A Torrid Celebration!

by Whiskey Creek Press Authors

  Garret looked between Minna and Elysonde. His expression told Minna he was not sure what he might expect from Elysonde, nor did he seem to like the way she spoke about Minna.

  "Leave us, Wilhem,” Garret instructed her. “Wait without the tent until my lady has finished her words to me.” Minna wondered if he did not trust himself alone with Elysonde. If the words of his song were true, then he had loved her enough to give his life for her.

  "As you wish, sir.” Minna rose and inclined her head, offering a flourished bow to their visitor before backing out of the tent.

  Garret released the flap to let it fall back into place, leaving Minna staring with frustration at it.

  Although she knew she should not do so, Minna turned, moving to stand with her back to the flap, her ears trained on the voices within.

  "Why have you come, Elysonde?” Garret demanded.

  "I thought you were dead,” Elysonde replied. Did she expect Garret to believe that, had that not been the case, she would have remained true to him?

  "As you can see, I am not, but for no other reason than my fellow entertainers took care of me after the injuries I suffered."

  Minna was surprised Garret did not level his accusation toward his brother to the woman.

  "I knew naught of this,” Elysonde insisted. Minna's intuition told her the woman lied. Or was it just her wish to discredit Elysonde's true motivations that made her suspect such things? “My poor Garret,” the woman crooned. “I had to excuse myself to go to the privy, so I might follow to find out if it was truly you."

  Silence screamed from the interior, and Minna was tempted to dart back inside. To demand that Elysonde leave Garret alone. Had she not been the cause of enough pain to him? After all, she'd been responsible for his near death.

  "I'm afraid, madam, there is naught else for us to discuss. You are Roget's betrothed now, and I would ask you to remember that I am still his brother."

  "I do not love Roget,” Elysonde insisted. “I marry him only for the alliance. You must believe me, Garret."

  "Aye, that I do believe, madam,” Garret's voice sounded dismissive. “It matters not to you that it was to me you gave your maidenhead and your pledge to be my wife."

  "Oh, sir, you do me a disservice. I do remember, but when you went missing, my father insisted I consider Lord Roget's suit."

  Were her words true? And would they melt Garret's anger toward her, make him want to fight for her?

  "Now that you know I am alive again, do you plan to renounce this betrothal?"

  "I ... eh...” the woman stuttered.

  Minna heard more silence. A deafening one. “Again, madam, I repeat: for what purpose have you come here?"

  "Oh, Garret, there is no reason we cannot remain ... close,” she hesitated and then continued, “even though I am to marry your brother."

  Sweet Christ! She wanted Garret to continue their intimate relations and cuckold his brother. The female was diabolical. Minna was angry she would do such to the man who had obviously loved her so dearly. The ungrateful wretch did not deserve a man of Garret's honor and sensibilities.

  "So you would offer yourself to me despite being betrothed to my brother, Elysonde?” His tone made Minna understand the depths of his revulsion.

  "Do not carry on so, Garret. You know marriage has little to do with love."

  "Mayhap not for you, but it was one thing I hoped for myself. One thing I had hoped I had found in you.” Minna heard rustling within the tent interior.

  "But I do love you, Garret!” Elysonde cried.

  "Do not presume to take my consent for granted, my lady,” Garret responded harshly. “Cover yourself, if you please."

  "I do not understand,” Elysonde pleaded. “Do you not desire me anymore, Garret?"

  "That you do not understand makes it clear to me: you know me not, madam. I have gone to hell and back at the hands of your betrothed and you, for the sake of your alliance. I realize now you never loved me, and thankfully, I also realize that I no longer love you."

  "You beast!” Elysonde accused. “Do not think you will not pay for this insult, Garret."

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  Chapter 4

  Minna gasped when Elysonde rushed out of Garret's tent, and seeing her, slapped her across the face. “Get out of my way, you idiot!"

  "Elysonde!” Garret roared from within the tent interior. His booming voice spurned Elysonde on. She broke into a run, leaving Minna and Garret behind her.

