Infamous (26 page)

Guy de Beauchamp was drowning in need. Above all he wanted to obliterate her memories of Robert Bruce. He was fiercely determined to brand her as his woman and make her cleave only unto him. He wanted to possess her mind, body, and soul and was confident that he had the sexual energy and staying power to bind her to him forever. On top of all else he wanted to steal her heart and make her love him.

Her climax built to an unbearable peak, and she thrashed her head from side to side and bit the powerful column of his neck to keep herself from screaming. His body rose and fell in rampant splendor and a surging wave of passion engulfed her and she cried out her pleasure as the night exploded.

“Do you love me, Jory?” he demanded hoarsely.

“I adore you, Guy!” She sighed with pure bliss.

He crushed her in an embrace. “Will you love me always?”

“Forever and always!” Her heart sang with joy.

He held her tightly for a full hour after they had made love, his lips pressed to her silken skin, whispering love words that made her feel languorous, and lovely, and replete.

She clung to him sweetly, knowing she had never been happier in her life than she was tonight. Intimately entwined, she fell asleep with her cheek pressed against his heart.

Warwick lay awake, staring into the darkness as love and bloodlust warred within him.
Now I know why she fears having a son. Kings are always desperate for male heirs, and she fears if she has a boy, that whoreson Bruce will come and claim him!

 

When Jory awoke in the morning, Guy was dressed and ready to quit the chamber.

“Once I take my leave of the king, I will be ready to depart.”

Jory was acutely disappointed that her visit with Joanna could not be longer, but sensing that Warwick wished to leave Hertford and His Majesty's presence as soon as possible, she did not demur. “I am taking young Catherine Mortimer as my lady-in-waiting. Her brother Roger was knighted with Rickard and I assume he too is with the prince's army.”

Warwick assented with a brief nod, too preoccupied with his future plans to converse about trivial matters.

Jory joined Joanna and little Margaret for breakfast and when Catherine Mortimer arrived, she told her the news. “I asked Joanna if I could steal you for my first lady-in-waiting, and she has generously agreed, though she is most reluctant to part with you. Unfortunately, my husband has informed me that we must depart today and that doesn't give you much time to pack your things. Would you like me to help you, Catherine?”

“Oh, thank you, Lady Warwick. That isn't necessary. I will be ready.” She rushed off to gather her belongings.

“You do things with such finesse, Jory, trying to spare everyone's feelings. I warrant that is derived from your own vulnerability that you keep well hidden.”

“I'm truly sorry that my visit could not be longer, Joanna. For some reason my husband has decided we shall leave today.”

“And the infamous Warwick must be obeyed at all costs.”

Jory smiled. “Though I did the proposing, I still promised to obey him when we exchanged marriage vows. I'm not afraid to challenge him, but I assure you that Warwick is master of his own household. And I wouldn't want it any other way.”

“Well, 'tis obvious he gave you a thorough bedding last night. Warwick has no doubt taught you that men's mouths are good for more than kissing and their pricks for more than pissing.”

“My doggie pissed on the carpet,” Margaret declared.

“That's all right, darling. He'll soon learn better manners.” Jory gave her friend a quelling glance. “For shame, Joanna.”

She waved a dismissive hand. “Margaret's too young to understand. There's no need to apologize for leaving. The all-powerful, fire-breathing king has no doubt ordered him to ready his men for war. Edward Plantagenet is feeling his mortality and is impatient to reconquer Scotland and bring it to heel.”

Warwick won't take his men-at-arms to fight in Scotland, no matter the king's orders!
“Margaret, why don't you come with me while I pack? Perhaps I can find you a present among my jewels.”

“I like jewels that sparkle,” Margaret declared.

Jory smiled. “You thought she was too young to understand.”

When they entered the tower chamber, Jory saw that her bathing tub had already been removed so it could be put on a baggage cart. She placed her jewel case on the bed and opened it up for Margaret's perusal.

The little girl immediately pointed to the black onyx brooch with its amber eye. “Doggie!”

“Yes, that's Brutus, my husband's black wolfhound. I'm rather attached to him.”

Margaret soon lost interest in favor of more sparkling objects. She reached out and touched the diamond swan, which had been Jory's wedding gift from Humphrey de Bohun. “Pretty!”

