Carroll, Laurie - War Of Hearts.txt
Page 34
embrace. Arm draped over Jeremy’s shoulders, he turned
to the others with a laugh.
“The man’s invincible,” he roared. “Why, I once saw
him make a similar leap in a full suit of armor.”
At this declaration, Alicen froze, eyes locking with
Jeremy’s.
The pain of betrayal he saw there scorched him, but
before he could speak, her expression changed to fury.
“More the fools we for doubting him,” she said coldly.
“Or doubting the lengths he’ll go to win a wager.” She
spun on her heel and fled through the crowd.
Silently cursing his stupidity, Jeremy made to follow
her, but Rhea stepped closer and touched his hand.
“Stay, Captain,” the midwife advised. “She must needs
be alone a little to think matters through. Seek her out
later.”
Torn, Jeremy glanced down at Rhea then back to
where Alicen had disappeared in the throng. Once again,
he’d callously hurt the woman he loved. He glared at
Jason, but knew his own deceit had done him in, not his
friend’s ill-timed proclamation. Sweet Jesu, why hadn’t
he told her he could easily leap the span? Base need had
driven him to seek a night of pleasure with her.
His cunning may have cost him his heart’s desire.
Shoulders sagging, he turned back toward Warrick
and was immediately engulfed in a crowd of well-wishers.
Burdened by despair, he received their congratulations.
***
Jeremy paced his chamber like a caged animal,
fighting his urge to tear Durham apart. Supper had ended
over an hour before, and the castle had gradually quieted
as its occupants settled in for the night. Alicen had not
appeared at the meal. In fact, had not been seen since
afternoon.
Jeremy prayed that Ned and Rhea’s presence at
Durham would prevent Alicen from returning to
Landeyda. But he wasn’t certain it would.
It seemed he’d thought a hundred times to search for
her, but Rhea had warned against pursuit. And the old
midwife knew Alicen far better than he. ’Twould be
foolishness he could not afford.
And if he pursued and managed to find her, what
would he say? That love for her had caused him to deceive
her? Nay, lust had overturned tender feelings. Now he
waited in torment until his heart returned. If she ever
did.
At midnight a quiet knock riveted his attention. He
rushed to throw the door wide, expecting Rhea on the
threshold.
Alicen stood alone in the dark hallway, the hood of
her cloak drawn up over her hair, and gave him a hesitant
smile.
“May I enter?” she asked dryly.
His heart reeled before thundering wildly, and he had
to force himself not to crush her to him. Instead, he bowed
and politely ushered her into the chamber.
“I thought you’d not come,” he stated, unable to keep
pain from his voice. “Lord knows you have reason enough
to stay away.”
“We wagered and I lost. I’m here to repay my debt.”
Her declaration made it clear that given the choice
she’d not be there. His chest felt pinched by blacksmith’s
tongs. She tensed as he reached for her, and panic seized
him.
“Alicen, forgive my baseness! But it has been so long
since we..., I mean I..., you seemed so angry when—”
Realizing he babbled, he trailed off. He massaged his
forehead, then met her gaze, searching her face for a sign
of forgiveness. When he spoke again, his choked voice
nonetheless was calm. “I’d never expect you to excuse
such trickery, but you must believe my deep regret.” He
gave her a tight smile. “You needn’t pay the wager.”
Alicen’s fragile control threatened to crumble beneath
his sincerity. In truth, she wished to be there, yet she
resented his tactics. This resentment, and knowing she’d
come to him on her terms, steadied her. In anticipation
of their lovemaking, she’d drunk an herbal potion of rue
and savin. Though she’d gladly bear Jeremy’s child, she
knew not of his desire for a babe. She’d no wish to discover
he merely sought temporary pleasure with her.
Nervous, she removed her cloak, draped it over a
chair, then smoothed the cowl. Avoiding eye contact, she
examined the room. The furnishings were Spartan: one
large coffer for clothing, two chairs and a rug before the
hearth, a table beside a window embrasure. The large
curtained bed. Tapestries depicting the hunt adorned two
walls, Jeremy’s mail and weapons another. Altogether
functional and impersonal.
Feeling the loneliness of the place, she turned and
saw the need in his eyes. Pain twisted inside her. Until
then, she’d never been certain that he missed her. Loved
her. With quick strides she closed the distance between
them and launched herself into his arms.
“Hold me.”
He crushed her to him, tangling his hands in her hair,
kissing her as if she were water and he dying of thirst.
“Alicen,” he groaned.
They embraced with raw intensity—hands, lips,
bodies straining to touch as intimately as possible.
