Suddenly, he stopped. She murmured her displeasure and he laughed. “Nay, little sweeting. Once again, I assure you I am not leaving. I told you I would not. But there are far too many clothes between us and our desires."
In total agreement, Julie reached for the bottom of her shift at the same moment Nicholas did. Their noses bumped. They both laughed softly and tried again.
Nicholas won the tussle and heaved the garment to the floor. He wanted her hot moist skin gloving him. Then their bodies met and heavenly pleasure rushed down to his groin. All thought of his vows to Julianne evaporated like snow in sunlight.
He pulled her so she lay on top of him. Then his hands slid up to her hair and touched the soft, thick braid. He wanted it loose, streaming over his shoulders and chest, like a silken curtain enclosing them. He gave a tug and felt the ribbon holding the braid let go. He combed his fingers through her hair and her golden locks tumbled across his chest, releasing their lilac fragrance. He buried his face in it, scooping up handfuls and rubbing it between his fingers.
"Your hair smells like a waterfall of perfume."
"Flatterer."
"I am quite sincere, Julie."
"I wish I could believe that."
"Believe.” How could she doubt his sincerity? Although he had vowed in his prayers not to lie with this woman with the body of his wife and the soul of another, he had broken his promises to God and damned himself to Hell. To his shame, he knew he could have resisted Julianne, but he could not resist this exciting woman from the future. A woman who had knocked down all his defenses with every intelligent and unusual word she spoke. He had never known a woman like the one inhabiting his wife's body.
It was not just the allure of her beauty, but the quiet self-esteem she wore like a banner proclaiming her freedom. And he admired her absolute refusal to conform to his commands unless it was also her own wish. So he must have her...even if his soul spent eternity in the fires of the netherworld.
"Enough talk.” He told himself to be patient even though it had been months since he had bedded a woman. And this woman deserved his finest effort, not a quick animalistic coupling. Truthfully, Julianne had never done more than lie there while he made love to her. Julie did not just lie, she joined in. But then, he would not expect someone with her spirit to be passive. It was not in her nature.
"Come, dearling,” he whispered. “Lie with me and be my love."
Talk had cooled their ardor and he set about rekindling it.
Pulling her to him once again, he let his roaming lips speak any other thoughts he might have. If this be sin, there was much pleasure in it.
Julie heard his words with amazement. Few twenty-first century men would take time to murmur courtly phrases during love-making. Perhaps he was much more than a product of his times. Could Lily have decided he needed someone quite different from a thirteenth century woman? Could she also have thought Julie needed someone far different from the average man of her time? Perhaps Lily had just put them together and was waiting to see what would happen.
His mouth interrupted her thoughts. When he kissed his way down to her breast and began exploring the tender tip, she bucked and grabbed his head. “Don't stop!” she cried, sensing his slight hesitation.
His warm breath tightened her nipple. “Never fear. I will not stop."
"You just did,” she complained.
"Only for a moment.” He continued his attention to first one breast and then the other, his hand stroking the one his mouth was not pleasuring.
Julie ran her hands frantically over his broad shoulders, learning the contours and trying not to scream at the sensations his hands and his mouth produced.
"Please!” she cried, after his ministrations became even more ardent. “I need you to touch me, Nicholas.” She shoved at him, pushing his hands lower.
He groaned. “I will get there, my love, never fear."
But it wasn't fast enough to suit her. “Now,” she insisted.
His knee nudged her thighs apart and he rested between them, letting one hand run up and down her inner thigh. Exquisite agony.
"Let me touch you,” she pleaded.
"Not yet, dearling. I would embarrass us both. It has been too long and you are such sweet torture."
His fingers found her aching nub and rubbed it until her wave of pleasure crested. The intensity amazed her. During the brief affair she'd had in college nothing like this had ever happened.
Nicholas didn't need further urging. He plunged into her, filling her fully. A pain ripped through her at the same moment. She gasped. It had almost felt as though her virginity was intact. Which it wasn't. But in this body belonging to Julianne, it seemed she had become a virgin once again.
"Did I hurt you, my love?"
"Not really. It's just you're so large and solid."
"And you are so small and tight. You will drive me mad."
"I hope so.” She hugged him and rubbed her breasts against the light furring on his chest. Rough, but not painful. More stimulating than anything.
He had been lying above her, breathing heavily while he waited for her to adjust to him. Now he began slowly pulling out and plunging in. Warmth suffused her body as she answered his thrusts until they moved together in the ancient rhythm, each urging the other to higher places. When she cried out, he spent his seed, collapsing onto his elbows so his weight would not crush her. After a minute, he rolled over beside her, cradling her head on his shoulder.
They lay in each other's arms for a long time, neither saying a word, just savoring the wonder of being together. She had wanted to go home. This had changed her mind. Perhaps from now on, she would count each day as a gift from Lily instead of railing at her.
Nicholas stirred beside her. “Are you awake?"
"Oh, yes.” She slid her hand over his chest. So large and solid and warm.
"Have you regrets, Julie?"
"No.” Well, one regret. No condom. Did it matter? Probably not.
