William could feel that James was smiling when Elizabeth stopped talking. The wench was much cleverer than William had expected.
“Stephen will love this,” James whispered from the corner of his mouth.
“And what is in it for you?” he wanted to understand what had made her offer him such a plan.
“I want to escape the marriage,” Elizabeth said boldly.
William was trying to find a catch here, but she was honest with them. He was sure about it.
Poor lass, he thought, sighing heavily. She was running away from one man just to end up in another man’s bed.
“What are you planning to do after we help you run away?”
She shrugged her shoulders. She hesitated as she replied,
“I will go to a nunnery. There is one about a two days’ trip from here. I will become a nun and Humphrey will be unable to reach me.”
“Well,” William looked at James, doing his best to hide a smile. “What shall we do, James?”
“We need to help the lady,” James answered with a grin.
William, satisfied, looked back at Elizabeth. “We will help you, lass. Listen carefully.”
***
Elizabeth’s hands shook opening her chest. It was almost pitch dark in the chamber and Elizabeth found it almost impossible to find her black cloak. In such darkness, nothing was visible inside the cavity. Cursing under her breath, Elizabeth was throwing clothes from the chest to the floor, searching for the cloak. Soon, there were clothes piled all around her.
When Elizabeth finally grabbed the cloak, she nearly jumped for joy. Stepping over the clothes by her feet and almost tripping over them, Elizabeth rushed to the door.
Once outside the chamber, Elizabeth shut the door behind her and put the cloak on, hiding her face inside the large hood. She leaned to the stone wall for a moment, to calm the crazy beating of her heart and to catch her breath.
As fast as she could, she made her way downstairs, then stopped behind the door, and looked into the great hall. Almost empty when she’d gone to her room, it was filling back up and getting lively again. The guests were returning from the newlywed’s chamber, discussing the bride’s beauty and guessing what she was like in bed.
Time was short and Elizabeth had to rush. She had to leave before Humphrey or Edward returned to the great hall.
When she entered, she saw one of the men from the garden standing to the left of the door, waiting for her. His attention was concentrated on the guests, his back turned to her. For a moment she forgot about everything and stared at this handsome man. A lock of his black hair curled at his neck, and Elizabeth fought a desire to touch it. The man turned around and the spell was gone.
“Is Humphrey in the great hall?” she asked, trying to hide her embarrassment.
The young man shook his head. “No, and neither is your brother. We need to hurry.”
He offered his hand, and Elizabeth accepted it with gratitude. A strange warmth flooded her body when she touched his skin. They crossed the great hall so fast that Elizabeth had to run at times. Every second she expected someone to stop her, but they reached the yard without any mishaps.
Once outside, Elizabeth took her hand away and cold air replaced the warmth of his hand. Elizabeth’s entire body started shaking from the change in temperature. Or with fear. She could not tell exactly the cause.
Elizabeth lifted her skirts and started walking down the stairs, but the man lifted her up in his arms. Elizabeth gasped at the ease with which he lifted her and looked at him. He smiled at her, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight.
“It’s faster to carry you, my lady, than to wait while you take the steps.”
Feeling embarrassed, Elizabeth looked down. “We weren’t introduced. What is your name, kind sir?”
“James Stafford, at your service, my lady.”
He managed the stairs in two large steps and the next moment Elizabeth felt the ground beneath her feet again.
She looked around them, her perusal met with silence.
“Where is your brother?” she whispered.
“In the camp, waiting for us,” James answered, grabbed her hand, and rushed to the gates. Elizabeth lifted her skirts with her other hand and followed him.
Suddenly, James stopped, grabbed her waist and pulled her into his arms. Elizabeth gasped in surprise. His hot breath almost burned her cheek. Before she understood what was going on, James covered her lips with a kiss. Elizabeth froze, startled. His lips were hot on hers, and a strange pulsation started between her thighs. His hand caressed the back of her head, and she relaxed. Elizabeth closed her eyes and sank in the ocean of new sensations. James’s tongue touched her lips. Elizabeth opened her eyes and wanted to pull away, but his hand firmly kept her head in place. His tongue forced her lips apart and Elizabeth almost moaned. She closed her eyes again and let James take control. His tongue started playing with hers. She was shocked. To her utter surprise, she loved it.
James broke the kiss without warning but didn’t let her out of his embrace.
“The guards may be watching us,” he whispered in her ear, his hand caressing her back. “They have to think that we are lovers, looking for some privacy. Otherwise they might question who you are.”
He kissed Elizabeth’s neck and she moaned as if with pleasure, though in truth she was trembling with nerves. She threw her head back, forgetting about her hood, giving him more space for kisses. She had lost herself in sensual fog and did not want to get back to reality.
He whispered as he adjusted the hood to keep her identity secret, and kissed a trail up her neck, “I won’t hurt you. You trusted me to get you out of this castle, so trust me in everything. Can you do that?” he asked, but she did not answer.
He stopped and looked at Elizabeth. She opened her eyes and found his eyes locked on hers. His look was so intense that she felt a shudder run from head to toe.
