by Abby Gordon
“I’m not questioning him,” retorted the younger, sitting without permission. “I only want to know where he went.”
“I’m not sure Father would understand that difference,” warned Celeste. “He’s much taken with Order business. Don’t trouble him with nosy questions. It only irritates him and makes him quite cross.”
“He’s always cross lately,” pouted Joan. “He wouldn’t even take me with him so I could be with him on my birthday.”
Celeste sighed, praying, not for the first time for patience. As her birth had cost the life of his beloved wife, Thomas Black had indulged his youngest child’s every whim. Until the past few months. Quite understandable. Joan has become very unmanageable. It was cute when she was a girl, but now she’s becoming a young woman and does nothing that she doesn’t want to. And when something isn’t done, Father blames me.
“I’m bored. C’mon, Celly,” Joan implored. “Let’s go for a ride.”
“I have work to do,” Celeste said in her most quelling voice.
“You always have work to do,” pouted Joan, puffing out her lower lip and glaring across the desk. “You’re no fun at all.”
Celeste put the quill down, laid her hands flat on the journal and reminded herself that a lady did not throw things at her younger sister. Celeste had their mother’s pale blue eyes while her siblings had their father’s brown, but all three had the light brown hair of their paternal grandfather. Celeste knew she was considered ‘pretty’, and John’s Roman profile had garnered him many feminine admirers – Joan was the most attractive of the three with her delicate jaw, high cheekbones and slender neck. Celeste only hoped her sister’s self-indulgent ways didn’t have her following their cousin Julia’s wayward behavior. And how is it Uncle Charles and Aunt Anelle have done so little to correct that? Or do they not know? But how could they not know with all the rumors and gossip about her?
“Joan, have you considered the fact that if you helped more, then I wouldn’t have so much work and I’d be able to do ‘fun’ things like go for a ride with you?” she questioned. “For heaven’s sake, you’re not a little girl anymore but you still act like a spoiled child. It’s very unattractive and one reason Father hasn’t been able to make a good marriage for you yet. Your lazy, selfish attitude has spread well beyond York and no decent man wants to saddle himself with you.”
As she spoke, Joan’s light brown eyes widened in shock then filled with tears.
“How can you be so mean?” she whispered. “You never understand my condition."
“Your only condition is that you have been so thoroughly indulged that you are quite spoilt.”
“Celly!” Joan protested. “You’re being mean or horrid!”
“I’m tired of Father blaming me for you being such a ne’er-do-well that he can’t find a husband for,” Celeste snapped, now thoroughly irritated. “I’ve done everything I can, but I have had enough. There will be no more of anyone waiting on you hand and foot. Everyone else in Black Manor works hard except you. You will rise when John and I do. You will have tasks to do throughout the day and if they are not completed properly, and yes, you will be watched, then you will not eat dinner.”
“You can’t do that,” protested Joan, springing to her feet. “I’ll tell Father on you!”
“Do it,” Celeste shrugged. “At this point, I don’t care if he gets upset with me.”
There was a knock on the door before it opened. Their older brother John appeared, wearing his cap and cloak before he left for Talbor Manor.
“John,” Joan appealed to him with an outstretched hand. “Tell her to stop it at once,” she demanded, stomping her foot.
“Stop what?” wondered John, glancing at Celeste who just glowered at their sister.
“She’s being mean. She doesn’t understand how fragile I am. She said I must wake up when you two do. That if I don’t do all the horrible things, she tells me then I won’t get dinner.”
“Really?” John looked at Celeste who met his gaze steadily. He grinned at her. “Good for you. I was wondering when and if you’d stand up to her.”
“What?” shrieked Joan. “How can you both be so horrid?” She burst into sobs that had her upper body convulsing, covering her face with both hands.
Her siblings glanced at each other in exasperation and watched her silently. After a moment, realizing they weren’t reacting, Joan peeked between her fingers. John laughed at her. With a scream of frustration, Joan dropped her hands to gather up her skirts, revealing no tears on her cheeks.