"Good.” His hand stroked her shoulder and arm, then continued down to her breast. She smoothed her hand down over his stomach and found that part of him which had given her such pleasure a little while ago. It surged to life again.
"I wouldn't have thought that you..."
"Always ready is more than the motto on my coat of arms,” he replied with a chuckle and proceeded to demonstrate.
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Chapter 15
Nicholas awoke shivering in the pre-dawn grayness. The bed curtains gaped open and the coverlet had slipped down to his waist. No wonder he was cold. After his fantastic night with Julie, he was surprised he still knew his own name, much less remembered that he needed to get up and do his routine chores.
Always an early riser, he slid quietly from the bed, not wanting to wake her. She was probably exhausted. He was not proud of himself for giving in to temptation, but it had been an enthralling experience—one with a price. Guilt flooded his mind. Although he had railed at God when Julianne died, he was now less sure of his blasphemy. He seemed to have been given a second chance of sorts with her. Although he had sinned, he would not wish it away. Now he must atone for his moral lapse. He threw on his clothes and went down to the great room.
The place was filled with people breaking their fast. Not hungry, he walked out the door and headed for the lower bailey. The air was already heavy with the promise of rain later. July's hot days with attendant showers meant an abundant harvest. If all continued well, the storerooms would soon bulge with grain to ease his people through the lean winter months.
Several men stood around the horse trough dunking their wine-muddled heads. He nodded to them and kept walking briskly until he reached the chapel. He entered, crossed himself and moved down the aisle to the altar. Sinking to his knees on the cold stone floor, he bowed his head and began to pray.
Heavenly Father, I have committed a most grievous sin. If You cannot forgive me, and I must lose my place in Your heaven, please grant me the st
rength and courage to accept responsibility for what I have done and live my life the best I can.
I know it is wrong to bargain with you, Lord, but Eleanor needs my help. If You will but give me a chance to save her and my nephews and let me defeat her odious husband, Miles Norville, I will never touch Julie again. When Julianne returns, I will confess my sin to her and try to be a better husband.
An hour later, convinced he had restored some peace to his soul—though it probably was no longer his—Nicholas emerged from the chapel. A group of his men-at-arms challenged one another to bouts of one-on-one swordplay in the lower bailey. Happy to find something to lighten his black mood, Nicholas sprinted over and grabbed a sword from the communal heap.
"Ho, Jerald,” he said to a burly soldier, “I challenge you."
The big man grinned and came forward, his sword and buckler at the ready.
"Wait. Let me shed my tunic.” Nicholas yanked it off, then selected an unused sword and shield and charged at the larger man. After an hour on his knees in the chapel, he needed some action. Their swords came together in a mighty clash that nearly numbed his arm to the shoulder, but sent Jerald staggering back.
"Ha! Good one, milord!” shouted one of his men.
Another man turned to the first. “But Jerald is bigger. My money is on him."
A brief spate of wagering followed, while Nicholas and Jerald drove each other back and forth, first one attacking and then the other. Several minutes passed with each giving as good as he got. Just as Nicholas started to cut up under Jerald's shield and deal a monster blow, the image of Julie as she had looked last night during their love-making rose in his mind. Startled at the intensity of feeling washing over him, his concentration slipped. The big man took advantage of the momentary lapse, slashing up under Nicholas's shield and catching Nicholas's sword blade near the hilt. The weapon flew from his hand. Too embarrassed to admit a distraction had caused his failure to defend, Nicholas laughed and clapped Jerald on the back.
"Well met, Jerald. Another day I will catch you napping."
He conferred a moment with Sir Edgar about what other areas of warfare should be practiced this day, then walked across the two baileys and into the keep. Lady Beatrix stopped him, wanting to discuss the purchase of items that could not be grown or crafted by Nicholas's people. Soon, he must go to London for both supplies and mercenaries.
They went to his accounting room where he made neat lists while she told him what would be required to keep the large number of castle folk fed and clothed. He thought they had finished when Lady Beatrix spoke up.
"I must tell you, Lord Nicholas, how helpful Lady Julianne has been. Why, she has made a number of labor saving suggestions about the way we do things here. Just yesterday..."
Nicholas interrupted her. “Aye, she is clever.” Julie should be more careful, or she would give away just how far advanced her ideas were. He would go and have a word with her. Since seeing Julie was exactly what he wanted right now, he was glad of an excuse.
He found her in the solar, having a spinning lesson from Gwyneth.
As he entered, he heard Gwyneth say, “I think it odd, my lady that your mother did not teach you this necessary skill."
Julie's back was toward him, so he could not signal her to watch her words.
"She believed me to have an allerg—ah, that I developed a rash when I worked with raw wool. She taught me to sew garments instead."
Nicholas smiled. Why had he worried? Julie's sharp mind found plausible reasons for her lack of thirteenth century skills. Just then, Gwyneth glanced up and saw him standing in the doorway. She bounced to her feet and curtsied.
"Oh, Lord Nicholas. Lady Julianne has learned to spin so quickly. Just look what a fine thread she has made.” She held up the spindle for his inspection.
