Storm Trilogy

by Ria Cantrell

  “Two moons? Can’t someone else do this campaign? I shall ask Erik to send another…”

  “Love, you cannot do that. It is what I do. Time will pass quickly. You have many wedding plans to make. Don’t worry, overmuch. I will be back before you have time to even miss me,” Drew said, trying to make her smile.

  Instead her lips drew down with no trace of a smile whatsoever. Despite Drew’s promise that he had not been with his former lover, that doubt crept into Bronwyn’s mind again, casting jealous demons once again in her heart.

  Seeing her unhappiness, and the sudden anger in her eyes, Drew said, “I promise to marry you as soon as I get back.”

  “Ye’ only just got back. I waited and waited and thought ye’ were ne’er to return.”

  “I would have been back sooner. You know that. I am a man of my word, Bronwyn. I know you don’t know that yet because we have had so short a time together. I will not break my promise to you.”

  Ye’ already have…ye’ said ye’ would not leave me again.

  Bronwyn nodded mutely. She would not voice her doubts of his fidelity but she harbored it where it would fester if left for a long time. Mayhap two moons was too long a time indeed. Bronwyn stood and said, “I need to see to Lady Rhianna. When did ye’ say ye’ were plannin’ to leave?”

  “Two days.”

  Bronwyn lifted her chin defiantly and stood. That soon!

  Drew could see she was angry and upset, but it would be worth it if her family decided to return with him and be at their wedding. Erik had already sent a missive to the Laird of MacCollum Clan explaining that Bronwyn would not be marrying him, but marrying another of his household, and that Drew would be on his way shortly.

  Drew did not want to risk disappointing Bronwyn further if they rejected him and refused to return with him. It was a chance he had to take for her ultimate happiness so he tried to not be so wounded by her anger. He leaned down and kissed her. He found her lips cold. He said, “I will see you by evening meal, after you look in on Rhianna. I am going to head to the lists with Erik for a time. It is time I got back to that. I have been away from training too long as well.”

