If Love Dares Enough (17 page)

“Take your mouth off me, Devona,” Hugh commanded suddenly. Startled, she looked up. “Grip me. Keep moving your hand. I want you to see the effect you have on me, the needs you provoke.” Seconds later he gasped out her name as his seed spurt from his phallus like a torrent from a breached dam. She had never seen anything so essentially masculine. He was like a purebred stallion, yet gentle and vulnerable. He had trusted her.

As she gazed at him, watching his shaft soften in her sticky hand, she was overwhelmed by love. His breathing became steadier and he opened his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he said, pushing his body up so his weight was on his elbows. “That was selfish. I didn’t meet your needs.”

“Hugh, you cannot know what you just did for me.”

He reached forward with one hand and touched her most intimate place, never taking his eyes from hers. His smile told her he felt her need.

“Would you like me to pleasure you,
milady
?”

She nodded, and he turned her body so she was lying beside him. He took one nipple into his mouth and suckled her. The sensation shot down her thighs, then back up and into her lower belly. She cradled his head, holding her breast to his lips. He fingered her engorged bud, caressing, and then pressing, then caressing again, until she thought she might go mad with the exquisite sensations. Each time he rubbed, he slid his finger further and further inside her, then two fingers, then three. She was so wet.

Suddenly she was screaming, making guttural sounds that she’d never made before as a rising crescendo of pleasure swept over her. Hugh’s mouth was on hers and his manhood was sliding home, thrusting and thrusting and she entered a world of sublime rapture, her sheath pulsating against him until he withdrew, growling out his release.

She felt like a drunkard when he lifted her moments later and cradled her to his chest. “You’re good at this, for a novice,” she teased.

He laughed. “I may have been chaste, but I’m not deaf. Antoine could write a treatise on how to please a woman, and he’s not shy about sharing his knowledge.”

“Thank God for Antoine and his prowess,” she giggled, cuddling into him.

“Indeed! In fact, there’s one way he told me about we’ll have to try, but not now. Darkness is falling. Your family will wonder what’s become of you. We must go down to sup in the Hall. All this passion has made me hungry.”

“Word has come from his Majesty. He’s back in Normandie and ready to begin his campaign to recover control of Le Maine.”

Antoine had barely dismounted from his sweating horse before delivering this piece of unwelcome news. Hugh was a warrior, a member of a noble military family with an heroic history and reputation, a man trained to protect his land. By joining with him less than a sennight before, Devona had helped him see that though violent action in battle might arouse him, it was a common experience for warriors to undergo.

Yet he was loath to join this campaign in Le Maine. He didn’t want to leave Devona. There were matters to be dealt with concerning their relationship. In the eyes of the Church, they had committed adultery. Hugh had tried to convince Devona to accompany him to the Bishop, but she refused, forbidding him to tell anyone of her humiliation. Devona’s family knew of the change in their relationship—they couldn’t keep their hands off each other—but he sensed Devona’s mother in particular condemned their love as sinful. Devona had not told her mother what had happened to her at Renouf’s hands. Hugh had tried desperately not to spill his seed inside her, but in the euphoria of his release—she might conceive. She would be alone.

Domfort and Belisle were close to the border with Le Maine. It was in both his and Antoine’s interest that the Conqueror regain control of the territory from the Count of Le Maine, Hugh the Fifth.

The brothers walked together into the Hall. Antoine stopped suddenly when he saw Devona.

He knows. Just by looking at her he can tell.

Antoine kissed Devona’s hand and bowed to her. “Lady Devona, you’re looking remarkably—well. Living in our beautiful Normandie seems to agree with you.”

Devona’s face reddened. “Yes, thank you, Antoine. I do love it here.” She glanced over at Hugh, confusion in her eyes. He hated what he had to tell her. “My knights and I ride soon for Le Maine.”

“Le Maine?”

