A Knight's Honor
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Now that the threat to Robbie's inheritance had been resolved, Mariah decided it would be in her best interests if Falcon and his bride-to-be left Mildenhall. Seeing him with another woman hurt too much, and there was the added risk of Falcon learning that Robbie was his son.
Mariah found Robbie playing contentedly with some toy soldiers Sir Martin had carved for him. Mariah stayed
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but a few moments, then left the nursery. She closed the door behind her and headed for the stairs; moments later she ran headlong into Falcon. He caught her against him and held her close. In a moment of madness, she melted against him. Then realizing her mistake, she stiffened.
"Why aren't you with Rosamond?" Mariah asked, quickly regaining her senses.
"I excused myself. I wanted a moment alone with you."
"You can release me now."
He held her a moment longer, then dropped his arms. "I wanted you to know that I had naught to do with Rosamond showing up at Mildenhall. It was as much a surprise to me as it was to you."
"So I gathered, but it changes naught. 'Tis obvious the match is a good one. I advise you to leave Mildenhall and pursue the life you've waited for so long."
"I cannot leave yet. I do not trust Osgood. You and Robbie have need of my protection. I told Rosamond as much."
Surprise colored Mariah's words. "You told Rosamond you intended to remain at Mildenhall because we needed your protection? I cannot believe she accepted that."
Falcon shrugged. "I advised her to return to Norwich and await me there, but she refused."
"I'm not surprised. The lady does not like me and fears my influence over you. Little does she know I have no influence over you." Her gaze met Falcon's. "When do you plan to wed?"
"If, and I emphasize if, I decide to wed Rosamond, it won't be until I'm certain Osgood will obey the king's order and remain at Southwold."
Stunned, Mariah asked, "You mean you are still unde-
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cided about wedding Rosamond? Why do you hesitate? You have no ties to Mildenhall, no reason to offer protection."
"My ties to Mildenhall are longstanding ones. You did save my life. If not for you and Edwina, I would have died. Though I cannot fathom why you and Edmond lied to me about your relationship, I still owe a debt of gratitude to Mildenhall. As a man of honor, I cannot leave you and Robbie without protection."
"I release you from your debt," Mariah said. "You have already proven Osgood's charges to be false; naught stands in the way of Robbie's inheritance."
Falcon's eyes narrowed. "Nay, I am not entirely certain Osgood's charges are false. Robbie is the new earl by default. Osgood's evildoing ruined his chances that I would award him this holding." He stepped closer, so close she could feel the heat radiating from his body. "We both know Edmond was incapable of siring a child."
Fear spiraled through Mariah. Would Falcon never give up his search for Robbie's sire? Why was he so determined to seek out the truth when it no longer mattered? What did he suspect?
"Believe what you want, but I know the truth."
"What is the truth, Mariah?" His voice was firm, unforgiving.
Rather than lie, Mariah pressed her lips firmly together, refusing to answer. She had told her household to shave a year off Robbie's age if questioned by Falcon. How much lower could she stoop to keep her secret?
Falcon's fingers dug into her shoulders. "Answer me, Mariah. Who is Robbie's father?"
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"Release me! You'll be missed if you don't return to the hall immediately."
Falcon stared at her full, lush lips. He recalled how soft they felt pressed against his, remembered the sweetness of her mouth, and couldn't stop himself from lowering his head and kissing her. The moment his mouth claimed hers, all thoughts of Rosamond and her wealth faded. Naught mattered but the woman in his arms, the woman responding to his kisses, the woman whose body he knew so well.
"What is the meaning of this?"
The strident voice broke them apart. Both turned as one to an irate Rosamond.
"How dare you try to seduce my betrothed!" Rosamond hissed. "Come, Falcon, we shall leave Mildenhall immediately."
"If you leave, it will be without me," Falcon said evenly. "I have not yet agreed to a betrothal between us."