“I’ll tell Father on both of you,” she threatened before running from the room.
With a sigh, Celeste propped her elbows on the desk and covered her face with her hands.
“What happened with her?” she wondered.
“Father spoiled her and now he’s blaming us,” John stated with a shrug, strolling over to the desk and patting her shoulder. “Chin up, Celly. You’ll be betrothed to Edward in two months then married to him soon after that. And leaving me to deal with her. Especially through winter which everyone is saying will be long and cold.”
Chuckling, Celeste looked up at him. “I’m not taking her with me.”
“You sure?” he wondered with a grin. “You’ll miss her.”
“Ha,” she scoffed, shaking her head. “Maybe when she was five, but certainly not the way she is now.” Celeste sighed. “Father will take her side.”
“Maybe,” shrugged John. “But the fact that he can’t get anyone within the shire to consider her in a marriage to their sons might have changed things.”
“Marriage to a good man, a strong man, would be the making of her,” Celeste stated, then spread her hands palms up over the desk. “They’re interested because she’s very pretty, but they hear what she’s like, that she refuses to do anything to run a household and they want nothing to do with her. If she doesn’t change soon, within a couple years, her reputation will be such that no man in England will want to wed her. Between her and Julia, Meggie will have no chance even if you and I have made good matches.”
“Have faith, Celly,” John urged, patting her back again then heading for the door. “Now, I’m off to train.”
What he was wearing suddenly struck her and she frowned. “Why are you in your best clothes? You’ll ruin them in training.”
“They’re not my best,” he told her. “But didn’t you hear the news? No,” he shook his head. “You wouldn’t have.”
“What news?”
“Elder Talbor has another son.”
Celeste stared at him. “What? He never—”
“Edmund arrived last night and was made captain of the York Roses.”
“And Edward?” she whispered, imagining what a blow that would be to him. A double blow to lose his company! “Was Elder Talbor married before –”
“Oh, that’s the scandal,” whispered John, returning to the desk and leaning over it. “He’s a few months younger than Edward.”
For a moment, Celeste could only stare at him in shock, then covered her mouth with a trembling hand. “A bastard? Elder Talbor replaced Edward as captain with a bastard?”
“What else could he be?” John shook his head.
“But… but how? Why would he do something like that?” she breathed, shaking her head. “It looks worse for him than it does for Edward.”
“To be replaced by his father’s surprise bastard?” John scoffed and shrugged. “What could be worse?” He frowned at her. “You’re not going to throw him over, are you?”
“Of course not,” she snapped, staring at him in shock. “John, how could you think that? I’ve loved Edward since I was a girl. I’m certainly not going to break with him for a—”
“Celeste?” came Edward’s voice in the hall a moment before he appeared in the doorway. He paused, saw their startled then guilty expressions and gathered himself. “You’ve heard then? About my brother’s arrival yesterday eve?”
“Um, yes,” John confirmed with a nod.
Celeste could only stare at him, as still shocked from the news as in wonder at his calm demeanor. He doesn’t seem at all upset. I don’t understand.
“Edward?” she whispered.
His gaze met hers calmly. “It’s all right, Celeste,” he told her quietly. “I’ll be training the boys.” He smirked at John. “Better than having to deal with men recovering from wine heads in the morning.”
“Ha,” John laughed at him, then sobered. “What is he like?”
Edward shrugged. “You’ll see for yourself. He brought his own company as well.”
“He brought—he has his own company?” frowned John. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“You best get on, John,” Celeste told him. “They’ll be starting soon, and you won’t want to be late.”
“Aye,” he agreed, moving to the door.
Edward stepped aside. Celeste saw the way his gaze swept her brother’s clothes, noting the finery not worn for training. His jaw tightened slightly but otherwise he gave no indication of his emotions. John paused awkwardly before his former captain.
“Go, John,” Edward told him quietly. “I bear no ill will towards you or any of the others.”
