"Aye, as a good husband should." He fixed her with a stare as she looked up at him. "And thee, my lady, would do well to remember that."
She felt her cheeks suffuse with colour as his words sent a shiver of excitement down her spine. This husband of hers evoked strange feelings, and she didn't understand them. How could the thought of spanking arouse her? Swallowing hard, she took a deep draught of her watered-down wine.
Arthur reached for the flagon of wine and a platter of bread and cheese. "We shall continue to Dunster this afternoon, my lady, with Renaud and Cynwise. 'Twill take two days but then we can settle until our own holdings are built." He leaned over and raised her hand to his lips, placing a kiss on the soft skin. "I will make a fine castle for thee, my lady."
His touch sent a jolt of excitement through her, and she smiled, realising that, although he was not of her choosing, mayhap he would make a very good husband. Her future suddenly didn't appear as bleak as she'd first thought.
Chapter Three
Norman Rule
Dunster Castle, Somerset, England 1071
Elvina de Clairvoy leaned against the outer castle wall and wiped her brow with the back of her hand, sighing lethargically. The heat was becoming truly oppressive. The last few days, Somerset had been suffering a late summer heat wave and there wasn't a hint of rain to be seen. She shielded her eyes and looked up at the sky. It was pure blue with not even a minuscule cloud in sight.
She had been resident at Dunster castle for nigh on a month – the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Cynwise and Renaud de Clairvoy – and had settled into her new life well. Although she missed her father, Hereward the Wake, she realised that her old life had gone. It was no use wishing for what might have been; this was the present and, accept it, she must.
She lazily swiped a fly away as it veered towards her face, her thoughts turning to her husband, Arthur. Although she disliked the fact he was of Norman birth, there was no denying her attraction to him. Aye, he was strict and sometimes overbearing but, from what she had witnessed in her eighteen years upon this earth, he was a goodly husband and, for that, she was thankful.
Upon their first meeting, she had known him to be possessed of a dominant nature but still she attempted to defy him. She couldn't help it. For so many years, she had been allowed to do as she liked, within reason, and suddenly, this Norman thought he could dictate to her how she should and shouldn't act.
Her rebellious spirit had endeavoured to challenge him at every opportunity but each time her bottom had come off the worse for wear. As she remembered her last encounter over his lap, a shiver of excitement rippled through her.
Aye, in truth, at the time it had hurt like the devil but, afterwards, wrapped in the comfort of his huge arms, came a grudging respect for him.
She smiled dreamily. All in all, she was happy. Who knew where she might have ended up if her father had continued his quest to overthrow the Normans? She frowned. Mayhap, he was still plotting against them. If so, then she would be stuck in the middle betwixt the Saxons and Normans. As things stood now, she didn't want to make a choice.
Arthur had been granted land by King William at nearby Watchet, along the Somerset coast, and had already employed several stonemasons and labourers to begin work on a home for them both. It was only half a day's ride from Dunster and, already, Elvina had fallen in love with the scenic landscape of the Bristol Channel set against softly rolling hills. Their castle would be built high up, overlooking the sea and small fishing harbour. It would take many months, even years, to complete so, for now, she would reside with her new relatives.
She glanced down at her sister-in-law, Cynwise. She was lying next to her on the grassy slope outside the castle walls, her eyes closed and her hands behind her head for comfort.
Elvina shifted uncomfortably. Dear Lord, if only they could sneak off for a swim, but Arthur had forbade her from leaving the vicinity of the castle whilst he was away. He considered it too dangerous for fear of Saxon rebels taking them hostage. She sighed heavily, imagining the cooling effects a swim in the lake would have on her body.
Her teeth worried her bottom lip as she wondered whether to defy him or not. He was on a hunt with Renaud and most probably wouldn't be back for ages. She loosened the neck of her gown and blew down the front to cool the skin, her mind scheming. How would he find out she'd gone? She would be back before he returned and with the heat of the sun, her hair would be dry in no time – he would be none the wiser.
She nudged Cynwise with her foot. "Cynwise, art thou awake?"
