Her Father's Daughter

by Jennifer Mueller

  "Make one more move, and I'll kill him. No Norman is worth dying for." Gwenhyfer appeared out of the darkness as if a ghost. "Call off your archer," the Saxon called. If he meant to negotiate, his actions did not show it as the sword began its descent towards Robert's neck. Gwenhyfer raised her arm and for the first time, Robert saw the long bow she held and, a moment too late, so did the Saxon. No archer, only Gwenhyfer. Robert watched in disbelief as someone as unlikely as a woman, and a Lady at that, put an arrow straight through the Saxon's heart. Before he could even hit the ground, a second arrow slammed into his chest for good measure. He fell in slow motion as the life drained out of him.

  Gwenhyfer bent down beside Robert, shaking her head. "Stupid infernal man! What did you think you would do to them? If you remember, you could barely lift that sword of yours this afternoon."

  "I wanted to keep you out of this. You've put yourself in enough danger already."

  Gwenhyfer growled as she slipped under his arm and slowly started them toward the door. "Do you know why no man has married me?"

  He never expected her to ask such a question. "What?"

  "Do you know why no man has married me?"

  "No," he finally answered, in visible pain.

  "It is because they watched my father train me as he would my brothers who didn't live. He stood almost seven foot tall and had the strength to wield that sword above the mantle like nothing more than a cane. In the end, sickness took him. It was a sorry death for a soldier and a sorry death for the King's knight and adviser for over twenty years. They're all scared that if they wed me, I'll slit their throats over a minor argument as they sleep. That is why no man will marry me, despite the house, the land, and the money. They know my bow has never been beaten, and I've taken on many of the former King's archers at my father's insistence. My sword arm could take most men; though you, I would imagine, could take my head. They know, unlike you, that I carry a dagger in my tunic and can wield it with best of them. You couldn't have just stayed in the house like I told you?" she ranted as they climbed the stairs.

  Robert looked over at her, annoyed at her attitude. "What would you have done instead?"

  "Finished my supper while it was still hot and then picked them off from the upper windows. It wouldn't be the first time." She helped him on to the bed once more.

  "I couldn't guarantee you would be thought blameless. Keeping me was not a smart thing to do." Anything else he was going to add stopped when she pulled away the bandage stuck to the wound. He sucked in air quickly from the pain.

  At that, her treatment gentled, her voice a mere whisper. "I've little protection against an army. Thieves or a few men I can deal with."

  Robert lay there, silent, with his teeth clenched as she cleaned the wound once more and bound it tightly. "Gwenhyfer, I still don't see why you would kill them to save the life of a Norman? They were your own people, and, as they rightly said, I am an invader. I should be your enemy, and yet twice you've bound my wounds to save my life and done even more than that. Tonight, you killed for me."

  He lay there resting peacefully before she settled in the chair next to the bed. Silence filled the house, and he knew what it was like to live as she did. She was truly alone. Then her voice broke the silence, only a whisper.

  "I come from a long line of warriors, and they all put warrior's blood in my veins. That I hold the same blood is what my father chose to see after the other children my mother bore him died young. He taught me to fight. I am not some peasant, poor and ignorant. He saw to it that I knew well of politics and war if I was to live at court. I grew up in the King's castle, though I was born here and given a Welsh name.

  For almost a year, the Normans have ruled Engla-lond, but, for many more, those within the country have wished to take over as well, Harold chief among them. As the King's advisor, my father gave his pledge to honor and protect his King, and that included his family. I kept that pledge.

  While I grew up in the castle, I was two people, my father's son, and my mother's daughter. He taught me politics and fighting. She taught me the art of beauty and being a wife. With that training, I ignored most conventions. I went everywhere in the castle. I overheard most everything that went on, and that included plots against the King. The fortune that no man has found enticing enough to brave my reputation is what I received from the King for denouncing the plots I discovered against his life and title. Those not caught sought to get me out of the way. They tried to see my death came accidentally." Gwenhyfer started smiling.