“It is indeed. Would you like to have it, Margaret? A pretty jewel for a pretty young lady!” Jory gazed at the freckles that bridged the child's nose.
Who better to have the de Bohun jewels?
She pinned it to Margaret's dress.

“Go look in the mirror,” Joanna urged her daughter. “Only you would be so generous, Jory.”

“She's so sweet and innocent. It gives me pleasure.”

 

Two hours later, when everyone was mounted and ready to leave Hertford, Jory said her goodbyes to Joanna, Margaret, Eleanor, and Maud, while her brother thanked Ralph Monthermer for his hospitality. Catherine, mounted on her sure-footed Welsh Border pony, fell in beside Lady Warwick. After a few minutes, Lynx's squires rode up beside them and Jory introduced Catherine.

She urged her palfrey forward to ride beside her brother. “Tell me, Lynx, how did you get out of the king's call to arms?”

“Basically, I stalled for time. I didn't refuse his demands, nor did I accept them. I pointed out that John's de Warenne fighting men were now serving under Pembroke. I confess I led him to believe I would consider sending my own men-at-arms, when in fact I will not consider it under any circumstances.”

Jory gave him a smile of approval. “That was most shrewd.”

Lynx observed his sister's smile with mixed emotions. At the moment she was happy, but he guessed that happiness would be wiped away when she learned that her husband had agreed to take his Warwick men-at-arms to reconquer Scotland and drag Robert Bruce from the throne.

Before they went to Hertford to the audience with Edward Plantagenet, Lynx had been almost certain that Guy de Beauchamp would refuse the king's call to arms. Warwick's abrupt about-face was puzzling, but it was his decision to make. Lynx worried about what Jory would do when she learned of that decision. He knew better than to take sides between husband and wife. He would never interfere in their private, intimate relationship. Would Jory acquiesce to her husband's will or would she rebel? Lynx knew his sister's mercurial temperament and feared that she and Warwick were about to collide.

W
hen the travelers arrived back at Hedingham, Jory watched her brother turn his horse over to his squire Thomas and stride toward Jane, who was awaiting him at the castle door. It warmed her heart to see the affection the two shared. Taffy helped her and Catherine to dismount and gallantly offered to stable their mounts. Jory gave the squire a radiant smile, then glanced quickly at Guy to make sure he didn't mind, since he usually enjoyed lifting her from her saddle. Warwick, however, was speaking with his knights and seemed oblivious to her.

“Don't unpack the baggage cart. We will be returning to Flamstead in the morning.” Guy led his horse into the stable.

Jory lamented his decision, since her time visiting with Jane had been so short, but she swallowed her disappointment and took Catherine into the hall to meet her sister-in-law.

“This is Jane de Warenne, my brother's beautiful wife. She is without doubt the sweetest, kindest lady I have ever known. Jane, this is Catherine Mortimer, the youngest daughter of one of the most powerful Welsh marcher barons in England. Catherine has graciously consented to be my first lady-in-waiting.”

“I am delighted to meet you, Catherine. Jory set me a glorious example of how to become a lady. She taught me everything I needed to know. It was most daunting to realize that someday I would become a countess, but she has instilled me with confidence and quieted all my misgivings.”

“Little did I realize I would soon become a countess myself,” Jory said, laughing. “Let's find Catherine a chamber. I'm afraid Warwick is planning for us to leave tomorrow. I would dearly love to stay longer, Jane, but I do understand Guy's longing to return to Flamstead Castle. His great passion is raising horses, and I know he doesn't get to spend nearly enough time there.”

Jane threw them a mischievous smile. “Warwick's great passion is Jory de Beauchamp—'tis plain to any who see them together.”

“Finding and marrying the perfect mate is the most important thing we will ever do in our lives. Choose wisely, Catherine.”

The ladies spent the rest of the day in Jane's lovely solar and never stopped talking. Both Jane and Catherine were from large families and had much in common. Grace Murray, Lincoln Robert's Scottish nurse, brought him to the solar, where he played happily with all his wooden toys, which Lynx's Welsh bowmen had carved for him. “Since this time I am hoping for a daughter, I trust they know how to carve dolls.”

“I hope with all my heart that you get your wish, Jane.”

“Thank you, Jory. I hope the same for you.”

After dinner that night, Jory felt so sleepy she could hardly keep her eyes open. “I'm off to bed.” She glanced ruefully at Guy and Lynx, who seemed absorbed in discussing battle tactics.

