Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series) (10 page)

Trevan looked to Gab
riel before continuing, “I was told someone overheard some Brown Coats talking. They are expecting reinforcements today. As of this moment, everyone is confined to the house. No one, except the watch, can leave Menadue. I feel they are planning an attack to get to the scrolls. The same person who overheard them said the Brown Coats believe the Jesus the Younger scroll is in the library. It is not. But look for the library to be their main target.”

Trevan sighed,
“I sent twenty five more letters today to some of our friends and relatives. There should be at least thirty-five more of us in the next two days. Menadue is a large rambling house and will be difficult to defend. Those of you on outside watch, your jobs are crucial. Here is a schedule for the watch, inside and out.” He tapped a sheet of vellum on the table. “We all shall be participating in the watch. Does anyone have any questions?”

Trevan answered a few questions
asked by his kinsmen. When all had filtered out, he and Gabriel remained at the table alone.

“Thank
you, for not mentioning Zenny’s name. She does not like to be singled out for her differences,” Gabriel said.

“As she is the sister of the woman I plan to marry,
and a woman I also happen to adore, I would never single her out so.”

Trevan’s bright blue eyes twinkled with mi
schief as he added, “As the days pass, it’s looking like she may be my cousin-in-law as well as my sister-in-law.”

Gabriel’s eyes narrowed
. “I told you, Trevan. I am taking things very slowly with Zenny.”

“Kissing her in the alcove off the main hall is taking things slowly?”

“How did you know?”

Trevan interrupted,
“Aha! Mother was correct. She said it looked as if you were kissing Zenny. The look on your face would have given you away even if you hadn’t told me you were.” Trevan brandished a pleased smile. He chuckled. “Don’t worry, Gabriel. Mother was merely seeking you and Zenny out to see how she was faring. When it appeared you two were indeed sharing a kiss, she left you alone. Mother is very happy that you care for Zenny. Ailla was mother’s dearest friend, as you know. Ailla predicted long ago that-”

“
I would marry Zenny.” Gabriel interrupted, finishing the sentence for his cousin. “I know what she used to say. Ailla told me the very same quite often before her passing. As I’ve told you, cousin, I care deeply for Zenny.”

“No, you told me you were attracted to her in the carnal way and you had to explore your feelings
. I am happy to hear you care
deeply
for her, Gabriel.” A large, triumphant grin lit Trevan’s face.

Trevan was
enjoying himself far too much.

Gabriel sighed.
“She becomes overwhelmed easily. To find out she has always had noise in her head because her hearing is so acute, screams caution to me. She does not adjust to change easily. I’m taking things very slowly, for her. She must become comfortable with each small step we take together. You must never mention any of this in front of her.”

Trevan studied Gabriel for a moment then asked, “Are you taking things slowly for Zenny, or for you
rself, Gabriel?”

“You know
that I do what I do, for Zenny!” Gabriel insisted. Otherwise, he would have had her against the alcove wall the day before! He had been that close to doing so. When he was near Zenny, he seemed to have no self-control.

“I’m just asking, for I hope to soon be her brother-in-law
. I caution you Gabriel, you had best help Zenny become familiar with you before Wenna and I marry. If you and Zenny are not ready to marry by the time Wenna and I exchange our vows, I shall have to move her and Robert to Menadue. I can’t leave them alone at Callywith.”

When
Gabriel glared at him, Trevan held up his hand and added, “It’s not because Zenny can’t take care of the manor and Robert. We know she can. But the two of them would make easy prey for persons who do not have good intentions; an elderly chair bound man and a girl who they say,” Trevan stopped. He finished in a soft voice, “You know what say of our Zenny.”

Gabriel nodded.
“’Tis not true, what they say. She is just different.”

“I know this and you know this
. However, there are many around who believe she is touched. She would be in danger just as Robert would. Folks who live around St. Mabyn would not harm them, but the mines bring in many strangers and drifters of late. A chair bound old man and someone like Zenny…”

Gabriel
held up his hand. He nodded. He had to agree with Trevan. It angered him to think there were people in the world that would prey upon two such lovely people. Yet, what his cousin said was true.

He realized how b
leak his life would be without Zenny near. “So you and Wenna will marry?”

“She has not given me her answer yet, but I feel certain she will accept my offer.” Trevan
crossed his arms over his broad chest and smiled confidently.

“Goo
d, I am glad to hear it,” Gabriel smiled. “I’ll not let you take Senny from me. When I take her to wife, Robert will live with us at Fairy Cross. I am certain he does not wish to leave St. Mabyn.”

Trevan nodded
. “I thought that was what you would want.”

“I must
go find Zenny.” Gabriel rose from his chair.

“You seem to be a man in an awful hurry, to ah, progress slowly with your lady.” Trevan
grinned devilishly.

Gabriel scowled at him
.

Trevan’s
amused laughter filled the room as Gabriel left the library to check on his lady.

Gabriel found her alone and perched upon a window seat in a small parlour. She looked out a window to the garden beyond.

He leaned against the
doorframe and studied her for several moments. She seemed calm and content. A book lay in her lap. Her hair was arranged in her usual style, a simple top knot, with a few wispy tendrils framing the delicate features of her face. Gabriel thought her to be beautiful. There was a fae-like, ethereal quality about her. He always felt a peace come over him when he looked upon her, unless of course, he was alone with her or kissing her, then he became aroused and could only think of his baser needs.

Though she was tall
, fine-boned and slender, she possessed the curves of a woman. It was her curves and full lips that kept him awake at night. Especially last night, knowing there was but a door between them.

The thing he loved most about Senny
was her purity. She was honest, all heart, gentle, and compassionate. She was most like an angel, he decided.