  Garret grabbed Minna's arm and pulled her into the tent. He pulled her fool's cap from her head. “Forgive me, Minna. I did not mean for her to take her anger out on you.” When he lifted her chin, turning her head this way and that so he could inspect the damage, he bent to give her a kiss.

  Minna's eyes fluttered closed at the sweet feel of his lips upon hers. So he did not love Elysonde any longer. “Garret,” she breathed. “I have a confession."

  She almost lost her train of thought when his arms slid around her, gathering her into a warm embrace. “Aye, and what might that be, my Minna?"

  Had he just called her his Minna? She gulped. “I ... eh..."

  Garret smiled at her reaction. “Come, sweeting.” He then swung Minna into his arms and carried her over to his pallet. After throwing aside his mantle and placing her gently on his bed, he followed her down.

  "What are you doing?” she whispered uncertainly.

  "I want to hold you,” he informed her. “And kiss you breathless."

  "You do?"

  When they lay face to face, Garret looked at her, his hand stroking where Elysonde had slapped her. “I will never let anyone hurt you again, Minna."

  "Truly?"

  "Aye, sweeting,” he assured her. “When I saw her hit you, I wanted to kill her. I have never felt so aggrieved by aught except for the death of my fellow soldiers during a battle."

  "I love you, Garret,” she blurted out against her will.

  With wonder, Minna watched Garret's beautiful smile appear again. But this time, it was accompanied by the smoldering look of desire. “Aye, my love, I suspected as much,” he told her before pulling her into his arms for a fierce, slanting kiss.

  Soon, he did have her breathless as he'd predicted. His kisses trailed a scorching path over her face. His hands were busy divesting her of her clothing. “Garret...” she gasped.

  He gave her another soul-stirring kiss before pulling a hair's breadth away from her. “Aye?"

  "Do you not think to take Elysonde's threat seriously?"

  "She would be a fool if she told Roget she came here to meet with me, all alone,” Garret assured her, even as he continued to disrobe her. “She would be blessed to get away with her life."

  When he removed the cloth binding her breasts, Garret made a disapproving noise. “How could you abuse these beauties, love?"

  Minna groaned as he began kneading and massaging her breasts, as if trying to make up for her tortuous treatment during her pretense. It had not been easy, it was true. For Minna was not poorly endowed, and with his extra stimulation, her flesh swelled and her nipples tightened.

  Now it was Garret's turn to groan. Minna gasped when Garret leaned down to suck her right nipple into his mouth. The warmth thrilled her, sending streaks of desire careening through her body, causing her sex to pulse in response. Moisture pooled between her thighs.

  When they were both naked, Garret pulled her to him. “I love you, Minna,” he admitted. Running his hands through her now unbound hair, he sealed his declaration with a kiss that made her realize he truly meant his words.

  "You do?"

  "Aye, our encounter in the forest had me searching my soul.” Garret set about caressing her body again, but continued, “I thought I loved Elysonde, but after my overwhelming response to you during our time together, I realized it was not true love I felt for her."

  "It was not?” Minna asked breathlessly. She was beginning to pant as Garret caressed from her breasts to her belly, then let his h
and drop between her thighs.

  "Nay, it was just the rutting lust of a young buck. I had convinced myself I loved her because she offered herself and I took what she offered. She does not make me laugh, nor do I enjoy discussions with her as I do with you. You are an intelligent, capable woman whom any man would be proud to call his wife."

  His wife? Minna was having a hard time concentrating on his confession or its meaning, because his strong lean fingers were delving between the folds of her sex. When he felt her wetness, he groaned aloud. “Oh, sweet girl, you are so slick with desire for me."

  "Garret!” she cried out as a jolt shot through her when he dipped one lone finger into her sheath, her body stretching to accommodate him. Her body warred with her heart and mind. With all her will, she tried to make herself relax.

  "I am no longer a virgin!” Minna was shocked when she shouted the thing that had been tearing her apart from the time she escaped her home.

  Garret shook his head as if not sure he'd heard her clearly. “What?” Minna did want to cry when his gentle hands left her body.