"Oh!" Rosamond cried, angrily stomping her foot. "The whore has bewitched you. She has naught to offer but her body; why do you continue to pursue her?"
Mariah's cheeks flamed; she was embarrassingly aware that Falcon said naught to Rosamond in her defense. She turned and fled.
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Chapter 9
Supper that night was an uncomfortable affair. Rosamond clung to Falcon like a leech throughout the meal while staring daggers at Mariah. Falcon knew Mariah was angry at him and didn't blame her. Things were happening too fast, and making love to Mariah hadn't helped matters. Being with her, inside her, had dredged up memories he had kept buried for five long years.
The one truth he had learned from their coupling was that he still wanted Mariah. His passion for her, despite her lies, had not died. But Mariah was not for him. A woman who would cuckold her husband with Falcon and perhaps others was not the kind of woman he wanted for a wife. Besides that, she would bring naught to the marriage. Little Robbie, when he reached his majority, would inherit Mildenhall and all its assets.
"Falcon, did you not hear me?" Rosamond asked, jerking Falcon from his reverie.
"Forgive me, Rosamond, T have much on my mind. Were you speaking to me?"
"I asked you to escort me to my chamber. I am weary."
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Falcon rose, more than happy to end this interminable meal. "Lady Mariah, the meal was delicious," he said to Mariah. "Lady Rosamond is weary and wishes to retire."
Mariah nodded without looking at him. Rosamond swept past Mariah without acknowledging her and, clinging to Falcon's arm, made a grand exit.
They climbed the stairs in silence, but when Falcon would have left Rosamond at her door, she refused to release him. "Come in for a moment, Falcon. I want to know your decision concerning our marriage. If you refuse to wed me, I shall leave and seek a husband elsewhere." She sniffed. "You aren't the only man looking to wed a fortune. I refuse to wait around for your answer when I can do much better than a mere knight."
Though Rosamond's words angered Falcon, he knew she was right. Since it didn't look as if the king was in any hurry to find him a wealthy bride or grant him a title, refusing Rosamond made no sense. John had called him a fool, and he was beginning to think his friend was right. If he didn't accept her proposal, he could lose Rosamond, her lands and quite possibly a title once her father passed on. But if he did accept, it meant he would never see Mariah and Robbie again.
Falcon didn't resist when Rosamond pulled him inside her chamber. She closed the door and leaned against it. "I'm waiting, Falcon. Shall we wed? Or must I seek another husband?"
Caught on the horns of his dilemma, Falcon considered the advantages and disadvantages of marrying Rosamond. In the final analysis, the advantages far outweighed the disadvantages. When images of Robbie and Mariah kept disrupting his thoughts, he firmly closed his mind to
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them. It served no purpose to dwell on things that interfered with me course he wished his future to follow. His aspirations flew higher than mere knighthood, and marrying Rosamond could help him achieve his goals.
"Very well, Rosamond. I can think of no reason to refuse a match between us. I will wed you in London when I am finished here."
Rosamond frowned. Though she had gotten what she wanted, she wasn't pleased with Falcon's answer. She knew intuitively that remaining at Mildenhall presented a danger to Falcon. He was far too fond of Edmond's widow and her son for her liking.
"If you insist on remaining at Mildenhall to protect Lady Mariah, we shall speak our vows here," she insisted. She pushed herself away from the door and pressed her lush body again
st Falcon. "I cannot wait for you to be mine. Though I mourned Albert's death, I cannot say I am sorry now, for you and I will finally be together, just as we were meant to be."
"I do not wish to speak our vows at Mildenhall," Falcon demurred. "London is a far better choice, for there the king could attend the ceremony."
When Rosamond realized she wasn't going to sway Falcon, she sought another way to turn him away from Mariah's influence. "Make love to me, Falcon," she purred. "We are betrothed; there is no shame in bedding your future wife. I am willing to wait for a priest to join us, but I see no reason why we cannot join our bodies tonight in celebration of our betrothal."
