by Connie Mason
"What's going on here?" Henry boomed. "The celebration cannot be for me, for I sent no word of my impending visit."
"Sire," Falcon said, bowing. "Welcome to my wedding feast. Lady Mariah of Mildenhall has done me the great honor of becoming my wife. Today is our wedding day."
Henry's gaze swept over Mariah before returning to Falcon. "Could you not wait for the heiress I promised you?"
Falcon smiled at Mariah. "Some things cannot wait, Majesty."
"So that's the way of it," Henry replied. "I must say I'm surprised, but who am I to stand in the way of true love."
"Then you approve, sire?" Mariah asked.
"I can think of no reason to object. Are you going to invite me to the feast or must I remain standing?"
"Forgive me, sire," Falcon said, motioning to a servant to set another place at the head table.
The king sat down beside Falcon while his entourage
344
found seats among the other guests. Fresh food was brought from the kitchen and the feast recommenced.
"What brings you to Mildenhall, Your Majesty?" Falcon asked.
"You did, Falcon. I heard some surprising news when I returned from France. I was told you did not wed Lady Rosamond, even though she was eager for the match, and that Sir Osgood did not remain in exile as I ordered. When I did not hear from you or see you in London, I decided you must be at Mildenhall and came to see for myself what was transpiring."
"Falcon was seriously wounded by one of Osgood's mercenaries," Mariah revealed.
Henry sent Falcon a sharp look. "He looks healthy enough to me. Certainly healthy enough to take a bride."
"Mariah's healer is without compare. And Father Francis's prayers didn't hurt," Falcon explained.
No one saw Robbie slip up to the King until he tugged on Henry's sleeve. Startled, Henry looked down at him and smiled. "Well, if it isn't little Lord Robert. What can I do for you, lad?"
"You're not going to take my new papa away, are you? Mama and I need him."
Henry raised an eyebrow in Falcon's direction. "The lad is well-spoken, Falcon. It seems you have won him over as well as his mother." He ruffled Robbie's hair. "Rest easy, Lord Robbie, I'm not taking Falcon away. Not unless I am forced to war again and need him to protect England."
Becca hurried over to her charge and led him off. Conversation ceased while Henry ate. When he had eaten his fill, he sat back and sighed. "Excellent meal."
345
"Musicians from the village should arrive soon," Falcon said. "There will be dancing, if you care to join in. If not, your chamber is being prepared as we speak."
"We shall see, we shall see. But first, I would speak privately to you concerning the real reason I came to Mildenhall."
A frown marred Mariah's smooth brow as Falcon rose and led Henry to the guest chamber the king was to occupy. A maid, who was delivering a decanter of wine, dipped into a curtsey and scurried off when they entered.
Henry dropped into a chair beside the hearth and held his hands out to warm them. "Sit down, Falcon; I don't like you looming over me."
Falcon pulled up a bench and perched on the edge. Whatever could Henry want?
"I know you needed to wed for land and wealth, but I suspect you followed your heart. But all is uot lost, Falcon."
What was Henry trying to say? Falcon knew the king well enough to know he did not speak idle words. "Sire, I am happy with my marriage. Robbie needs a father who can guide him into manhood. I can teach him how to be a good and just earl."
"Aye, you can, Falcon, of that I have no doubt. Does it not annoy you to know you are a mere knight while the lad you will raise is an earl?"
"It might have at one time. Ambition often drives a man to wish for more than he deserves."
"You are an honorable man, Falcon, and an exemplary knight. You have fought bravely for king and country and are long overdue for the reward I promised you. Did you know that Lady Rosamond's father had died, and that she recently wed the Earl of Kincade, a Scottish nobleman?"
346
"Nay, I did not."
"Her father's dying wish was that she wed Kincade. She has since settled in Scotland with her husband. After a thorough search, no male heir was found to claim the Norwich title. Your years of faithful service deserve an elevation in rank and circumstance. Therefore, I have appointed you the Earl of Norwich. Norwich lands are extensive and reach to all corners of England. The tithes from the villages and everything that goes with the title now belong to you."