Cynwise blinked slowly and stretched, one hand covering a yawn at the same time. "I am now."
"Methinks we should go for a swim in yonder lake, what think thee?"
Cynwise sat up, her eyes wide as she came fully awake. "Thou knowest we are not allowed! Renaud forbade me to go any further than I am now, and I heard Arthur tell thee the same. We cannot."
"They will not be back from the hunt for ages yet. If we sneak off now, we can return and they will never know."
Cynwise looked doubtful, and Elvina quickly tried to persuade her. "Think of the lovely cool waters against thy skin; the gentle lap of the water as thee glide through it. Think how refreshing 'twill feel."
Cynwise laughed. "Thou art a devil, Elvina."
"Aye. Tell me the thought doth not excite thee?" She could see that Cynwise was relenting so she decided for her. She glanced up at the castle guards to make sure they weren't watching and quickly grabbed Cynwise's hand. Together, they scampered off into the surrounding woods and made their way down to the lake.
The water sparkled enticingly as the sun's rays hit the surface and bounced back off. It looked so inviting that they could hardly wait to get in. Throwing off their slippers, they lifted their skirts and paddled in the shallows, closing their eyes as the fresh water soothed their feet. It was heavenly.
"'Tis wondrous, Cynwise!" Elvina breathed ecstatically.
Cynwise agreed, a broad grin splitting her face. "Aye, 'tis worth the chastisement if we get caught."
"We shall not. They willst never know." Elvina replied confidently. "Come, we shall undress and go back in for a proper swim." They waded back to shore and, several minutes later, after scouting the surrounding area and feeling satisfied they were alone, the girls stripped down to their shifts and went back into the lake.
As the cool water touched her thighs, Elvina gasped at the drop in temperature. Her body was so hot that the water felt almost too cold but she carried on walking until she was up to her shoulders and most of her body submerged. Cynwise quickly followed suit.
"Oh, this is just heavenly!" she gasped, as she swam towards Elvina.
"Aye, we should do this more often."
After another ten minutes, the girls decided to leave the water and dry off. The heat of the sun had them dry in no time. Their hair was still damp but they re-braided it and it looked as neat as it had that morning. Laughing happily, they walked back to the castle. Guillaume, the castle constable, gave them a suspicious look as they went to walk past him and stopped them in their tracks.
"My Lady Cynwise, thou doth knowest thou should remain within view of the guards?"
Cynwise raised her chin defiantly. "Aye, Guillaume. Wherefore doth thou ask such a question?"
"The guards hath just told me thee had both disappeared. Where hast thou been?"
Elvina answered for them, fluttering her eyelashes alluringly. "Why, Guillaume, we merely went to see a fawn at the edge of the forest." She sighed wistfully. "Alas, it ran away when we approached."
Guillaume shot her a sceptical look. "Prithee remain within view of the guards next time. 'Tis dangerous territory; we wouldst not wish anything bad to befall thee!"
"I thank thee for thy concern, Guillaume." Cynwise replied, "And we promise to remain in sight of the guards, next time."
Smiling sweetly, Cynwise grabbed Elvina's arm and hurried off before Guillaume could say anything else.
That night.
..
Elvina sighed while Arthur kissed her neck, his lips sending shivers down her spine as she lay in bed next to him. Suddenly, he paused and fiddled with the hair at the nape of her neck. She opened her eyes and tried to see what he was doing.
"Arthur, what dost thou do?"
He had a frown on his face and pulled forward a small piece of green pond weed. He held it up to the candlelight. Elvina's eyes widened in alarm and she quickly tried to hide it. "What is that?"
"'Twould seem to be pond weed, wife. Wherefore didst thou get that in thine hair, I wonder?"
He pierced her with a dark look, and she fidgeted uncomfortably. "I know not. Mayhap, a bird dropped it on yonder embankment where Cynwise and I lay earlier."
He continued to stare at her, and she felt her cheeks suffuse with colour. God's bones, she hoped he believed her!
"Hast thou been swimming in the lake?" he asked, his tone cool.
"Nay, husband." She tried to keep her breathing calm, even though she could feel her heart racing inside her chest.
