“I give you this day,” his father had said and Will had promised not to forfeit it. Until Fate had decreed otherwise.
She began to shiver and he ripped off his short cloak to place around her shoulders.
“I will escort you to your chambers. You need to rest after a day such as this one. I fear it shall be a long night for us all.”
“You also should rest, Will.” She slid him a side glance, clutching his cloak to her body as she followed him. “You have worked hard with your men this day. As you fought hard to protect Laurel and me. You saved our lives,” she ended softly.
“I would give my life to do so, Lady Elizabeth.”
She looked up at him, her skin again alive with color. “I know it is your duty as captain of the guard. Nonetheless you have my gratitude. The duke is fortunate to have you by his side.”
Her words struck old chords of faithfulness and love. “As I am fortunate to be able to give him my sword and my loyalty. My honor is all I possess.”
He barely acknowledged the servants passing them in the long corridors as the tower bell tolled the hour.
From the first moment he saw her, Elizabeth’s beauty had bewitched him, blocking out sane reasoning. Now her intoxicating scent filled his senses and her strength, spirit, and kindness made him long for the impossible. He knew he needed to quicken his stride, needed to return her safely back to where she belonged, but he could not when she strolled so slowly, her eyes searching his face.
“We are both bound by our honor. I wonder if there is not more to bind us all. Something more powerful.”
At the door of her chamber she turned to him and slowly removed his cloak from her body. She held it out to him, but when he reached to take it, she held fast, staring into his eyes.
“I will remain with Laurel throughout this night. Let us pray the dawn brings answers for us all.”
Motionless, his cloak in his hands, he watched her close her chamber door.
Love for family demanded he watch over Laurel. Honor demanded he resist his own desires.
Yes, Elizabeth, I have seen what is more powerful than honor and it brought much heartache. I can and shall spare you such pain.
…
Elizabeth sat beside Laurel and, as Charles Grey had foretold, the night stretched long as they kept vigil in the quiet warm bedchamber.
The candles had been replaced many times, as had the logs in the fireplace, when Will’s grandfather clasped the duke’s shoulder. “Laurel will awaken at dawn. Do not let her open her eyes upon your haggard face lest she worry. Rest. Word will be brought to you when all is well.”
The two older men locked gazes. “Charles, you told me when you could not save our beloved Maude. And you spoke true when we lost Will’s bride. I believe you now, my old friend.”
Charles Grey stroked Elizabeth’s hair. “You should also rest, child.”
She smiled and shook her head.
Not until Will rests.
Charles Grey hesitated, as if to speak, before he looked to his grandson who was clasping the duke’s shoulder. “As Will is determined to stay.” He nodded. “Come, your Grace, a few hours of slumber will serve us both well.”
Once the two men were gone, Will sent away the servant and turned to her.
“Elizabeth, my grandfather is right. You should retire to your own chamber. Sleep and when you awaken, it shall be as my grandfather promised.”
They were the first words he had spoken to her since their fraught walk back to her chamber and the strange occurrence in the courtyard when she realized she had not heard him call to her with her ears, but with her mind. Then, as now, it seemed as if the very air they breathed was alive with feeling.
She clasped her arms around her body to stop shaking. “I shall rest when you do. I want to stay. Laurel is also my friend.”
Please don’t make me leave you. I must soon enough. Let us have these few hours.
As if he could hear her thoughts as she had his, his mouth curled slightly. “I understand. You have become dear to Laurel’s heart.”
Cherishing these moments, she helped Will cradle Laurel higher on the pillows as he gently spooned more liquid between her lips and smoothed her fair hair back from her forehead.
The faintest blush of dawn brought with it a strong, chilly breeze. Elizabeth shivered and again he gazed into her eyes. “Elizabeth, please rest.”
Stubborn, determined to steal time, she shook her head. “I shall rest when you do, Will.”
Their eyes met and here in this quiet, darkened room, where Fate had led them, Elizabeth did not need a sign to guide her. At last she knew what she must do.
She slid closer to him on the edge of Laurel’s bed. “I know you are the duke’s son. Yet I also know there is more to your story. Laurel said you might one day share the truth.”
Will glanced lovingly at Laurel and back to stare unflinchingly into Elizabeth’s eyes. “Even with so short an acquaintance, both my son and Laurel trust you. As I choose to do.”
Barely breathing, Elizabeth was mesmerized by Will’s strong profile in the flickering flames from the deep fireplace.
“My mother, Maude, was my grandfather’s only child. She and the duke grew up together. Fishing in the streams. Playing in the woods. Helping my grandfather gather plants for his potions.”
Will stopped, then sat quite still for a long time, staring into space. Moved by the strong emotions flashing through his eyes, she touched his shoulder. The sad smile he gave her broke her heart into tiny pieces.
“They fell in love. Even though my father was betrothed to Carlyle’s mother, promising a great alliance which would bring power and more wealth to Dunham Castle, he told my mother he would defy the old duke. Alone late one night in the village church, my mother and father declared their love and commitment to one another. After their night together, my father went to the old duke and told him that he and my mother had declared their love before God.”
