Bold Conquest

by Virginia Henley

"When then?"

  "Tomorrow! Tomorrow I promise, but not now, please, love?"

  "You should not be shy with me. I can see I shall have to take you in hand." He chuckled deep in his throat, and she turned from him and tried to escape. His arms went around her from behind, and he cupped her breasts with his hands. He nuzzled her neck, sending delicious tremors down her spine. It tickled her; she squirmed as she laughingly tried to evade him. But he pulled her closer until her buttocks came in contact with his swollen phallus and she pretended outrage. "Are you always in that dreadful condition?"

  "How unfair! You are the cause of it, and only you have the cure," he laughed. He playfully turned her to him and showered her with kisses, but the playfulness vanished as his passion mounted. He took her mouth almost brutally in a searing kiss that had no end. He was hot with desire and soon lit a matching fire within her that threatened to consume them both. "Lillyth, you drive me mad," he gasped hoarsely. He thrust deeply and she cried out with pleasure-pain. It was soon over, and she went limp in his arms as his tenderness returned. He cradled her and whispered all the things she longed to hear.

  Guy was in the armory with maps, drawings and sketches strewn about when she finally tracked down his whereabouts. Plans to enlarge the hall and make it a fortified stronghold were foremost in his mind. The work had to be started while winter gave the men many idle hours, for once spring was upon them the daylight hours would be taken up by planting, along with all that the sowing of crops entailed.

  "I want to add two more wings to the hall. One for my own family, the other for you men. When you marry we cannot have you sleeping in the armory, can we?" Everyone laughed, and there were several rude rejoinders.

  "Before we start on the hall, we will erect a stone wall all the way around. We will redirect the stream and have a moat and a drawbridge. We will have a bailey, see, like this"— he sketched quickly—"with an inner and an outer ward. These will be large enough to house everyone in Godstone in the event of an attack."

  He spoke to Rolf, "Will you go to the smithy and see if the shovels I ordered to be made are ready? Mortain promised to lend me one of his master builders. One of the monks from Mont St. Michel, I believe, so we are getting the best. He will be directing the masonry when he arrives, but in the meantime the stone can be gathered and the channel for the moat can be dug. Work on the building will not be compulsory for the peasants, but any villagers who work get extra food for their families. I strongly believe that when given a free choice, a man does a better job. Nick, I want you to work with the miller. See to it that more grain is ground. You will be in charge of distribution— so much grain for so much work— you can work it out fairly."

  His eyes lit up as he saw Lillyth. "Come in, love, come in."

  She blushed as she came among the throng of men.

  He beamed. "Come and see the plans we are making. The whole wing here is a nursery" He winked over her head at his men. Her cheeks flamed and her eyes were cast down. Every man's heart went out to her in that moment. Rolf's gruff "For shame to tease the child in front of these rough men," made Guy cease his nonsense, and he drew her to his side with a protective arm. He said low, "Some of the ewes are dropping their lambs already. Would you like to come to the south fold with me to see the lambing?"

  She nodded happily, and, hands clasped, they slipped from the armory, the plans momentarily forgotten. Rolf shook his head. "Cooing like doves in a dovecote."

  André nudged Nick and laughed. "Listen who's talking! Next week this time, he'll be sighing and carrying on in like case."

  Rolf cuffed him over the ear, albeit lightly.

  The little lambs that had been born a couple of days ago were adorable to watch. They frisked innocently around their mothers, jumping over imaginary obstacles.

  Guy asked one of the shepherds, "Have we lost many?"

  "Hardly any, my lord. It worked out evenly— we lost two ewes and two lambs, so we took the orphans, put the skins of the dead lambs on 'um, and the other ewes took to 'um right away."

  "Oh look, Guy, that one has just delivered twins," Lillyth said excitedly.

  "They look pretty small. I don't think they stand much chance," he said.

  The shepherd said, "If they are left out in the fold all night they won't, but I'll take 'urn to my wife. If they stay beside the fire all night they'll be just fine come morning."

