“What in the devil are you doing?” he hissed as silky flesh grew visible. James snapped his jaw shut so hard that it near rattled his teeth and glanced around. They were alone. Everyone remained in the village square. “Ellise!” he tried again.
She simply grinned and tugged the laces apart before spreading the front of her gown. Even in the light of the evening he saw the curves of her breasts peeking over the top of her cotton chemise. What sort of game was this? Whatever it was, he couldn’t refuse her. Ellise was his one weakness.
With a shove, her gown fell from her hips and crumpled onto the grass. She toed off her slippers and pressed her chemise over one shoulder. It reminded him of the first time they had made love. James realised he was staring stupidly at her but his limbs wouldn’t work. How could they move forward if he made love to her again? He wanted to show his respect for her. To show her he’d changed.
And then, in an unexpected movement, she turned from him and yanked her chemise over her head before sprinting into the lake and jumping in with a splash. The sight of her curved buttocks and smooth back sent an instant rush of arousal through him. When she failed to surface, James stepped forward, peering into the inky black of the lake.
A bubble of fear crawled up his throat. Damn woman. The lake was easily deeper than he was tall. Had she thought it shallow? A rush of fear speared through him, sending his heart rebounding. Kicking off his boots, he yanked at his chausses and tugged them down, taking his braies with them. He jumped in, gasping as the cold water closed over him and swallowing a mouthful of water. James surfaced, coughing and spitting, only to be confronted by the sight of Ellise, grinning at him.
With dark hair slick across her face and bare shoulders peeking out of the water, she looked playful and young and utterly irresistible. His anger and concern dissipated in an instant and he grabbed at her, hauling her close. Using the sloping bank of the lake for support, he pressed her into it and kissed her hard.
“Did…you…fear…me…drowned?” she asked breathlessly between kisses.
“Aye,” he murmured against her lips. “I do not make a habit of jumping into lakes fully clothed.”
Ellise drew back with a laugh. “Not fully clothed,” she plucked at his sodden shirt, “but certainly wearing too many.”
Pushing her away, he yanked at the soaking fabric and hauled it over his head. It slapped down onto the grass as he flung it aside. The cool water swirled about them as he flattened her against him, his feet sinking into the bottom of the lake as she wrapped her legs about his hips. Her hard nipples pressed into his chest and even through the chill of the water, he felt the heat of her juncture.
Desire stirred swiftly and James smoothed his palms across her back and bottom, squeezing at her flesh as she wriggled against him. How she ate through his self-control so quickly, he didn’t know. Ellise consumed him. All he could think of was her sweet taste, hot skin, and how much he wanted to join with her.
“James,” she murmured huskily. “James, do not wait. Take me.”
With a groan of surrender, he lifted her and impaled himself swiftly. Her cry of gratification rang through the night and as her heat closed about him the world went hazy. Only her pleasure-filled expression remained clear and James stared at her as he withdrew and repeated the movement, the widening of her eyes and parting of her lips holding him captive.
Ellise dug her nails into his neck and pressed her face into the side of his neck. Something primitive burgeoned in his chest, making his heart constrict with more than just lust. She was his. His woman. His love.
Hellfire.
James thrust into her with relentless abandon, driving them both to the peak rapidly. Ellise’s breaths blew against his neck as she scattered kisses across his skin and he felt her body tighten. Thank the Lord, because he was not far from shattering and he couldn’t hold back.
Head buried in her wet hair, he pressed into her slippery heat again and again as she became impossibly tight around him. Her heavy breaths turned into whimpers and he clamped an arm around her back so as to slip a hand between them and palm one breast, the need to touch each part of her before he went to oblivion driving his every movement. Her head lolled back and he watched, enthralled, as Ellise settled her gaze on him, even as her pleasure overtook her, sending her shaking and shuddering in his arms.
“Mi Corazón,” she whispered as he clamped her trembling body to his and pounded into her. It took mere moments for him to follow her over, his release searing and heart-achingly exquisite.
Ellise rested her head against his shoulder and placed her hand over his heart, as if somehow she understood. He swallowed heavily as his mind cleared.
“Ellise, I—”
A finger came to his lips, cutting him off. “Hush. Do not say a word.”
Words of love burned but her quiet command stole them from him. Instead he snatched the finger from his mouth and pressed a kiss to it before scraping his palm across her cheek and drawing her head back from his shoulder. Though dark, James still saw the emotion burning in her eyes. He flattened his forehead against hers with a sigh. What did this mean for them?
His notion of duty drove him on once more. He had a duty to Ellise. A duty to love and cherish her and save her from a world unable to appreciate her for who she was. And a duty to himself. The war raging inside him forced him to clamp his arms tightly around her, as if the touch of her body could help him decide what to do. He had to take the risk.
~***~
Unable to sleep, James rolled over and studied Ellise in the milky light of the slowly brightening sky. It crept in through the curtains and shimmered across her profile as she slept. He resisted the desire to reach out and run a finger across her nose and lips. He’d never spent a full night with her and he did not want to ruin it.
He wanted her to sleep through until morning. And when she awoke he would be ready to ask her what he’d intended to before she’d distracted him. He would make Ellise his. Surely she would say aye?