Falcon searched for but could find no reason to refuse. Bedding Rosamond would be no chore. The woman was beautiful, her body enticing. Falcon had always taken
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great pride in his ability to please a woman, and Rosamond would be no exception.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked.
Stretching on her toes, she pressed her lips to his. "Very sure, Falcon. I've dreamed of this day ever since you turned up alive after I wed Albert. From the moment I became a widow, I've waited for the right moment to approach the king about a match between us. I want us to make love. Now. This very minute."
Rosamond unbuttoned her bodice, shrugged her shoulders and let the material fall to her waist. She did the same with her shift, baring her breasts to Falcon. Falcon stared at them. They were firm and pert, but they did naught to arouse him.
He did what was expected of him, however. Scooping Rosamond into his arms, he carried her to the bed, praying that his body wouldn't fail him. But to judge from his flaccid cock, it was going to take time to work up desire for Rosamond.
Falcon began unbuttoning his doublet while Rosamond slid out of her gown. She had just reached for the hem of her shift when Leticia walked into the chamber.
"Oh, my lady, forgive me. I... I didn't realize—"
"Get out of here!" Rosamond shrieked.
Leticia turned to flee. "Nay, stay," Falcon said. She hesitated at the door. Falcon turned to Rosamond, an apology on his lips. "Another time, Rosamond," he whispered.
So saying, he turned, brushed past Leticia and quit the chamber. Behind him he could hear Rosamond screaming at her poor maid. Was this an example of Rosamond's temper when she didn't get her way? Truth be told, Falcon was glad of the reprieve. Vaguely he wondered if he'd
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be in the mood to make love to Rosamond when the time came, then pushed that thought from his mind.
Falcon ran into Mariah in the corridor. "Falcon—I thought you had retired."
"Nay, not yet. May I have a word with you in private?"
"What more is there to say?" she asked.
"Not here. Let's go to your chamber, where we can speak in private. I want you to be the first to know."
"Know what?"
"Mariah, please, the corridor is not private enough." Grasping her arm, he pulled her along with him to his chamber.
Once inside, Mariah rounded on him. "What is this all about?"
"I've come to a decision tonight, and I wanted you to be the first to know."
Mariah sank into the nearest chair, lifting her face to Falcon. "You've decided to wed Rosamond," she said before he could speak. " 'Tis the logical thing for a man in your position to do. Will you wed at Mildenhall?"
Falcon began to pace. "Nay, the ceremony will take place in London, but not until my duty here is done."
Mariah looked away. "I'd like you to leave as soon as possible. Robbie is becoming too fond of you."
"I vowed to protect Mildenhall from Osgood. I will wait a fortnight. If he causes no trouble during that time, I will leave."
"To whom did you make that vow?" Mariah challenged.
"Myself. I am not without honor, Mariah. You might think otherwise, but 'tis the truth. I never would have made love to you that first time had I known you were Ed-
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mond's wife. I owe Edmond for sinning against him. Protecting his home and legacy will assuage my guilt."
"What about your anger?" Mariah asked. "Will keeping your vow free you from your anger?"
Falcon stood before her, more uncertain than ever of his decision to wed Rosamond. His mind told him the marriage was precisely what he desired, while his heart remained unconvinced. Rosamond did not move him emotionally. Falcon had no idea why that should be important in a marriage when most people wed for money and position. Marriages were made for reasons that did not include emotional attachments. Falcon did not require romantic love in a marriage.
Nor was lust necessary in a marriage. He would do his duty by Rosamond; he'd never had any lack of virility, but he hoped she wouldn't demand his love. She had lost the right to be loved by him when she'd wed another so soon after his alleged death. She might claim her marriage to Sir Albert had been her father's doing, but he felt sure she would have been granted time to mourn if she'd really wanted it.
Falcon glanced at Mariah and knew she was waiting for an answer to her question. "I do not know. I cannot describe the rage I felt when I learned you and Edmond were husband and wife instead of father and daughter."