  Bronwyn was not good at hiding her emotions. She stalked off and there was no denying she was furious with Drew. A smile quirked at his lips and he remembered her Scottish temper. She was probably just as feisty if not more so than Rhianna. He would have to remember that for the future.

  ~~~~~

  Bronwyn knocked on the solar door lightly. She did not want to disturb Rhianna, but she would see if she could be of some help. In helping Rhianna, she would be able to put her anger and disappointment and for that matter mistrust in Drew to the back of her mind for a time.

  Rhianna was sitting against a window seat below the larger paned window with needlework in her lap. While she looked pale, Bronwyn thought she looked considerably well considering how very unwell Rhianna had been of late.

  “Rhianna, I came to see if there was aught ye’ needed. Is there anything I can do fer’ ye’?”

  Rhianna shook her head and said, “Perhaps just a bit of chat. I would be happy for the company…preferably not the company of that over protective husband of mine. I swear, he thinks to watch my every breath.”

  “How are ye’ feeling now?”

  With a shaky little laugh, Rhianna said, “A bit like a wrung out rag at the moment but glad to be out of bed. Erik would have me take to my bed until the babe comes.”

  “He is just quite concerned about ye’. He doesna’ want anything to happen to ye’ or his bairn.”

  Rhianna sighed deeply and said, “I know. After losing the other babe, I know he is most worried, but women have always bore their young and will do so long after me. I will be fine. This does not feel like the last time. T’is past now. I am sure tomorrow will be a repeat of today, but for now, it is over.”

  Bronwyn knew that her friend was worried, but that she wanted to appear brave. Bronwyn did not know what it felt like to be with child, but she was certain to lose one would rip the heart from her very chest. Rhianna patted the space next to her and she put aside her needlework.

  “Come, sit and talk for a while. There is something troubling you. Tell me what is wrong.”

  Bronwyn did not want to bother her friend with her own troubles. She shook her head and said, “T’is nothing.”

  “You can tell me. Are you and Drew quarreling?”

  “Nay, there is nothing to quarrel about. He is leaving tomorrow for nearly two moons. He said he had some sort of business to attend to for Erik as an emissary. He wouldna’ tell me where he was going and he would not give me any further details. He just said it was a state matter.”

  “Oh,” Rhianna said quietly.

  “I dunna’ know what to think. Mayhap he will …” Rhianna cut her off, reading her thoughts.

  “He will not be unfaithful to you. I know he will not.”

  Bronwyn’s head whipped around, and she looked at her friend.

  “But how did ye’…”

  “I just do that sometimes. That Gift has gotten me into quite a bit of trouble, but it is how I am.”

  “Aye, my brothers all share in it, as well. Only I do not. It did not occur to me that an English…I mean…oh dear….”

  “Oh, that is alright. We have our ancient ties as well. You have not offended me. But you must trust Drew. Doubt and distrust will put a wedge between you that will not be able to be fixed.”

  Rhianna did not know if Drew had told Bronwyn what had happened with Daria, but she gave a gentle warning, saying, “There are people--women--who would wish to nurture that mistrust. There is one in particular who would like to cause you to doubt Drew.”

  “Dana… yes, I know. I was silly to trust her.”

  “Bronwyn, there is no such person named Dana. I am afraid you have been deceived.”

  Bronwyn felt her face burn. “What do ye’ mean?”

  “Her name is Daria.”

  “Daria? But that was the name of Drew’s….”

  “Yes. She is one in the same. She took advantage of your kindly and trustworthy spirit.”

  Bronwyn felt like a stupid gullible fool.

  “So, all those tales of Drew being with his former lover were lies? She pretended to befriend me just to plant seeds of distrust in my heart?”

  “I am afraid so. She is very cunning. I have made certain that she is kept away from you and that she cannot spew her venomous lies any further.”

  “I have been such a fool.” Rhianna shook her head “no”.

  “You had no way to know. Don’t believe anything she has said. She is very good at lying. She does that best.”

  Rhianna did not want to say that Daria was also capable of unspeakable things. She still was not certain her nausea was not caused by something Daria had added to her food, as she had done to the children in the village. That was a serious accusation that could cause the woman to be hanged or worse, so despite her hatred for Daria, Rhianna was not about to condemn her at this time. Only, if she had one more reason to bring her to justice, Rhianna would not hesitate.

  Bronwyn was chagrinned about her innocent faith in this terrible woman. She had deliberately set out to cause damage between Drew and herself. Oh if only she could get her hands on the lying trollop! She would show her not to underestimate the wrath of a Scotswoman.

  Rhianna saw ire replace despondency in her friend’s expression. Good. She needed to be strong and to be wary. While she had not seen Daria since she had been expelled from the keep, Rhianna knew that quiet and unseen, Daria was all the more dangerous. Let Bronwyn cull her anger at the woman. It would give Bronwyn the strength to thwart her next scheme if need be.

  “I am sorry to have to share this news with you, but I just thought you should know. I don’t’ know where Drew is going, but I will try to learn from Erik. I only know Drew loves you and he never wants to make you unhappy again. Please try not to feed the doubts that Daria planted.”

  Bronwyn
sighed heavily.

  “It is not easy to let those go. The things that woman said had already taken root. I fear that once away, Drew will seek the warmth in some other woman’s bed.”

  “He may have done so before, but now I truly think he has no desire to be with any woman except you. He is in love now. He was not before.”

  Rhianna’s words were like a soothing balm on Bronwyn’s doubt-filled soul. Here, she had come to be a comfort to Rhianna and Rhianna had consoled her. Feeling guilty about that turn of events, Bronwyn changed the subject and asked, “Can I bring ye’ anything? Do ye’ think ye’ can eat something? Perhaps a bit of bread with jam or honey. And mayhap even some tea.”

  Rhianna said, “I am not very hungry. Maybe in a while. Actually, I am rather weary.”

  “Then I shall take my leave and let ye’ rest.”

  “No…could you stay for a while?”

  Bronwyn saw that her friend was afraid, despite her bravado. She picked up a throw and tucked it around her friend’s legs. Bronwyn arranged the cushions behind Rhianna and said, “Rest now. I will stay until ye’ fall off to sleep.”

  Rhianna nodded her thanks and settled back against the comfortable cushions, tucking her legs up under her. A nap would do her good.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  After a rest, Rhianna woke feeling better than she had in days. Bronwyn watched as she stretched.

  “Ye’ are better. I am so glad.”

  Rhianna went to the window and saw that the sun was beginning to dip in the sky.

  “I have been asleep a long time. Have you never left?”

  “Nay. I told ye’ I would stay should ye’ need anything. Besides, it took my mind off of Drew leaving.”

  Rhianna smiled and she said, “We should try to find those men of ours, I think.”

  The women walked from the solar and found the men still in their mail hauberks seated before the fire with tankards of ale in their fists. Both men were streaked with sweat and dirt. When they saw the women approaching, they stood. Erik looked at Rhianna and noticed she seemed to have rallied. He was still concerned and wished she would stay in bed, but he understood her need to be active in the keep. He took her hand and brought it to his lips.

  “You don’t know how good it is to see you up and about, my love. Are you well?”

  “Yes. I will be fine. Bronwyn made sure I rested and she never left my side. We are lucky, Drew, aren’t we, to have such a sweet lady in our midst.”

  Drew smiled in agreement, hoping that Bronwyn had gotten over her anger with him. When his eyes met hers, he did not see the anger there, but he still saw the hurt. It almost forced him to confess and tell her his plans. He winked at her, and she was instantly smitten.

  She could not remain angry at him, as much as she wanted to. Seeing him in his mail made her mouth go dry. He was an imposing figure. She was truly glad he was not an enemy to her clan. His wide shoulders looked even wider in the mail hauberk. Bronwyn could not hide the blush in her cheeks when he caught her appraising him. He stole a quick kiss and said, “I need to clean up before evening meal. Come on, my equally smelly and dirty friend. I believe we are affronting these beautiful women.”

  Gulping down the last of their ale, the men went off to get cleaned up. Drew continued smiling to himself as he thought of Bronwyn’s hungry eyes upon him. It made him positively randy. Well, we have two days before I leave, and I vow to whet that hunger.

  It had been good to work in the lists again with Erik. After being stiff and sore initially, Drew felt his strength returning and he was able to work through the pain. That strength made him feel whole again. Seeing that look of desire on Bronwyn’s face also made him feel like a man again. It helped Drew put his injury in the past where it belonged.

