by K. Young
"I do believe Marie's decision to marry our two families was perhaps the best thing to happen to us all." Scott said at length.
"I beg your pardon?" Derrick asked.
"You knew Marie?" Finn asked.
"Yes, she was quite lovely. I met her several years ago at the king's behest. He was good friends with her father, you see, and he thought I might be able to help her in some way. I wasn't really sure how, but when I met her she promptly informed me of how I could be of assistance." He chuckled.
"What did she say?" Kristen asked, curious to know why her mother had instigated the marriage contract between Kristen and Derrick.
"She said that her husband was a scoundrel and the worst sort of man imaginable, and she was afraid that if something happened to her, Kristen would be left defenseless. Ashby had already threatened to impugn Kristen's honor if Marie did not pay his debts. She was afraid he would try to force himself on Kristen for marriage if something ever happened to her."
"But, why did she choose me?" Derrick asked.
"Well, that part was my doing. It's just that I couldn't get you to settle down. Marie wanted the connection to our family, and she liked the idea of you not being overly titled, so when Kristen went back to Norway, you would be free to go with her."
"Wait, you knew who I was?"
"Of course, my dear." Scott smiled. "There isn't much that I am not aware of when it involves my family and their doings."
Derrick rolled his eyes, and Kristen smiled.
"Well, so far, the king will not be able to help us. Have you spoken to him yet?" Derrick asked.
"Not yet. I suspected he would be hesitant to become involved without some assurances. Things were much different when it was Flanagan who would be ruling. I believe a lot will depend on you, my dear." He looked at Kristen.
Nikolas frowned. "I fear your king may not have a choice."
"What do you mean?" Scott asked.
"Part of my father's plan in bringing Kristen back to Norway was to incite the king of England's ire and perhaps start a war. He plans to invade next winter if her
disappearance went unchallenged."
Scott's face went slack. "My God." He whispered.
Finn frowned. "We should speak to your king soon, and tell him of this development."
"Yes, I agree," said Scott.
Derrick sighed. "Then Kristen and I will be returning with the others to formulate a plan in the meantime. Even if the king decides to invade first, from what I saw of the Viking army, they're not to be trifled with."
"Tristan and I will be coming along, as well." Oliver said from the corner.
It was clear that Scott didn't like all of his brothers out in harm's way, but he refrained from saying so. He looked at Kristen.
"Do you have a plan?"
"Not yet. We're here to rest and gather supplies. With my father and Nikolas, I'm confident we can come up with something."
"Young lady, you are talking about taking five men plus yourself against an entire Viking army, and no assurance of assistance from our own king. I just don't see how you are confident about anything."
His words weren't harsh, but they didn't sit well with Derrick. He glared at his brother, but Kristen wasn't intimidated.
"With all due respect to your station, sir, I've faced the king personally and I know what his weakness is. My father and Nikolas tell me that not all of the guards are loyal to the king, they are merely biding their time until my return to claim the throne. I'm not suggesting this will be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. I'm merely suggesting that with a little time, I can come up with a plan that will minimize the damage we take and perhaps save my people from an unjust king."
Kristen maintained eye contact with Scott, and Derrick grinned. She didn't know it, but she had just wrapped the Duke of Hollingsworth around her little finger. Scott looked at Derrick and blinked.
"Well, you've certainly met your match, haven't you?" Scott asked, a little in awe of Kristen. Derrick chuckled and kissed Kristen's hand. "Finn, I think you've got a fine daughter, indeed. I'll help in any way I can. I can't go with you, but I can provide money and resources."
Finn nodded. "Thank you. As she said, there are guards loyal to her, especially after telling the king he hits like a girl. I think once we get there with a plan, we'll be fine."
Scott and Derrick looked at Kristen. Derrick laughed.
"You told the Viking king who invaded your palace and overthrew your family that he hits like a girl?" Derrick asked, incredulous.