She twitched suddenly and he drew back as her peaceful expression contorted. What was this? A nightmare? She jerked again, an arm flailing at the sheet and a whimper fell from her lips. He grasped her arm and held it to him as her struggles grew stronger. Pulling her toward him, he wrapped his arms around her. An elbow connected with his chin and he cursed.
“Ellise? Ellise!”
Her eyes remained shut, her cries increased. He held her tighter for fear of her hurting herself. He’d never seen anything like it. It was as if… as if she was possessed. He did not welcome the thought. He would pray for thinking such a thing on the morrow. But he had never witnessed anyone suffer a nightmare as Ellise did and he spent much time sleeping in the company of many men. Men who had seen all sorts of horrors. What did she see to make her sleep so fitfully?
He called her name again as she fought his hold and he just escaped a knee aimed for his groin. Her movements slowed and her noises quietened so he relaxed his arms slightly and brushed his knuckles across her nose and cheek in an attempt to wake her.
Eyelids fluttering open, it seemed to take her a while to recognise him. She wriggled in his embrace. “James?”
“Ellise? I am here. You were dreaming.”
She sagged against him, releasing a small puff of breath. “‘Twas no dream.”
“A nightmare?”
“Of sorts.” Her eyes grew wide and anxious. “James… I-I fear something may happen to you.”
He smirked. “Ack, you do not need to fear for me. I intend to come to no harm.”
“Nay, you do not…you do not understand me. I…” She brought a hand up to her mouth and began to chew on the end of a fingertip. “I see things.”
James scowled and his moment of confusion allowed her to push from his arms. She shifted to sitting and wrapped her arms around her knees, blankets tucked tightly around her. He sat too and regarded her. “What is your meaning, lass?”
“‘Twas no nightmare. I see things, James. I see t
hings that may happen.”
“Ellise, ‘twas just a dream.”
“Nay, ‘twas not. I have seen these things before and often they come to pass. I had a vision telling me to come to Thornewall. I knew Lucy would bear her babes well if I could help her.”
James shook his head.
“I know much, James. I know your father looked like you. I saw it in my vision. He pushed you to fight when you did not want to. He waits for you.”
He had told no one of that. His pulse thudded with dread. “How could you know such a thing?”
“I see things,” she insisted. “James, you must heed my warning. You shall be harmed.”
“Ellise, this knowledge you have it sounds like…” the word felt bitter on his tongue, “witchcraft.”
“Nay!”
“Why do you tell me this then?” He edged off the bed and snatched at his braies, yanking them on. Doubt filled him. Ellise was a skilled healer and an insightful woman, but witchcraft…? However, he’d seen how that nightmare plagued her. Scraping a hand through his hair, he searched for his shirt and chausses, avoiding eye contact with her. Had he really allowed a witch into Thornewall? Let her tend to the Lady and the future lords? Good God, anything could have happened.
“James, I am no witch. You must know that.”
“But these… these visions. Nay, tell me they are just dreams.” He yanked on his chausses and snatched her arms. “Tell me, Ellise,” he commanded.
“I cannot!” she cried. “They are visions. I have been plagued by them ever since I was a girl. Would that I could tell you that but I can lie no longer. I have longed to tell you but…but I knew what you would think.”
He released her, feeling as if he had been stung. She knew what he would think? He did not know what to think. How did he even know if his feelings were real? Mayhap she had used witchcraft on him. It would certainly explain the hold she had over him.
“James, pray do not look at me so.”
“I know not what you expect of me.” He snatched his shirt up once more and squeezed it in his fist, his mind reeling.
“This…” her hand shook as she pointed at him, “is why I did not tell you. But I did not expect you to accuse me of witchcraft!”
“What else would you have me believe? There is no other explanation for these powers.”
She sagged where she sat, shoulders dropping. “I cannot explain but you must know I am no witch. I had thought you might understand. Or at least accept that. It appears I was wrong.”
A twinge of guilt made his heart ache. He didn’t want to think of Ellise being a witch, of the dangers she faced, but it had thrown everything into doubt. What was real, what was not. For all he knew, she had cast a spell over them all. He could not let her remain, for how could he—a captain—allow a potentially dangerous woman stay in Thornewall?
“Ellise, you must leave. On the morrow.” His voice came out with more confidence than he expected. He strode around the bed toward the door and paused to face her. “Forgive me, but you must see I cannot let you stay. Go from here and do not return. I will tell no one of your secret.”
Spinning away, he yanked open the door and slammed it shut behind him. He wrenched on his shirt and flinched as a sob reached his ears. Ack, but it took all his willpower not to turn around and take her back into his arms. But damnation, she’d lied. She’d hidden who she was from him and put everyone in danger. Even if she had not already cast spells, who knew what she might do if someone wronged or upset her? They had never had a witch in Thornewall but he heard many tales of those who had made whole villages ill after being slighted.
Not that he believed Ellise would do such a thing…
Hellfire. He stomped down the stairs before he gave in and returned to her. He lost the ability to think in her company. First he needed to clear his head. Pacing quickly across the bailey, he took the steps up to the ramparts and stared out over the village. The entire population relied on him to make the right decisions. Surely sending Ellise away was the best choice for them? A witch in their midst could only bring trouble.