“Z
enny?”

Senny jumped
. Her look of surprise turned into a smile when she realized it was him. “Hello, Gabriel.”

“You miss your walks outdoors, don’t you?”

She nodded, “I do, but it can’t be helped.”

“There’s a
conservatory at the back of the house. Let me take you there. There will be plants and sunshine. We can stroll about in there.” Gabriel offered his arm. Senny accepted happily.

Wenna had retired to her room. She had been up most of the night with Trevan. She found herself nodding off in the drawing room. She made the excuse to Aunt Morva that she had a headache and sought the solitude of her bedchamber to take a much-needed nap. She stripped down to her chemise and crawled into her bed. Sleep came to her quickly.

She came awake when she thought she felt someone sit on the edge of the bed
. She struggled to open her eyes and looked up to see Trevan studying her. She smiled up at him.

“Are you truly feeling poorly or were you just worn out, Wenna?”

“I’m merely sleepy. I found myself dozing off in the drawing room, so I excused myself,” she stretched beneath the covers.

“I’ll let you sleep
. You’ll need it, for I’ll be back in your bed tonight, Wen Pen!” Trevan bent and placed a tender kiss to her lips.”

“I don’t think
I’m going to let you go so quickly.” She gave him a sultry smile.

“And why is that?” h
e whispered huskily as his hand pulled the sheet down to expose her chemise clad body. His hand started at her calf and slowly slid up her leg.

“I was dreaming of last night, and I think there is something I want from you before you go.
” She grabbed his cravat and pulled him toward her.

Trevan sighed heavily, “I’ve a meeting in twenty minutes
, Wenna. We received a letter sent by messenger from Micah an hour ago.”

“Bad news?”

“Good and bad. He and Elveston just happened upon Lady Elizabeth and her kidnappers in Andover. They removed her and she is safe. Unfortunately, Brown Coats surround them now in Salisbury. Micah and Jack are waiting for Harry, Owen and some others to come to their aid. They will be heading to Templecombe, for Micah has the other scrolls hidden there.”

Wenna let go of his cravat. “I fear I’ve crumpled your masterpiece. I am sorry,” she purred silkily.
In a serious tone, she said, “I am relieved they found Lady Elizabeth.”

“
Yes, we all are.” His eyes darkened as he feasted upon the sight of her in her chemise. “I have twenty minutes, and if I don’t have to undress, I could give every one of those minutes to you, Wenna, my love.” His hand was still on her thigh. He moved it upward and found her already wet for him.

“Well then,
I’ve an idea!” Sitting up, she threw her heavy auburn hair over her shoulders. She reached over and unfastened the fall of his trousers, sliding her hand inside. She found his stiffening cock and milked him until he was hard and rigid.

Trevan closed
his eyes and savored her touch, until she released him and resituated herself.

Facing him, she straddled him, her knees resting against his muscled thighs
. She lowered herself over him until he was fully inside her. Her hands grasped his large upper arms. She rose up and came down.

“Jesu, Wenna
! You’ll be the death of me yet.” Trevan’s hands moved under her chemise to grasp the round globes of her derrière. He lifted her up and pushed her back down as he arched to go deep inside her. He bent his head and nipped at her hardened nipples now straining against the thin fabric of her chemise. He began to move her faster, up and down over him.

Trevan watched her features change as her pleasure increased
. Wenna Penrose was gorgeous and the most alluring woman he had ever set eyes on.

More importantly, he loved her with all his heart and soul, and had since he was a lad.
Her blue-gray eyes closed, her dark lashes rested against her flushed cheeks. Her full, rosy lips parted. He was about to move his hand to stimulate her to her release when she moaned deeply and began to convulse in his arms. After several powerful thrusts he followed her, his body shuddering as he gave in to release and spilled his seed inside her.

“Wenna, I think you did me in that time!” he breathed heavily against her throat as he placed a tender kiss to the place where her pulse throbbed.

Her laughter was music to his ears
. He felt like the luckiest man in the world at that moment to have his Wen Pen back!

Wenna dressed carefully for dinner. Her maid arranged her hair in an elegant coiffure. She wore her finest gown, a shimmering silvery blue silk trimmed with deep blue ribbon. She put on the Chynoweth sapphires. The necklace, the earrings and bracelet were stunning. She had not yet given Trevan an answer. Today she realized that despite everything, she loved him. She was now certain he truly loved her. She wanted to be his wife, his Duchess.

Even as busy as he was with the trouble at Menadue, Trevan had made time for her and
continued to be very attentive. She hoped he would be pleased she was wearing the sapphires tonight. The ring fit perfectly. She wasn’t certain which hand to wear it on just yet, so she put it on her right hand. She dismissed her maid, Addie, sending her to Senny. She took one last look in the mirror. A knock sounded on her door.

“Wenna, may I escort you to dinner?” It was Trevan.

Wenna smiled. “Yes! I am dressed, please come in.”

The door opened
. She saw Trevan’s eyes grow wide. Again, she smiled. “How do I look?”

Trevan always thought her lovely, but he only saw her forme
rly attired on rare occasions. Her auburn hair had been curled and coiffed. The silvery gown was stunning and fit her lush figure like a glove. She looked every inch a Duchess tonight.

“Wenna Penrose, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.” It was at that moment he noticed the sapphires winking in the lamplight
. He felt his eyes mist. A lump formed in his throat.

“You’re wearing the sapphires
. Does this mean you’ll have me, Wenna? That you’ll marry me?” he asked, his voice breaking with emotion.

“Yes, Trevan
. I’m afraid you’ll never be able to get rid of me now.” Wenna beamed at him.