Knights of Valor

by Denise Domning

  "I forgive you, Father."

  She pulled him into an embrace, pressing her face to his shoulder as she did when she was a child and they stayed that way for some time.

  After a while, Elena pulled back, and held the baron's gaze with her own. "Father, who did you suggest I marry?"

  The baron chuckled. "Dear daughter, who do you think? I should have let him marry you when he asked all those years ago. Can you forgive a man his stubborn hide?"

  Elena's smile faltered. She couldn't begrudge him for things in the past. Kent had made her life hell, but now he was gone, and would burn in purgatory for eternity, she would never have to see him again or face his wrath. Dwelling on her forced marriage and her ignored pleas from her father would get her nowhere. Best to forgive and move on.

  "I forgive you."

  "Thank you. Now, get well so you can answer the King's summons. He's not a patient man, and I fear if you tarry too long, he will not consider my request."

  Elena nodded, and lay back against the feather pillows. She was feeling much better, if not a little tired. She sent a prayer of thanks to God that he'd kept her alive, and that her baby was safe. It appeared now everything would be well.

  A fortnight later, Elena and Michael were escorted by the King's guard to their separate guest quarters at Westminster Palace—which Elena was glad to see were right next to each other. Her ladies set about unpacking, with the exception of Raelyn who paced the length of the room so many times, Elena lost count.

  "Will you not settle, Raelyn? You are making me dizzy." Elena held a hand up to her forehead, indeed feeling a bit flushed.

  Olivia thrust a glass of watered ale into her hands, and Elena sipped the cool liquid feeling slightly better.

  "We are lucky that it has yet to snow," Raelyn said out of the blue. "Do you think it will snow soon?"

  "It is nearly the winter solstice, so I would think bad weather will soon be upon us. Will you stop your pacing!" Elena didn't mean for her words to come out as harshly as they did, but really, Raelyn's pacing was driving her mad. Elena flopped into a chair and rubbed her rounded belly.

  Raelyn came to a quick stop, wringing her hands, her brow furrowed in concern. "Forgive me, my lady, 'tis only… Do you think Thomas is here, at the palace?"

  Elena could not forget that Raelyn was supposed to marry some months before and had yet to exchange her vows. Had yet to see the man who left in the late summer for battle. She held out her hand to her friend and Raelyn took it. Elena squeezed in gentle reassurance and urged her loyal friend to sit.

  "If he is not at court, then we shall make way to his holding after the King dismisses us."

  "Oh, but, my lady!"

  Elena held up her hand. "No arguments. You deserve your wedding day, and I shall see that it happens sooner rather than later. Besides, Thomas is most probably pacing the floors just as agitatedly as you are, my dear."

  Raelyn laughed at that, but Elena's words did seem to calm her. The lady's maid stood and helped the rest of Elena's attendants to organize her trunks.

  A moment later, a knock sounded at the door. Beth opened the door to Michael, then slipped out. Did she have a beau of her own at court?

  "My lady." Michael bowed low, with a wink and a charming smile.

  Elena held out her hand and he kissed her lingeringly on the knuckles, his hot breath sending chills up her arm. Need swirled in her belly, making her shift uncomfortably. How could he have such an effect on her still? She longed to be alone with him so they might share a kiss once more. So that he might lay her on the bed and—

  "How do you fare?" He sat beside her on the cushioned bench and stroked a discreet hand over her belly.

  She shivered at his soft touch. "Very well," she murmured. "Now that you are here." Such a sense of peace blanketed her. She was finally and thankfully free from the confines of marriage with Kent, and now soon would be married to the one man she could not live without. Michael, who always made her feel loved, safe, beautiful, cherished.

  He picked up her hand and held it in his, stroking her palm with his thumb. "Is your room acceptable?"

  For a moment she was too distracted by the tickle of his thumb on her sensitive flesh to answer. It seemed that every inch of her skin was singing and alive. She glanced up to see he was waiting for her response. "Better than. What about yours?"

