by K. E. Saxon
They were silent, both lost in their own thoughts and enjoying the physical closeness their positions on the chair allowed.
“Of what are you thinking?” she said after a while. “You’ve been pensive since your return to our chamber. Is all well?”
Bao took a deep breath and released it before answering. “Our guest, the first footer of last eve, is my sister Branwenn’s brother by blood.”
She bolted upright and would have toppled from her perch had Bao not tightened his hold on her. She stared at him, her eyes wide with shock. “How know you this?”
“He’s been searching for her for two years, tracing first the trail his father, Gryffyd Duy ap Kenneric, had taken directly after my father abducted Branwenn’s mother and then looking for all dark-haired lads or lasses of Branwenn’s age throughout the towns and boroughs of the Kingdom of Alba.”
“Her father was able to track his wife? How did he not find her before her death?”
“It took several days for him to learn of her seizure as she had not been taken from her home, but had been taken on the way to her sister’s holding when my father attacked her traveling party. When she didn’t arrive as planned, her sister’s husband sent out a search party and found the slain bodies of her bodyguard, but there was no sign of her. He sent a missive to Branwenn’s father telling him of the snatching and in which direction he should follow. He then immediately set out to track the fiends who’d stolen her away, but my father was able to divert their search in another direction long enough for him to lose them completely. ‘Twas only after many moons of continued searching that Branwenn’s father finally came upon the kirk where his wife lay buried.”
“Were you with them when they stole her?” There was quiet horror in her voice.
Bao didn’t answer immediately. When he finally spoke, his voice was gruff with impotent rage. “Aye. I was with them, but not among them when they committed the crime. Nay, I was left in a wooded copse to guard another captive, a merchant my father was using as cover to his schemes. He and his band of mercenaries pretended to be the man’s bodyguards as they traveled across Cambria reaving and wasting.”
She lifted her palm to his chest and soothed it with a gentle caress. “You were but a bairn; there was naught more you could have done to protect the lady from your father’s villainy.”
“Aye, there was more. I could have skewered him through the heart as he slept.”
“You were but a lad. Hardly yet capable of finding your way through this world on your own, nor of breaking the bonds of slavery to your father.”
Bao laughed in self-derision. “Nay, ‘twas over two years more before I was released from my bondage by his death. Unfortunately, ‘twas not before his heinous crimes against Daniel’s mother and her father.”
“Nor, I trow, before he made you a whore.”
His gaze sharpened on her, his muscles tensed. ‘Twas an apt and true guess on her part. “Nay, not before that either,” he said, keeping all emotion from his voice.
His wife’s eyes pooled with tears and he watched, in detached fascination, her throat work before she said, “How old were you? The first time?”
He didn’t want to say. He didn’t want to say! But her eyes, her gentle caress brought the answer forth in spite of the cool iron taste of fear on his tongue. “Ten summers.” He managed to keep his tone matter-of-fact.
“So young!” He saw how hard she swallowed, saw her hand fly to her stomach, and he knew she was fighting to keep the bile down.
“Aye. But I was mature for my age,” Bao replied, giving her the rationale he’d been giving himself all these years. “‘Twas not many hours after Branwenn’s birth, in fact. ‘Twas the bargain I made with the bastard in exchange for his allowing Branwenn’s mother to be buried properly...and in exchange for Branwenn’s life as well. In order for me to keep Branwenn safe, I swore to do the thing he’d been trying to get me to do for several moons prior.”
“But you were his slave, did you not do whatever he demanded anyway?”
Bao shook his head. “Nay. Not this. And tho’ he tried beating me into obeying his command, I wouldn’t yield—and he wouldn’t slay me for my refusal, tho’ I know he hated me, hated my foreign blood.” Scrubbing his fingers across his brow, he continued, “I still understand it not, for he had many chances to do the deed, if he’d so desired.”
“I’m glad he didn’t,” she said, pressing her damp cheek into his chest.
