Pillaging Elinor's Castle [Elinor's Stronghold 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)
Page 1
Elinor's Stronghold 1
Pillaging Elinor’s Castle
Lady Elinor's father and two brothers are killed in battle, and Lord Rhys loses his demesne. To protect her people Elinor decides she will marry Lord Rhys, but only if he agrees the Captain of the Guard, Hammond, will share their bed and the decision making from now on. They agree and seal their contract in blood. Rhys and his people move into the stronghold.
After the wedding they begin to plan for how to survive the attack that will inevitably come. The stronghold is a wealthy one, and many will consider it an easy target with its lord and his sons dead. They also have to blend the two households together and prepare for the coming winter. At night Hammond and Rhys work hard in bed, learning to share Elinor, finding out what pleases her best, and arousing each other to new heights along the way.
Note: This book contains double vaginal penetration.
Genre: Historical, Ménage a Trois/Quatre
Length: 20,359 words
PILLAGING ELINOR’S CASTLE
Elinor’s Stronghold 1
Berengaria Brown
MENAGE AMOUR
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Amour
PILLAGING ELINOR’S CASTLE
Copyright © 2012 by Berengaria Brown
E-book ISBN: 978-1-61926-638-4
First E-book Publication: June 2012
Cover design by Jinger Heaston
All cover art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
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All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
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Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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DEDICATION
For Mary Stewart whose Arthurian stories set the standard for all who followed her in medieval fantasies.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Although this story is set in a medieval-type environment, it is not true historical fiction, and the land and time where the story takes place exists only in the pages of this series.
PILLAGING ELINOR’S CASTLE
Elinor’s Stronghold 1
BERENGARIA BROWN
Copyright © 2012
Chapter One
Elinor paced slowly across the width of the great hall of her father’s castle. Well, her castle now, she supposed. At least until the first party of knights with a capable leader came along and took it from her.
Whatever had possessed her father and two brothers to go fight another man’s battle? And lose their lives?
Elinor had never held a very high opinion of her father’s ability to think clearly, but his right arm had been bolted on most excellently, and as a fighter, he was nigh invincible. Until now, it appeared.
God’s blood, what am I going to do?
Her father’s Captain of the Guard—her Captain of the Guard now—Hammond, remained standing before her, awaiting her response. She looked directly into his face. His eyes looked very tired, with black circles under them, and he was streaked with dirt and dried blood. She’d noticed that he was limping as he’d entered the great hall, so she knew he’d been hurt. It seemed the battle they’d lost had been hard fought indeed.
Critically, she assessed his body. He was a big man, tall, with broad shoulders and the heavy muscles of a man who served as a knight all the time, not just when required to by his liege lord. Except he hadn’t been knighted. He remained a Captain of the Guard only. Over the years, she’d considered his bed-worthiness, and her cunt had creamed for him, longing for that huge cock she saw clearly outlined through his tight woolen breeches, to be inside her. But as the only living daughter of Lord Huart, her duty was to marry, as a virgin, to ensure her father’s lands and wealth increased. So fucking a Captain of the Guard, no matter how handsome, was not possible until after she’d given her husband at least one son, preferably two.
But now matters had changed. In one lost battle, her father and two brothers were dead, and her castle poorly defended. Hammond had said three of the guards were also dead, and a fourth had lost a hand. Even if he lived, which was not very likely, he would never fight again. The remaining six guards were bringing all the bodies back to her now.
Elinor counted quickly. Six guards left, plus Hammond, plus the five who’d stayed behind to guard the castle, was a round dozen. Barely enough to protect the castle and all her people. Certainly not enough to fight off any knights errant or masterless men determined to take the castle. And they would come. Her father’s lands were well cared for, their crops plentiful, the people strong and healthy, and the river never ran dry in summer.
God, help me. What can I do?
Wait.
Her father and Lord Rhys had lost the battle. So Rhys was now landless, the victor taking control of his demesne. But still a knight. A man she could marry. In the past, her father had often considered marrying her to Lord Rhys, but he had no castle, and Lord Huart had determined to find her a wealthier, more powerful lord. Now the situation had suddenly changed, and perchance he still had some fighting men left…
“Hammond, Lord Rhys survived, did he not?”
