A Tournament Knight

by A Tournament Knight (lit)

  "Be that as it may, I am here now. What do you wish to say to me?"

  Seeing the way Terric avoided looking at her, even when she moved closer, Jacqueline sensed he was not going to make this easy on her. "I want to know why. Why you have decided you must leave on the morrow."

  When Jacqueline positioned herself so a few inches only separated them, Terric desperately fixed his eyes on the wall at the farthest end of the chamber. "It is time for me to go. Tournaments are how I make my living. You know that. I must follow the circuit."

  Jacqueline looked him up and down. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, trying to act as if her closeness had no affect on him. But she knew she did stir him. He could not hide how stiffly he was standing.

  "Is that so. If I were to offer to pay you to stay and complete my training, would you still leave?"

  At first, Terric could not think of what to say in regards to her offer. So in the end, he simply said, "Nay, I would not."

  Watching Terric squirm so, Jacqueline had to admit Beth was correct in her thinking. He was a man running scared after all. Wanting him to squirm even more, she took another step nearer. Now she was toe to toe with him.

  "If I were to pay you for your services, there should be no need for you to leave in such a great hurry. Unless there is another reason. One you have not mentioned."

  She knew she had him now. He groaned and brought his eyes down to focus on her face.

  "Jacqueline, please do not do this. It is better for the both of us if I leave on the morrow."

  "How so, Terric?"

  "Because of this." Cupping her face in both of his hands, Terric lowered his lips to hers. Unable to stop himself, he claimed her lips in an all consuming kiss. Jacqueline wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him closer to her.

  Trying one last time to make Jacqueline understand where the path they now tread would lead them, Terric lifted his lips from hers. "If we continue, I cannot promise you I will be able to end this before it is too late."

  Running her hands up and down his back, she smiled up at him. "What if I do not want you to stop?"

  Her answer elicited another groan from him. "I have no right to touch you in this way. You deserve better than a landless knight."

  "The choice is mine to make."

  "I cannot promise you more than one night. This does not change my decision to leave either."

  "Then make this night memorable for me. I choose no other."

  Picking Jacqueline up in his arms, Terric carried her to the bed. "God help me, but I am not strong enough to refuse you. I promise you will not regret this."

  Laying her on top of the bed, he slowly followed her down. Claiming her lips again, he gave his passion free rein. Increasing the pressure of his lips, he urged her to open her own.

  The feel of his tongue gently entwining with hers brought a moan from deep down inside her to the surface. Jacqueline could not hold it back. When his hands began to run all over her body so knowingly, she let the sensations he was causing take her over.

  Knowing Jacqueline was an innocent, he tried to go slow. Each moan and gasp which escaped her lips, brought his passion to a fevered pitch. Inexperienced she might be, but her touch excited him more than any other he had known.

  Gently cupping Jacqueline's breast, Terric took her pebbled nipple between his thumb and forefinger, rolling it between his fingers. Jacqueline moaned in response. Leaving her mouth, he let his lips caress the soft skin under her ear. With his teeth he nipped that sensitive area then licked it. He moved lower down her body so he could take her breast into his mouth. Through the material of her tunic he suckled her hard until Jacqueline started to squirm beneath him.

  Finding her clothes too much of a barrier, Terric divested them both of the offending garments they wore. The contact of bare skin meeting bare skin almost sent him over the edge.

  Jacqueline gasped as their skin touched. She felt her senses becoming overwhelmed. Not wanting to lay still any longer, she tentatively ran her hands down Terric's strong back. Much to her satisfaction his muscles quivered beneath her touch. Growing bolder, she moved her hands so she could caress his chest. Running her fingers through his chest hair, she relished in the feel of the thick padding of muscle to be found there. When her fingers met Terric's flat male nipple she pinched it between her fingers as he had done to hers. Terric's harsh intake of breath was all she needed to hear to know he felt the same pleasure as she had.