“Ssh, you mustn’t cry so. Not for me. ‘Twas a long time ago and I wasn’t under his power, nor that of the procuress to whom he sold me, for very many moons afterward. And Branwenn is worth every horrid moment, I assure you.”
She lifted her head and looked at him. “However did you manage to free yourself from the procuress? And where was Branwenn?”
“Branwenn was with me. I was the only male in the whorehouse, the rest were women. The other whores and the maids that worked in the house helped me take care of my sister during the time I was there.” Restless now, Bao said, “I have need of a bit of ale.”
He rose to his feet and settled Jesslyn on the chair he’d just vacated before walking over to the table and pouring out a bit of the substance into a flagon. Lifting it to his lips, he drank deeply and then set the container back in its place. The conversation had veered into darker territory than he’d intended. He took several deep breaths and released them before turning and walking back to the hearth. Once there, he remained standing, crossing his arms over his chest and gazing into the flames. “Suffice it to say that I soon met someone who sponsored me as squire. He took both me and Branwenn into his home.” He didn’t know why he didn’t tell her then that it was Giric who’d taken them in, Giric to whom he’d given his service, both in battle and the bedchamber.
He turned and looked at her. “Understand you this: Tho’ I eventually was able to win tourneys, become a knight in the King’s guard, and earn a good amount of coin for my service as a warrior, I was determined that I would never be a slave to anyone again. So, by my own choice, I sold myself to the ladies of the court, set Branwenn up with a nurse in a modest cottage not far from the royal castle near Perth and gave her the best life I could make for her.”
“Does Branwenn know of your sacrifice?” she asked softly.
Bao looked away a moment, then looked back, tightening his crossed arms over his chest and giving his wife a piercing look. “Nay, and I don’t want her to learn of it; at least not until she’s older. I want to keep her innocent of that part of my past as long as possible.”
She gave him a slow nod. “Aye, that seems best. She’s such a sensitive lass, I worry how she would respond.”
More comfortable with this turn in the conversation, though it still weighed heavily on him, he said, “Aye, tho’ our worry may be needless.” He settled on a stool across from Jesslyn. Leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, he continued, “She may be traveling to Cambria with Reys ap Gryffyd soon, her brother-germane.”
A look of horror came over her countenance and she stood up. “What mean you? Why would she leave with this stranger, brother or nay?”
Bao rubbed his tired eyes and sighed loudly. “Because, she is a member of the royal family of Gwynedd. The prince persuaded Reys that ‘twas of imminent import that, should he find his sibling, the lad or lass be wed to one of the Norman march lords’ kin to expand the prince’s influence in that region.”
“Does Branwenn desire such a fate?” Clearly shaken, she reached behind her and found the arms to the chair, using them to lever herself back into the seat.
“Nay, she does not.”
“Yet you intend to allow him to take her?” There was a note of accusation and sheer shock in her tone.
“Nay, I do not. She will not be forced to leave, not while Daniel and I still breathe. I’ve already begun to strengthen our battlements and prepare for the siege.”
Her jaw dropped open. “S-Siege?” Her voice cracked on the word.
/> “Aye. Tho’ we don’t believe ‘twill come to that. At least, Reys believes not. He vowed he’d speak to his cousin, the prince, and dissuade him from such action. In any case, ‘twill be many moons before we see a legion arrive, we have plenty of time to prepare.”
“But what of your grandmother and Maryn? Branwenn? Alleck and me?” She leapt to her feet. “Oh, my God! What of Maryn’s babe?” Worrying her bottom lip, she began to pace.
Bao rose as well and took hold of her shoulders, halting her nervous stride. “Worry not. Our scouts will give us plenty of warning, should a legion approach. The women and bairns will be lodged at the Donald holding and will never be in danger, I swear it.”
She gazed into his eyes a moment. “Aye, but our men may be, it seems,” she said at last.
Bao wrapped his arms around her and ran his fingers through her hair, cradling her face in his hands. He kissed her then. Gently, reverently at first. But with ever increasing desire as the moments passed.
She leaned into him, returning his passion with an ardor of her own. “Make love to me, Bao. Now.”