  "Oh, let me have them?" she asked. "I'll wrap them up and keep them by the fire."

  Guy shot a quick frown at the shepherd, who said, "Beggin' yer pardon, my lady, but I think they stand a better chance if yer leave 'um here to us. There's a knack to it, you see."

  "Of course. I'm sorry, I didn't think." She smiled.

  Guy hugged her to him and said low, "You would be too upset if something happened to them. It's better to leave them here."

  Elfrida, a peasant woman, approached Lillyth. "May I speak with you, my lady?"

  "Of course. Is there some kind of trouble? You look very upset."

  The woman eyed Guy and decided there was nothing for it but to state her mission. "My daughter, she married a man over the next fief to ours."

  She pointed off to the west. "They don't want to stay there no more."

  "They are quite welcome to come here. We can use willing hands on our land anytime," said Lillyth.

  "Ah, my lady, if only it were so simple." She hesitated, and kept sending quick furtive glances in Guy's direction. "The Norman lord over there is so cruel, my lady, they are treated like animals— worse, like slaves. They are kept in chains and whipped and given no decent food. My daughter escaped, but they caught her husband and took him back. I have hidden her in my hut." She looked defiantly toward Guy.

  Lillyth turned to Guy, ready to plead the woman's cause, but he cut in quickly. "I think it is time I made the acquaintance of my neighbor. How far is the next fief, love?"

  "At least ten miles, perhaps as much as fifteen," answered Lillyth.

  "Have no fear, Mother, I will get your daughter's husband released from this man, and gain her lawful release also."

  "Oh thank you, my lord, thank you." Elfrida knelt before Guy and the tears of relief fell down her face.

  "Come, Lillyth, I must tell a few of the others to saddle up and come visiting with me."

  She looked at him fearfully. "Oh, Guy, I don't want any trouble."

  He laughed. "Neither does William, by God. The last thing he wants here in England is petty wars and fighting between the landowners. In Normandy there was so much of it he was sickened."

  "But how will you get what you want without trouble?" she asked.

  He looked at her worried face. "There are many ways, dearest, stop worrying. If necessary, I will trade for the people we want, or if all else fails, I will have to buy them."

  Lillyth felt uneasy all afternoon but tried to keep telling herself that Guy knew how to take care of himself. The afternoon drew in fast, and the light went from the sky early. She kept listening for his return and thought she heard horses approaching many times, but whenever she looked out she was disappointed. When he had not returned in time for the evening meal, Lillyth found that she was too worried to eat. She took some food for Guy up to their chamber and placed a clean cloth over it, then sat down by the fire to await his return. She found herself praying for his safety. Just when I found him, do not let anything happen to him. Do not let him be taken away from me, she pleaded. Another hour passed. It was completely dark outside when she heard the unmistakable sound of galloping hooves. She fled from the room, down the stairs, and ran out to meet him.

  "Oh, Guy, thank God you are safe!"

  He picked her up and swung her around. "What's all this? Tears? Whatever is the matter with you, you silly child?" he chided her

  Each man with him wished he had someone to give him such a welcome as this.

  They went up the stairs with their arms entwined about each other.

  "Why are you so late? Was there any trouble? What happened?" she
asked.

  "Nothing happened, love." He shut the door.

  "What do you mean, nothing happened?"

  "I simply made the acquaintance of our neighbor."

  "But what about the poor woman's husband, wasn't there any trouble?"

  "I never mentioned him," he said.

  "Do you mean to tell me that I have been here worrying myself to death about you and you did nothing you set out to do?" she flared.

  "Lillyth, you must not fall into the habit of worrying about me whenever we are apart for a few hours. It is foolishness! You are a nervous wreck, filled with anxiety for me, and all for nothing. As for the other matter, it is not so simple that I can walk in and take a man away just because I want him. It is a deeper game than that. As a matter of fact, I have invited our neighbor and his wife to your mother's wedding."

  "In God's name, why?" she asked.