  He smiled. "Better than. And what's even most exciting is that door." He jutted his chin forward, and she followed his gaze.

  Indeed there was a door. "Does it connect with your chamber?"

  "Aye. This solar is the only room separating our two chambers. I suspect His Majesty picked out these rooms with that in mind."

  "Truly? But we are not yet wed."

  "Perhaps we will be very soon."

  Elena sighed with longing. "I hope it is so. I long to be in your arms." She whispered the latter.

  With a devilish grin, Michael leaned close. "And what would you have me do when you are in my arms?"

  Heat crept up her cheeks from her neck and chest. "Kiss me."

  "Where?"

  "Everywhere," she squeaked out on a breath.

  Michael tickled her palm. "Perhaps, we shall both retire early, and you can tell your ladies to leave you alone. I will open that special door and do just as you have requested."

  Elena's mouth fell open on a gasp. "Oh, how sinful!"

  "What we have could never be sinful." He glanced down at her belly and then back into her eyes. His gaze held a hunger, a yearning that made her heart quicken and her legs quiver. Between her thighs she grew moist with wanting, and her nipples hardened, aching for Michael's touch.

  "I wish it were night already," she murmured.

  "As do I, my love, as do I."

  They startled apart when two guards dressed in the King's livery came into the room. The men bowed. "Lady Kent and Sir Devereux, the King requests your presence in his chambers."

  "My lady," Michael said, offering her his arm.

  She wrapped her arm through is, resting her hand on the crook of his warm and solid forearm.

  "Smile, my lady, for with a certainty our lives are about to change for the better," Michael said in a whisper near the shell of her ear.

  Elena trembled, and then she did smile. A wide and giddy grin.

  Indeed, life was about to change, and she would leave everything else in the past, for good.

  The crowd of lavishly dressed courtiers split down the middle as Elena and Michael made their way through the great hall toward King Henry's chambers. Whispers sounded behind hands and jewel and feather studded fans. Elena could only guess what they were saying about her. She also felt quite underdressed. The ladies of the court wore the finest velvets, furs, studded with jewels and elaborate embroidery.

  She herself wore a simple gown in deep green of finely, soft woven wool. Her cuffs, hem and neckline were bordered with fox fur, and she wore a jeweled belt. She was wearing one of her finest gowns, but she had not realized that her finest was not up to par. She stiffened her back, straightened her shoulders, and lifted her chin. She would not be made to feel inferior because of her attire. She felt beautiful, and Michael seemed to like her just the way she was.

  Beside her, he patted her hand and leaned close to whisper, "Look at all these peacocks and popinjays. Do you think they've sewn all of their wealth into their clothes? Every time I come to court I am surprised at the need for such flamboyance."

  Elena smiled with relief and let out a small laugh. She was glad for his words, they made her feel accepted. "That woman's hat looks as though she keeps her pets inside it."

  Michael chuckled, his gaze following hers to the woman's headdress that was at least two feet tall, covered in feathers, furs and beading.

  "'Tis ridiculous."

  They arrived at the closed doors to the King's presence chamber. Two guards stepped aside and their escort opened the doors. The scent of apples and wax floated from the room.

  "Majesty, may I present
to you, Lady Elena, Countess of Kent and Sir Michael Devereux of Wexford."

  The King sat upon a high, ornately carved, oak throne chair, himself covered in velvet, furs and jewels. He summoned them forward with a wave of his fingers.

  "Do not look him in the eyes, kneel before him and kiss his ring," one of the guards hissed as they walked past.

  Why could they not look him in the eyes? But Elena had no further time to ponder on it, as they reached the foot of the King's dais, and knelt before him. Each kissed his dark ring, and kept their gazes lowered.

  "I am glad you finally arrived. I had begun to think you were ignoring me," King Henry chided.

  "Your Majesty—" Michael started.

  "There is no need to respond, I have heard what befell you," the King interrupted. "'Tis high time we continued with this. Lady Elena, you are widowed. Your husband had no heirs, and as a woman, the land cannot be given to you. Are you enceinte?"