He moved closer and admired it. “Very good."
"I have been gainfully employed all morning.” Julie stood and watched his gaze sweep over the roll of thread. Without thinking, he raised his eyes and stared into her violet ones. And was lost. Again. No amount of praying would overcome his damning attraction to her. Well, if the afterlife must be spent in Hell, he might as well enjoy the here and now, even though he would not lie with Julie again. Nay, he must forego that. But he could look, since the face was that of Julianne.
"I see. Very well done, dearling. Now, if you are near finished, I would have a private word with you.” He offered his arm.
Julie laid her hand on his muscular arm as they walked from the room. When she awoke this morning to find him gone after such a wonderful night, she'd been disappointed. Could they not have lain in one another's arms for a little while, perhaps shared a few pleasant morning after words? Or even talked of what they would do today? Perhaps he had realized his oversight and wanted to make amends. Still, it was odd that he had gone off much earlier than usual and had not returned for several hours from wherever he went.
"Have you had some food?” she asked, as they descended the stairs and entered what she called his office.
He shook his head. “Nay, I am not hungry now."
"Well, then, I will order dinner served a little early.” She sat on a stool across the table from him. His frown told her he was displeased at her suggestion. Could be he thought she was coddling him. She clamped her lips together and waited.
"That will not be necessary. I will eat at the usual time."
Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “You left early this morning."
"Aye, I had something to do.” But his gaze wouldn't meet hers.
Julie pushed a little harder. “In my time, a couple would want to spend some quiet moments together before rising. In fact, Nicholas, we have never had a honeymoon, at least to my knowledge."
He arched an eyebrow. “What is a honeymoon?"
"A week or two newlyweds spend alone somewhere."
"Ah, I see. Much time to...” He grinned.
"Precisely."
Then his face darkened. “I must spend every moment of the day preparing for whatever Miles has planned. I am nearly satisfied with the readiness of my present army, but not the size. I need more mercenaries, both knights and men-at-arms. In a few days, I will go to London and hire them. I have learned Miles has near one hundred men, more than twice my army's number."
"Yes, I realize that and I was thinking—"
He cut her off. “I have no time for this honeymoon of which you spoke. In fact, I think it is best we return to sharing a bed, but nothing more."
"Nothing more...” Was he dismissing her, like some serving wench summoned to warm a lord's bed for a night? Well, she wouldn't let him see he'd wounded her. Not in a million years.
"Then perhaps it would be better if we didn't even share a room.” She hoped he wouldn't agree. If they couldn't be lovers, at least she could feel the warmth from his body and occasionally, while he slept, touch him softly. She choked back tears and stood.
"We are wed, Julie, so we must share the room, but I—"
She lifted her chin. “No, Nicholas. Say no more. I agree. I must return to my own time and it's better that we not become attached to one another. The fewer complications, the better."
She left his office and climbed up to her chamber. Before she reached it, she could hear many young voices all talking at once. Heavens, she'd forgotten that self-defense lessons started today. Keeping busy would help her forget Nicholas's hurtful words. When she opened the door, Lily was showing Gwyneth how to hold a wooden sword.
"It is not heavy. I always thought swords weighed a great deal.” Gwyneth swung it up and around her head. Everyone, including Lily, jumped back.
"Stop that, Gwyneth.” Lily grabbed her arm and pulled it down. “It is light because it is wood. However, you could still hurt someone by swinging it in the air like that."
"I am sorry.” Gwyneth dropped the sword to the floor and shrank back. “I did not mean...” Her face turned pink with embarrassment.
Lily smiled at her frighten
ed pupil. “You must learn the proper manner of handling a sword. When you have mastered that, mayhap I will teach you to use a real one. The purpose of this swordplay is only to build up your strength and endurance. Few women could best a man whose reach and stamina exceeds theirs.
Julie nodded encouragement to Gwyneth, then turned and barred the door. “The rest of you can begin by changing into your practice clothes. Did you all bring something?"
The women chorused, “Aye, milady,” and began shedding their gowns. Then Lily gave them all wooden swords and began showing both Julie and the others some basic swings. Soon the girls stopped giggling and started taking their instruction seriously. And for a little while, Julie lost herself in swordplay, forgetting Nicholas's hurtful words.
After the first day, Julie taught the women karate kicks and the art of throwing a large man to the ground. At first they were skeptical, but after a few successes at tossing one another, their confidence began to build.
Gwyneth ruined it all. “It is all very well to throw each other, my lady, but how could we deal with someone the size of Lord Nicholas?"
They all clamored their doubts.
Julie felt somewhat discouraged herself. Just thinking about trying to lift Nicholas that way made her wonder if it could be done. But then she perked up. If the moves were drilled into the women until they became second nature, then her plan could succeed. They would act instinctively and not take time to think of their opponent's size. With that in mind, Julie hushed the babbling group and got them started again.
Two hours later, she was convinced that, given time, the women would be really good at self-defense. They were tired, but she could see a glow of self-confidence in their eyes.
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