James slammed his palm against the stone wall. If only the thought of never seeing her again did not threaten to crack his heart in two.
~***~
Ellise sank to the floor as her knees gave out from underneath her and pressed the balls of her hands to her eyes as she expelled another sob. What had she expected? That he would throw aside all he’d been taught and embrace her for who she was?
Aye, aye she had. It seemed that even love was not enough for James. She should have trusted her instincts and remained a stranger to the Captain. Fear of witches was widespread. Why did she imagine James to be any different? But she was no witch. Why did he not see that? He knew her. Almost better than anyone. And this night she was prepared to tell all. To beg for his help reclaiming her son. She had been sure that he was ready to accept everything about her, even her wretched past.
It seemed she was wrong.
She dabbed her eyes with her sleeve and sucked in a long breath. There was nothing to be done now. If she had to crawl on hands and knees and beg for Edmund to take her as his, then she would. As long as she had her son back, then nothing mattered. Her one hope of happiness was gone. James' inability to see her for who she was had made sure of that. Damn the man.
Mio Dios, if only she did not still love him.
She sat there until dawn greeted her, crying sporadically, short painful bursts before attempting to pull herself together. What hurt the most was that she still respected him. She understood his decision. Captain James put the people of Thornewall first, always. How had she expected that he would behave differently for her? If he thought she might be dangerous, he would believe he had a duty to protect Thornewall from her.
And he could well have had her locked up and tried as a witch. Her stomach twisted as she considered the likely outcome of a witch trial. With her knowledge of herbs, she would surely be found to be one. She laughed, a weak spluttering laugh. People were so fickle. Happy to have your aid when they were in need but as soon as the word witch was uttered, you were the very devil himself.
Clambering to her feet, she straightened her skirts and went to look for Edmund. She took a moment on the stairs to gather herself as tears crawled up her throat again, tingling in her eyes. She had no choice; if she wanted Arias, she would have to submit to the Earl. She still did not have quite enough coin and she could wait no longer. Edmund wanted her and so she would go with him.
As she blinked in the sunlight at the bottom of the stairs, she glanced around, relieved not to see James. She dare not risk seeing the accusation in his eyes again. The disappointment.
The betrayal.
A flicker of robes caught her eye and she spotted Edmund leaving the hall for the chapel. Skirts in hand, she scurried over to his side.
He released a slow grin as he saw her. “Lady Ellise, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“A word, if you will, my lord.”
“Indeed.” He motioned to the small alleyway that ran between the walls of the keep to the chapel.
Ellise followed, ignoring the niggling sensation that she was making the biggest mistake of her life. But it could be no bigger than the one she’d already made when her son was born. She should have given up the fight years ago and just accepted Edmund as her husband. As vile and as violent as he was, would it have mattered if she had Arias? She laughed inwardly. She’d always been taught to hope, to fight for better. And look where that had got her. Heartbroken, lonely, and penniless.
Edmund sat on one of the pews and motioned for her to sit next to him. She swung her gaze around. There was no priest to be seen. No one sat in the empty benches. She was alone with Edmund and who knew what he would do to her? But she would be his before long and then he would have every right to her, so what did it matter?
She licked her lips as she sat and he eyed her. “When...when you said you would still take me for your wife, did you speak the trut
h?”
His grin widened. “I did.”
Ellise stared at her hands as she twined them in her skirts. “And if I agree to marry you, I will be able to claim my son back?”
“You will be seen as his stepmother. He has been my son all these years.”
She didn’t argue with him. All the fight deserted her. No doubt no one would question how the boy came into the Earl of Wighthurst’s hands. Mayhap they thought her a whore and her son a bastard. Either way, Wighthurst blood ran in his veins and that was enough to ensure the earldom had an heir.
“But you will not keep him from me?”
“Nay, I will not keep him from you.”
“Then...” She kept her gaze lowered, her chest tight as she forced the words out, “I will consent to being your wife.”
She saw him nod out of the corner of her eye but she could not bring herself to meet him face on, to see the smug satisfaction in his expression.
“Good. You could have saved yourself much pain had you simply agreed to my terms all those years ago. But ‘tis no matter.” He snatched one of her hands and squeezed tightly, making her wince. “I will be sure to make up for the time lost.”
She nodded absently, hearing the lascivious tone to the statement. Her stomach curdled.
“But first I must make my stand clear.” He used his other hand to force her face to his, fingers digging into her chin. “I will have complete obedience. You have a wicked tongue, Ellise, and I will have none of it. I will not have my son witness a woman disrespecting her husband. Disrespect me and I will see you punished accordingly. And...”
Ellise tried to twist her face away but his grip was too strong. She swallowed and forced herself to breathe slowly. If would be worth it, she told herself. It would be.
“...you will not see Captain James again. I have seen the way you look at him, the way he looks at you. Should you ever consider running into his arms, I will make sure you both regret it. Do not underestimate my power, little darling. I can ensure the Captain will meet with an unfortunate accident, should you change your mind about our nuptials.”
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