Bao lifted her in his arms. He reached the bed in four strides and sat her down on the edge. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he pressed her to her back before gathering her calves over his forearms and bringing her buttocks to the edge of the bed. He knelt between them and stroked his hands up her thighs, raising the hem of her garments at the same time. When her lower half was free of encumbrances, he arranged her limbs over his shoulders, opened her labia and settled into them for a long, humid kiss. Almost immediately, her thighs began to quake. Soon, she began to strain, to struggle, to cry out her pleasure, until finally, at last, her inner muscles convulsed around his tongue. When she settled, he stood. “I hope you’re ready for me because I can’t wait to be inside of you another moment.” He unlaced his braies, settled his hands on the back of her calves and opened her wide, bringing her knees down to rest on the bed. He entered her with a hard push, not stopping until he was fully sheathed.
Jesslyn caught her breath and bit her lip to keep from crying out. It burned, but it felt so good to be filled by him that she cared not.
Bao pumped into her, moaning her name as he felt the strong muscles of her canal take him in their tight grasp. He rubbed the nubbin of her sex as he moved, feeling the gush of her juices around him, smoothing the way even further for his swift invasion.
He came hard, groaning loudly as he held Jesslyn’s hips and rammed into her. With a final deep thrust, he was finished. She cried out and his eyes flew open, worried he’d hurt her.
“Don’t stop!” she said, tossing her head as she churned against him.
Realizing she was on the verge of another release, he continued to stroke into her, teasing the sensitive nub at the apex of her sex with his thumb at the same time. He leaned down and clamped his mouth over the nipple that pebbled under her robe and sucked hard.
“Oh, God!” she cried out. And then she climaxed powerfully. After a moment, she settled back with a sigh.
Bao lifted his head and gazed at her. Her eyes were closed and her face was flushed and dewy from their recent exertion. She ran her tongue over her parched lips and Bao took advantage. Bending down, he captured her tongue, suckling it a moment before nipping at her bottom lip with his teeth. “Let’s get you settled more comfortably on the bed,” he said against her mouth.
She nodded drowsily and brought her legs down over the edge of the bed as Bao moved away from her.
With gentle hands, he lifted her to her feet and made quick work of getting her out of her robe and her chemise. After he had her settled on the bed, he bent and placed a tender kiss on her damp brow and brought the blanket up over her shoulder. She opened her eyes and looked into his as he leaned over her. “Come to bed,” she said.
Bao nodded and tossed off his own clothes. When he was settled beside her, she rolled over and put her head on his shoulder. She lifted her hand and caressed the scar that made a raised pattern on his chest, just below his collarbone. “Will you tell me how you received this now?”
Bao sighed and shook his head. “Nay, love. ‘Tis a long and very unhappy tale and I fear ‘twould ruin our current feelings of bliss.”
“All right,” she said. She raised up and kissed him.
Renewed ardor pulsed through him, making his cock hard again. He groaned, sending his tongue between her teeth. Without conscious thought, he ran his palm over her thighs and derriere. When his hand skimmed over her rounded stomach, reason at last overrode lust and he forced himself to break the kiss. With lungs blowing, he rested his brow against hers and said, “‘Tis much too soon for more of that, I trow. You and our babe need your rest.”
Wrapping her arms more snugly around him, she settled her head back on his chest. “Mmm-hmm. Mayhap a bit.”
Bao took in a deep breath. Mayhap…mayhap he should tell her now about what Lara had attempted, what had almost happened between them last night. The burden of keeping it from her had been weighing on his conscience all day. And her reaction to what he’d done as a youth had quieted his demons more than he’d ever thought possible.
He decided to ease into the telling. “Callum and Lara leave at first light on the morrow,” Bao said into the silence. He quickly explained the scene he and his cousin had come upon earlier and Callum’s reaction.
“Poor Callum!” she said. “Has he told his mother or Grandmother Maclean yet?”
Bao shrugged. “I know not. Nora’s birth has been on everyone’s lips this day, and I’ve not seen Callum since this morn.”