Kristen shrugged. "His first hit was like a girl. Though, I'll give him that second hit was pretty impressive. It knocked me unconscious."
Derrick shook his head and turned back to Scott but stopped. He tried really hard not to laugh at his brother. He had forgotten that Scott didn't truly know Kristen yet.
Scott blinked several times in disbelief, trying to discern if she were joking or not. "She's kidding, right?"
Derrick and Oliver burst out laughing. Kristen blushed.
"No, she's quite serious, Scott."
"Well, seems you will be keeping things rather interesting around her, m'dear." Scott said, still stunned.
A knock sounded at the door and several servants entered carrying tea, food, and an extra chair. Scott informed them to have three rooms made up in the guest wing. When the servants left, Finn and Nikolas regaled them with details of Norway, and possible options that would make their venture successful.
Chapter 41
That night, many couples lay awake talking...
Guy and Mel were wrapped in each other's arms and Mel lay there listening to the beat of his heart. She had missed him so much this last trip he made to America that the thought of him being away from her again, with the possibility of dying, burned her heart. She didn't like it, especially now that she was pregnant. But, she knew Kristen would need all the help she could get.
"Mel, if you don't want me to go, Derrick and Kristen would understand." He said softly as he rubbed her belly.
"I don't want you to go, but you have to."
Guy smiled. His Mel was just as fierce as Kristen in her own right. She didn't fight like a warrior, but she surely had the heart of one. He knew she wasn't happy about this, but she loved Kristen as much as she loved him. She would want him to be there to help her.
"Then I'll go."
"When does she plan to set sail?"
"Derrick's letter said in one month. There is much to prepare for, and Kristen doesn't want to wait too long for fear the king will attack England because of Nikolas'
disappearance. Word of the attack on the docks was bound to get back to him."
"Well, then we have a month together before you leave." She propped herself up on her elbows and kissed him deeply. "I think I can prove just how much I love you in that time."
Guy rolled her over onto her back, moving to cover her but keeping his weight off her stomach.
"I don't think that's nearly enough time." He whispered huskily. "But, I shall endeavor to show you that I love you more." He filled her with the length of him and began a slow, steady pace.
Mel moaned in pleasure, clutching at the husband she loved and wishing the night would not come to an end. ***
Tristan rolled off of Chelsea and pulled her into his side, settling her against the length of his body. He rested his chin at the crook of her neck and rubbed his thumb against her hand absently.
"Marry me." He said.
Chelsea smiled. Mel had been right, and she couldn't have been more pleased. But, there were still doubts. What if he were only asking because he thought there was a good chance he might die?
"Chelsea?" He prompted.
She rolled over to face him. He scooted his head back so that he could see her, and she stroked the side of his face. Tristan was worried she might actually say no and suddenly felt like an ass for giving Derrick a hard time of it when Kristen had refused him.
"Tristan, this trip you must make, I u
nderstand. But, you could die. It is perhaps better to return me to my family."
He turned angry, angrier than she had ever seen him, though she did not shrink away from him in fear as she once had. She loved him, fool that she was, and she knew he would not hurt her.
"I believe we've had that discussion, m'dear."
"Yes, but circumstances have changed, have they not?"
"That hardly matters - "
"If you die, I will be here alone, with no one. This is not my country, Tristan."
"I love you, damn it. You're not going back to them, and that's final!" He growled.
Chelsea stared at him in disbelief for all of two seconds before she kissed him. When she was done, she took his hands in hers.
"I love you, too. But, I fear for your life."
Tristan breathed a sigh of relief. She wanted to be with him, but she was scared. He could understand that.
"I will be fine. A few scrapes and bruises perhaps, but I will come back to you. I promise."
"You are too arrogant for your own good, Tristan. You cannot promise such a thing."
"Say that you will marry me and I can."
Chelsea laughed softly. She studied his face. He looked anxious, as if her answer was the most important thing in the world to him. She kissed him.
