With a trembling hand the boy took the offered reins. Peter smiled, knowing it was more than likely because she had basically called him a coward if he did not.
“I see you have all met my wife,” Peter said proudly.
All the boys spun around to face him.
“My dear, I shall like to have a private talk with you.” Pride in her had overridden the anger he had felt and he could not bring himself to yell at her. He would, although, make sure she understood that she had disobeyed him once again and that it would not be tolerated.
“I think we can talk here, can we not?” Van looked at him untrustingly and attempted an innocent smile that failed miserably.
“Fine.” He would rather do it in private, but perhaps here was better. It would be a reminder as well to all the men who have seemed to forget that she was not allowed here. “You have disobeyed me once more and I would like to see you get out of it this time. I told you, you were not allowed to come here and yet here you stand.”
“I did not disobey you, my lord.” She said calmly. “You said I could not come here with anyone and I did not. I came on my own. As a matter of fact—”
Peter lost control and yelled, “I do not care about your matters or your facts. You know damned well what it is I had wanted from you. You went behind my back and did as you bloody well pleased once again.” He took a deep breath to calm the anger roiling around in his stomach. “You will go back to the castle, you will stay there, and so I have no more misunderstandings I will say this to you.”
Peter looked down at her trying to pin her with his most ferocious glare. He felt it slip when she arched one brow at him and smiled. Damn, he didn’t understand how she got under his skin so bad.
He took a deep breath and spoke, his voice quiet and deliberate. “You are not allowed to come to this training ground in any way, with anyone or by yourself. You are not allowed to be here. However it is you think to come here, it is not allowed. Now, do you understand that?” Peter knew he had all the possibilities covered leaving her no way of getting around it.
“Aye, my lord, I understand.” Van looked at the remainder of the horses and sighed.
“Good, now that we have an understanding.” He turned toward Grant who was dismounting his steed. “Grant, help the men finishing handing out the horses, while I take my wife back.” He looked at her irritably and added, “Again.”
He reached down and pulled her onto the saddle. He kept her sideways until they were into the surrounding trees and then allowed her to throw her leg over the saddle. He felt a rush of lust as a length of pale white calf glittered in the bright morning light.
“My lord, do you have to hurry back?” She pressed against him and he fought a groan.
“That will not get you out of trouble.” His voice was gruff, but he wrapped his arm around her waist. “Aye, I need to hurry back. I was late getting there to begin with.” His arousal pressing into her buttocks insisted that he didn’t need to hurry.
He pushed Jackal to a faster pace before he gave in to his need. As they were coming to the edge of the trees, he reached up and grasped a breast. She gasped. He placed a kiss on her neck and released her.
“Swing your leg back over.”
She did so without argument as they cleared the trees.
He pulled Jackal to a stop before the castle steps and reluctantly slid her to the ground. “Stay out of trouble, stay near the castle and away from the men. You will not go back to the men if I leave you now, will you?”
“Nay, my lord, I have no intention of returning to the men now. I have other things on my agenda today.” She grinned and he shook his head in exasperation.
“I will see you tonight.” With one last suspicious look, he wheeled Jackal around and she stood watching him as he disappeared back into the trees.
“My lady, are you all right?”
Van heard the foot falls of three people behind her. “Aye, Amy I am fine.” She turned with an excited smile to greet her friends. She reached down and gathered Joseph up into her arms. “How did the fishing go?”
The excitement in his eyes lit up his whole face. “I caught a big one.”
“Good, now how would you like to help me—well, to help the men?”
He nodded and Van led them to the well-stocked wardrobe. She was pleased with the variety of linens and wools they had to choose from. The four friends rummaged through the dusty room until they had large stacks of heavy woolen material. Each took a heaping armload and they made their way to Van’s chambers. The room had been thoroughly cleaned and Peter’s mother’s things had been packed away. It was a little empty, but it was a more comfortable area than she had ever had before. She laughed gently, thinking she had never had much more than a lean-to, so anything above that was an improvement.
Several maids joined them and the day passed as they made stockings and blankets for the men in the barracks. Van sat comfortably as they worked, listening to them talk and laugh. She interjected here and there but for the most part she silently enjoyed their lively chat.
Not long after they finished, Margaret came to the door. “Milady, there is a man here to see the lord, shall I send for him.”
“Nay, I will see to him.” She walked down the long winding staircase. At the bottom of the stairs stood a man she had met only once. Marcus Teredo, father of Nancy, a friend of Joseph’s. Peter had introduced her when he had taken her on the tour of his land, and Joseph had told her later that he was friends with the man’s daughter.
She extended a hand of welcome to him. “Mr. Teredo, how may I help you?”
He looked at it unsure for a moment then grasped her outstretched hand and gave it a hardy shake. “I came to see Lord Grayweist.”
“He is unavailable right now. You can come back later or you can speak to me.” She asked Margaret to send for drinks and ushered him to a chair. She didn’t wait for his consent to talk to her. She had learned over the years that if you didn’t give someone the luxury of time to think, they were more agreeable.
