She shut her eyes and hit the empty space on the bed next to her, angry with herself, with him, and with her deceiving body. How could she be so weak? Yes, this man made her body go wild with desire, but she had to control herself. She couldn’t become a toy in his hands.
She must learn to control her body. And she had to stay away from this man. From his bed. She would not become his mistress. She was a lady after all, not a slut.
Chapter Seven
Heavy rain had been pouring down since early morning. Wind howled outside, banging wooden shutters, and blowing into the castle through even the smallest crevice.
The men gathered in the great hall, but Cecily took Elizabeth to the solar. Finally, the day had come when they could do nothing else but embroidery.
Elizabeth was sitting next to her embroidery frame, a needle in her hands. Slowly, she copied Cecily stitch by stitch, scared to do anything wrong. Embroidery calmed her down and let her forget about her worries.
“I like your embroidery,” Cecily said, sitting next to her, busy with her own work.
A shy smile appeared on Elizabeth’s beautiful face. She made another stitch and spoke, beginning quietly.
“When I was a child, my father forbade me to do anything for pleasure. I had to run our household when my mother died. I have helped in the kitchens. I even had to ride with my brother to the village to check that everything was fine. If needed, I cured ill peasants and knights.” She took a heavy breath, full of regret. “I have never had time for myself. Sometimes all I wanted was to sit down and do something that pleased me, not someone else. Just like now.”
Cecily sniffed in response.
“My father was just the opposite,” she said with sadness. “He used to say that a woman’s place should be far away from men. He locked me here in the solar and demanded that I stay here from morning till dawn. Sewing and embroidering is all I can do.”
“Really?” Elizabeth looked at Cecily with narrow eyes. “If you want, I can teach you herbs and healing.”
Cecily looked at Elizabeth and suddenly embraced her.
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” She almost screamed it into Elizabeth’s ear. When Cecily pulled away, her eyes were as bright as a sunny day. “I cannot say how much I have dreamt about it.”
Cecily’s face became serious.
“You know, Elizabeth,” she said with a gentle smile. “I am happy that my brother likes you.”
“No.” Elizabeth laughed, and shook her head in denial. “William doesn’t like me. I am here only because he wants revenge against Jane,” she said, her smile gone.
Cecily returned to the embroidery. Her eyes fixed on the fabric, she started talking.
“I have never understood William’s obsession with that woman,” she said, frowning. “Jane is a cold and heartless wench. She doesn’t know what love is. But I was talking about James. He truly cares for you, but William is the oldest. If William wants you, James will step aside. You have the power to choose between them.”
“And that woman is my stepmother now,” Elizabeth mumbled, still thinking of Jane and William together.
Cecily smiled. “I feel sorry for your father. Poor man, he doesn’t know what he has married into. Jane has always dreamt about wealth. William is a baron, but it looks like he is not as wealthy as the Earl of Harmton. William wanted to marry Jane, but she chose your father. Good for all of us.”
A wide smile appeared on Elizabeth’s face. “If Jane is after my father’s money, she will never get it. He is a rich man. But he is too greedy to spend any of his money on a woman. He is obsessed with accumulating wealth; he refuses to spend it. Before he was given the title of earl, he was just a merchant, and he changed his allegiance to whichever man was in power. He is afraid that any moment there will be another rebellion and his wealth will be confiscated, just as someone had to lose their land for him to become earl.”
Elizabeth went silent. She wanted to ask a question that had bothered her for some time, but it was damn scary to do.
Cecilie looked at Elizabeth and asked, “Do you not know from whom your father’s wealth was taken?”
“No, I was only twelve years of age when my father moved us to the castle. I was never told anything about why or how we came to live there. I assumed it was because the previous owners died.
Cecilie blinked back tears, “Dear Elizabeth. The lands and title your father now hold originally belonged to my family. The king gave them to your father because of something that happened during a battle. I don’t know the details. Perhaps one day William or James can explain it to you.”
Elizabeth was stunned. She didn’t know what to say about this new information, It explained quite well why William was so determined to hold her as revenge against her father. There was more than just jealousy over a woman. Finally, when she gathered all her will power, she blew out her breath and a question. “Does William love Jane?”
Cecily took a deep breath and spoke slowly, thinking over each word she said. “I cannot say it is love. For me it is an obsession. He has always thought Jane was perfect, no matter what she does. Even now, when all of us understand that Jane married your father for his money, William keeps saying that she did it against her will. She convinced him that the king ordered the marriage. He is totally blinded to see who she really is.”
“Oh, Cecily, she begged my father to marry her. The king had nothing to do with it.”
***
William was sitting by the table, staring at the food before him. He had been starving before dinner, but now he could not eat anything. How could he, when Elizabeth was so close to him, within reach?
She had been beautiful today, wearing the same dress she wore at her father’s wedding.
William almost moaned aloud, when memory of their kisses after her bath flowed over him. He could feel the silk of her skin under his fingers, the sweetness of her kisses on his lips.