Nodding, John glanced at Celeste and left them alone.
This was what Edward had been fearing. Even as he’d raised his tankard in toast to the man proclaimed as his brother, he’d worried about her reaction. Celeste prided herself on being everything a well-brought up, well-bred maid should be. The scandal his father had brought to York, to the House Talbor, would be everything she abhorred and avoided. Now, closing the door quietly behind John, he braced himself as he faced her.
For a moment, she only stared at him – wide-eyed and pale. Should I set her free? The only woman I’ve ever wanted? No, I can get through this if I know I have her in the end. Everything Godfrey and Jasper want me to do, everything I need to do, I must have her when it’s all over.
Suddenly Celeste stood, hurried around the desk and threw herself into his arms.
“Oh, Edward, how horrible this is for you,” she whispered, holding him closer than she ever had.
Relief filled him as he wrapped her tighter than he ever had. For a brief moment, he closed his eyes and let himself think of nothing else. God, she’s so soft, so warm.
“I wasn’t sure of your response,” he finally spoke. “What you would think of me.”
“You?” She stared up at him. “Edward, none of this is your doing. I simply cannot believe Elder Talbor has done this. Or did it then.” She blushed and dropped her head at bringing up what she considered a topic ladies didn’t discuss. “I imagine my father will be most displeased with him upon his return.”
“I don’t care what your father’s reaction is as long as you still will marry me,” Edward told her, daring to brush his fingers along her cheek. “As long as you’ll be my wife.”
“I’m counting the days until my eighteenth birthday,” she whispered. “Until you’re my husband.”
Daringly, taking advantage of the closeness, he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. They were as soft and pliant as her body and he pressed ardently, his arms tightening around her in reaction. Her body stiffened against his, but he couldn’t stop. After the recent shocks, she was his reward. Would be when it was all over.
“Edward,” she protested, pulling her head back. “Edward, we mustn’t.”
“I can’t say I’m sorry for that,” he told her, not letting her go. “You’re all I’ve thought about since Father told me –” He caught himself. “I can make it if you’re mine, Celeste. As long as you’re mine.”
“Of course,” murmured Celeste, her fingers touching his cheek, then brushing over his lips. “Knowing I’ll be your wife helps me deal with Joan better.”
At that he chuckled, kissed her forehead before resting his cheek on the top of her head.
“Oh, sweet,” he breathed. “My sweet Celeste.”
For a moment they stood quietly.
“I did like it,” she whispered.
“Liked what?” he wondered, gazing down at her, smiling at her rosy cheeks.
“Your kiss,” she answered. “It’s the first time you’ve kissed me. You’ll kiss me more, won’t you? Before we’re betrothed? Before we’re married?”
“Oh, most definitely,” he promised, before diving in and kissing her again. She gasped then relaxed a bit. “Open your mouth, sweetheart,” he instructed, slipping his tongue through her lips as soon as she obeyed.
“Oh,” Celeste gasped then trembled as his tongue explored her mouth. “Oh, my.”
Edward’s arms were strong around her, holding her to his well-muscled body. Her eyes closed as her mind grew light. And then she felt it. Hard between his legs. Sheltered lady she might try to be, she was still a York country lass and she knew the ways of randy male animals. She knew what was pressing against her thigh and shivered at what she knew Edward would do with it, with her, on their wedding night.
“Edward,” she panted. “Edward.”
“Mm,” he murmured, covering her mouth again.
His dark hair was crisp and thick in her fingers. When did I put my hands through his hair? Oh, what a wanton he’ll think I am!
“Edward,” she hissed, turning her head into his shoulder. “This isn’t right. We’re not betrothed yet.”
“Then call the bishop and let us do it now,” he panted, his lips against her ear. “Oh, Celeste, you taste so sweet. So soft. I wanted you as my wife before, but now I want you even more. I did not think that would be possible, but I do.”