  "For one thing, to let them see there are other ways for Normans and Saxons to live together than the way they are going about it."

  "Was it very bad?" she asked anxiously.

  "Yes, but I refuse to depress you by discussing it further." His voice held a note of finality "Come and give me a kiss."

  In the circle of his arms, she said, "I have saved you some food, are you hungry?"

  "Yes, very, but not for food," he laughed, and his hold tightened. "Besides, I have already dined."

  She pulled away from him. "I would not break bread with people I did not approve of; that is being a hypocrite."

  He cocked an eyebrow at her but held his tongue. "I saw some lovely land on my travels today." He grinned at her. "If we are to have sons, I will have to get busy acquiring more land."

  "Does this land belong to the Norman?" she asked.

  He shrugged. "Some of it. Here, let me show you." He quickly drew a map for her, showing their land, and then the river along the western boundary, and then the land the Norman held in the next fief.

  "The fields on the other side of the river are very good land; they must yield bountiful crops. I have my eye on those, but there is more land just north of the fief that certainly doesn't belong to St. Denys— that is his name, by the way. The sooner I can get my hands on the land around here that is not claimed, the better it will be for all of us. You know I have half-promised Oxstead and Sevenoaks to my brothers when they wed. Does that bother you, Lillyth?"

  "Of course not. They are my brothers now."

  He poured himself some wine. "I thought perhaps you might wish to keep that land for our children."

  "If you are so generous to your brothers, what will you not do for your sons?" she said smilingly as she undressed and got into bed.

  "Most women would be jealous of my generosity to my brothers. Thank God you are not one of them." He studied the map. "Ah, Lillyth, I have great plans for the future, you will see."

  "I also have plans. I want Andre to marry Edyth and of course Nicholas is to have Rose."

  "Save me from your matchmaking. Men like to do their own hunting, love."

  "I am content to let things take their natural course. For the most part," she amended quickly. "Darling, there is one man whom I wish you would give a good talking to. I believe his name is Esmé. You remember when Emma fainted in the solarium a while back and we suspected she was with child? Well, it is Esmé's child, and since she told him of it, he has been avoiding her like the plague."

  "What do you want me to do about it?", he asked.

  "Order him to marry her!" she replied.

  "And what chance would she have for happiness if he was forced reluctantly to wed? Do not ask it of me, Lillyth."

  She decided she would handle the matter herself. "Drink your wine and come to bed, or we will never have those sons you keep talking about."

  "Can't wait to get your hands on me, can you?" he grinned.

  He undressed quickly and came to her. He took her hair in great handfuls and buried his face in its exquisite perfume. "Oh, Lil, l love you so much."

  When daylight filtered into the room, Lillyth slipped quietly from the bed and. dressed quickly, one eye on Guy's sleeping form. He was not asleep, however, and smiled to himself as he guessed what she was up to. She tiptoed from the room and closed the door behind her very quietly. As soon as she was through the door, he sprang from bed and pulled on his woolen chausses and was out the door after her. He listened for a moment and heard her voice, along with the other women's, coming from the solarium_

  He went in and without a. word picked her up in his arms, and on his way out said, "Sorry, ladies, Lillyth has a little matter of a promise to fulfill."

  "Guy, whatever are you doing? What will they think?" she asked, outraged.

  "They will simply think that we are newlyweds playing love games, cherie." He set her down inside their chamber and said, "Your promise, my lady."

  "I don't know what you are talking about." She blushed.

  "You know exactly what I'm talking about."

  He took off her tunic and dropped it on the bed, then he took off her underdress and placed it with the tunic. He took off her slippers and stockings and unbound her hair. She shielded her nakedness with her arms. "Don't be shy, my beloved," he pleaded.

  She stood before him proudly now, and saw the light come into his face as he looked at her worshipfully.

  "Do I please you?"

  For answer he went down on his knees before her. He drew her to him tenderly, and his lips explored all her private beauty he had been longing to know. She had to bite his shoulder to prevent herself from screaming in excitement.