“How wicked Lara is. How will he bear being wed to such a lady—and what sort of mother will she be to her bairn?”
“I know not, but I tell you this: If ever a man deserved to be released from his vows, ‘tis he.”
Jesslyn nodded. “Aye, but he would never attempt it, because of the babe.”
“Aye,” Bao agreed. “I fear you are right.” He cleared his throat. “There is something I—”
She sat up. “I found the bower she arranged for the two of you last night and thought at first you had betrayed our vows with her. But when I saw that naught had been used, I knew you’d kept your faith with me.”
Bao’s ears started to ring. “Aye, about th—”
“If you hadn’t, well, ‘twould be the end of us. Faithfulness to one’s marriage vows is sacrosanct, and must not be trifled with for any reason. Ever.”
Bao squeezed his eyes shut. Oh, God. He could never tell her. She’d never forgive him. Ever.
* * *
CHAPTER 13
A rapid knock came on the door of Bao and Jesslyn’s bedchamber early the next morn, waking them both.
“Get you dressed,” Daniel said urgently to Bao when he opened the door. “The clan elders are gathered in the great hall and demand your presence forthwith.”
Yawning, Bao scrubbed his hand through his tousled hair and looked at his brother through squinting, sleep-filled eyes. “Know you of what they wish to speak?”
Daniel’s jaw clinched. “Aye. I shall explain once you’ve dressed.”
Bao nodded and shut the door, leaving his brother to stand in the passage until he and Jesslyn were fully attired.
Jesslyn, having risen while he and Daniel were speaking, was busily completing her morning ablutions at the basin as Bao walked toward her.
“The elders wish to meet with me,” he explained as he watched her dry her face before taking a nearly-sheer yellow cotton thing from the chest that held her clothing. He turned toward the basin then and began lathering the soap to wash and shave his face, saying, “They await my arrival in the great hall.”
She tossed the saffron chemise over her head and quickly shimmied into the garment. “Think you it has to do with Daniel’s bid to make you chieftain?” she asked as she did the same with her gold velvet gown embroidered with red roses along the neck and sleeves.
“Nay,” he replied as he began to scrape the stubble from his cheek. “T
here’s something amiss, but I know not what. Daniel will explain as soon as we’ve readied ourselves.” They said naught more as Bao hurriedly dried his face with the linen cloth and then grabbed a shirt and hose from his chest and put them on. Once his black-woolen tunic, leather belt and boots were in place as well, and his wife’s hair was adorned, he opened the door and beckoned with a wave of his hand for Daniel to enter.
His brother moved through the doorway, not stopping until he stood in the middle of the chamber. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Bao for a moment without saying a word. When he finally spoke, his voice was filled with anger. “Robert MacVie came to speak with me before dawn. It seems he was given a bit of information last night which could, if handled poorly, cause you to be banished from this place, this clan, for evermore. Unfortunately, the other guard overheard and gave the tale to one of the clan elders before I could speak with you first. I sent him to my MacLaurin holding to deliver a missive before he had a chance to spread the tale throughout the entire fortress.” Walking a step closer to Bao, he asked grimly, “Is there something you wish to tell me, brother, about the work you did at the king’s palace? I mean, other than soldiering?”
Bao felt the blood leave his face as lightheadedness set in. Blood of Christ! Lara, the vicious bitch, had somehow managed to tell all before he’d mustered the courage to speak with his family. He’d not fully appreciated the depth of the woman’s spite and now he would pay the price, it seemed. A sense of doom settled in his chest and, with a dull voice, he began his explanation. “Aye, there is....”
His wife walked over and stood next to him, taking his hand as she listened to his halting reply and it gave Bao courage.
* * *
“Jesslyn has been in there for two hours now. How much longer will the meeting continue, do you suppose?” Maryn asked Branwenn and Maggie softly as she held her sleeping babe to her breast.
The three ladies were seated in the solar, awaiting the end of the meeting so that they could learn what the elders had determined to do about Bao.