  "I can not be untruthful with you at a time like this, Garret.” Minna looked up into his face as he leaned over her with an expression of surprise. She had been afraid to see revulsion in his golden eyes, but she saw none as he gazed back into her own dark brown ones.

  "Who?” was all he asked.

  Minna closed her eyes now. “Roget Fitz Hugh, your brother."

  "What!” he practically shouted, making Minna cringe as the reverberations of his voice pounded in her chest.

  Her heart tripped faster.

  To Minna's surprise, Garret pulled her closer to him, with his face next to hers. Minna wanted to cry at his tone. “Tell me."

  "I am Willamina de Coucey."

  "Ah...” he said softly. “You were the one Roget set out to woo."

  Minna nodded her head. “Aye,” she admitted. “When he arrived at my family's home to make my acquaintance and pledge his troth, I must admit I was blinded to his true personality. I was flattered at his attention and thought myself in love with him. He flirted with me, and innocent that I was, I thought he and his intentions were honorable."

  "What happened?” Although his voice was low, Minna could hear anger coming through his tone.

  "I woke one night and called to my maid, but she did not respond.” Minna shivered at the thought of that hellish night, as vivid in her mind as if it had happened only an eve prior. “Since she was not prone to such a thing, I grabbed my chamber robe and went to search for her. When I moved toward the stairs, I heard noise coming from down the way.” Minna felt Garret's fingers flex lightly into her back. It was almost as if he knew what was coming next. “I stopped at Sir Roget's door, because the sounds were coming from inside. I could not stop myself from entering. There he was with my maid, Maude. God above! He had her trussed up and naked. The sounds I heard were her cries of pain; she looked as if he had tortured her. I shouted at him to stop...” Her words trailed off.

  Minna choked on a sob, shaking her head. “He looked up in surprise; then, to my horror, he threw Maude off his bed and lunged at me. He must have realized I would never consent to marrying him after what I had witnessed. Mayhap he thought to force my hand by taking me. He threw me on the bed, keeping his hand on my mouth so I could not call for help, shoved up my robe and forced my legs apart...” She wanted to tell him about the excuse Roget used to cause her father's doubt. That he was drunk and took her for a servant when she had gone into his room, alone, in her nightclothes. She had been humiliated, and her father still expected her to marry the hideous beast. That was one thing Minna vowed she would not do.

  "Enough,” Garret's voice was low and menacing. “He will not live another day."

  When Garret moved to rise, Minna panicked. “Where are you going?"

  "I go to challenge him,” Garret's frown was frightening, and he tried to disengage her arms from around him.

  "No! You cannot! It will not be he who dies this day, but you! He is a murderer, Garret. My maid disappeared. I am sure he killed her so she could not bear witness for me against him."

  To her surprise, Garret did not seem shocked at her words. “After what he arranged for me, I do not doubt the validity of your words, my love. But I am sick unto death of what he has done to you, your maid, me, and any number of people on this earth. He is the new earl already. I would not doubt that he had our father killed to get his title and inheritance the sooner."

  "Please, Garret, do not leave me now.” Minna was desperate to keep him away from his murderous brother. She would woo him, and then she would convince him to leave with her. Minna slid her arms around his bare torso. “I love you. Take me."

  Garret's eyes narrowed as he looked down into her pleading face. “Woman, you try to divert me from my purpose,” he accused her.

  Minna began kissing the warm, enticing skin of his chest. When her tongue peeked out to lave his nipple, Garret's hips surged against her, letting Minna feel his quickly hardening member.

  "Damn you, love.” His curse was accompanied by a nip to her shoulder.

  "Oh, please, my lord, I am yours."

  It was as if he could no longer take her tempting him. Garret began kissing her in earnest, trailing his lips along her body. “I want to give you so much, my sweet,” he told her in a voice harsh with desire. “I cannot hold back now."

  After quickly making sure she was still wet, Garret moved over her. Just the sight of his massively built body had Minna undulating beneath him. She wanted him to fill the void within the core of her body. Instinctively, she knew he would never hurt her. He would love her as she longed to be loved.