  Taking back control, Terric caught Jacqueline's lips in a demanding kiss. Sucking her tongue into his mouth, he battered her senses until she began to rock her hips into his, demanding more. Brushing a trail of kisses, Terric kissed and licked his way down her body until he reached her core. Settling between her thighs, he forced her legs farther apart.

  Coming out of the sensual fog Terric had wrapped around her, Jacqueline looked down at him, beginning to feel subconscious. "Terric, I do not think you should…." Her words trailed off into a moan when Terric showed her exactly what he was going to do.

  Letting his tongue sweep Jacqueline's sex, Terric smiled to himself when she fell back onto the bed in total surrender. He swirled his tongue around the nubbin of hard flesh, the very center of her pleasure, then sucked it into his mouth. Jacqueline buried her fingers into his hair, holding him in place as she arched her back. Still wanting more from her, he gave her clit one last sweep, then pressed his tongue into her opening. She tasted as sweet as she smelled. Giving her no quarter, Terric continued to stab her with his tongue, mimicking the act yet to come. He brought her to the very edge of release before backing off.

  Sliding back up Jacqueline's body, Terric could hold back no longer. His body was screaming at him to be inside her. Knowing she was more than ready for him, he slowly pushed himself into her body. He groaned at the feel of her tight, warm opening embracing him.

  The feel of Terric entering her made Jacqueline gasp in pleasure. When he pushed past the barrier of her maidenhead, she could not stifle a small cry of pain. He stilled, allowing her body time to adjust to his intrusion. The pain, though sharp, did not last long. The feel of his filling her so completely made her want something more, something she had no idea how to obtain. Instinctively, she shifted her hips, sending shockwaves of pleasure radiating throughout her whole body.

  Unable to hold back any longer, Terric began to move inside her. With each thrust of his hips, Jacqueline felt the pleasure build ever higher. It was like nothing she had felt before.

  Keeping up a steady rhythm as he pumped in and out of her, Terric drove Jacqueline ever higher. He wanted to prolong the pleasure for her, but he knew that this time, their first joining, he could not last much longer. He could tell she was close to climaxing. Jacqueline had her legs wrapped around his waist and she tightly clutched him to her. To push her over the edge, Terric reached down between their joined bodies, found her clit, stroked hard enough to make her climax. The feel of her inner walls squeezing his shaft brought him to instant climax. Throwing back his head, Terric groaned as his release washed through him and he planted his seed deep within Jacqueline's body.

  When he collapsed atop her, Jacqueline wrapped her arms around him, welcoming the feel of his greater weight. Their breathing slowly returned to normal.

  Knowing he had to be too heavy for her to bear for long, he rolled onto his back and pulled her up against his side. Jacqueline placed her head on his chest and closed her eyes contentedly. She had just given him the best climax he had ever experienced.

  * * * *

  They slept, but not long. He knew he was digging himself even deeper, but Terric still wanted Jacqueline, which was something new for him. Usually having had a woman he desired, the once was enough. With Jacqueline, it was not the case. If anything, he wanted her even more. Once would never be enough. And with that knowledge in mind, he reached for her, to make her his one more time.

  Jacqueline smiled lazily when Terric pulled her closer to his body. The position they were
lying in, both on their sides, spoon fashion, she could feel his hard shaft nestled between the globes of her bottom. "Again, Terric?"

  "Yes. I cannot get enough of you."

  Placing hot, moist kisses on the nape of her neck, Terric let his hand travel down her hip to her still wet opening. Probing first with one finger, then two, he worked them in and out of her till she was moaning his name. Lifting her one leg so it rested atop his, he rubbed his cock against her slick opening, coating himself with her juices. Once thoroughly bathed in her wetness, he surged upward and entered her in one stroke.

  Jacqueline gasped at the sensation of having Terric enter her from behind. She pushed back on him as he pumped his body into her. The sensations she was feeling were different from when he had taken her the first time. And when he reached down and gently squeezed her clit between his fingers she felt her clench as her climax swept through her.