"If you return home to me, then I will marry you. But, not before."
Tristan smiled brightly, and for a moment, she was sure his eyes had lit up like Derrick's. It was uncanny. But, then it was gone, and he was just her Tristan. He hugged her close and kissed her again.
"Have it your way, m'dear. But, tonight I plan to make love to you all night." He nibbled on her neck and covered her breast with his palm, giving it a gentle squeeze.
She arched into him, moaning. "Do you promise?" She asked wickedly.
He laughed and pulled her on top of him. He slid into her easily and let her set the tempo. She arched her hips and rocked against his evenly, slowly at first but building a steady rhythm as the pressure built inside of her. Tristan lifted his head and sucked on one of her breasts. She gasped and slammed her hips into his. Tristan growled low in his throat and flipped her over onto her back, his hips thrusting into hers fast and hard. She cried out in pleasure as she slipped over the edge and grabbed on to his shoulders. Tristan thrust once more, joining her in ecstasy.
***
Scott lay on his side, tracing a finger over Nicole's enlarged belly. She was due any day now, and frankly he was surprised she didn't have the baby during all of the excitement.
"You're worrying about your brothers again, aren't you?" She asked.
He looked at her and smiled. "It just seems to be one thing after another. I fix one problem and three more sprout in its place. It's no one's fault, just our cross to bear, I suppose."
Nicole cradled his cheek in her palm. "You're a good man, Scott. But, your brothers have to live their lives the way they see fit. And, Kristen, well she's unique all unto herself, isn't she?" Nicole grinned. "Did she honestly tell a Viking king that he punches like a girl?"
Scott laughed. "Apparently."
Nicole shook her head. "Our family has character, that's for sure."
"That's definitely one way to put it."
Scott pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her shoulder, then her neck, then nuzzled her ear. She sighed contentedly.
"Will you be going with them?" She asked.
"No. I have responsibilities here. Plus, you're getting ready to have the baby."
"Nonsense. I can handle things here."
"Yes, but if something happens to me, then who will handle the dukedom?"
Nicole chewed on her lip. "How confident is Kristen that she can bring everyone back alive?"
Scott snorted. "She can't guarantee something like that, my love. And she doesn't try to. She's confident she can come up with a plan to minimize damages, but she doesn't promise that no one will get hurt."
"Still, you have to go." She insisted.
"It's not practical, Nicole."
"It's not about being practical, Scott. It's family. You have to be there. I can manage things here, even with a newborn. If something happened to you, whichever brother comes back can take over until our son, because I'm confident this one is a boy, turns of age."
Scott frowned. He wanted to be there to help, but he didn't like the idea of leaving Nicole with the kids, especially a newborn. And, he didn't like the idea of leaving all the women there unprotected while the Shane's went off to war.
"No. Someone will need to be here to take care of you, Mel, and Chelsea. I think Guy and Tristan would prefer that to be me."
Nicole smiled. She didn't truly want Scott to go, but she knew that he wanted to be there for his brothers. She didn't push the subject anymore; instead she turned her neck, and Scott propped up on his elbow so he could kiss her.
"Thank you for understanding, either way." He said against her lips and then kissed her again.
"Anytime." She said against his.
She rolled onto her back, and Scott leaned over, careful not to put his weight on her. He kissed her deeply and slid his fingers into her hair. He couldn't do much more than that in her condition, but it was still enough to make her toes curl.
***
Alice and Adrian sat across from each other on the bed. "I can't believe I let you talk me into staying here, Alice."
Adrian grouched.
"You'll get over it, I'm sure."
Adrian snorted. "Not bloody likely."
Alice smiled and shook her head, then laid down to get
some sleep. She was exhausted from all of the traveling, and she was still feeling guilty about all she had done.
"What are you doing?" Adrian asked sharply.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm going to bed." She said as she fluffed her pillow.
Adrian laid down next to her and put his arm around her waist and nuzzled her neck. She shrugged him off and pushed his hand back on his side of the bed.