Jeremy pulled back long enough to divest her of her
dress. His tunic followed. Then he carried her to the bed,
there to resume his fevered caresses. He ripped her
chemise in his haste to remove it, but he was too lost in
emotion to care. She untied his hose, and that quickly he
was as naked as she.
They came together in a wild, intense culmination of
their reunion, the only sounds moans of pleasure and
incoherent love words. Pillows were swept from the bed
and sheets tangled in a passion too fervent to be further
contained.
Twenty-two
“Noooo!”
Alicen lurched to a half-sitting position, flailing blindly
with her fists. Jeremy had all he could do to stop her
from striking him as she lashed out against invisible
enemies.
“Alicen! Awake.” He managed to control her thrashing
by holding her close and murmuring soothingly, “Steady,
lass. You dreamed, sweetling, ’tis all. There’s naught to
fear. ’Twas just a phantom of the night.”
Green eyes flew wide, the terror he saw there gradually
leaving as she recognized her surroundings. Her breathing
calmed to a more normal rhythm. Glancing at the hour
candle beside the bed, Jeremy saw they’d slept only a
short time after their heated lovemaking had exhausted
her. She snuggled her head beneath his chin.
“They pursued me.” Voice hoarse, she shook with
dread. “They caught me in the woods.”
“Shhh,” he crooned, smoothing her hair back from
her face. “You dreamed. Don’t be afraid now.”
Her eyes were huge. “’Twas so real.”
His embrace tightened. “You’re safe here.”
“Aye, but you are not. In a few hours you’ll face battle.�
��
Her voice nearly broke, but she mastered it.
“I’ll return to you, Alicen.” His gaze was intent.
She shuddered. “Would I could believe that. Believe
a man who tricked me into his bed.”
Her soft tone struck like shards of glass. “I only
thought to keep you near,” he muttered, miserable. “Little
wonder you hate me.”
A frown could not hide the soft luminosity of her eyes
as she stroked her hand down his jaw. “You, sir, are a
cad.”
Jeremy swallowed, her touch tugging the corner of
his mouth into a slight smile. “To prove my contrition, I’ll
obey any command you give.”
“You’ll do aught that I desire?”
Completely serious, he said, “I am your willing
servant.”
An impish grin lit her face. “Then walk the
battlements, clothed as you are.”
He started, caught the mirth in her expression, then
slowly smiled. “You’re a hard woman, Alicen Kent, to send
a soldier to die from exposure.”
“You gave your word, sir.”
“So be it.” He paused only a moment before adding,
“But I’m bringing you along.”
Grabbing her arm, he started to drag her from the
bed.
“Stop!” she shrieked, laughing and struggling to break
away. “Brute! Leave be!”
“You cut me deeply, woman,” he protested with mock
affront as he released her, then joined her in bed. “I am
dishonored.”
She laughed again. “Methinks honor is too important
to you,” she teased, mimicking his voice to perfection.
An exaggerated sigh whooshed from his chest. “At
least send me to my death with a kiss to ease my final
hours.”
“Oh, very well, but make quick work of this.” Closing
her eyes tight, Alicen pursed her lips.
With a laugh, Jeremy bent toward her and gently
brushed her mouth with his. Her eyes half opened, and
to his complete delight, she pressed her lips harder
against his, the light kiss quickly flaming. Her arm
encircled his neck, drew him down with her as she rolled
to her back. Knowing she feared for his safety, for his
return, he made gentle love to her, withholding his
pleasure until she had reached fulfillment. At last he
released his ardor, and when he climaxed, she again
gained that peak.
Afterward, Alicen clasped him in a warm embrace,
her lips clinging to his mouth.
Joy flooded him, but fearing his weight would
discomfit her, he started to withdraw. She locked her
hands behind his back, causing his heart to pound so
hard he was certain she felt it.
“Do I perceive that you wish me to remain, Mistress?”
A startled look crossed Alicen’s face, then she blushed
and tried to push him off.
“What? A sudden change of heart?”
“You’re heavy!” she protested, face now ablaze.
Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, “You did not
think such a few moments ago.” He rolled to his back,
bringing her along, still joined to him. “I’ll gladly bear
your weight, my lady.” He grunted as though she were
stout, then grinned.
When Alicen’s lips thinned and she started to speak,
he held his finger to her mouth.
“Shhh! Talk not of gratitude. ’Tis there in your eyes.”
“Why, you arrogant—”
Alicen struggled to break free, but Jeremy’s muscled
arms held her hips tight to his. Embarrassed that he could
so accurately assess her feelings and then tease about
them, she doubled up her fist and hit him square on the
chest. She swung again, but he caught her hand before
the blow fell and pulled her arm behind her back, laughing
deep in his chest as she strained against him.