  Feeling her body convulse around him, Terric knew there would be no turning away. She was his. There would be no man but him. And with that thought in his head, surged into her one last time and pumped his seed into her.

  Just before dawn broke over the horizon, Terric carefully slipped from the bed. Jacqueline still slept on. Gathering his clothes together, which had become strewn around on various parts of the floor, he put them on.

  Rolling over and not finding his warm body lying next to her, Jacqueline opened her eyes. Lifting her head up from her pillow, she found him dressed and about to open the chamber door.

  "Did you plan to leave without saying good-bye?"

  Seeing her awake, he came to sit on the edge of the bed next to her. "I told you this would not stop me from leaving."

  "So that was it then?"

  Terric reached out and gently brushed her sleep tousled hair away from her face. "Hardly. What we shared this night, Jacqueline, has changed everything. I will not give you up so easily."

  Confused, Jacqueline sat up, holding the sheet up against her chest. "Then why go?"

  "Because if I do not, you will not be leaving this bed for quite some time."

  Knowing exactly what he meant by his words, she blushed. "Oh."

  "Aye, oh. I do not think your mother would be too understanding either."

  "Nay, I think you are right there."

  "Then you know I must leave, but it will not be forever. I will be by your side when you face your father at the grand tournament. After that, then, if you will still have me, I will speak to your mother."

  Shocked, Jacqueline could only stare at Terric. This, she had not been expecting. She thought this night would have to last her for many years to come. After what they had shared, she could not possibly think of letting another man touch her in that way.

  When she did not comment on what he had just told her, Terric felt a wave of uneasiness wash over him. Could she reject him now? "Say something. I cannot offer you much, Jacqueline. But I will make you happy. You have my vow."

  Feeling his uncertainty, she quickly moved to throw her arms around his neck and kissed him. "You have surprised me is all. I accept your offer, Terric. I know what you are, and I do not care whether you have lands or not. I accept you for yourself, nothing more."

  Moved by her words, he pulled Jacqueline closer and kissed her thoroughly. Heedless of her nakedness, she pressed her body against his, willingly returning his kiss. Although wanting nothing more than to press her back down onto the mattress and make love to her one last time, Terric resisted it. Releasing her, he quickly stood up, putting much needed distance between them. It was impossible for him to think straight with her so near.

  "I must return to my chamber before your mother awakens. I do not want you to suffer for my weakness."

  Pressing her hand to her lips, Jacqueline kissed her open palm and then blew it in Terric's direction. "Then until the morn, my knight."

  Returning her token in kind, Terric quietly then stepped through the chamber door.

  Chapter Nine

  Watching Terric ride away from her was not an easy thing for Jacqueline to accept. But she had to agree with his motive for leaving Cairsbrooke. It would have been close to impossible for the both of them to act as if nothing had happened between them. It was just too risky for Terric to stay.

  No sooner had he and Edwin disappeared from sight than Beth grabbed Jacqueline by her arm and towed her up to her chamber. After shutting the door firmly behind them, Beth smiled knowingly at Jacqueline.

  "Well, tell me. What did you and Terric talk about last night? Or should I say do?"

  Blushing to the very roots of her hair, Jacqueline said, "I think you know very well what happened."

  Beth laughed merrily. "Aye, I do. But I want to hear you say how it was. I can see you are no longer angry with Terric for leaving you. So it could not have been all bad."

  "Nay, it was not. It was wonderful to be exact."

  "I hope you have not let him get away too easily then."

  "Nay. He will meet me at the grand tournament. Once that is over, he wants to talk to mother."

  Happy for her friend, Beth embraced Jacqueline. "I knew Terric was the one for you. He just needed a little convincing."

  "And a little trickery on your part."

  "Aye, and that too," Beth said laughingly. "I hope you did not mind my locking your chamber door. I figured Terric would have beat a hasty retreat if he could have managed it."

  Jacqueline shook her head. "Nay, I applaud you for your forethought in doing it." Growing serious, she then asked, "How do you manage, Beth?"