  "They went about it as if I was another helpless woman, which I think you have seen I am not. The attacks stopped when Harold shipwrecked and found his way into the hands of your cousin. Harold's followers know where I am. I came to Moerhab before Edward died. If not for William attacking, I would have died, even though I no longer posed them any threat. While my father lived, I was safe enough and only bungling attacks came at me, but tonight I killed them for my sake as well as yours. If they went back reporting I caused trouble again, it would have been the end of me. And with a Norman, no less. The Saxons that still resist William are the same ones that supported Harold. You see, Robert, I have no reason to want the Saxons ruling any longer as much as you do. Edward was my King and a good man. I know he declared William his successor, and Harold tried to steal that from him."

  "My God, a Saxon loyal to a Norman King. Who would have thought it could happen?"

  She replaced her smile with a sneer. "I never said I was loyal to your cousin. His actions will decide that for me. I just don't want the conquered back. Now get some sleep. You need your rest after your stab at bravery. I have to go dispose of some damn Saxon bodies." Robert opened his mouth to speak, but Gwenhyfer did not let him get a word in. "Do not argue. I know you're a knight, never backing down, always in charge, never letting anyone close. Just this once, can you do as you're told?"

  She blew out the candle and closed the door behind her.

  In the dark, Robert's eyes did not close. "You're wrong, mon ange. I am letting you close," he whispered.

  * * * *

  The sound of rustling in the room woke Robert from a sound sleep. His eyes opened catching sight of Gwenhyfer undressing. He did not want her to know he was awake. He told no lie that fighting left little time for anything. Dawn tinged the open window, and the rising sun turned her skin golden copper. She pulled the tunic over her head and stood bare. Ladies at court were idle. Their thin bodies came from diet, but not Gwenhyfer. She worked hard to keep her life and that of her people from falling apart. Long smooth muscles ran along her back, slender waist, thighs, and arms, obviously strong and yet not bulky.

  She turned around and the glow of the sun caught her breasts and the curls between her legs. Hard work did nothing to trim her breasts. The hinted forms beneath her clothes were magnificent. Even though no sound betrayed his state, she was no fool. She caught his eyes open almost immediately. Wounded or not, he held strength enough to pull her close before she could protest, and his mouth descended on hers.

  "Has it truly been so long?" Gwenhyfer asked after he let her breath.

  "Aye, but time has nothing to do with this want."

  "I am covered in blood. It must have been long if you cannot wait until I have washed it away."

  Only now that he held her close could he see the smears from the blood. While he lay sleeping, she disposed of three bodies. He was a cad. There was no other name for him. Then he noticed her hands shaking and stilled them with his own. "Have you ever killed a man before?"

  Her deep blue eyes glowed in the dawn. "I've killed enough that it should not matter, but it still bothers me when I have to."

  Robert could not keep his hands off her any longer, not with her so near, bare for no one but him. Running his hand up her thigh, he watched her shiver and not from killing either. "I'll help you forget."

  Gwenhyfer lowered her head so it rested on his chest. "No man has ever shared my bed. None has ever kissed me. My father would have t
aken their heads if they ever tried, and, since coming to Moerhab, the few single men left are scared of me."

  Robert lifted her chin so she looked at him. "I'll risk you slitting my throat over an argument but not for taking what you do not offer. But if you do allow me, I'll die a happy man when we have fought."

  Gwenhyfer bit her lip, and then the sound of her laughter filled the room. "Lucky you, the knife is all the way across the room." Her smile faded. "You need not fear death at my hands. You have my offer for as long a time as we have."

  "Few enough men risk their lives for mine. To find a woman that will, I should make you mine for good." Robert pulled her back to him, and his tongue slipped between her open lips. She was a fast learner; he gave her that. Pulling Gwenhyfer to him placed her right on the wound. Unwilling to let her go now that she lay in his arms, Robert rolled, taking the pressure off the gash and new bruises. Gwenhyfer pulled back, trying to catch her breath. Letting her recover, Robert's gaze found the way to her well-formed breasts. His mouth could not help but follow the same path. The moan from Gwenhyfer as he suckled softly made him pull away just to smile. Biting her nipple to let her know he was there, her eyes flew open.