“Will you trust me?” he asked again.
“Yes,” she whispered. She would say anything if he would kiss her again. Talking was the last thing she wanted right now. This man was introducing a new, magical, world of kisses. She wanted him to kiss her more and more. Forever.
James’s lips touched hers in another kiss, this one soft, gentle. Elizabeth closed her eyes, her entire body trembling, this time in genuine pleasure. Slowly his tongue parted her lips and slipped in. Gradually his kiss was becoming more demanding. She wrapped her hands around his neck, pressing hard against James’s body.
Every part of her being was aching for more and she realized she was trembling. Was this what it felt like to lose control? She loved the sensations James was making her feel. Maybe too much. She had never been touched or kissed in such a way. She had to become a nun and desire for a man was the last thing she needed right now. Gathering all her willpower, she broke the kiss and stepped away. To her surprise, her legs were weak and she felt as if she would fall if James didn’t catch her. With a grateful smile she took several deep breaths to calm her pounding heart and to regain control over her body.
James looked at her with a smile. “Was it your first kiss?”
Elizabeth nodded instead of answering. His smile became wider. He took her hand in his.
“Can you walk?” he asked, still smiling.
She nodded and followed him, although she couldn’t help noticing a strange feeling lingering at the juncture of her thighs as she moved.
Once they were in the outer ward, James wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her into his arms again. His lips covered hers in a greedy, demanding kiss. It was just a game, she reminded herself, but she was losing control. She answered the kiss, wrapping her hands around his neck. Another moan escaped her throat. She was losing all her sense with this man. She needed to hold on to what little power she had.
She was going to be a nun. She had to remain chaste.
Damn it. In a few days she would be isolated from people for the rest of her life. Now, while she had a chance to fin
d out what it was like to be kissed by a man, she would use it. She answered the kiss with all the passion she had.
Suddenly, James lifted her skirts slightly and his hand slid along her leg. The pulsation between her thighs grew in intensity and Elizabeth gave a loud moan. She did not dare stop him. Instead, she wanted him to continue.
A whistle from the wall cut the silence, and laughter followed.
James broke the kiss and moved his hand away from her leg. He lowered her skirts, but stayed where he was, with one arm around her waist.
“See? ‘Tis exactly what I’ve been waiting for. The guards have been watching us all this time,” he whispered and landed a light teasing kiss on her neck. Elizabeth threw her head back in pleasure, giving him silent permission to continue, but he did not.
“Now we can go through the gates safely. They believe we’re looking for privacy.”
He pulled away from Elizabeth, once again adjusting her hood, bringing her back to reality. Her entire body was aching for more caresses, but she smiled and cast her eyes down, hiding her disappointment.
James grabbed Elizabeth’s hand with an iron grip and started walking towards the gates. Elizabeth lifted her skirts with her free hand, praying that the hood would not fall, baring her face.
Their steps echoed in the silence of the night. Elizabeth’s fear of being discovered grew stronger with every step they made toward freedom. At any moment Edward or Humphrey could find her missing and their daring plan would fail.
“Stop shaking,” James whispered, and his grip became firmer.
The gates. Elizabeth held her breath when they crossed them. To her surprise no guard came out to check on them.
When her feet touched the wooden drawbridge and the castle wall was behind, she gave a sigh of relief. Suddenly, James released her hand and grabbed her waist, pulling her into his arms. He landed a soft kiss on her lips and whispered into her ear. “We did it. You are free, lass.”
Yes, she was free. From within the circle of James’s arms, she looked at the tent camp ahead of them.
***
James couldn’t believe how good she felt in his arms. He’d volunteered to help get her out of the castle because he was concerned that William’s anger would make him too rough with the beautiful young woman. But once he kissed her sweet lips, he feared he was lost. He’d never kissed an innocent before, and knowing he was her first filled an emptiness he didn’t know he had. He knew the plan was for William to wed her for revenge against Harmton, but perhaps he could persuade William to alter the original plan. He kissed her again and whispered into her ear. “We did it. You are free, lass.”
She leaned back in his arms, looking toward the tents that lay ahead.
Countless tents filled all the space in front of the castle and in the darkness, it was impossible to tell where the camp ended. Dozens of torches and fires lit up the camp, making it much brighter than the castle. People there were talking and laughing. The celebration must have moved from the castle into the camp.
“Some of the guests are back at their tents now, but they still celebrate,” James grinned and kissed Elizabeth’s forehead. “Our tent is on the far end of the field,” he pointed into the distance, but Elizabeth could see nothing. Only tents. Similar tents. Everywhere. “My brothers should be waiting for us now.”
James released his embrace, took her hand in his, this time much more gently, and started towards his camp.
They did not rush this time. It was a gentle walk, rather than running away. At least it seemed so.
When they reached the camp, the celebration became more obvious. It seemed that no one was planning to sleep at all. People were everywhere: drinking by fires, seeking privacy in the darkness around the camp or in tents, sitting by tents and having drunken conversations. Different songs were heard here and there.