She knew the futility of resistance, yet continued, even
when he stymied all her efforts. Finally, growling in
frustration, she bared her teeth and nipped him on the
chest.
“Ouch,” he yelped. “Bloodthirsty minx!”
He rubbed the spot where her teeth had caught him,
and Alicen lurched away, forcing him to give up his
massage to grab her with both hands. They laughed as
they tumbled about the bed, Jeremy trying to kiss her,
she doing her best to avoid his kisses.
He was nearly ready to cry stalemate when arousal
returned in full measure, and he again filled her. Alicen
stilled, eyes widening. Masculine pride brought a grin to
his face, and he lifted his hips against her, watching her
eyes close from the sensation.
“I am insatiable with you, my lady,” Jeremy declared,
raising his head to gently kiss her. Seeing ardor burning
in her gaze, he dared to hope. He smiled and brushed a
tumbled lock from her cheek, whispering, “Kiss me, dear
minx. But this time, no teeth.”
Alicen slowly lowered her mouth to his. He lay still
beneath her hands. She caressed the muscled planes of
his chest and abdomen, then kissed his throat, watching
his muscles tighten at her touch. Her deft physician’s
hands soon had him moaning with pleasure.
When she touched the scar on his arm from the wound
she had tended months before, she paused, gripped in
sadness.
“You’ve borne so much pain.”
“’Tis of no import when I’m with you.” His fingers
traced the line of her jaw, then trailed down to her breast.
He stopped his caress, watching her intently.
She gently pushed his hand away then stretched full
length atop him, rubbing skin to skin. “Let me please
you.”
His breathing quickened as she slid slowly down to
cover his chest with kisses. She knew what he caused in
her—pleasure so intense she thought mayhap she
dreamed it—and she wished to return the favor. When
her mouth closed over one of his small nipples, his
delighted groan made her smile.
She suckled him as he had her, enjoying her power
to pleasure him. A strong yet gentle man—she thrilled to
the feel of him beneath her lips, between her thighs. She
took his other nipple carefully in her teeth, running her
tongue over it while Jeremy shuddered and grew even
harder within her.
“Alicen,” he gasped, pulling her face up to his.
“Sweetling, how you please me!”
He claimed her mouth as his hips began to thrust
upward against her, and she soon matched his rhythm.
Then he showed her yet another manner of achieving
ecstasy, and she met his raging desire with emotions
equalling his own.
Much later, she held Jeremy as he slept, biting her
lip to keep from weeping. She brushed a lock of hair from
his forehead and softly kissed his temple. When he rode
out to battle at first light, her courage would equal his,
and not even he would know of the fear threatening to
bring her to her knees. But now, in the dark of night,
dread permeated her soul. Sh
e fought that dread, fought
the tug of sleep. If this was to be the last night she’d ever
lie with Jeremy, then she would not waste it in slumber
or fruitless worry. Instead, she would spend the remaining
time with him recalling and committing to memory every
moment they had shared.
And she would pray that God would safely return to
her the man who owned her heart.
***
“They’re charging, Captain!”
Jeremy moved Charon into line as fifteen of Harold’s
knights rode down on his seventeen. Thick woods edged
the crossroads on all sides, reducing the benefit of
superior numbers and limiting all but frontal assault.
“Our foe is desperate,” he called to his men. “They
grow reckless.”
His orders were to keep Harold’s troops from gaining
refuge at Escomb or retreating to Harold’s keep at Raby,
and so he and his men guarded the road to the enemy
camp.
The sound of helmet visors slamming into place mixed
with the building crescendo of destriers in full charge
stirred Jeremy’s blood. Yet he calmly adjusted his shield
and positioned his lance. A glance down the line to each
side told him every man had done likewise.
“I’m for the lead rider,” he shouted. “Mark the griffin
upon his shield.”
As coolly as could be expected in the face of the
oncoming phalanx, the others called their marks. Then
they started forward in a controlled trot, eighteen abreast.
When the enemy had closed to twenty rods, Jeremy
signaled the charge.
“On! On!”
The two lines met at a dead run, the impact shaking
the ground. Jeremy’s lance shivered in his hand,
splintering with a resounding crack against his foe’s
shield. Yet he failed to unhorse his foe, so drawing sword,
Jeremy closed in.
All around them men and horses fell. The smell of
blood filled the air, but Jeremy ignored that and the
sounds of clanging blades and dying men and destriers,
concentrating completely on his enemy.
His shield warded off the enemy’s blows as Jeremy’s
sword pounded back. They battered each other for several
frenzied moments, until Jeremy managed a particularly
vicious strike which dropped his opponent’s guard. That
slight opening was all he needed. With one clean thrust,