  Oh, dear God! How would she answer? She was indeed with child, but the babe in her womb was not Kent's. Saying as such would brand her a harlot, and she could very well be cast into the Tower as adultery was a crime.

  She swallowed hard, digging her nails into her palm, she could not speak.

  "My lady?" the King urged.

  "She is," Michael answered.

  She looked at him sharply, but he stared at the King's feet.

  "Very well, the land and title will belong to your child, Kent's heir."

  She gasped and without thinking looked up at King Henry's face. He wore a patch over one eye and a scowl that sent her to nearly messing herself. She quickly looked back at the ground.

  "That being said, the child within your womb cannot care for Kent's holdings, and even once he is born he could not do what was necessarily until he is of age. Thusly, you will marry Sir Michael Devereux of Wexford, now to be entitled, Baron Shepway. He will serve as guardian of your child's holding."

  King Henry stood and ambled forward. He took his sword in hand and placed it on either of Michael's shoulders.

  "Do you swear to the Holy Mother and God in Heaven that you will serve this realm with honor and do as bid you by myself, sole sovereign of this mighty realm, King of England, France and Lord of Ireland?"

  "Aye."

  "Then I name you now, Baron Shepway. You must marry immediately. My secretary has already drawn up the papers. You will also be required to pay the sum of five-hundred coins silver to the Royal Treasury."

  The King sat back down and waved them away.

  Elena curtsied as low as she could, with Michael bowing beside her. She cared not to have to pay the sum, she was shocked at what had just transpired.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty," she said softly.

  "My thanks to you for remaining a true and loyal subject. And Baron, my thanks to you for helping in my cause in France."

  Michael nodded and bowed again. They backed out of the room, followed by the King's secretary and the guards.

  "The chapel is this way," the secretary, Robert Darcy, said sternly.

  "Chapel?" Elena asked.

  "Aye, you are to marry immediately."

  "Oh," she breathed. She'd heard King Henry say that, but she hadn't thought that he meant literally.

  "Your ladies and your men are awaiting us, my lord. Let us go." Mr. Darcy turned on his heels, and headed down a corridor without looking back.

  Elena peered up at Michael. "When you said today would change our lives, I had not thought it so immediate."

  He chuckled. "Neither did I, my love."

  "Why did you tell the king I was with child? Now everyone will believe 'tis Kent's heir."

  "So be it. But I do not think that the case, hence the fine. Besides, you, myself and those of our close circle know the truth, and nothing else matters." He tweaked her nose and pressed her fingers to his lips. "Now, let us marry."

  "Aye, let us. And tonight, you needn't sneak into my chambers, for we will be at last married in truth." Flashes of his muscled body looming over hers as he sank inside between her thighs sent chills to sweep along her limbs. She swallowed hard. Finally, after so many years, they would be man and wife.

  "Good, God, I never thought the day would come." Michael's words were filled with emotion and desire, sending a trill of sensation through Elena.

  Her throat closed up she was so overcome. She took a steadying breath. "Neither did I."

  When they entered the chapel, Elena's ladies, Colin and Fletch were not the only witnesses. Thomas stood with Raelyn, and beyond him, Bernard and Theodore were there as well.

  Michael stopped short upon seeing them. The two men knelt before Michael, clasping their hands out in front of them in fealty.

  "We gladly lay down our lives for you. We will honor you and serve you as our lord."

  Michael nodded and gripped both of their arms. "I accept."

  Raelyn stepped forward with Thomas. "I am so happy for you, Elena!" Raelyn whispered feverishly.

  "Soon 'twill be your turn," Elena said.

  From the corner of her eye, Elena caught Beth simmering. A fierce glower covered her features. But when Elena turned, Beth was all smiles.

  A chill gripped her spine, and the hairs on the back of her neck rose. She'd felt this way before. The night she was nearly murdered. Why was she getting such sensations now and from gazing at Beth?

  Nerves had to be the cause.

  "If you would come to the center and kneel, my lord and my lady." Elena glanced up to see the King's priest standing at the altar. Holding hands, she and Michael knelt before God and pledged themselves to each other forever in this life and all eternity.