“Yes, Lady Elinor. But he did not
hide from the heat of the battle. He fought well and bravely from—”
“Yes, yes, I don’t doubt his courage. How many men has he remaining to him?”
Hammond’s mouth moved silently as he counted. “I think ten, lady, but two were sore wounded and may not survive.”
“Ah. Thank you. Go and have your wounds tended, then eat. Tell the maids I said you were to have whatever aid and service you request. When the bodies of my father, brothers, and the slain guards arrive, they will lie in state in this hall for a full day and night. Lord Rhys and all his men, and any of his people who so desire, and all the people from the valley, are to attend the funeral of Lord Huart and his two sons, Walter and Roderick,” Elinor announced in a loud voice that carried the length of the hall.
Her heart was breaking at the thought. Her father and both her brothers dead. Her entire family taken from her in one day. But she refused to cry. She would not give in. It was up to her to care for all her father’s people. She would cry later. When she was alone. Right now she had to be the Lady of the Stronghold.
She knew most of the servants would have their ears pressed to the walls to listen to what was happening. She needed Rhys and his remaining men to come and join her here. Only then would she have enough soldiers to protect her own people. Any of his servants and womenfolk were welcome, too, as the extra men would not be happy without their own families.
After my father and brothers are properly buried, the priest can marry me to Lord Rhys. But he must understand I’ll be fucking Hammond as well. I may have to sacrifice myself for the safety of my people, but I’ll be ensuring there’s pleasure in it for me as well.
“Byram?”
“Yes, Lady Elinor.”
The steward appeared silently beside her. As she’d guessed, he’d been within earshot the entire time, very likely surrounded by most of the other servants.
“Please send a messenger to Lord Rhys, saying he and his men, and any others of his people who so desire, are welcome to attend the funeral of Lord Huart. The messenger is also to say I wish to speak to Lord Rhys personally after the burials have concluded. Other messengers are to go to all the nobles in the valley telling them of my father’s death and funeral.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Tell the cooks that the most expensive spices and most tender cuts of meat are to be used to prepare our dinner the day after tomorrow, and the best mead is to be ready when Lord Rhys arrives. Then send Father Augustus to me.”
Byram nodded, bowed, and left. Elinor went through the curtain at the end of the great hall, and up the private stone steps, built into the thick castle wall, to her solar. She needed to sort through her clothing for funeral garments and for a wedding dress. She also needed peace and silence to decide how she was going to tell both Rhys and Hammond of her plans. She was determined to have them both, but their agreement and cooperation was also essential. And she needed privacy to weep for her father and brothers, her family, lost to her forever now.
* * * *
In the end, Elinor decided to wear her Court Gown for both her father’s and brothers’ funeral, and for her wedding. It was the most expensive, luxurious gown she owned, heavily embroidered in gold thread, and the wool so beautifully woven it was completely smooth and soft. It was a fitting memorial to her family and would be a fitting link between her past and her future.
The great hall was crammed with people. The crowds were pressed so tightly together that Father Augustus had to stand on a bench to be visible to those toward the rear of the room.
The guards solemnly carried the six dead men to the new graves dug for them in the tiny graveyard, and there they were interred—the dead soldiers over to one side, with others of their calling. Lord Huart was laid to rest beside his Lady Ann, Elinor’s mother who’d died in childbed ten years previously, along with the child.
Walter and Roderick joined the three brothers and four sisters who’d predeceased them. Elinor could only remember the three youngest, who’d all died of the coughing sickness two years before her mother had died.
Ten children born, and now she was the only one left. Well, as God was her witness, she’d save the castle, the stronghold, and the people, whatever Lord Rhys and the Captain of the Guard might think. If necessary, she’d fuck them into submission until their balls were sore and they could only beg her to let them do her bidding. But first, she had dinner to host.
It would not have been appropriate for Hammond to sit at the high table with her and Lord Rhys, but she’d told him to sit at the top of the center bench, in a place of high status, with the Captain of Lord Rhys’s guard.
