by Alexa Aston
“He’d tried to defend them?”
“Aye. To save his life, I had to saw off his leg. His eye had already been plucked from his face. I nursed him back to health even as I took time away each day to dig the graves for the dead. My dead. And the other bodies I found. The soldiers’ barracks was a virtual slaughterhouse.”
Nan kissed his cheek softly.
“I also knew I had to find Gillian. Dawkin was able to tell me that she had escaped with the babe but I knew I hadn’t found her bones in the stables. It took three days before I found her in the forest, huddled in a tiny ball, shivering.”
Their eyes met. “I have had nightmares about that day ever since. Those rebelling peasants and their murdering ways defined the man I became. A man who isolated himself. One who found he couldn’t trust anyone because he never knew who might turn on him. I cut myself off from every emotion and held everything inside me. I believed I could never love again because it would hurt too much. I refused to let my guard down. I never let anyone close to me again, not even Gillian, who craved my attention. I was lucky enough that once Stephen and Toby earned their knighthoods that they came to be in my service. And then I lost them, too.”
He paused. “I saw myself alone for the rest of my life. Until you came along, Nan, and changed everything.”
Tristan cupped her face in both of his hands, his thumbs caressing her cheeks, wet from the tears she wept.
“You made me yearn to be different. To break away from my past. To want and receive love. Your optimism reminded me of everything lacking in my life. You began to pull me from my shell, little by little. You became like a breath of fresh air—and then you became the very air I needed to breathe, my love.
“Because of you, I want to explore life—and love. With you. No more hiding from my past.”
Tristan’s lips touched Nan’s and he felt he had come home. He pressed soft kisses against her mouth, each one healing him. With this woman by his side, Tristan knew everything would be transformed for the better. She parted her soft lips and he deepened the kiss, sweeping his tongue inside her mouth. One kiss melted into the next until he finally broke away. They both gasped for air.
“I love you, sweetest Nan,” he said earnestly. “I cannot wait to speak our vows and make you mine.”
Love shone in her eyes as she told him, “I am yours, Tristan, for the taking. Love me.”
He frowned. “But—”
She cut off his reply, her hands gripping his gypon and pulling his mouth back down to hers. They kissed hungrily. His arms enveloped her and held her close. Nan wiggled her bottom against him. His manhood sprang to life.
This time, she broke the kiss. “Come. The bed awaits us.”
Nan scrambled off his lap and captured his hand, tugging hard. He allowed her to pull him from the chair.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
Her smile lit up the room. “I will always be sure—when I am with you.” Those sapphire blue eyes sparkled at him with certainty.
And a bit of mischief.
Tristan scooped her up and took her into the bedchamber, his pulse racing. He gently placed her on the bed, the cloud of long, dark hair spilling about her. His trembling fingers undressed her slowly, admiring the creamy, smooth flesh as it was bared to him. When he pulled her boots from her feet, her dagger fell to the floor.
“I see Drew returned your blade.”
Nan shrugged. “Every woman should carry one.”
Finally, she lay before him, unclothed. Tristan’s eyes roamed over her frame, taking in her full breasts and the beautiful curve to her hips.
“Prepare for every inch of you to be kissed, my lady,” he promised.
“Nay.”
Had she changed her mind?
“First, you must let me see you, my lord.” A smile played about her lips. “Then we shall have this kissing come to pass—although it may be my lips kissing every bit of your flesh.”
Tristan began tearing at his clothes. He had never undressed as quickly in his life. Nan giggled as she watched.
“Wait,” she said as he started to climb onto the bed.
She rose to her knees and placed her palms against his chest. Lightly, she ran her hands along him, over his nipples. Then she tweaked them playfully. Before he could speak, her hands glided lower, brushing his belly, then coming to where his manhood jutted out. Nan clasped it in her hand and stroked it. Tristan shuddered. She pulled on it, bringing him down onto the bed with her.