He could not wait for supper to end, when Elizabeth would go back to her chamber. The memory of her naked body appeared in front of his eyes over and over again, making his body respond.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth behaved as if she did not see him. Good. At least she did not see that he desired her. Hopefully, no one else noticed that, either.
When supper was finally over and everyone left the table, William followed James to the hearth, while Elizabeth and Cecily sat in a far corner, talking.
James poured ale into William’s goblet and then filled his own.
“Do you like her?”
William shrugged his shoulders and looked at James.
“Who?” he asked, puzzled.
James grinned, baring his white, even teeth. “You are not good at pretending, brother. I talk about her,” he pointed to Elizabeth. “You can’t stop looking at her.”
William snorted, taken aback by brother’s observation. “She is beautiful. Besides, she will become my wife. I need to know who I will marry.”
James took a sip of ale, watching him closely. William knew this stare too well. He could bet James did not believe a word William had said.
To be honest with himself, sometimes William did not believe it, either. Since the moment this wench had appeared in his life, William could not recognize himself. He behaved like a youth, who always wanted to be close to her. Just watching her could make him happy.
William felt a familiar pulsation in his groin. Damn it. He shifted in his chair.
James tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Well, big brother, if you decide she is not to your taste, she is definitely one I would like to make mine. Either way, she will be a Stafford, and you will have revenge against Harmton. Consider her feelings, though. She should be more than just a pawn in men’s games. I don’t want her hurt.”
To his satisfaction, a flush stole up William’s neck to his cheeks. “You know I could never force a woman. Even though I want revenge, I don’t have it in me to be cruel.”
“Thank you, I only ask that you be careful and remember th
at she is not the enemy,” James replied before taking a drink.
Both men watched as Elizabeth rose from her seat and walked towards the stairs. Her maid followed. Impatient, William waited several long moments after Elizabeth disappeared up the staircase.
When he could wait no longer, he handed his goblet to James and started after her.
“Go, catch your lady!” James shouted to his back, laughing.
William left the words unanswered. He did not have any desire to explain himself to James.
***
Smile left James’s face as he watched William leave after Elizabeth.
To his frustration, he desired this woman as much as his brother, but it was clear, that Elizabeth preferred William.
Jealousy was driving him mad. James loved his brother and would never go against him, but it was damn hard to keep a smile on his face and pretend that Elizabeth meant nothing to him.
James emptied his goblet. The pleasant warmth spread through his body, but was unable to numb the pain deep inside.
He gave a heavy sigh and looked around. Maybe a beautiful and passionate maid could help him to forget about Elizabeth tonight?
***
Once William reached the staircase and no one from the great hall could see him, he leaped up the stairs, two at a time, rushing to Elizabeth’s chamber.
When he finally reached her door, he stopped, hesitating. What if she didn’t desire him as much as he desired her? What if she preferred James?
What the hell? He behaved like a scared youth. Angry at himself, William threw the door open and stepped into the chamber.
Elizabeth was standing in the middle of the room, wearing just a chemise. Her maid was holding the dress she had just removed.
Elizabeth gasped in surprise and turned to face him.
She was so beautiful, surrounded by the dim glow of candlelight.
William looked at the maid. “Leave,” he commanded.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to object, but the maid obeyed at once. She passed William, keeping her eyes lowered respectfully. When the door shut behind her, William looked at Elizabeth.
She turned away and was facing the window, her slender back to him. Her silhouette, visible through the chemise made William breathe faster. Desire was rising inside of him with every step he made towards Elizabeth. He fought the urge to run to her, hold her tight in his arms, and kiss her as hard as he could. Instead, he slowly walked to her.
His eyes fixed on a blue ribbon, holding her hair. William wanted to untie her hair and run his fingers through it.
Fighting his desires, William put his hands on her shoulders when he reached her. She trembled under his touch. William smiled with satisfaction. He bent over her and gently kissed her neck. She strained her neck away from him.
“Relax, lass. I won’t touch you if you don’t want it.” He gently pulled the ribbon in her hair and a waterfall of long amber hair fell down to her shoulders. William held his breath in awe. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered.
He slowly pulled her chemise down. Elizabeth gasped when the chemise slipped down her body and turned to face William. Her eyes were full of surprise and embarrassment, but there was something else. He could not understand what it was.
Gently, he touched her cheek, then his hand moved down her neck. Damn it, she was so tempting. His hand moved lower, to her breasts. Her nipple touched his palm.
Before he could stop himself, William’s lips covered hers with a demanding kiss. He pulled her into his arms, his one hand moving to her waist, the other caressing her hair.
His tongue moved over her lips, as if asking for permission to get inside. They parted, letting him in. Elizabeth answered his kiss with equal passion. She moaned and leaned closer to him. Her hands wrapped around his neck, her hips pressed against the hard ridge at his groin.
“William,” she whispered, still under the spell of the kiss, her hot breath burning his mouth. “We should not do it.”
“We should,” he said and covered her lips with another kiss. His hand grabbed her backside, making Elizabeth moan even louder.