  "You know, for a woman that talks of men's ways so easily, I find it hard to believe you never, even once..."

  "Learning the bow, taking on the soldiers, I saw plenty. Do you think my sword's play and shooting practice took place in the Kings Hall? I have listened to enough men talk about me coarsely it would make a London whore blush. When my father lived, no one dared consider such a thing without marriage, and there was no doubt I would marry a highly titled man, not some ratty soldier." Gwenhyfer kept her eyes on him as the sunrise filled the room with golden light.

  Robert grinned as he touched his mouth back to her nipple. He kissed it gently this time and watched her shudder. "The thoughts in my head are probably little better than those of the men you say you know so well." Her eyes grew a little wider as his hand ran down her stomach, coming to rest on the curls between her legs. His fingers barely teased the folds beneath, as his hand remained unmoving. "I am little better than a ratty soldier, a Norman one at that, with thoughts in my head of having you laid out like this. I am having a very hard time not blindly taking you now. Why me, when you've turned down so many?"

  Her eyes closed slowly. Forcing her into anything? Not by a long shot. She was as ready for him as she would ever be. The slickness gathered there made an easy entry for a finger. A sigh escaped her lips as he dragged it back out. As slowly as possible, he moved in and out of her, and then his thumb found her nub. Gwenhyfer let out a gasp.

  "Tell me."

  "Are you going to torture me until I do?" She whispered as his fingers continued teasing her both inside and out.

  "Never heard anyone call this torture. Even if you broke years ago with all this unladylike learning of weapons, it would be more pleasant for you if you were prepared first." When he applied his lips back to her nipple and sucked in deep, he used the distraction to slip in another finger. Gwenhyfer pulled his head up, unable to disguise the need in her eyes.

  "No man has sat and talked to me until all hours and genuinely seemed interested. You may have made your thoughts known, but it mixed in with dozens of other topics. The men I learned to fend off could not look me in the eyes for more than a moment. Even before my show at arms, you saw deep inside the person I am, when no one else even tried." Her smile grew before his eyes closed at her admission. "Besides, you're a fair man to look upon, and you do not smell like sheep."

  At that, Robert pulled her on top so she straddled him. Her hands did not shake any more when his cock rubbed against her. Robert kissed her nose as her hard nipples teased his chest, at least what he could feel around the bandage. "Your father seems to have raised a woman that does not have a problem taking charge. Not recovered from a battle wound before the beating, I may have to concede defeat."

  "Defeat? I have not even been to sleep yet. I never knew a man to be a tease," Gwenhyfer protested.

  He teased her mound even as she lay on top of him. Robert's hands traveled up her back, making her shiver, before he pressed his mouth close to her ear. "Concede defeat at being on top only. You're not getting off this bed, not for a good long time." It took only a minor adjustment in her position for his cock to be at her opening, but he did not enter her. "You trust me?"

  Gwenhyfer chuckled in his ear. "Running off and getting yourself in trouble when you think I am in danger, not at all." She pulled back so he could see her grin, her knee length hair falling around her, making it seem a small cocoon in which they were the only two people in the world.

  "It will be uncomfortable, but a woman that can fight like you, I don't think it will actually hurt." The grin left her quickly when he entered only a little. "A little bit at a time until you have me all the way inside. When you're ready, I'll show you the rest." Robert closed his eyes as she slowly moved over him. It had been far too long for him. He forced himself to think of other things, not to demand more than she gave him.

  "I saw the men at the soldier camp taking a woman more than once. Never anything slow about it," Gwenhyfer whispered in his ear.

  Robert opened his eyes with a smile. "Like fighting. With practice, it comes easier, and then the fun begins."

  The peace on her face vanished, and a pained look replaced it.