Falcon dropped to one knee. "Sire, I cannot believe ... Your generosity overwhelms me."
"You deserve it, Falcon. Now you will have something of value to leave to your children with Lady Mariah. Rise, Lord Norwich. We shall return to the hall and inform your wife and guests of your new station in life."
King Henry made the announcement when they returned to the hall. The musicians had already started playing, but stopped when Henry raised his hand for silence. A loud cheer filled the hall after the king publicly bestowed Falcon's new title upon him. Falcon looked at Mariah; she appeared even more stunned than he had been. He reached for her hand and lifted her to her feet.
"Shall we retire, my love?"
"The king," Mariah whispered. "It wouldn't be proper to retire before His Majesty."
Henry waved them off. "In this instance, I give you leave. It would please me to remain in the hall and enjoy the musicians before I retire."
A toast was made in their honor by Sir Dennis and another by Sir Maynard before Falcon and Mariah were allowed to leave. When they reached the staircase, Falcon
347
paused, took Mariah into his arms and kissed her The cheering continued long after they reached their chamber.
Falcon closed and locked the door. "Finally," he sighed, pushing himself away from the door. "I thought the day would never end."
The chamber looked magical. Someone had lit an abundance of candles and placed them around the room. A decanter of wine awaited them, and the bed had been turned down.
Mariah stared thoughtfully at Falcon. "I cannot believe the king came all the way to Mildenhall to bestow a title on you. At last you have everything you've ever desired—a title, wealth, several estates. The king is a generous man."
Falcon reached for her. "Forget the king, this is our wedding night."
"We already had our wedding night this morning, or have you forgotten?"
"How could I forget? We did more than make love this morning. We both revealed what was in our hearts." He pulled her into his arms. "Are you too tired to let me love you again?"
She pressed herself against him, lifting her face up to his. "I'm never too tired for you, Falcon."
His mouth was smiling when he lowered his head and claimed her lips. One kiss was all it took to set off a firestorm inside them.
"I love you in that dress, but I prefer you without it," Falcon whispered.
Mariah turned her back so Falcon could undo the row of tiny buttons down the back. " 'Tis the same dress I wore when I wed Edmond. I hope you don't mind."
348
"Not at all; you are mine, naught else matters."
The dress slid off her shoulders. Falcon lifted it up over her arms and tossed it aside. Her shift followed. He knelt, rolled down her stockings one leg at a time and removed them along with her shoes.
"Now your turn," Mariah said, reaching for him. Once she had him naked, he took her hand and led her to the bed. Moments later, she found herself lying flat on her back, not quite sure how she got there. She reached up her arms to draw him down with her. Passion flared between them. He kissed her face, her throat, her breasts. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she lifted herself to rub against him, bare skin to bare skin.
He kissed and caressed her breasts, rubbed his thumbs over her nipples and then suckled her until she moaned with mingled pleasure and need. She could smell soap, his body heat, his masculinity, and went wild bene
ath him.
He worked his way back to her mouth and kissed her again and again as his hand found her core and teased through the folds to stroke her. She could feel her own wetness. His fingers pressed inside her while he used the heel of his palm to stimulate the sensitive bud of her desire. His fingers pressed deeper; her muscles clenched around them. And then his fingers left her.
She braced her feet against the bed and waited expectantly as his erection probed her entrance. She tilted her hips; he came into her with a single powerful stroke. He withdrew to the brink of her, then entered again, over and over, until she could hear the liquid heat of their joining, smell the scent of their passion.
Their coupling lacked the frenzy and sense of urgency of this morning; this time it was slow and sweet and thorough, engaging all the senses. It was not just a man taking his pleasure from a willing woman. It was the joining of two people in love, sharing excitement, need, sensation and pleasure.