"If I find thou hast been out of the castle boundaries, thee knowest what will happen, dost thee not?"
She nodded, suddenly afraid to speak, for fear of revealing her guilt somehow. His large hand moved down to cup her buttock, kneading the soft flesh in his hand. She thrilled to his touch.
He held her gaze. "This pale, cool flesh will become burning hot to the touch and thee willst not sit for a week."
Elvina pulled in her bottom lip with her small teeth as a frisson of excitement rippled through her, his words stimulating her senses just as his hands aroused her flesh.
"Thee should hath more trust in me, my lord," she whispered, tracing a finger down his large bicep.
"Give me reason to trust thee, and I shall, my lady." He kissed one of her rosy nipples and she gasped as his tongue laved over the tight bud. "Swear to me that thee hath not been down to the lake," he demanded.
Elvina closed her eyes and tried hard to concentrate on a reply but the rough brush of his tongue was distracting her. Suddenly, she felt his teeth bite lightly against her flesh, making her gasp with surprise. A whole new sensation rocketed through her – painful, but somehow pleasurable. "My lord!"
He looked up, his face dark with desire. "Swear to me!"
Hoping God wasn't going to strike her dead, she decided she had no choice but to lie. It was either speak a falsehood or endure a sore backside for the next few days. She hurriedly responded before he could carry out his threat. "Upon my oath, I hath not been to the lake."
He stared at her for a few moments longer, before turning his attention back to her taut buds of desire. Elvina was soon lost in his touch, all thoughts of the lake disappearing from her mind.
The next morning...
"Brother, methinks our wives are using yonder lake to cool off," Arthur stated as he rode next to Renaud. They had just started off on another hunt with several men-at-arms and two knights.
Renaud frowned. "Think thee they would leave the safety of the castle?"
"Aye. I confronted Elvina last night and, although she denied it, I hath a gut feeling that she spoke false. Furthermore, I found pond weed in her hair."
Renaud cursed beneath his breath. "Dost thou think they will visit again today?"
"The sun hath been up several hours and the air is hot... I'd wager coin on it!"
"Mayhap then, brother, we should put off our hunt this morn and go past the lake. They will not expect us back until mid-afternoon, and we can catch them in the act."
Renaud called to his hunting party and told them to carry on without him and Arthur – they would meet up with them back at the castle.
Veering their horses away, the brothers made their way to the lake. As they neared the forest clearing, they reined in and listened intently. The girls could clearly be heard, laughing and giggling and splashing around in the water. Arthur felt his jaw tighten angrily. What if he and Renaud had been outlaws or Saxon rebels? They could easily have overpowered the two girls. His stomach tightened at the thought of what could happen to them, and it made him even angrier.
Dismounting, they tethered their horses to low branches, leaving them to graze, and stealthily crept towards the lake. Renaud came to a halt behind a large oak and crouched down behind the thick trunk. Arthur quietly joined him.
"Look at them frolicking – they hath not a care in the world!" whispered Renaud.
Arthur peered round the other side of the trunk. "They shall care a great deal when we catch them," he growled. His hand was itching to make contact with his wife's bottom. Defiant little wench.
"I hath an idea, brother – one that will surprise them and cool us off at the same time," Renaud stated.
"Tell me." Arthur listened carefully as Renaud outlined his plan.
* * *
Kicking her feet leisurely, Elvina swam towards Cynwise. "'Tis wondrous, is it not?"
"Aye!" agreed Cynwise. "Wherefore should we be denied this pleasure?"
"Our husbands are unreasonable."
As the sun beat down, Elvina turned and floated on her back, closing her eyes and enjoying the tranquility. The birds sang high in the trees, enveloping her in a world of peace, the lake water lapping gently at the shore creating an almost hypnotic ambience.
Suddenly, she heard a splash. Startled, her eyes flew open and she quickly righted herself. "What was that, Cynwise?"
"I know not!" Cynwise was visibly scouring the water's edge, looking for danger. "Dost thou think it was an animal? An otter, perchance?"