Devona could have no notion of the politics of Norman enmity with Anjou. “To the south. The land there belonged to Normandie, but a few years ago the Angevins took advantage of the king’s absence in England and invaded. William wants Le Maine back and will lead us in the campaign.”

Devona swayed and leaned back against one of the trestle tables pushed against the wall. “King William is in Normandie? Will he come here?”

Hugh saw the fear in her eyes, and knew Antoine had seen it too. “He may muster the troops here. He’s always trusted the Montbryces.”

Antoine interrupted. “It’s more likely though he will gather our forces at Belisle. We are closer to the disputed territory.”

Devona gripped the edge of the trestle. “So you ride to Le Maine to fight?”

He nodded. “Montbryces are warriors, Devona.” He saw no point in denying what he was, what his life was. This wouldn’t be the last time he would have to leave her to heed the call of distant drums. Unless he fell. If he died in this campaign, what would become of her? She would have no champion, no one to keep her out of Renouf’s clutches. He saw the same powerless desolation in her eyes that he felt in his own heart. If only there was some way they could be married. He looked long and hard at his brother.

“What is it?” Antoine asked, obviously uncomfortable under Hugh’s scrutiny.

“I need to ask you something.” He saw Devona shake her head, but walked over and took her hand. “Antoine, I need you to be a witness.”

Antoine arched his brows, but said nothing.

“I am pledging myself before you to Lady Devona Melton.” He kissed Devona’s hand.

Antoine scratched his head. “Pledging yourself?”

“As her husband.” Devona gasped and his brother’s shoulders stiffened.

“You cannot be her husband,” Antoine said angrily. “She already has a husband, and you’re playing—”

“
Non
, she does not.”

“How can that be?”

Hugh felt Devona’s fingernails digging into the palm of his hand. “I cannot tell you. You simply have to believe me when I tell you Devona’s marriage to Renouf was never consummated.”

Antoine snorted. “Look, brother, she may have told you that—”

“Don’t insult her, Antoine. She was virgin when she came to my bed.”

Antoine swore. “You’ve bedded her? Did you listen to none of my warnings? You’ll bring the King’s wrath down on your heads if he finds out.”

“It’s my intention to tell him.” Hugh felt Devona begin to sway. He put his arm around her shoulders. “I’ll take our plea to the King. How can he support Renouf in this?”

“They are married, Hugh. Married. She agreed to be his wife. He will condemn her and imprison you, maybe even me if he finds out I aided you. I’m sorry, Devona, I didn’t mean to imply that I regret—”

Devona was sobbing now. “Please, Hugh, I cannot bear the thought of the two of you suffering on my account. I’ll give myself up to be returned to Renouf.”

“
Non!
” Hugh and Antoine both shouted at once, and a third voice joined the denial. Lady Wilona Melton had entered the Hall. Hugh wondered how much she’d overheard.

“Please, Antoine. I beg you. Witness our pledge to each other.” He turned to Devona. “That’s if you wish to be my wife.”

Devona sank to her knees, kissed Hugh’s trembling hand and held it to her cheek. “It’s my dearest wish,” she murmured.

Antoine folded his arms across his chest, and looked down at his feet. He was silent for long minutes before he drew his sword. “Very well. Kneel before me and place your hands on my sword.” He pointed the weapon to the floor. Hugh slapped him on the back and then knelt beside Devona. They placed their hands atop Antoine’s sword.

Looking into Devona’s eyes, Hugh said, “Lady Devona Melton, this day, in the year of Our Lord One Thousand and Seventy-Three, I give you my troth as your husband. I will love and honour you until the day of my death, so help me God.” He nodded to her.

“
Milord
Hugh de Montbryce, as God is my witness, this day I give you my troth as your wife. I will love and honour you until the day of my death.”

Antoine placed his hand atop theirs. “As an honourable knight pledged to the service of his Majesty King William the Conqueror, and as
Seigneur
of Belisle, I declare that Hugh de Montbryce and Devona Melton are pledged to each other as man and wife.”