That knowledge raced along her nerve endings and pooled in that place where Falcon was embedded, until love overflowed and she felt herself shattering, sending her spiraling to the stars.
Falcon drove inside her in a frenzy of need; he thrust deep and then held. She heard him call out her name, felt him release inside her, and then he came down heavily on top of her, panting.
They fell asleep in a tangle of arms and legs.
Epilogue
The king did not leave Mildenhall immediately after the wedding feast, but decided to avail himself of a few days of hunting. On the final day of his stay, Sir John returned from Southwold, accompanied by Elizabeth and her mother. Dame Martha, supported between two guardsmen, was barely able to walk. When John saw the king sitting in the hall with Falcon, he dropped to one knee before him.
"Your Majesty," John said. "I didn't expect to find you here."
"Rise, Sir John," Henry said. His gaze was riveted on Martha. "What happened to the lady?"
Mariah entered the hall at that moment, saw Martha and let out a heart-wrenching cry. "Martha! Oh, you poor thing. What happened to you? Who did this to you?"
"That's what I'd like to know," Henry roared. "Who abused that poor woman, Sir John?"
Mariah could tell that Martha was in pain by the way she held her ribs. Her left eye was swollen shut, and purple bruises marred her face. Mariah sent a servant after
351
Edwina and ordered the guardsmen to carry Martha to a guest chamber.
Elizabeth stepped forward, her face a mixture of anguish and anger. "Sire, the lady is my mother. John and I traveled to Southwold to remove her from Father's influence. Father is a vicious man, and I feared for her life. When I lived at home, I was able to protect Mother and myself from Father's brutality in a limited way, but after I married John, she had no one to protect her. I knew I had to return for her. John felt the same way."
"We found Dame Martha as she is now," John said, placing a comforting arm around Elizabeth. "Osgood had beaten her. My mother-in-law said Osgood took his frustration out on her after Falcon defeated his forces and sent him fleeing from Mildenhall."
"When John and I arrived at Southwold, I told Father we were taking Mother with us," Elizabeth said, continuing the tale. "Of course he refused to let her go. Walter was no help. Though he didn't condone Father's treatment of Mother, he did naught to protect her."
"I couldn't leave Dame Martha with Osgood," John said. "I feared he would kill her." He paused to catch his breath.
"What happened next?" Henry asked impatiently. "How did you manage to pry Dame Martha away from Sir Osgood?"
"I asked the men who had accompanied me to find a cart, pad it with blankets and place Dame Martha in it. No matter what it took, I wasn't going to leave Elizabeth's mother with that madman."
Henry shook his head. "I knew Sir Osgood had a mean
352
streak, but I never thought he would take his frustration out on a defenseless woman. Did he put up a fight?"
John sent Falcon a sidelong glance before replying. "Aye, he did. We fought. He lost. I am a much better swordsman than Osgood, thanks to Falcon's training."
Henry's eyebrows arched upward. "You killed him?"
"Aye, sire. I didn't want to, but he gave me no choice."
"John speaks the truth, sire," Elizabeth cut in. "Father drew his sword, forcing John to defend himself. We left immediately afterward. Walter promised to see to Fathere's burial."
"The kingdom is better off without Sir Osgood," John said.
Henry gazed thoughtfully at John. John held his breath, waiting for the king's verdict. Would he punish or praise him?
"After learning of Sir Osgood's misdeeds from Falcon, I intended to dispatch my royal guardsmen to Southwold to arrest him," the king said. "He would have been charged with treason. No one deliberately disobeys my orders without paying a price. The way I see it, his death was well deserved."
John expelled the breath he had been holding. "My wife was distraught when she saw the condition her mother was in. I'm glad you understand my predicament and approve."
"Thank you, sire," Elizabeth said. "Please excuse me; I must go to my mother." When the king nodded, Elizabeth executed a clumsy curtsy and made a hasty exit.