"We talked about this."
"Yes, but we didn't agree to anything. Why won't you let me touch you?"
"Because I don't trust you."
"I left Norway for you, what more do I have to do to prove that you're my world, Alice?"
Alice's green eyes sparked angrily, and she rolled over and poked him in the chest. "Don't take that wounded tone with me, Adrian. I spent five long years training under you, and they were far from pleasant. I fancied myself in love with you once, and you crushed any part of me that could feel love. You were quite effective in your training."
Adrian blanched. He knew he deserved that, knew it might even be true. But, he was hoping that since she had let him make love to her once before, it was a sign that she was starting to trust him. But, he supposed he would have to practice patience in order to win her over. He broke her once, he could certainly mend her heart now. Though he knew he didn't deserve her love, he would keep trying to win it.
Adrian smiled and kissed her forehead. "As you wish, my love."
Alice narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Despite the fact that she wanted to trust him, she couldn't bring herself to do it. He seemed to have changed from when she studied with him, but she'd been deceived by him many times before and it always came back to hurt her. Although, in his defense, he had been the one to tell her about Sander's plans to kill Kristen. And, he helped her through the dungeons where Kristen was being held so they could rescue her. And, he had left everything he'd ever known, for her. That should count for something, right? She leaned across her pillow and kissed him on the lips.
"Thank you." She said softly.
"For what?"
"For helping me get Kristen out of Norway. She didn't deserve the fate that Sander had planned for her."
"You care for her, don't you?"
Alice weighed her words carefully, again not absolutely certain that Adrian was being honest with her. "She has shown me great kindness where none was deserved. She is speci
al, Adrian, and she should be queen."
Adrian nodded in agreement. "We will help her in any way we can." He promised, then kissed her hand.
***
Kristen stared into the fire as Derrick pulled the covers back for bed. She had been thinking a lot since leaving Norway, and she was scared to death. She didn't want Derrick and his family involved, but she knew that if she had any hope of succeeding, she would need their help.
"Are you coming to bed?" Derrick asked.
She grinned and turned to look at him. He was sprawled across the bed, naked. Her body immediately responded to the sight of him, and all of her fears of him being dead and never knowing his touch again faded away like a bad dream. She lifted herself from the chair and with the fire to her back, she removed her night gown, pulling it slowly over her head and stretching her arms so that her breasts stuck out provocatively. She heard Derrick inhale sharply and smiled.
With the night gown over her head, she tossed it to the side and walked slowly to the bed, her hips swaying slightly in the firelight. Derrick watched with lusty anticipation as she got closer. He had been eager to hold her close and make sure she never left his side since Finn had taken him to the cell. He was scared of her plan to go back, scared to lose her again, but he was determined not to think about it tonight. When she reached the bed, she crawled on top of it and moved toward him slowly. Her tantalizing movements excited him, and he reached over and grabbed her wrist, dragging her on top of him.
Kristen laughed huskily as she slid across his body. She could feel his heat envelope her and the familiar unfurling in her belly began. Liquid heat pooled between her legs, and she knew she was ready for whatever he was willing to give her. Derrick slanted his mouth across hers, his kiss full of hungry need. It had been months since they had last made love, and Kristen realized this would be the first time since they had gotten married. She shivered with anticipation and smiled when Derrick flipped her on her back and pinned her hands above her head. She lifted a brow, but let him continue.
Holding her hands above her head with one hand, Derrick used the other to trace a slow path down her body. When he reached the apex of her womanhood, he kissed her as his thumb slipped between her soft curls and gently rubbed her until she moaned. He slipped a finger inside and felt the heat of her core cover him. He dipped his head and lapped at her neck as his finger danced in and out, creating a steady rhythm in tune with the hum of her body. When Kristen arched her back, Derrick slid another finger inside of her and took one breast into his mouth, sucking gently as his fingers continued their steady tempo.