  ~~~~~

  On their last night together before Drew was to leave, Bronwyn tried to be strong and brave. Part of her was still so angry that he was going away, but she chided herself for such thoughts. He was a knight, after all. He would be taken from her side many a day in the years to come. She had turned on her side away from Drew and feigned sleep. He touched her shoulder and said, “I know you are not asleep, Bronwyn. Won’t you at least talk to me? T’is my last night and…”

  “I know it is yer’ last night.”

  “Will you let me leave and still be angry with me?”

  In a small voice, Bronwyn answered, “I am na’ angry with you.”

  Drew let go a little ironic laugh.

  “Really? You have been angry with me for days. You have barely let me kiss you.”

  Drew moved her long thick hair away from her neck and he kissed it there, where he could feel her pulse beneath his lips. Bronwyn wished she had the will to deny him. She did not want him to kiss her because she knew she could not resist him. In fact she craved his touch.

  Feeling her succumb to the effect of his tantalizing kisses, Drew nibbled below her ear and he whispered, “Don’t let me leave without being able to touch you. I won’t if you don’t want me to, but…” his breath hovered just before her delicate ear and his hand caressed down her hip.

  “I really need you,” he finished by gently biting her sensitive skin of her shoulder.

  Bronwyn felt her insides liquefy. She cursed herself for not being firm in her resolve. She had not made love with Drew since he told her he was leaving. She was not certain who was the most punished by that decision. She turned beneath him, pulling him down to her. She kissed him so forcefully; Drew felt she would devour him. Good, he thought. She has needed me as much as I have needed her. Drew felt Bronwyn slide under him and she arched beneath him, needing him to fill her. She suddenly could not wait much longer.