He sat with that same unsure look on his face. “It’s my sheep,” he started uneasily. “They are coming up missing. I was not sure what it was until last night. It is men, my lady.”
He paused as a young redheaded maid shyly brought two goblets in. He took the one offered to him and smiled in thanks. He drank heartily and when he spoke again he sounded more relaxed. “I was quite sure it was wild animals. I stayed out last night with my arrows, since it was a full moon and there was plenty of light, but it was men. They took some and left.”
“Did you see what they looked like?” she asked in an even tone, trying to hide the nervous energy that pulsed through her. She had to know if it was Eolian’s men. If it was, why was he here? Did he follow her men or did he know somehow who she was? Her breath tightened in her chest as worry constricted around her.
“I saw them all, but only one stood out. He was a monster of a man, wore a dark cloak with a hood. The hood fell back when he was taking a sheep.” He shuddered and stared at the trembling goblet in his hand. “His face...it was not deformed really, but...” He stopped, looked at her, and shrugged.
“Misshapen?”
He nodded.
“A very large man?” she asked, but she already knew.
He nodded.
Verges. She was glad that he was near, but not happy that he was not alone.
“Aye.”
“When did they arrive?”
“Four nights ago was the first time sheep came up missing. I didn’t say anything when you stopped by because I had still thought it to be animals, milady.” He looked at her hopefully.
Relief fluttered through her. Four days. That meant that Eolian had arrived around the same time as her men and before she did. She could only pray that meant they were unaware of her.
“They came last night. That should mean they will not return for a couple of days. I do not want you to tell anyone of this.” She stopped momentarily and grinned. She had
a devious idea. “No actually, I want you to tell anyone you see, especially ones that will spread the word. I want you to tell them that you think your sheep are sick, that they are dying. That should worry whoever it is that is taking them.”
He looked distraught. “Milady, that will mean no one will buy them.”
She just smiled. “It will all work out if you trust me.”
At the reluctant nod of his head she showed him out. She hoped Eolian had eaten a lot of the sheep by the time the rumor of the sick sheep got to him.
She began to laugh gently as she approached her chamber door.
“What is so funny?” Amy’s voice broke into her thoughts as Van pushed the door open.
“Nothing, Amy. We had better get those things out to the barracks. The men will be here any moment.”
***
Peter was weary as he rode back to the castle. The training of the young, inexperienced boys had gone just as badly as he had anticipated.
He rode in between Grant and Richard as they approached the stables. He turned toward Richard but his words were lost as he watched four unmistakable figures run from the barracks to the castle. “What do you figure they are up to now, Devenroe?”
Richard looked from him to the running figures. “My lord, I am not one to guess what your wife—”
Peter shook his head. “Pretend she is not my wife. What would your answer be?”
Richard looked at him seriously. “I would no more try to judge what that woman would do than I would try to judge where I might stand not to get hit by lightning.” This sent all the men into hysterics.
Peter ignored them. “Hestlay, go on to the castle with the men. I am going to ride over to the barracks with the boys and Richard’s men.” He made a mental note to stop calling them Richard’s men. They would never become one if even he kept segregating them.
Walking into the dim building, he looked around. Nothing looked different that he could make out. What had she been up to?
“My lord, I found it.”
Devon held up a big bundle of cloth that had been laid on his bed. On all the beds they discovered. Peter opened Richard’s, smiling as stockings and blankets came rolling out.
Peter looked his friend. “You know something, Richard, that woman will be the death of me. Just when I think she cannot surprise me, she does.”
“One thing for sure, my lord. You will not be one stuck in a boring marriage.”
Everyone hooted and hollered at that. Peter shook his head leaving them to their fun.
He was having difficulties remaining angry with her, a grin making its appearance on his normally stoic face.
He did not see her before the evening meal, though he found himself looking for her. When he had cleaned up and made it to the dining hall, she was already there, sitting silhouetted in the candle light. The flickering of the flames reflected off the silk of her gown.
He walked directly to her and pulled her to her feet. He smiled when she gasped. “I cannot wait to get you alone tonight.”
“Sit, my lord. We shall dine with the men, before we retire.” Her face glowed with excitement and pride. It made even the powder glow. His heart swelled with pride even as his mind tumbled with irritation.
When the meal was served and the maids clear of the table, Vanessa leaned toward him. She gestured for Richard and Grant to come forward and Peter gazed at her in distrust.
“My lord, Marcus Teredo came to see me this afternoon,” she said quietly.
He gave a massive and injured sigh. “Not only are you training my men, but now my tenants are coming to see you.” He raised a brow at her in mock irritation.
She looked at him, opened her mouth to answer, and then thought better of it. She shut her mouth and smiled.
Vanessa looked at all of them in turn and then told the story of his sheep. “I think it should be looked into, my lord.”
Peter listened carefully and nodded his head.
“There is one more thing, my lord.”