“Thank you, brother,” Hugh said as he helped Devona to her feet, noticing the smile on Lady Wilona’s face.

Antoine sheathed his sword and exhaled a loud sigh. “I’ve done all I can, Hugh. Only God can help you now. The King is not the only one recently returned from England. Renouf has been to see the Bishop of Caen. Jubert is following him. He headed south from Caen, in this direction.”

Lady Wilona gasped as she collapsed to the floor.

***

A sennight later, Hugh rode into the darkened bailey of his brother’s castle, having left his knights and men-at-arms camped outside the walls with the hundreds of armed men mustered for the attack against Le Maine. The last time he’d seen his King, they’d shared an amicable meal in his own castle. He doubted if his reception would be as warm this time. He went straight to Antoine’s solar and entered without knocking.

“Hugh!” Antoine jumped to his feet and clasped hands with his brother. “Better to avoid his Majesty. He isn’t happy with us. The Bishop of Caen has been to see him. It’s a good thing he has this invasion uppermost in his mind at the moment. How is Devona faring?”

Hugh slumped onto the edge of Antoine’s bed. “She’s terrified. It was hard to leave her. I could only garrison a token force there to protect her since the King’s expectations of my contribution to this campaign were high. Do we know where Renouf is now?”

“He tried to enter Alensonne, but Cormant kept him out.”

Hugh leapt to his feet, running his hand over his head, shaved for battle. “Alensonne?
Mon Dieu
. He could easily go to Domfort from there.”

Antoine shrugged. “Or come here for that matter, if he knows the King is in residence. Not much we can do about it. Jubert will try to keep us informed. We have no choice but to follow the King into Le Maine. He has set me the task of securing the fortification at Grandegué, en route to Le Mans. You and your men are to aid in the taking of the town itself.”

“Well, the sooner we go, the sooner we can be back.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Antoine said offering his brother a tankard half full of ale.

***

Two days later, the Conqueror’s entire host of knights and men-at-arms camped on the outskirts of Grandegué-sur-Sarthe, within sight of the chateau and fortification governed by the Angevin
Seigneur
Denis de Sancerre, who had refused to capitulate.

“The fool must be mad,” the King sneered. “Can he not see he’s hopelessly outnumbered?”

“No doubt, your Majesty, the plan is to delay us here so Le Mans can prepare,” Antoine suggested.

Hugh and Antoine had both been ordered to attend the King as he supped in his royal tent. Neither wished to be there. William chewed leisurely on a cold chicken leg. “That won’t happen, Montbryce. We will leave you and your forces here to deal with Sancerre while the rest of us press our advantage on Le Mans.”

Antoine bowed. “I’m confident we’ll make short work of the defenses here.”

The King wiped his mouth and then drummed his fingers on the camp table. There was a long silence before he spoke again, his eyes on Hugh. “What’s to be done about this Saxon woman?”

Hugh bristled. He considered
the Saxon woman
the King referred to as his wife.

“Your Majesty?” he stammered.

William banged his fist on the table, almost collapsing the flimsy structure. “Don’t play the fool with me, Hugh de Montbryce. Your actions have put me in an intolerable position. You know I cannot go against the teachings of the Church, nor would I wish to. You have abducted the wife of another man. That’s a sin, and I will not condone it.”

Hugh heard his heart thudding in his ears. He was honour bound by his promise to Devona not to tell anyone of her humiliation, but this was his King, a man who held the power of life or death over them both. He remained silent, knowing to argue would be foolhardy.

William looked directly at Hugh, his mouth stern. “You must return her to her husband.”

Hugh clenched his fists, his arms rigid at his sides. “He will kill her.”

The King stood, full of anger. “That’s his right. Do not force me to make a decision I don’t want to make. You are both dismissed. See to it.”

The brothers bowed and left the tent. Hugh could barely make his legs work and his hand was trembling uncontrollably. They didn’t speak again until they were sure they were well out of range of the King’s hearing.