Mariah gazed up at him. "I never meant to hurt you, Falcon. I cannot explain my reason for lying to you; I hope one day you will forgive me."
Falcon reached out to her. He touched her lightly on the shoulder and knew immediately that he was in deep trouble. The breath left him in a rush as heat radiated up
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his arm. Her indrawn breath told him she had felt the same jolt he had. Groaning, he raised her to her feet and drew her fully into his arms, burying his face against her hair, breathing in the sweet scent of lilac.
"You smell good," he whispered against her ear.
"This is wrong," Mariah warned breathlessly. "You just became betrothed to another woman."
He pulled away slightly, so he could look at her. Candlelight deepened the mystery of her eyes and warmed the curve of her jaw. He let his gaze travel the graceful length of her throat to where her breasts rose and fell beneath her gown. He could hear the soft sound of her breathing. He grew immediately hard, something he had failed to do with Rosamond.
"Do you want me to leave?"
Silence.
"Mariah, did you hear me? Do you want me to leave?"
"It would be best for both of us if you did. What you're contemplating isn't fair to your bride-to-be."
"What we did five years ago wasn't fair to your husband, but that didn't seem to bother you."
Anger stiffened her shoulders, until she realized he was right. She lifted her face to him, intending to tell him to leave, but somehow the words never left her lips. Even if she had to confess her sin to Father Francis tomorrow, she wanted one last time with Falcon. One last good-bye before she lost him to Rosamond. The priest would probably keep her on her knees for days, but it would be worth it.
Falcon took advantage of her hesitation. The chamber throbbed with silence as he lowered his head and claimed her mouth. His tongue probed her lips. The fire between them sprang to life as she opened her mouth to him, meet-
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ing his tongue with a sliding motion of her own. They clung together, passion exploding between them as his kiss grew demanding, igniting a response inside her that could not be denied.
The fire blazed out of control as his arms circled her waist, drawing her closer. He kissed her again, feeling inexplicable relief at having her in his arms, knowing she wanted him as desperately as he wanted her.
And she truly did want him. He felt it in her response, tasted it on her tongue as she stretched against him, pressing close. Her hunger was nearly as fierce as his as her lips demanded more and more.
Winding his arms beneath her bottom, he lifted her against him and carried her to the bed. His arms loosened and she slid down his body to her feet. Then he began to undress her, slowly, oh so slowly, piece by piece, ad
oring her flesh with his lips as he stripped her naked.
"Now you," she whispered, pulling on his doublet.
His golden eyes never left her as he ripped off his clothing and tossed it aside. Once they were both naked, he tumbled them onto the bed, rolling to trap her beneath him, ravaging her mouth with his. When he broke off the kiss, she pushed him onto his back and leaned over him. Her head lowered. Her hair brushed the skin of his thighs. He flinched, uncertain what she intended and praying she wouldn't stop.
His cock rose high and hard, throbbing, begging for her touch. She didn't disappoint him. Her fingers skimmed the underside of his rigid sex. He jerked; caught his breath.
She closed her hand around his erection. "Mariah," he gasped. "You're killing me."
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Mariah raised her head and gazed at him. A tantalizing smile curved her lips. "Don't stop me, Falcon, I want to do this. Once you leave, you will have Rosamond while I will have no one."
Lowering her head, she kissed the tip of his cock, plying him with the wet lash of her tongue, a wanton, erotic caress that drove him wild. Her tongue swirling, she lapped and sucked and tasted as shudders shook his body. She traced the head with her lips, licked around and down the long shaft. His entire body went rigid; his fists clenched the sheets as he bowed upward.
Falcon couldn't have denied her even if he'd wanted to. The muscles of his belly clenched; he was naught but a helpless captive to her seductive wiles. He clung to sanity, his breathing increasingly frantic. Equal parts of agony and ecstasy swamped his senses; he feared he would go mad if she didn't stop.