  "How do I manage what?"

  "The loss of William. Until now, I really did not know what it must be like for you. I have only been able to think of how it has affected me, the not having him here for me."

  The cheerfulness, that had showed on Beth's face a moment before was now replaced with sorrow. "Sometimes I feel like I cannot live another day without him. It is getting easier, not by much, but I can bear it now."

  "I am so sorry that I have not helped you more. I love you as a sister. It was not well done of me."

  Wiping away a tear, Beth gave her a small smile. "As I love you, Jacqueline. But you have helped me. You and your plan to face the earl has given me something to center my attention upon. I look forward to the day you give the earl the comeuppance he so richly deserves. That day will give me the greatest pleasure."

  "That day is near at hand, Beth. I will do it for all of us. Most especially for William."

  * * * *

  After two days of rain, Lady Elizabeth decided to enjoy the now bright sunny day. Donning her cloak, she then stepped outside. She took a deep breath of fresh clean air. It was nice to be able to leave the hall without getting wet.

  There was another reason for her stroll, as well. One she had been putting off for some time.

  She could hear the pounding of hooves along with the sound of a breaking lance before the training ground came into view. Stopping a short distance from the activity taking place there, Lady Elizabeth silently watched her daughter.

  Instead of going up against a quintain, Jacqueline was taking runs at a shield which had been mounted onto a thick wooden post. Even though she was not riding against a live target, she still wore full armor.

  Watching Jacqueline take another pass, Lady Elizabeth could not find it at all hard to believe it was her son she was observing. Her daughter rode with all the confidence of any true knight.

  There was no hesitation, or faltering, in Jacqueline as her lance struck the shield. Lady Elizabeth felt a grudging pride in her daughter's ability. She had not expected to find Jacqueline quite so skilled with a lance.

  Sir Guy had been keeping her informed of Jacqueline's progress over the months. But she had presumed the praise he lavished upon her daughter was slightly biased. He loved Jacqueline as if she were truly his child. As he had William. Obviously his words had been spoken in truth.

  Seeing that Jacqueline was preparing to make another run, her lips formed into a smile. Her dau
ghter was training as if the grand tournament was only days away instead of the weeks which separated them from it. Terric's leaving had precipitated these intense training sessions. She knew Jacqueline was trying to distract herself, trying to make the separation from Terric more bearable.

  It was after this run that Jacqueline spotted her mother standing on the edge of the training ground, watching. Lady Elizabeth waved as Jacqueline rode her horse toward her.

  "I see you are trying to make up for the two days you lost to the rain."

  Unlacing her helm, Jacqueline pulled it from her head. Tucking it under her right arm, she smiled down at her mother. "You are the last person I expected to find here. I assumed you were keeping your distance from all this."

  "So I decided to see how you are doing with my own eyes. What of it? I am your mother. It is my job to look out for you."

  "And? What is your verdict?"

  "Though I am reluctant to say it, I am impressed with your skill." In all actuality, she was more than just mildly impressed. But she was not ready to give that much praise to Jacqueline as of yet.

  Bowing in the saddle, Jacqueline saluted her mother. "I will take that as an encouraging thought."

  Lady Elizabeth snorted. "I still do not approve. So do not get full of yourself."

  Jacqueline smiled. "Whatever you say, mother."

  "There is one thing I wish to say to you before I return to the hall."

  "And that would be?"

  "Relax a bit. Do not try so hard. It will not make the days go any faster. Just two short months, then you will be with him again."

  Trying not to give anything away, Jacqueline asked offhandedly, "Whom do you mean, mother?"

  Starting to back away, Lady Elizabeth smiled knowingly up at her daughter. "Terric, of course."

  Speechless, Jacqueline silently watched as her mother blithely walked away.

  * * * *

  The two remaining months before the grand tournament Jacqueline spent training, improving her skill. She would be more than able to go against the earl now. It also helped to keep her mind off Terric.