  She would “punish” him for leaving her…later. Her mouth plundered his and her hands touched and stroked everywhere they landed. Drew laughed softly and said, “Wait, Love. Just a minute, let me get you out of that night rail.” But Bronwyn was now like a madwoman, driven by desire. She would not wait.

  “Alright, alright. Here, let me get this out of the way at least.” Drew’s deft fingers pushed the night rail up Bronwyn’s legs and he felt her drawing him down to her. They needed no further words as he felt her opening herself to him. He hadn’t given her much time, so he slid his hand between their quickly heating bodies. Drew sighed, “Ahhh yes, you are wonderfully wet. Perfect.”

  Drew pulled that little scrap of lacey fabric down. While he loved to see her in that, there was a greater need to be inside of her. As she felt him fill her, her head fell back against her pillows and she moaned. Her fingers held him to her, digging her nails into the muscles of his buttocks. That sent shocks of pleasure through him, and he had to still himself to not have it end before it really began.

  ~~~~~~

  As they lay drowsily contented, Bronwyn finally spoke. “Will ye’…will ye’ have need for another to warm yer’ bed?”

  There, it was said aloud. She would have his answer. Drew looked into her searching eyes, recently darkened with passion and desire and he saw the real reason for her anger with him these past few days. So that was it. She was jealous!

  “Don’t you trust me?”

  “I want ye’ to tell me.”

  “I will take no other woman to my bed. I vow it.”

  Bronwyn nodded sadly. Morning was fast approaching. Her time with Drew was almost done.

  “Do you believe me?”

  “If ye’ have vowed it, I have no reason to doubt ye’. But ye’ must hurry back to me, Drew.” And then she murmured those words that he had grown to love, those words in her native tongue that brought him back to her.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  After many long kisses, Drew jumped on his horse and rode away with his men at arms. Rhianna stood beside Bronwyn, watching as she stood stoically. She was a warrior’s woman. She would not cry, even if her heart was breaking. Bronwyn did watch Drew venture down the road, though, until he was no longer in her sight’s view.

  She just stood there, afraid
to turn away lest she miss one last glimpse of him. Rhianna’s heart went out to the young woman. She said, “The time will pass quickly. We have plans to make and a lovely gown to design for your wedding.”

  “Ach, Rhianna it nary matters. I just want to be with him. He wouldna’ even tell me where he is going. If I am to be his wife, I want to be part of his plans.”

  “Oh, believe me. You are part of his plans.”

  “I know he is a warrior first. But is his mission so dangerous, he cannot confide in me? Does he not trust me?”

  Those words rang bitterly in Bronwyn’s own ears. Drew thought she hadn’t trusted him, either. She sighed. They needed time to learn more about each other; that was certain. She hoped that they would have many more days to do just that.

  “I just wish I knew where he was going,” Bronwyn said, with another deep felt sigh.

  “He is going to Scotland.”

  Shock registered on Bronwyn’s face. “What? Why?”

  “To speak to your father. He wanted to formally ask for your hand. He is such a man steeped in honor; he wanted the start of your marriage to be done thus. He has done this for you.”

  “God’s teeth! Why did he nay tell me?”

  Rhianna laughed at the curse which spewed from her friend’s mouth.

  “He is still English, Bronwyn. He worried that would mark him unfit in your father’s eyes. He plans to still marry you with or without your clan’s blessings, but he at least wanted to try.”

  Bronwyn was stunned. “Oh, Rhianna, I dunna’ know what to say. I have been so stupid. To think I didna’ trust him…and all along he was trying to do yet another kind thing on my behalf.”

  Guilt slammed into Bronwyn’s heart. She had almost denied him last night because of her petty pride. Rhianna smiled and said, “He loves you, Bronwyn. He is willing to do anything to make you happy. You need to know that and trust that. There is something else. He asked me not to tell you, but I think it best you know.”