"Join us, John," Falcon invited. "You look like you could use a drink."
A servant approached with foaming mugs of ale and placed them on the table. John sank down into a chair. "I knew Osgood would protest if we tried to take Dame Martha," he said, "but I never expected him to draw his sword. He must have been desperate."
"You did what you had to do," Falcon replied. "Dame Martha is safe now, and in good hands. Edwina will heal her. As for Osgood, he was indeed a desperate man. He had disobeyed his king and faced punishment."
The three men fell silent, each thinking his own thoughts about Osgood and his demise. They didn't look up until Mariah joined them.
"How is Dame Martha?" Falcon asked.
"She'll survive," Mariah replied. "Edwina found three broken ribs and painful bruises on her back and hips. Fortunately, she wasn't damaged internally. You all saw her face; Osgood was a monster. If he were here now, I'd kill him myself."
"You are nearly as fierce as your husband, lady," Henry crowed. "Methinks you will suit."
Falcon grasped Mariah's hand. "You have no idea, sire," he said with a twinkle.
Her cheeks blooming with color, Mariah squeezed Falcon's hand.
***************************************************************************************
Much later, the king and Falcon sat in Henry's bedchamber, discussing Falcon's new title and the castle at Norwich.
"What do you intend to do about Norwich Castle? If you don't move there, you'll have to find a suitable steward," Henry advised. "Have you made any plans yet?"
"Aye, I have," Falcon replied. "I hold fond feelings for
Mildenhall, and so does Mariah. But since I am now the Earl of Norwich, I should make Norwich Castle my primary residence and appoint a steward for Mildenhall until Robbie comes of age. I already have a man in mind, if he will accept."
"I shall leave that in your capable hands, Falcon."
The following day, the entire household except for Dame Martha, who was still recuperating, gathered in the courtyard to bid the king farewell.
"Well, my lord," Mariah teased once Henry had departed, "what is your first order as Earl of Norwich?"
"I told Henry we would move to Norwich," Falcon revealed. "I'd like to accomplish that as soon as possible. The people there need to meet their new lord and know that they will be taken care of."
Dismay colored Mariah's words. "You want us to live at Norwich?"
"Does that upset you, love?"
"A little. What will happen to Mildenhall?"
"Good things, I hope. Ah, here comes Sir John. I'll know more after I speak to him."
"Well, my lord," John said, grinning. "It seems as if you've finally gotten everything you wish
ed for. I hope you will accept my offer to remain in your service. Elizabeth and Martha need a home, and they are both fond of Mildenhall."
"Join Mariah and me inside, John," Falcon invited. "There's something I wish to discuss with you."
Falcon pulled up three chairs before the hearth.
"What is this all about, Falcon?" John asked once they were seated. "If you decide you no longer need me, I will understand and seek a new lord."
355
"Nay, never that, John," Falcon said. "I want you to be Mildenhall's steward until Robbie is old enough to take over the reins of his estate. I am moving my family to Norwich; it's where I belong now. If you accept, Elizabeth and Martha will always have a home here."
Mariah clapped her hands. "What a wonderful idea! Mildenhall will fare well in John's hands, and Elizabeth and Martha are familiar with the keep. What a perfect solution, Falcon. What say you, Sir John? Will you take care of Mildenhall for Robbie?"
"Your generosity overwhelms me," Sir John replied. "I gratefully accept, and promise that Mildenhall will prosper under my care. I swear Robbie will find no fault with my stewardship."
***************************************************************************************
After John left to tell Elizabeth the good news, Falcon grasped Mariah's hand and led her up the stairs to their chamber. He took her into his arms the moment he closed the door behind them.
"I haven't paid proper attention to my wife during the king's visit," Falcon said. He reached over and latched the door. "I intend to change that, starting now, sweeting."
Mariah wound her arms around Falcon's neck, pressing her body against his. "It's the middle of the day."