Will shook his head. “The old duke would not be thwarted. He reminded my father of his lineage. The pride of his royal blood. My father returned to my mother, still declaring his undying love but reconciled that he must honor his blood and marry another.”
A fathomless ache welled up inside her. “What happened?”
“My mother declared he had betrayed their love and she swore she would never see him again. So great was her pride that my father could not sway her. They never spoke again until the winter of my fifth birthday.”
“Then she forgave him at last?” Elizabeth asked, wishing it with her whole being.
Will’s eyes glistened like blue flames in the firelight. “That winter many were falling ill and dying. When my father learned my mother was sick, he came to my grandfather’s house. Still she refused to see him. I remember him pacing outside her chamber door, pleading with her to let him enter. I remember him holding me tight in his arms, his tears wetting my hair. At last on the tenth day she called for him.”
“Please tell me they had more time together,” Elizabeth whispered, tears pooling at the back of her throat.
Will smiled gently. “My mother never stopped loving my father, nor he her, and so they confessed to one another. My father begged my mother to allow him to have a part of her in me. He wished to bring me to Dunham Castle. The last time I saw my mother, my father had climbed into her bed and she lay cradled into his body as if they were one. She died in his arms.”
Sorrow greater than she’d ever known ripped her apart and she buried her face in her hands, sobbing.
“Elizabeth. Please. No tears.”
She heard the concern in his voice, felt his touch on her shoulder.
A portal only he could fill opened inside her.
She threw herself onto his warm, hard chest, and his powerful arms closed around her
.
“Do not weep, Elizabeth. It happened long ago.”
“To have had such a love”—she sobbed, swallowing tears—“and to have lost it is a tragedy of the soul.” She flung back her head, resting it on his shoulder, and gazed up at him. “In God’s eyes you are the duke’s firstborn son. I should be yours.”
He slid his fingers into her hair, holding her still as he stared into her eyes. “I too feel this great power between us. That is why I told you my mother and father’s story. So you would understand why I must protect you from such pain when the path of honor is not followed.”
Within her, every feeling exploded in one desire. “Then give me this moment, Will.”
He held back but she refused to surrender. She pulled him closer until with a sharp intake of breath he bent his head, seeking her mouth.
Her body felt made of hot light, radiant, as their mouths clung together, breaking, meeting, again and again.
Leaving her aching lips, he tasted the tears shimmering on her lashes and touched the pulse beating at her warm throat, and returned once more to her open, waiting mouth.
She had waited a lifetime, for surely this moment had been written in their stars.
With him she was a creature of light, spinning through galaxies, illuminating the heavens.
When they finally broke apart, she could barely pull the air in and out of her tight lungs.
Instinct and aching hunger caused her to cling to him. “No. I want more.”
His mouth hovered above hers, and she coaxed his lips apart, craving the honey taste of him.
At last he dragged her tighter to him, deepening their kiss. In this newfound sensuality she twisted into his body, absorbing the hard muscles of his chest against her soft breasts.
Will’s breathing quickened as his lips stroked over hers. Her heart seemed to swell in her chest, her blood pooling in her lower body as his experienced touch brought her head back to open her throat to hot kisses which fed her need but did not quench it.
“Elizabeth…we must stop.” His voice sounded strange and far away, fading in the pounding need consuming her.
She opened her eyes and over his shoulder she saw Laurel watching them.
“You have awakened,” Elizabeth gasped in confusion and relief. Trembling, bereaved to lose his warmth, she forced herself to twist away from Will to clasp Laurel’s cool hand.
“I’ll bring the duke.” Will’s voice sounded husky before he turned to stride from the room.
Eyes wide and searching, Laurel tightened her grip on Elizabeth’s hand. “I remember but bits and pieces of what happened after my fall. It is as a dream. Yet now I heard and saw all clearly. As I saw the power between you and Will while we rode. What shall you do?”
Conflicting emotions and unfamiliar, frightening need still pounding through her body, Elizabeth shook her head. “We as women are but pawns in this game of kings to be moved about on the chessboard for gain of land or money. Or the need to carry on the family name or the linage to start or end wars. How can I change my destiny? And is it just if I should try?”
“I was a fortunate and eager pawn, for I had long loved the duke. I have been blessed to receive great affection and kindness from him,” Laurel whispered. “Yet his feelings for me are as nothing compared to his great love of Will. There is little the duke would not grant him.”
Laurel didn’t say the words, yet Elizabeth read them in her eyes.
Even deny his legitimate heir and allow Will and me to be together?
Her father’s face flashed before her. Again she heard the pride and pleasure in his voice when he declared to those gathered at Wharton Keep that she would one day be the Duchess of Lennox. Again she heard her old nurse warning of danger should her choices not be wise.
How can choosing Will and his love be unwise when it feels like my true destiny?
…
In a lifetime of loving obedience to his father, Will had never wished for more than Lennox had bestowed upon him. Now Elizabeth stirred emotions and desires which defied everything he had ever believed possible.