“I'm going up too,” Jane decided. “They won't even miss us.”

I'm tired because he kept me up all night making love. Where on earth does he get all that amazing energy? Perhaps I can steal an hour's sleep before he comes to bed.

 

On the return ride to Flamstead Castle, Jory relived her good-byes with Lynx and Jane. The simple Scottish lass had taken to her role as Lady de Warenne as if she'd been born to the part. Jane had no misgivings about having another child, and Jory vowed that she would try to emulate her wise and courageous sister-in-law. When she left, Lynx had cast a few worried glances her way, which she assumed were because of her pregnancy. Jory knew no one questioned that Warwick was the father and all assumed she was about four months along, when in reality she was at least five.

When the horse pastures came into view in the late afternoon, Jory thought of Meg. “Catherine, you may put your trust in my husband's steward, Mr. Burke. He will accommodate your needs and answer all your questions, but I give you a small word of caution about my tiring woman. Meg can be quite moody. She arrived at Warwick many years ago with my husband's first wife, Isabel de Clare, and was nurse to Rickard de Beauchamp when he was a child.”

Catherine blushed prettily at mention of Warwick's son, Rickard. “She must be Welsh. I have much experience with their dark secretive natures. My own nursemaid at Wigmore was Welsh.”

“Ah, that eases my mind somewhat. Meg has been with the family so long that she tends to take liberties.”

Jory yawned. Jane had warned her that she would become soporific as her pregnancy progressed. The thought of a hammock stretched between two shade trees with a view of Flamstead's grazing horses filled her imagination.

A black animal streaked past their horses and howled his welcome at Warwick.

“Don't be alarmed, Catherine. It's Brutus, my husband's wolfhound. Like Warwick, his bark is worse than his bite.”

Guy dismounted, greeted his dog affectionately, and came to his wife's stirrup. “I hope the ride wasn't too much for you, Jory.”

She went down into his arms. “Of course not. I'm happy to be back at Flamstead because I know it's your favorite castle.”

“You should retire early. When I came to bed last night you were sound asleep and you didn't move a muscle until morning.”

She gave him a saucy glance. “We both moved too many muscles the night before. I feel fine, darling; stop worrying.”

Jory took Catherine inside and the first person they encountered was Meg. “This young lady is Catherine—”

“Mortimer,” Meg finished. “'Tis not just the yellow and green Mortimer colors she's wearing; 'tis the strong family resemblance.”

“How clever you are, Meg. I have invited Catherine to be my lady-in-waiting. I hope you will make her welcome.”

“The Mortimers are second in importance only to the de Clares.” The tiring woman's tone was condescending.

“We are not worried about pecking order, Meg.”

“Pecking order is important to all marcher barons, my lady.”

Young Catherine giggled. “She's right…It's certainly important to the Mortimer males. Their ambition knows no bounds.”

“Most males suffer from that disease,” Jory declared. “Since Mr. Burke is occupied with my husband, I'll find Catherine a chamber while you get her bed linen, Meg.”

Jory left the two females furbishing Catherine's room and sought her own chamber. She sat down, pulled off her riding boots, and wriggled her toes. She was expecting a servant to bring up her luggage and was surprised when Guy opened the door and carried in one of her trunks.

“I hope you can make do with this. There's no point in dismantling the baggage wagon since we are returning to Warwick.”

“What on earth are you talking about? We will be staying at Flamstead for a few weeks.”

“If you are well enough to travel, we will be leaving for Warwick tomorrow.”

“That's ridiculous! We've only just arrived. Why on earth must we return to Warwick?”

“Because of my commitment to the king,” he said shortly.

Jory jumped up from her chair. “Guy, please don't jest about such a thing. 'Tis not the least bit amusing.”

“I am not jesting. Edward Plantagenet has called me and Warwick's fighting force to war.”

Jory was outraged. “Why didn't you refuse? Or at least do the expedient thing and stall for time, as my brother did?”

“The decision has been taken.” His words were curt, and his tone warned her to leave the matter alone.

Jory ignored the warning. She flew at him and pummeled her clenched fists against his chest. “
Your
bloody decision! What about mine? Do I have no say in this matter?”

He captured her hands and held them immobile. “No say whatsoever.” His dark face was closed against her. “I'll have Meg bring you a tray. I suggest you get some rest.”

When he released her hands and strode from the chamber, Jory gasped and sat down in disbelief.
This cannot be happening!