Elvina trod water as she looked around. Apart from a few ripples to the side of the lake where they had left their clothes, all was quiet. Frowning, she wondered what had made the noise. "I cannot see anything, Cynwise, but I definitely heard something."
Suddenly, she felt a hand close around her ankle and with a sharp tug, it pulled her straight under the water. She surfaced, coughing and spluttering at the sudden assault and came face to face with her husband.
His arms snaked around her, and she realised he was naked, apart from his hose. "Arthur!"
"Aye, my lady."
She looked over to find Cynwise linked in her husband's embrace. She looked just as shocked.
"I-I thought thee were out on a hunt," Elvina exclaimed, her cheeks blushing hotly at being caught out.
"We were, but changed our minds on the way. I wanted to see for myself if thee wouldst defy me."
Her eyes widened and she gulped. "I... We…"
He interrupted her. "Didst thee truly think I would believe thy story about the pond weed?"
She pouted and looked away, clearly annoyed at being found out.
"Thee hath disobeyed me yet again, my lady."
Elvina's face fell. "But I was hot, my lord. 'Twas unbearable."
"It matters not, wife. I told thee to remain within sight of the castle, and yet, here thou art." He looked at her hard. "Didst thee think I would not find out?"
Elvina pulled her bottom lip in and stared at him, knowing a lecture was coming.
"What wouldst happen if thou were discovered swimming, half-naked, by a group of men? Dost thee think they wouldst ignore thee and wander past? Nay, they wouldst take full advantage. Now get thee to shore; thy bottom is due a roasting!"
Elvina's stomach flipped over. "Thou cannot spank me here!"
"Do not think to tell me what I can and cannot do, wife. Do as I bid, this minute!"
"Nay. I will not!" She thrust her lower lip out mutinously, determined to defy him.
Arthur shook his head and glowered at her. "Foolish words, my lady." At the dark look on his face, she tried to extricate herself from his tight grip but he had other plans. His big muscular arms held her in place against his lean body, whilst he swam back to shore. She tried struggling, but his grip didn't loosen. As they reached the shallows, he stood up and, keeping a firm grip on her upper arm, pushed her forward to the shoreline.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Cynwise. Renaud
had her thrown over one of his broad shoulders and was striding towards them, water sluicing down his lithe body.
"I am taking Cynwise back home, Arthur. I shall see thee anon." He gathered up their clothing and bundled it under his free arm.
"Aye, brother," Arthur replied.
As Renaud strode away, Elvina glanced at Cynwise. She raised her head and shot her a look of sympathy, knowing that they were both in for a painful spanking.
* * *
Arthur glared at his wife as he turned her to face him. "Thee try me sorely, wife. I told thee 'twas dangerous away from the guards but didst thee listen to me? Nay!"
He watched her pout as she tried to justify her actions. "Arthur, 'twas verily hot. We merely wanted to cool down."
"Then use water from the well. Thou cannot and willst not put thyself in danger. When I tell thee to remain within the safety of the castle walls, I expect to be obeyed."
As angry as he was, he couldn't help but notice how her dripping wet shift clung to her body like a second skin. His eyes roamed downwards to feast on her rosy pink nipples, clearly visible through the thin fabric.
He forced himself to concentrate on her punishment, clearing his head of lustful thoughts. Guiding her over to an old tree stump, he made her sit down. "Do not move from that spot."
* * *
Elvina shifted uncomfortably on the hard surface and crossed her arms angrily. Anyone would think she was a child, the way he acted. She was old enough to look after herself. If she wanted to go swimming, she would. She'd just be damned careful next time that he didn't catch her. She raised her chin rebelliously as she watched him. What on earth was he doing? Frowning, she saw him pull down long twigs from a tree, inspecting them and then letting them spring back. As the supple branches snapped back, an awful thought began to form in her mind. Did he mean to use a switch on her backside?
She clapped a hand over her mouth, gasping aloud. Her buttocks clenched with dread. Suddenly, she had the urge to flee but reasoned that if she did and he caught her, he'd be even angrier, thus culminating in her bottom receiving more pain than it otherwise would.
Arthur: Knights of Normandy Book 2 Page 4