The joy on the duke’s face as he roused him and led him back to Laurel’s chamber lightened Will’s heart. He lingered outside the chamber door, watching Elizabeth, remembering the feel of her body in his arms, the taste of her skin and lips.
He straightened his shoulders. He had not forfeited the gift of this day but the pride and the loyalty he owed his father demanded he must now stay away from her. Must somehow destroy these feelings, this bond which connected them more completely than anything he had ever known.
“The delicate Laurel lives, I see,” Carlyle drawled behind him.
Aware of his brother’s fear that Laurel would produce another heir after all, Will turned, taking a protective stance before the door.
Carlyle laughed. “Fear not, brother. I wish your sweet Laurel no harm. I have new plans. My bride brings a richer dowry than any know.”
Unable to stop himself, Will again gazed at Elizabeth and back to his brother.
“Ah, you have fallen under Lady Elizabeth’s spell.” Carlyle laughed. “I am forced to share much with you, brother. Not her. I have special plans for the beautiful Elizabeth.”
Although Will had always held his suspicions close and mourned the loss of the bond he had once shared with Carlyle, the time had come when he could no longer ignore the festerings of jealousy and cruelty which lured beneath his brother’s charming exterior. Now finely attuned to Elizabeth with a fierce desire to protect her, he could no longer silence his fears or assuage his guilt that he had played a part in placing her in possible danger.
“Carlyle, there are rumors stirring of dark practices in the area. An altar has been discovered with evidence of sacrifices. If true, it could harm us all at Dunham Castle. I will not allow those I love to be placed in danger.”
Carlyle’s eyes widened and his mouth twisted in a smirk of contempt. “Do you believe I have knowledge of such a place or of those who worship the old gods? Big brother, you have always been too full of pride and love of our father to tell him or others of my boyhood fascination with the old ways. Why would you now speak of it to me? As before, we both know you would never betray your blood.”
Will did not stop Carlyle from walking away nor did he warn him.
Do not give me reason to betray my blood, brother. For I swear to protect Elizabeth I shall defy all in my way.
Even his own blood.
Dunham Castle, 1601
Here in my new home, my world continues to take on new shape, new color, filling me with emotions I can no longer contain. I am confused and frightened by the power my golden celestial girdle granted me to heal Laurel’s wound. I know my gift is not all powerful, but what can be its scope? And what might be its price? How may it help me reach my heart’s desire with Will?
His grandfather is the one who caused Laurel to awaken, recovered except for a weakness in her limbs. Even this Charles promises to mend.
In the long, dark hours, as Will and I sat beside Laurel’s bed, my world changed forever when he told me his true story.
Told me of the great love his mother Maude—Charles Grey’s only child—and the duke pledged before God.
Told me of the tragedy of pride and duty which kept them apart yet never destroyed their love for one another.
In the eyes of God, then, Will is the duke’s firstborn son. In my heart and soul I know I belong with Will.
Yet, in our world, it is Carlyle to whom I am betrothed.
Is it my destiny to right this injustice?
Do I follow my heart which yearns for Will in all ways a woman can love?
Or do I honor my father, the pride in his bloodline, and perform my duty as I have promised? I confess to you that I begin to dare to defy the teachings of my lifetime
to carve out my own destiny.
In this, you shall judge me.
Chapter Five
The following two days, Will dutifully supported his father and attended Laurel in her chambers when she wanted him by her side.
And always beside her sat Elizabeth.
Elizabeth with the silky hair which always invited his touch. Elizabeth with the green eyes which seemed to look through his flesh and bones into his heart. Elizabeth, whose scent intoxicated the air he breathed.
Anguish grew with every moment when Carlyle made his daily visit and stood too close to Elizabeth, touching her.
Then Will would leave, driven by his desire to challenge his own brother. To challenge the dictates of his own conscience and his very honor.
On the third day, he entered Laurel’s chamber to find her standing on her feet, supported by Elizabeth, her nightgown hanging in spreading folds to the ground. Squinting, his grandfather nodded. “Yes, my salve is helping.”
“Look, Will! I showed my lord but an hour past. Now I must show you. Your grandfather’s magic has brought life back to my numb legs.” Tears in her eyes, Laurel gently eased away from Elizabeth and took three unsteady steps toward him.
She swayed and Will reached out to grab her, as did Elizabeth. In her attempt to help, she innocently pressed her lush, warm body into his.
He saw frank desire light her eyes as he had in those forbidden stolen minutes in Laurel’s chamber. He lost pace with his breathing. His nerves were shocked and burned beneath his own hard desire which had increased with each day.
“Enough for today, Laurel. Time to rest.” His grandfather stepped between Will and Elizabeth to help Laurel walk slowly back to her bed.
Elizabeth lifted her shadowed eyes to stare at him. “Will…” she said huskily.
Loud applause shocked them all into turning toward the door. Carlyle strolled into the room.
“Magnificent, Laurel. You have surprising resilience for one with such a delicate constitution.”
Written in the Stars Page 5