The cooks had used the full time of Lord Huart’s lying in state to prepare the meal, and it had many courses, with different meats, all roasted to perfection, soft, fresh bread, vegetables, and puddings stuffed full of preserved fruits.
Lady Elinor had left clear instructions about the mead. Everyone received a goblet full of the finest mead, but after that, it was served only to the high table while the other guests had wine and ale. She had no intention of allowing all the men at arms to be unconscious from the effects of the alcohol by nightfall.
At midafternoon, the tables were cleared and the people went out into the courtyard to watch wrestling matches and swordplay, while Elinor nodded to Hammond and took him and Lord Rhys into her solar.
It was evident both men were uneasy to be alone with a woman, even if she was now the lady of the castle.
“Should I call Madam Heloise to join us, Lady Elinor?” asked Hammond.
“My aunt is no doubt sound asleep in a chair by the fire, along with Father Augustus. Besides, she is the last person who I wish to hear what I’m about to say. It is for our ears only. Swear to me you will not repeat this conversation.”
A puzzled frown marked his handsome countenance, but Lord Rhys instantly crossed his sword over his chest and promised. Hammond followed him.
“Lord Rhys, as we all well know, your father and mine discussed our marriage many times over these past twenty years. However, we both remain unmarried, and you are now landless.”
Rhys’s face began turning red, and Elinor hurried on with her prepared speech. She didn’t blame him for losing the battle, or for the death of her family, but the facts were plain for all to see, and she needed these men to agree to her plan.
“As the sole survivor of my family, this stronghold now belongs to me. That is the law. However, we all know it will be the focus of attack by every landless knight and masterless man in the kingdom. Sooner or later one of them will take the castle, or take me, or both. Neither of these situations is to my liking.”
Once again, Elinor stared at the men. Both clearly agreed with her statements but also were obviously confused about where she was going with her speech. Quickly, before one or another of them could start talking, she said, “I have a different plan. We three will jointly rule this stronghold. It is mine, and I will keep it. My word on the lives of the people—my people—will ever be the law. Lord Rhys, you will marry me tomorrow and will therefore take ownership of the land. Any child I bear will legally be your heir and mine. Hammond, you will share in all the decision-making. Your knowledge of strategy is second to none, and as Captain of the Guard you will train all our soldiers. You will also share our bed. We will be three in this relationship.”
Hammond gasped but remained otherwise silent, his warrior training having taught him never to speak out of place. Rhys, as a noble, was less reticent. “Let me understand your proposal, Lady Elinor. You and I will marry, so by law I will then control the castle, the stronghold, and all Lord Huart’s lands and wealth. My men will serve under the Captaincy of Hammond. You retain management of the castle and the people. And Hammond and I…share…your favors?”
“Exactly. We each give up a benefit to achieve a greater combined gain. I give up my lands to you, but I will manage the household, as many women do anyway. Hammond gives up the opportunity to have a wife and family of his own to serve u
s, but he achieves control over all the guards. He will also help train any of my sons, be they yours or his. A position of high status. You give up part of the control of the stronghold and must share my person with Hammond. But no one will ever know about that, and any child will bear your name. All in all, I consider it a plan that gives all of us the best possible chance of living long and happy lives.”
“Such strong security will certainly deter others from attacking the castle. Whereas, with the lord and his sons all dead, we would assuredly have been attacked within a month,” said Hammond.
“And I am currently homeless and landless. I was planning to travel to cousins in the next county, but your plan ensures the safety of my people as well as of myself. Besides, as you said, many ladies manage their households and people.”
“And many ladies are not faithful to their lord,” added Hammond.
“How will that work?” asked Lord Rhys.
“Tonight, you’ll both share me. That will seal our agreement in blood. I shall save the sheet to display on my wedding night. Hammond will be given a room in the castle itself to make it easier for him to come to my solar at night.”
“If we’re getting married tomorrow, why not wait until the true wedding night?” asked Rhys.
“We will marry tomorrow, but we’ll seal our contract tonight, because it’s vital Hammond participates, and that will be out of the question on our wedding night with people watching and listening.”