James moved freely into the passages between tents. How was it possible to remember where to go if everything looked so similar?
They passed another tent and came to the fire. The few men sitting by it turned around to the newcomers.
Elizabeth tensed and slowed down, ready to run if something went wrong. But James pulled her ahead, his grasp getting stronger. “Do not worry, lass,” he whispered in her ear and wrapped his hand around her waist. “They will not recognize you. They are too drunk to remember your face, or even that Earl of Harmton has a daughter.”
Elizabeth relaxed slightly and followed James further.
Once they reached the last row of tents and all the brightness of campfires was behind them, Elizabeth felt herself relax. They were safe.
But where William’s camp should have been, there was nothing.
James stopped in surprise and stared into the darkness. “Where the hell is everyone?” he whispered, frowning.
A distant whistle broke through the silence. James lifted his head and rushed to the sound. Elizabeth followed him closely, stumbling in the darkness with every step they made away from the camp. Soon, Elizabeth could not see where she was going.
“Here they are,” a deep voice said from the darkness. The voice sounded very close.
James stopped, calling softly, “William, is that you?”
Immediately, two silhouettes separated from the darkness and moved towards them.
“Did they notice you?” William asked, when they were close enough.
“No,” James grinned. “They thought we were lovers and let us out of the castle.” He turned around to the camp. “I did not expect everyone to clear out of camp so quickly.”
A proud smile appeared on Stephen’s face.
“We need to hurry up,” James said, “They can find out that the lady is gone at any moment.”
William looked toward the castle and listened for a moment. “Everything seems to be quiet. At least they haven’t raised an alarm yet. Still, the further we can be when they notice that Lady Elizabeth is missing, the better. To the horses.”
***
Jane was lying in a huge bed, her naked body covered with linen sheets, staring into the darkness above her. Her new husband was snoring beside her.
She had never felt as dirty and humiliated as now.
First, the bastard, her husband, undressed her in front of all the men who had followed them to the chamber. And then, he let some of them stay in the chamber and watch him bedding her. She remembered well enough his big hairy body on top of her, his guests standing around and watching her. The lust in their eyes made her sick. All of them wished to be in her husband’s place. Only when everything was done did the earl order the guests to leave.
Jane suppressed sobs and wiped tears from her cheeks.
Her first husband had been a cruel man, but Harmton was worse. He was a beast whom she could not control. Why had she left William and chosen this man? What a fool she had been.
William was such a tender lover. Too tender for her taste, in truth. But he had been protective of her and would never have dared to show her body for all these greedy men to watch.
She bit her lip and turned to the side, facing the window. She wished William was with her now, but it wasn’t going to happen. Now she was this beast’s wife and had to live with it.
At least he was wealthy, she thought. And old. She wished he wouldn’t live long. But in the meantime, at least his wealth could make her life a bit more pleasant.
Chapter Five
It was early morning when Elizabeth woke up. She had done her best to fall asleep last night, but it was almost impossible on a galloping horse. Still, she managed to sleep for a couple of hours when the horses slowed down.
Elizabeth opened her eyes and winced. They were still on a narrow road in a wood, the rising sun touching the tops of the surrounding trees. Everything in nature was slowly waking up. Here and there birds had started their morning singing.
Leaning against William, she felt the warmth of his large body. His hands were holding the reins on both sides of her, making a tight grip around her waist. It was st
range, but Elizabeth liked the feeling of being held next to this man. The hot breath on her neck and the closeness of this man made her legs weak. She leaned against him, enjoying the feel of his strong male body and his musky scent. He made her feel safe. She could trust him. She had almost forgotten what it was like to have someone on whom she could rely. Her own family had betrayed her, and only this stranger agreed to help.
Elizabeth made a move to get more comfortable.
“You’re awake,” William’s deep voice sounded near her ear. “I thought you were sleeping.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I am awake now,” she answered. “How far away are we from the castle?”
“Far enough. We rode through the night, but we still need to be cautious in case they are already chasing us.” There was silence for a moment. “Why do you trust us with your life, lass?”
The question struck her like a lightning bolt. Indeed, why? Elizabeth didn’t know what to answer, neither to him, nor to herself.
“I had no choice,” she said, after a short pause. “I couldn’t stay in the castle. If I hadn’t run away, Humphrey would lock me in my chamber again. This time until the wedding.”
William tightened.
“Are you saying he had locked you in?”
“T’was a punishment for my first attempt to run away.”
William burst out laughing. “So, this wasn’t your first attempt?”
“No.” She shook her head, smiling. “I have tried before. Once. But Humphrey caught me. If he caught me this time, he will kill me.” Elizabeth turned her head and looked at William. In the dim light of early morning she saw disbelief in his eyes. “I know Humphrey well. If he promises something – nothing can stop him. He promised to kill me if I ran away. Now the only place I can safely go is the nunnery. He won’t touch me there. But until then I am in a danger.”
She realized, as she said the words, that she had put William and his brothers in danger, too.
His Rival's Daughter (Stafford Family Book 1) Page 7