It was torture. William wanted to bed this woman. Here. Now. But he could not do it. Not yet.
Suddenly, Elizabeth moved her hand down and touched his erection. William moaned with desire and lifted Elizabeth in his arms. All his reasoning was instantly gone. His body took control over his mind.
He could wait no longer. This woman was in his possession and he would bed her. Here. Now.
He gently put Elizabeth on the bed and covered her with his body. His cock hurt, and he wanted to release his desire. He kissed her neck, his hands caressing her flat stomach, her curvy hips. Slowly his kisses moved down to her chest. His lips covered her nipple, his hand squeezed the other breast the fingers gently wrapped around the nipple.
“Stop it,” she said under her breath and tried to push him away.
Being under the spell of passion, William climbed over Elizabeth and looked into her face, frowning. Her beautiful eyes were full of fear. Confused, he could not understand what scared her.
William shook his head, casting away the spell of passion. When his head cleared, William regained control of his body. He rolled away from Elizabeth and shut his eyes, trying to calm himself. He had almost taken her virginity. Bastard.
Elizabeth remained where she was, her breath as heavy as his. He looked at her and smiled. Her lips were red from kisses, her eyes blurred with passion. All the doubts were instantly gone.
She could lie to herself, but he knew the truth. She desired him as much as he desired her. Soon enough she would belong to him. All he needed was time and patience. But it was damn hard to be patient when she was around.
Happy with this insight, William landed a quick kiss on her lips. “Sweet dreams, lass.”
Quickly, he left the chamber, before he lost control over his body once again.
***
The door shut behind William, but Elizabeth was scared even to look in his direction. Motionless, she was staring into the air, scared and confused about what had just happened to her. William was arousing sensations in her body she had never felt before. His kisses could make her melt and lose control. And his touch made her ache for more. She desired him, all of him.
Maybe, if she gave up and shared a bed with William, her infatuation with this man would be over?
She moaned with frustration and turned to her side, covering herself with a wolf skin.
Lord, it was so difficult to keep her innocence, when William was so close.
No, she stopped herself. William loved Jane and she had been the only woman he had ever cared about. Yes, he desired Elizabeth, but it was just lust. Nothing more. When he satisfied his passion, he would send Elizabeth away. She would be lucky if he sent her to the nunnery, but what if he decided to give her back to Humphrey? No. To give up meant to lose. Elizabeth could not be that foolish.
If she gave in to William, her life would be ruined.
Elizabeth sat down on the bed. She had to hurry up with the escape if she wanted to become a nun. William was gaining too much control over her body. And over her thoughts.
Elizabeth was scared to confess even to herself, but it seemed that she was falling in love with William. If it was so, soon she might not have the determination to leave.
***
It was an early morning a few days later when Elizabeth woke up. Once again, sunbeams were peering through the closed shutters, making bright yellow lines on the wooden floor.
Elizabeth had hardly slept during the night. Her thoughts were constantly returning to William. His hands. His kisses. His body.
Whenever she managed to fall asleep, she dreamt of him. She was obsessed with this man.
There was a knock at the door and Hildred entered. She went straight to the windows and started opening shutters, one by one, letting more sunlight inside.
“Lord de Broke has ordered me to wake you up, my lady,” she said and went to the wardrobe
.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and moaned. Getting up was the last thing she wanted to do.
“’Tis too early, Hildred. Tell sir William that I am still sleeping,” she murmured.
Hildred turned around to look at Elizabeth and shook head.
“Nay, my lady. You need to get up. Now.”
Elizabeth moaned and sat up in the bed.
“I want to sleep. And I don’t want to see William.”
Hildred came close to the bed and whispered, as if she was giving away an important secret.
“Lord de Brokewants to take you for a ride.”
Elizabeth did not need any more persuasion. She jumped off the bed and rushed to wash her face.
She had been locked in the castle since the moment she came here, and she could not lose a chance to get out of these walls. Even if it was for only an hour or two.
Elizabeth wiped her face with a linen cloth and walked to the centre of the chamber, where Hildred helped her get dressed.
When she was ready, Elizabeth rushed out of the room. She stormed down the stairs, through the empty and quiet great hall, and into the inner yard.
The morning air refreshed her, casting sleepiness away. The sun was still low on the horizon, no clouds on the sky. Elizabeth stopped for a short moment, smiling to a new day. It promised to be exceptionally good.
Elizabeth lifted her skirts and rushed straight to the stables.
William was already there. He wore a brown velvet tunic and hose of the same colour. His clothes highlighted his strong physique.
He was standing by the stables, waiting for a groom to prepare his horse.
He noticed Elizabeth at once and gave her a wide smile. Elizabeth smiled back and approached him with caution.
“Come here,” he said when she was close enough, and gave her his hand.
Hesitantly, she accepted the hand. William pulled her into his arms, and she felt his hot breath on her skin.
Kiss me, she thought leaning closer to him.
His Rival's Daughter (Stafford Family Book 1) Page 11