  Garret settled into the V of her thighs. The head of his member touched the entrance of her sheath, causing Minna's womb to clench.

  "Ah, my love, you are so tight,” he muttered with an agonized groan. “Forgive me, sweet.” And Minna cried out as he sank into her.

  Instead of the rutting she had been expecting after what she had endured at the hands of his brother, Garret paused a moment, giving her body time to adjust to his sensual invasion. Little by little he pushed forward, until his sword was completely encased in her sheath. The muscles of his body were rigid; moisture created a sheen on his skin. It was as if Minna's body demanded its due, instinctively thrusting upward, when Garret began to pull out of her.

  "No!” she cried, bereft at the emptiness his retreat caused her.

  Garret thrust forward quickly, causing a gasp of delight from Minna.

  "Oh, Minna, love, I have longed for this,” Garret whispered next to her left ear, before trailing his kisses along her cheek to finally capture her mouth.

  Minna felt she was submitting herself to Garret, mind and soul along with her body. She slid her arms around his neck to hold him close. This was the man who had haunted her fantasies for almost a year, and he was her's—at last.

  In response to Garret's lovemaking, agonizing pressure was building within Minna. She tore her mouth from his kiss to cry out, “I am yours, my love!” Of a sudden, a bright light sparked behind her closed eyelids, and a sweet explosion caused her body and womb to clench deliciously. “Ah ... ah..."

  "Aye, Minna, you are mine, love!” he called out, his thrusts getting deeper and faster.

  Minna delighted in the strength of his body pounding into her own. She arched wildly beneath him, meeting him thrust for thrust. Her body gave her no rest as she shot to the pinnacle once again and a second, more savagely sweet release consumed her, this time accompanied by Garret's roar as he spilled his seed into her welcoming womb.

  The two of them sagged onto Garret's pallet, gasping for air, their bodies slick and satiated. They kissed softly, enjoying the afterglow of their intimate union.

  "Will you leave with me, Garret?” she whispered, caressing the slightly damp tendrils of his silky blond hair with her left hand.

  "When I found out Roget was here, I wanted to exact my vengeance for all he inflicted on me,�
� he told her. “But I realized that to dwell in the past was to forsake my future. Hatred would only suck my heart and soul from me.” He leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her trembling lips, as she gazed at him with her own heart in her eyes. “And I have found I have need of my heart elsewhere."

  "Oh, Garret,” Minna cried, throwing her arms around his neck in joy.

  "Garret! Release her!” someone roared near them.

  Minna gasped and released Garret. He moved quickly, as if his senses were attuned to the danger, reaching for something.

  Christ's wounds! The only weapon he had available was a dull training sword.

  Roget stood in full armor with his sword pointed toward Garret's chest. “You shall not cuckold me, you swine!"

  "What say you, brother,” Garret said with a harsh tone. “Had you taken the time to look, you would realize I do not have your betrothed in my bed."

  Roget looked surprised and shot his glance to Minna. Then he looked stunned. “Lady Willamina?"

  Garret took advantage of his brother's shock and smashed the hilt of his practice sword on his brother's hand.

  "Ow! You bastard!” Roget shouted, his sword falling from his bruised and—as she realized now—unprotected hand.

  Swiftly, Garret lunged and grabbed his brother's fallen weapon, pointing both swords toward Roget. “Desist! Lest I take my due and kill you for what you have done to my betrothed and myself,” Garret said in a tone that warned Roget he meant his words.

  "Garret?” Minna couldn't help her protest. Garret would surely die if he killed his brother.

  Roget fell to his knees, obviously knowing he was no match for Garret's skill. “Do not kill me, I pray, Garret."

  Minna wished she could see Garret's face. But at the moment, all she had was a view of his naked back.

  "I will tell you this once, Roget. I do not covet your soon-to-be wife, nor do I covet your title, nor your new status. Leave me and mine in peace, and you shall never hear from me again.” Garret motioned with the tip of one sword for Roget to stand. Cautiously, he did so, staring at the tip of Garret's sword all the while. “I would know one thing."