They explored one another with slow curiosity, taking their time to learn what the other liked. Finally, he hovered above her, his fingers pushing into her as she writhed upon the bed. Nan gasped and quivered, her hips bucking as she came. He covered her mouth with his to muffle her cries and plunged into her, knowing it would hurt her but hoping the pain would be short lived. Once she got used to him, he began thrusting slowly, gaining speed as he kissed her with a passion unknown to him.
He climaxed with a pleasure so intense, he thought he might die from the sensations. Tristan collapsed onto Nan and quickly rolled until she rested atop him. He kissed her over and over, knowing he would never grow tired of the taste or feel of this woman.
The woman he loved.
Chapter 24
Nan awaited the arrival of her parents, standing beside Tristan as she had the day before when David had returned from Sandbourne with Michael, Elysande, and his brother. Greeting her relatives had only been half of the fun. The most satisfying part had been watching David reunite with Gillian and seeing him introduce his parents to her. Elysande greeted Gillian with a love that radiated from her, sweeping the younger Therolde into her arms as if she’d found a long-lost daughter. Knowing Gillian had been motherless for so long and seeing how quickly these two women took to one another touched Nan’s heart.
The familiar de Montfort banner rounded the corner and a rider broke away from the pack. Hal galloped ahead and brought his horse to a halt next to where she stood. He leapt from the beast’s back and captured her waist, lifting her high as he twirled twice in a circle as she laughed. Setting her back onto the ground, Hal wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.
Nan looked up at him. “I am so glad to see you.”
He kissed her cheek, love for her shining in his eyes. “I couldn’t be happier for you, Sister.” Releasing her, he turned to Tristan and eyed him a moment before thrusting out his hand.
Tristan took it and as they shook, Hal said, “I hope you realize if you ever make her unhappy that the wrath of the de Montforts will descend upon you.”
The old Tristan would have withdrawn and become aloof at such teasing. Instead, he boldly looked Hal in the eye and said, “Nan will never have a moment of unhappiness. I guarantee it.”
Hal smiled his approval and slapped Tristan on the back.
Then Tristan said, “I know you’ve taught Nan many things over the years. What I wish for you to teach me is how to produce that earth-shattering whistle.”
The two men laughed, already brothers-in-arms. Having Hal’s blessing upon her upcoming marriage meant the world to her.
Nan turned and saw her father handing her mother from her horse. “Move your horse,” she ordered Hal and he led the animal a few feet away. She threw her arms around her mother and said, “It seems as if it’s been years since I last saw you.”
Merryn de Montfort hugged her, the familiar scent of vanilla wafting toward Nan. She pulled away and took her mother’s arm, leading her to a waiting Tristan.
“Mother, I would like to introduce to you Lord Tristan Therolde.”
Tristan bowed deeply and took Merryn’s hand, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. Nan saw her mother smiled warmly at the nobleman even as her eyes assessed everything about him.
“Enough of that!” Geoffrey said, claiming his wife’s hand again and kissing it for good measure. “You have your own woman now, Lord Tristan.”
“I do, indeed, my lord, if you and Lady Merryn approve of our match.”<
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Geoffrey said, “We trust Nan. If she believes you are her one true love, then we welcome you with open arms. I will tell you that you are getting a beautiful, spirited woman as your wife.” He grinned. “Then again, I’m quite partial to her.” He embraced his daughter, kissing the top of her head.
As her parents continued speaking with Tristan, Jessimond finally made her way to Nan. She hugged the younger girl.
“What do you think of Tristan?” she asked her sister.
Jessimond cocked her head and looked Tristan’s way. “He’s very handsome, of course, but I knew you would always find a handsome man to wed.” She glanced back at Nan. “But I see a change in you, Nan. A good change. I think you and Lord Tristan are meant to be together. I will be honored to welcome him into our family.”
“I would like it if you stayed with us at Thorpe Castle awhile, Jess. I’ll admit that the keep has been sorely neglected for years. You have a good eye and are much better with domestic matters than I could ever be. Would you be willing to extend your visit and help me turn this place into a home?”