The words warmed her heart even as she blushed. “Edward, anyone could come in,” she whispered. “What would they think?”
“That I am a man who cannot wait to have you as my wife,” he told her with a smile. “Tell me you cannot wait to be mine.”
“You know I cannot,” she murmured. “But it is not proper for a lady to say something like that. I’m not a wanton like my cousin Julia.”
“And thank God and his angels for that,” he declared.
Staring down at her, he was quiet. For a moment, she feared he would kiss her again and she wasn’t sure she could resist him further. As it was, many in the manor would have seen John leave the office and know how long the door had been closed.
“All right, sweetheart,” Edward finally conceded. “But I will try to steal your kisses as much as possible from now on. Now that I know how sweet your lips are. How hot your mouth is,” he whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. “I don’t want to frighten you, Celeste. But to teach you to love me as a man. As your husband. So, you know me, and won’t let the old biddies scare you about our wedding night.”
“Aunt Anelle is already trying that,” Celeste told him. “She doesn’t realize how terribly she has failed with Julia.”
“Your father will have an easier time finding a husband for Joan than your uncle will for Julia,” Edward stated. “Thank God I will have my Celeste.”
“And I will have you,” she agreed, smiling up at him. “But no more than kisses until we’re betrothed.”
With a groan, he nodded, before dropping his arms from her. “Very well, sweetheart. But when your father returns, I might try to convince him to move up our betrothal.”
Laughing lightly as he opened the door, Celeste touched his arm. When he glanced back at her, she blushed. “Try very hard to convince him, Edward.”
He winked and strode out whistling. Feeling happy and content, Celeste returned to her accounts.
Certain of Celeste, if slightly wounded by John’s clothes in an effort to impress Edmund, Edward whistled as he cantered back to Talbor Manor. The boys were gathered in one corner of the training yard as he dismounted and gave Storm to the stable boy who ran out. Striding over to them, he glanced toward the wooden stage centered along the wall where Edmund and one of his men were demonstrating. Bit crude, no finesse.
Pausing before the group of ten to twelve-year-olds, h
e noted the pile of wooden swords.
“All right, then, lads,” he addressed them. “Everyone pick up a staff. Let’s see what you can do.”
Nearby, Denby, their former trainer, sneered. “Replaced by a bastard. What will he replace you at next? Mm? Perhaps in the bed of the fair Celeste?”
Edward pushed back the rage as the boys paused. “Go on, then, boys. Line up facing each other in pairs.”
Glancing warily at Denby, they obeyed, each selecting a staff and then forming two lines of five.
“This line,” Edward indicated the five on his right. “Offense. This one,” he gestured to the left. “Defense. Set one.”
Immediately he saw what Godfrey had meant with his ridicule about the standards in training. Good God, I wasn’t paying attention. I would practice with the same three or four men and had no idea how the others were doing.
“All right,” he called out, catching the wrists of the nearest pair. “That’s enough.”
Two on offense at the end of the line didn’t stop while their opponents did and began beating at the boys while laughing. The smaller boys cried out as they tried to block the blows with their staffs and arms.
“I said ‘that’s enough’,” roared Edward, wading through the other boys and seizing the staffs of the pair. “If you cannot listen to orders, then you will be dismissed.”
“We don’t have to listen to you,” sneered one. “You got replaced by a bastard.”
Eyes narrowing, Edward turned the staff sharply, twisting the boy’s wrist until he released it with a yelp of pain.
“You don’t want to listen to me?” he said softly, now aware that the men had stopped training and had turned to watch. “Fine. You are both dismissed. But by harvest, the boys remaining will be able to outfight a pair of bullies such as you.”
“Both of us?” The other laughed.
“Aye,” Edward nodded, knowing now what he could do. “Both of you.”
“That wimp,” the first jeered at his opponent. “He couldn’t beat a girl.”
“I’m not sure you could, Beck,” Edward told him, recalling the boy’s name. “Now, leave. Both of you. Go on. I’m not training boys like you.”