She ducked her head. He saw a grin spreading and he was afraid to ask.
“Yes?”
All the men sitting close to them at the head table burst into laughter as she told them what she had told Marcus to tell people.
“That is more than I can take. I am no longer hungry.” He jumped to his feet and swung her over his shoulder like a sack of grain.
As she pretended to fight him, he watched the faces of the men, both his and Richard’s. He wondered if he would make it to the stairs, lord or not, if she was actually asking for help.
From the intent looks on their faces he didn’t think so. Instead of making him angry, it made him feel more secure. No one would bother her. She would be safe.
It was more than just the way they had looked at him now. He had heard them talking between themselves as well. He knew they would give their lives for her. He grinned as he began to walk toward the stairs.
Vanessa struggled the entire way to the chambers, exciting him all the more as breasts rubbed against him and thighs caressed his arms.
On the stairs he faltered and swayed. He grinned when she slowed her fighting until he was on flat ground once again. He was pleased with the change in her.
Peter pushed it from his mind as he kicked the door to his chamber closed. He laughed as she began to struggle more violently now. She kicked and swung her arms. Then he heard her laughter, low and breathy.
He threw her onto the bed and nearly ripped his clothes off. She followed his example. He stood slack jawed in surprise as she slipped the gown from beneath her hips.
Vanessa lay back and opened her arms, and her smooth white thighs, in invitation. He wasted no time falling atop her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He kissed her gently.
He had planned to take his time with her, to make her ready, but it seemed apparent, as she forced the kiss deeper, that she already was.
Van kissed him greedily. Excitement raced through her muscles and settled between her open thighs. The hard tip of his arousal searched her folds for entry and she gasped into his mouth as he rammed his cock into her, hard.
His motions were frantic, needy, and she matched his movements with her own greedy lust, shoving her hips hard into his. They ground together in ecstasy, riding the waves of pleasure until raspy breath echoed throughout the chamber.
Muscles taunt to the point of pain, she clung to him as he took her to new heights of pleasure. Wonderful agony echoed through her with every hard thrust, and she tilted her hips to take him deeper.
He stiffened with a growl. The hot pulsations of his own pleasure pushed her over the edge. Head back, she bit her lip to hold in her cries, but they were ripped from her.
They lay together, wrapped tightly in trembling arms and legs, as they awaited the return of their senses. She expected him to roll off, but was pleasantly surprised when he laid his head in the crook of her neck. She wrapped her arms around him and sighed contentedly, not wanting him to move just yet.
She liked the feel of him. The pressure made them seem like one person, connected in some special way. She marveled at the change in herself. She had fought that connection fiercely in the beginning, not wanting him to have that power over her.
Now she reveled in the power she felt over him as well. It was a oneness she craved, but even that surprised her. Where had her craving for total command gone? She considered this as she closed her eyes.
Peter shifted his weight, worried that he was hurting her. He groaned pleasurably and grinned as her arms tightened around his neck when he tried to lift off of her. He kissed the top of her nose gently and lay beside her.
Covering the both of them, he pulled her tightly into his embrace. He could smell the powder that she caked on and hoped she would not be wearing it much longer. He fell asleep wishing he could see her true face.
That night he dreamed once again of the boy who had saved him three years ago, the same dream that had plagued him since that night.
The young dark face leaning over him. The dagger wound dripping blood onto his shoulder, their blood mingling in his wound. Over and over, he caressed the smooth skin of his cheek, telling him he was beautiful.
CHAPTER 17
Van awoke as Peter slipped from the bed. The early morning light was just beginning to peek through the window of the master bed chamber. She reached up checking for the light powdery feel of the camouflage on her face. She could feel the powder thick across the scar. She stretched sleepily and watched Peter’s naked backside as he walked toward the fireplace.
“You are the lightest sleeper I have ever seen,” he said laughingly, looking over his shoulder at her.
She blushed beneath the powder but did not take her eyes off his flexing muscles.
“Good morrow, my lord.” She smiled and thought the only reason she had stayed alive as long as she had was because she was light sleeper. There had been more than one ambush where the sentry had fallen asleep. She had been the first to awaken to someone walking through the camp.
She had always been on guard to protect herself and her secret and had never slept soundly. It had been that way since she had gone to Castle Grayweist for training and she had quickly gotten used to restless sleep.
He took the charred end of the fire poker from its place beside the fireplace and stoked the dying fire. “I do believe it is about time you began to call me Peter. It is quite proper, I assure you.”
Once the coals were stoked he added a log to the fire. She was sure the day would warm up as it had the day before, but the morning air still carried a chill.
Her heart raced with excitement as her gaze took in the way the fire light flickered across the crests and valleys of his muscular body. She shook her head gently. She had seen naked men before the fire before and none had ensnared her attention the way Peter did.
She gasped silently as he turned suddenly and walked back to her. His manhood rose as he walked. It jumped and pulsed and her heart seemed to jump with it.
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