Jessimond’s face lit up. “Oh, Nan, you know I will. Thank you for asking me.” She wrapped her arms around Nan’s waist. “Can I tell Mother and Father?”
“Certainly. You will need their permission to do so but I don’t think that will be a problem.”
“I’ll ask Mother now.” Jessimond hurried away and Nan saw that Elinor now approached.
“I am so glad to see you,” Nan told her sister-in-law. “Are you keeping Hal on the straight and narrow path?”
“What do you think?” she asked as she hugged Nan. “Oh, I can see how joyful you are. I am delighted that you have found your own Hal to love.”
“I never knew it could be like this,” Nan confided, her voice low.
Elinor’s cheeks pinkened. “You mean . . . you have . . .”
Nan grinned. “We most certainly have. Every day—for almost a week. And it’s divine.”
Both women chuckled.
Elinor looked around. “I have only told Hal but I wanted to share with you that you will be an aunt again,” she confided. “’Tis early but I am certain that shortly after the new year appears, so will our babe.”
She hugged Elinor again. “I hope I can say the same soon. It would be nice for us to have children that would be close in age.”
“Nan,” Tristan called. “Come inside. The others are waiting. Gillian has made sure refreshments are available.”
Linking her arm through Elinor’s, they entered the keep. Soon, conversation flowed rapidly as the de Montforts met Gillian and enjoyed catching up with the Devereux family. David’s brother, Tucker, had come with his parents, but their sister was too heavy with child to travel to the wedding. David promised Gillian that he would take her to meet her new sister in the near future.
Nan went and pulled her mother aside so they could speak privately. She led Merryn to a corner of the great hall and the women sat facing one another.
“What do you think?” she asked.
Merryn looked back to where Tristan stood, talking with Hal and Drew, who had accompanied the de Montforts to Leventhorpe.
“Physically, Lord Tristan is the same man that your father described to me after they met at Sandbourne. His disposition seems different than what it once was, though. Geoffrey told me Lord Tristan was quiet. Reserved. The man I see before us has changed.”
Tristan glanced over at them and gave Nan a tender smile before he turned back and gave Hal his full attention.
Her mother took her hands. “I know it’s because of you, Nan. You have opened his mind and heart. I see a man with a bright future. One who loves and is loved by the lovely woman in front of me.” Merryn squeezed Nan’s hands for emphasis. “You’ve always brought me such happiness over the years, Nan. To have seen you grow from a sweet babe to an inquisitive child to the talented, capable woman you now are has been one of my greatest pleasures of my life.”
Tears filled Nan’s eyes. “I love you, Mother. So much. I know I wasn’t always the easiest child.”
“I had hoped you would be interested in the things I am, as Alys was. It took me time to understand that you were your own person with your own interests.” Merryn stroked Nan’s hair. “I know we haven’t always agreed on everything, but you have followed your heart—and look where it led you.”
Nan sighed in contentment. “To the man I love. Oh, Mother, to have what you and Father have? I never thought this could happen to me. I love Tristan so very much.” She paused. “I only hope you are not disappointed that we’ve decided to marry here at Leventhorpe instead of the nuptial mass taking place at Kinwick.”
“I could never be disappointed in you, dearest Nan. I think the idea of Tristan and his sister marrying on the same day at their home is a blessing.” Merryn looked to the group they’d separated from. “I think your future husband misses you. Let’s rejoin the others.”
Nan and Merryn strolled back and Nan went to stand beside Tristan. His arm encircled her waist, giving her a sense of serenity and security.
He bent and whispered into her ear, “I see the love between your parents and know the same is in store for us in the years to come.”
Nan nodded, knowing it would be true.
