.

She would have to feign an illness. Garrett would not force her to go if she was ill. Arthur would stay here as well. Aye, that was the only safe course for her. Still, she would say nothing to Garrett until it was time to leave.

The next morning, when Mildred came into the chamber, her arms loaded with fabric for new gowns, Rhianna realized she had to say something.

“I’m not going to Wales,” she whispered.

“But, you must,” Mildred said.

“Nay. I cannot go. All will know I am Welsh. I will shame my country. I’m so sorry, but, you see, ‘tis impossible.”

“You have no choice. But, surely, it will not be so bad.” Mildred placed the fabric on the bed. “There will probably be few there who care anything about you. If you say nothing, everything will be fine.”

Rhianna sighed. “Mildred, you have such faith.”

“I know what I know.” She jammed her fists on her hips. “They will not care about you. Besides, if my Lord says you go, then you go. Come,” she said and pointed to the pile of cloth. “We must make this into suitable gowns. It will be expected, for Lord deShay is a baron.”

Rhianna frowned. This wasn’t what she wanted. Nor did she intend to allow Mildred to get involved in this. After all, she had a mind of her own. All right, she would help make the gowns, but in the end, she would refuse to leave Knockin. He could not make her go.

Over the next week, Mildred and Rhianna sewed from sun up to sundown. Gold and silver thread provided embroidered decorations for gowns and bliauds. They crafted slippers and created chemises, until Rhianna’s eyes were blurry with fatigue.

Rhianna took time to eat and one afternoon she spent a short time with Arthur, but her stitches consumed her days. After the evening meal on the sixth day Garrett leaned toward her.

“You appear exhausted. We missed our day of hunting when the king’s messenger arrived. I decree tomorrow we will go. A day of relaxation is what you need.”

It sounded so good, all she did was nod. As she stumbled up the steps to her chamber, she smiled. How nice of Garrett to realize how tiring constant handwork could be and to offer such a pleasant reprieve. There was only a little left to complete, but it could wait for another day. However, she wouldn’t need the gowns for herself, for she was not going to Wales, no matter what Garrett decreed.

Rhianna rose early the next morning. She and Garrett broke their fast then left the castle. Both her horse and Garrett’s waited in the courtyard, and Rhianna breathed in the fresh air, enjoying the outdoor scents, once again delighted with Garrett’s suggestion.