  She was secretly delighted that he could receive such deep pleasure from kissing her there. Her cheeks were pink with pleasure. Surely if she allowed him this intimacy in the full light of day, she would never be shy with him again.

  His thumbs spread her woman's center so he could fit his mouth more closely and enter her with his tongue. Now she could not contain her cries of excitement. The tip of his tongue licked the hard rosebud hidden within, then circled it slowly over and over until she was swollen with need. She sighed and panted and begged him to move faster to give her release, but Guy knew that the slower she built to her peak, the more profound would be her orgasmic climax.

  When she began to writhe and cry, "Guy, please ... sweet god!" he knew she was reaching the limits of her newborn sensuality. He sucked her hard, then thrust his tongue within her honeyed sheath to experience her every tremor.

  Later, when she recovered from his loveplay, she walked about the room for him, enjoying his eyes upon her newly awakened body. She had the tawny look of a lioness. She was ripe, she was ready, she was woman.

  Chapter 20

  Edgarson was thrilled about the building and was trying to fire his father with enthusiasm.

  "I could watch them all day! Please say you will work on the building and then I can help you. I want to learn all about it!" he pleaded.

  "I thought you wanted to work in the stables?" asked May.

  "No. This is what I want to do. I heard the master telling his plans to some of the men. It's going to be like a big castle. When I have learned all about building, I will be able to build us a big house with two rooms, one for cooking and the other for sleeping."

  He was so enthused, his mother smiled to herself. Well, it was nice to have dreams. Edwina was deliriously happy with Aedward, and he had taken her to live in the big hall at Oxstead. So sometimes miracles did happen.

  Edgar looked at his son and shook his head in disbelief at the youngster's passion for this building.

  "All right, I'll do it, and I will speak to the master about letting you help."

  "Tomorrow!" insisted Edgarson.

  This time the church was filled to overflowing. The smells of incense, candle wax and sweat intermingled as the priest said the holy words over the middle-aged couple. Lillyth held Guy's hand tightly, and they stole glances at each other every few moments. Guy wished with all his heart that his own wedding could be as true and binding as this on
e, but with a sigh he vowed over again to cherish his "wife" who was in truth more of a wife to him than the real one had ever been.

  The St. Denys party did not arrive until later in the day. Guy was the jovial-host while Lillyth was looking to a dozen things at once, making sure that her mother's day went as smoothly as her own had. The St. Denys party brought along two knights for escort, and Guy ushered them into the hall with a hearty welcome. They were outraged to find Saxon peasants strolling about, laughing and helping themselves to food.

  "Montgomery if you let these people have free rein of the fief, I warn you that they will murder you in your beds!"

  "These are my people, St. Denys, and I assure you I have had no problems whatsoever with them," Guy said.

  "They are just biding their time. This system of yours cannot work. They hate Normans worse than poison! They are a conquered people and we are their masters, therefore there is no way possible for friendship to flourish."

  "Relax and enjoy yourselves. I am sure nothing will happen today at any rate." Guy went to bring them wine. Across the room André walked with his arm across Aedward's shoulder. The two shared a joke and the blond head of the Saxon was close beside the black one of the Norman. St. Denys glared his disapproval. Marie St. Denys was staring at Lillyth, who had just come downstairs.

  "By the face, look at this one all decked out like a queen. Obviously someone's whore! I never saw such a brazen bitch in my life." She dug St. Denys in the ribs. "Look at her hair all uncovered, and the way she walks. She is plying her trade right here in the hall."

  St. Denys stood slack-mouthed at the vision his wife referred to. St. Denys was darker of countenance than the Montgomerys, with a thin, almost evil face, but at the moment it was filled with unconcealed lust. The Saxon women were very much to his taste, and his wife hated all Saxon women because of it. He took them on his own fief whenever and wherever he felt like it.

  Guy took Lillyth's hand and brought her over to be introduced. Marie. St. Denys almost turned away, as she was loathe to meet Montgomery's leman, but she did not quite have the audacity.