Dismay slowly washed over her, leaving her limp. She could not understand why Warwick had made the decision to go to war. It was untenable. She knew she must find a way to stop him.

“I should never have flown at him in temper. That is not the way to persuade a dominant male to change his mind.” She might as well have pummeled her fists against the castle walls for all the impact they had made.

Jory's worried expression vanished and was replaced by her secret smile.
When Guy comes to bed I will persuade him to my way of thinking. I will seduce the dark, dominant devil!

She rose from the chair, suddenly bubbling with energy. She searched among her garments until she found a silk night rail that would conceal her slightly rounded belly while it revealed her lush breasts. “A little rouge on my nipples won't hurt either.” The corners of her mouth lifted.
Warwick doesn't stand a chance!

 

When Jory opened her eyes to sunlight, she felt slightly disoriented and it took her a moment to realize that she was at Flamstead Castle. “I must have fallen asleep waiting for Guy to come to bed.” She glanced at the undisturbed covers and knew he had not come at all last night.
The devious devil purposely avoided me!

Jory slid from the bed and dressed as quickly as she could.
When I find him, I'll tell him I feel ill. I'll convince him I can't possibly travel all the way to Warwick.
“I promised him I would never lie to him,” she reminded herself.
I don't care; I have to stop him from fighting in Scotland. If I have to lie, I will do it gladly!

Jory hurried down to the dining hall and when she didn't find him there, she walked across to the stables. Perhaps he had been up all night with a foaling mare.
It's autumn—too late for foaling.
Jory ignored the voice in her head and walked through the vast stables. Warwick was not there and neither was Caesar.

Jory retraced her steps and went in search of the steward. She found him in the kitchen. “I'm looking for my husband, Mr. Burke, have you any idea where he might be?”

The steward gave her an apologetic look. “He has left for Warwick, my lady.”

“Alone?” she asked in disbelief.

“Alone save for Brutus and a string of horses.”

“When did he leave?” she demanded.

“He left last night, Lady Warwick. He insisted you must stay at Flamstead as long as you wished. The earl charged me with your well-being and gave me strict instructions to follow at a slow pace, whenever you felt up to traveling.”

Jory dug her fists into her hips and lifted her chin defiantly. “I never felt better in my life. We will leave today, Mr. Burke.”

Her anger gave her untold energy. She nimbly ran upstairs and encountered Catherine. “Pack your things and take them down to the bailey. We're leaving for Warwick within the hour!”

When she went into her chamber, Meg was there. She had brought up a breakfast tray for Jory.

The tiring woman indicated the bed. “There is no need for Catherine to take over my duties, Lady Warwick.”

“She didn't make the bed. Pack your belongings, Meg. We are leaving for Warwick shortly. Put some pillows and blankets into a wagon. I may join you there for part of the journey. As you have probably guessed by now, I am going to have a baby.”

“Are you pleased about the child?”

What an odd thing to say!
“Of course I am pleased, Meg. I am a woman who longs for motherhood.”

“You shouldn't travel on an empty stomach. Better hurry and eat your breakfast. The earl doesn't like to be kept waiting.”

“The earl left for Warwick last night.” Jory flushed.

Meg's eyebrows shot up. Then she gave Jory a pitying look.

“Damn you, woman! If you have something to say, say it!”

Meg pressed her lips together. “I warrant there's trouble in every marriage, my lady,” she said smugly.

 

During the next two days, Jory had plenty of time to reflect upon what had happened. She was not afraid to travel without Guy, since she had half a dozen Warwick knights as well as Mr. Burke to guard her. She was, however, furious with her husband for leaving without her.
Why did the devious devil abandon me?
The reason was clear.
It's because I oppose his going to war to conquer Scotland.

The travelers stopped at a stream to water their horses and Jory dismounted to stretch her legs.
The bloody infamous Earl of Warwick is too dominant, aye, and too arrogant to even consider a female's opinion or her wishes. He left so he wouldn't have to discuss it with me!

Mr. Burke approached. “Lady Warwick, would you like to rest for the night?”

“The sun is still high. Of course I don't wish to rest. We can cover many more miles before dark.”

The following day they arrived at Warwick. Guy de Beauchamp stared in grim-faced disbelief as the small cavalcade rode into the bailey. He challenged Mr. Burke immediately. “I gave direct orders that you were to travel at a slow pace!”