  With vows exchanged, Michael tipped Elena's face up to his and brushed his warm lips against hers. She sagged into him, her tender breasts pressed to the hardness of his chest. She wanted to shout with glee at finally being able to kiss him and not caring who saw. He held her face between his palms, keeping the kiss chaste. But Elena would not have it. First kiss as man and wife, she would have him all. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and teased his lips open with her tongue.

  Michael growled low in his throat and took what she offered, slanting his head and thrusting his tongue into her mouth. He possessed her, claimed her, devoured her. Oh, God, how she'd wanted this. He tasted of sweet wine and strength. A man, her husband, all her own.

  Jovial cheers went up around them, and they only pulled away when the priest cleared his throat. "Save room for tonight, my lord," the man of God said discreetly.

  Michael's head fell back and he laughed, a sound that was like sweet confection to Elena's ears.

  Finally, they could be happy.

  There was no great wedding feast as there usually is when a lord and lady wed, but that suited Michael just fine. Instead, a table had been set up in the solar chamber attached to their rooms. Servants held jugs of wine, platters of roasted duck, braised salmon, stewed vegetables, fresh baked bread and fruit tarts. A harpist played light music. A minstrel waited to tell his tales. There was enough chairs so that Elena's ladies-in-waiting could join them, as could Thomas, Bernard, Theodore, Colin and Fletch.

  They ate and drank. Enjoyed the entertainments, and the convivial manner of their friendships.

  Michael had not been so happy in all his life. He leaned toward Elena and whispered into her ear the word he'd been longing to whisper since he was a boy of fifteen. "Wife."

  She beamed up at him, pure joy lighting her eyes.

  "What say you we leave this feast to our comrades and adjourn to our room for more private…entertainments."

  Elena blushed clear to her hair, and Michael couldn't help the devilish wink he tossed her way just to see if she could turn a shade darker. It worked.

  He gripped her hand in his and stood. "We bid you a goodnight."

  Raelyn stood to attend Elena, but Michael held up his hand. "My wife will not require your assistance tonight."

  Raelyn's eyes widened as she looked from one to the other, and then she too
blushed.

  The men jeered and cheered, and Michael ushered Elena into her room, shutting the door behind them.

  "At last we are alone, and free to be so." He came up behind her and placed his arms around her. He held her close, stroked his hands over her rounded belly.

  Elena leaned her head back on Michael's shoulders and closed her eyes. It seemed the interminable wait had ended. Their room was warm and a blazing fire sizzled and popped in the hearth, but other than that, there was no light.

  She gripped Michael's hands in hers and brought them up to her lips, pressing a soft kiss to his fingers.

  "I love you, Elena," he whispered against the shell of her ear.

  She sighed as his tongue darted out to stroke her lobe, before he took the sensitive flesh between his teeth. A moan escaped her lips and a frisson of delicious pleasure sparked its way from where his mouth touched her flesh to the most delicate parts of her body.

  "I love you too." She kissed his hands again, growing bolder as he teased her ear and then the sensitive flesh of her neck. She touched the tip of her tongue to his index finger, a tease at first. But when he sucked in his breath, she grew all the more daring. Wanted to hear him suck in his breath again. Wanted to know that he felt what she was feeling. He nipped at her neck, licking where he bit as she drew his finger into her mouth, swirling her tongue over the tip. She closed her eyes, moaning as she sucked on his finger, grazing his flesh with her teeth.

  Elena became light but heavy at the same time as desire wove its way around her in a protective cocoon. Michael groaned and turned her to face him. He pulled his finger from her mouth and replaced it with his lips, thrusting his tongue deep inside.

  Both of them moaned at the contact, their tongues warring and teasing. Michael stroked his hands over her cheeks, pulling pins from her hair, plucking off her headdress. With the removal of her hair pins and headdress, it was as if her troubles and the pain of the last several months dissipated. There was only the future now. A glorious future with Michael by her side.