  "Slowly." Ah hell, in his state she could probably push him over with a finger. His thumb took possession of her folds already stretched wide around his shaft. Robert could feel when he found the best spot as Gwenhyfer's want loosened her to take more of him. He could not help but moan as she slowly accepted more of him with each gentle thrust.

  Robert pulled her down, wound be damned, and took control of her mouth. Slow would kill him as the want grew, but she could kill him like that all day. Her hips began moving slowly, until they were fully joined, and then she stopped as she grew used to the feeling. Pushing off his chest to breathe once more, Gwenhyfer's breasts still remained within easy reach for his mouth, and he clamped down on the one he neglected earlier. A quite loud moan erupted from her lips, but nothing could stop him as he swirled his tongue around each perfect nipple.

  "Sit, but do not pull off."

  "Why?"

  "So I can show you why I have been dreaming of this since the first time I saw you. I would be selfish if I took what I wanted without seeing to you. There should not be any more tightness by the time I am done. Then we'll see to me."

  She eyed him, uncertain, but she soon rested on her knees. Robert cupped her breasts before he skimmed his hands down her stomach. The uncertain look fell from her face as his finger teased her nub. Enough of being slow. He worked fast. Gwenhyfer's dark blue eyes grew heavy as the want grew in her belly. Yes, she'd definitely spent too long in a soldier's camp without a man to see to her own needs as she watched those around her taking their pleasure. Robert felt her tighten around him and sped up his attack. Her head fell back, and her cry echoed in the stone walls. Wanting to pull his hand away to be able to start thrusting, her hand clasped onto his, trapping it in place. As her contractions clamped around his cock, he felt his own finish coming. God, it had been too long. He erupted into her, unable to stop himself.

  * * * *

  "Lady, are you well? You're usually up by now," there came a call through the door. Gwenhyfer's eyes flew open in surprise. She brushed the hair from Robert's face with a smile.

  "I did not sleep well, Aelric. I think it will be afternoon before I rise. You might as well tell the others not to come until tomorrow. I am calling a holiday. We could all use the rest."

  "Yes, Milady." The voice sounded happy.

  "You're getting no holiday," Robert growled at her neck. The sleep had done him good, and he had her flat on her back in an instant.

  Gwenhyfer laughed. "Been a long time, has it? Never saw a man not even have to work at it before he finished."

  "Your father should have kept a better eye on you.
You saw far too much for a child." Grabbing her hips, he pulled her under him, and her eyes opened wider as he entered her without delay. "If it hurts, I'll stop."

  "No more soreness than when my father pushed me hard the day before. He always said working the limbs again would make the stiffness fade faster than not using them."

  "That is good to hear."

  When Gwenhyfer pulled his head down to wipe that grin off his face, he couldn't keep the pain from showing. "Sit up," she whispered. He sat on the edge of the bed, breathing deeply trying to force the pain away. Gwenhyfer straddled him and slid back on to his waiting cock. "Better?" She asked, wrapping her legs around his waist pulling him in even further.

  "Suddenly I do not think I can find fault with a lady being in a soldier's camp."

  "Why do you think I didn't want to marry some man I never met? I have seen the pleasure taken in joining. You think I would get it with some boy or old man who only wanted my lands? Some man that would take his relief and leave me to raise some heirs he cares nothing for?" Gwenhyfer started moving her hips, but it did not take much before he matched her strokes. The pain was soon forgotten as his pace quickened, and Gwenhyfer panted. When her breathing grew rapid, he thrust even harder. At her first cry, Robert went over with her but kept thrusting strongly. Her orgasm kept going long after he'd finished.

  "Now that is what I can do when I have not just been beaten. Do not go spreading stories about that first time," Robert whispered in her ear as she collapsed on him. "Get some sleep. You had a long night, my archer."

  * * * *

  Every night, Gwenhyfer shared the bed with Robert, but little sleeping went on. Then Sunday came, and the house stood empty, but for two, as the village attended church. Gwenhyfer took Robert's hand, and he soon recognized the way to the pond where he saw her bathing before