*
Nan awoke, Tristan’s arms around her as he held her against his chest while he slept. Today would be her first day as a wedded wife. Yesterday, she and Gillian had spoken their vows with Tristan and David in front of their loved ones. Nan was pleased that all of her siblings and their families had arrived in time to witness the ceremony. Though with child, Margery was feeling much better and had made the journey from Bexley with Ancel, Cyrus, and Miranda. Edward and Rosalyne had arrived from Shallowheart with their two, small children. Alys and Kit’s twins, Philippa and Wyatt, had done wonders entertaining all the little ones. Even Uncle Hugh and Aunt Milla Mantel had been able to attend. Minutes before the nuptial mass began, Avelyn and Kenric had arrived with their son and announced that their daughter would marry in a month. She was now at her betrothed’s estate and hoped everyone would come together again to celebrate their nuptials.
She stroked Tristan’s arm with her thumb, marveling at their love play. Sometimes when they came together, he could be so tender and gentle that she felt like a treasured piece of glass that he didn’t want to break. Other times, he became so fierce and passionate that Nan thought he was a flame which consumed her whole. Last night, he had taught her something new. She had ridden atop him, in charge of every move, feeling every bit as majestic and beautiful as he told her she was each day.
His lips suddenly caressed her neck as his fingers splayed wide against her belly. Slowly, they glided down to the curls at the apex of her legs and began a teasing dance that aroused her.
“You are already ready for me,” Tristan whispered in her ear.
Nan chuckled. “I think I stay that way.”
This time, their love play was lengthy, building from slow, long caresses until Tristan finally entered her. She urged him on, whispering endearments to him, until they both reached their peaks and lay exhausted in one another’s arms.
“Your father said he wished to speak to us this morning,” Tristan informed her. “Do you know why?”
“Nay. He said nothing of it to me. Mayhap he wants to invite us to Kinwick so you can see where I grew up.”
They dressed and broke their fast. Nan had already told her husband that he would need to write to the bishop and seek a priest for Leventhorpe. She’d told him faith was the foundation on which they would begin to rebuild their estate and that she would expect everyone at Thorpe Castle to attend mass daily once a man of God had been permanently sent to them.
Helping one another dress, they finally arrived downstairs to a plethora of noisy conversations. So many de Montforts and their relatives occupied the great hall and their talk filled the room.
“There’s Father,” Nan said, spying him with his cousin, Raynor, and
Kenric and Edward.
They went around the room acknowledging everyone until they arrived at where Geoffrey de Montfort was engaged in conversation.
He greeted them and then said, “Could we adjourn to your solar to discuss private matters?”
They agreed and he signaled to Merryn to join them. Once upstairs, the two couples seated themselves.
“Nan wrote to me of her idea to help build up Leventhorpe when she told us of your marriage,” Geoffrey began. “I have spoken to others in the family and they are willing to ask for two of their knights to come to Thorpe Castle and join in service to you. That would be men from Kinwick, Wellbury, Ashcroft, Sandbourne, Shadowfaire, Brentwood, Bexley, and Shallowheart.”
“Truly?” Nan did the figures in her head. “So many?”
“Family helps one another,” her father said. “Leventhorpe suffered some terrible losses during the peasants’ rebellion. Having talented soldiers will be a start to bolstering the estate.”
“And we will each ask one family from all of our properties to relocate to Leventhorpe,” Merryn added. “Of course, you will have to make it worth their while, giving them a large portion of land to farm and a cottage to live in.”
Tristan shook his head. “I am dumbstruck at such an offer but we have more than enough land for that number of tenants. I’ve also spoken with Edward and Hal about raising sheep here and will continue to breed horses I purchase from Sandbourne.” He looked from Geoffrey to Merryn. “I cannot begin to thank you for such support, my lord, my lady.”
“Please. We are Geoffrey and Merryn now,” Merryn said with a smile. “We are your family, Tristan, and hope you will always think of us in that manner.”
“Little did I know when I decided to wed Nan that I would be marrying such a large group of people, as well,” Tristan teased. He embraced both de Montforts, as did Nan.
“We have something else to discuss,” Geoffrey said. “Nan, will you bring in Drew? He should be waiting outside the solar.”