His Rival's Daughter (Stafford Family Book 1)

by Catherine Woodville

  “I like the red dress the most,” she said. An approving smile appeared on Hildred’s face.

  The red velvet dress with black trimming the wide sleeves and neckline was the most beautiful dress she had.

  The maid helped her put the dress on and to arrange her hair.

  When Elizabeth was ready, she threw a last look into the mirror made of polished steel. She was magnificent. Satisfied with her looks she left the chamber.

  When she walked into the great hall, she expected to see people waiting for the arrival of the guests, but to her surprise there was no one, except William. He was standing at the hearth, looking at the fire.

  “Hildred said that you are expecting guests,” Elizabeth said as she approached William.

  William turned around and smiled. “You look amazing, lass.” He gave her lips a soft kiss. “Guests have already arrived but did not come straight to the castle.”

  Confused, Elizabeth opened her mouth, but no words came.

  William laughed slightly and took her hands in his.

  “They have arrived at the church.”

  Elizabeth was even more confused now. “Why would they go there?”

  William’s smile became wider, if it was possible at all. “Stephen arrived last night,” he said, staring intensely at Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth’s smile was instantly gone. Her hands started shaking in anticipation. “What did the king say?” she asked and held her breath. Her entire life depended on this answer.

  “He approved our marriage,” William almost laughed, grabbed Elizabeth in his embrace, and gave her a long kiss, making her mind go blank. She was almost fainting with happiness.

  Suddenly, he released her, stepped back, and gave her a long serious look. “Will you marry me, Elizabeth de Vere?”

  Elizabeth did not find what to say straight away. She covered her mouth with a hand and stared at William, unable to believe her happiness. Large tears ran down her cheeks.

  “Will you say anything?” William asked with worry.

  Overwhelmed with happiness, Elizabeth embraced him and kissed his cheek. “Yes, yes, yes.” She almost screamed in his ear. “I will marry you.”

  All the worries of the last weeks fell away.

  “We need to go to the church now,” he said, breaking the embrace.

  “Why?”

  “Because the ceremony cannot start without us.”

  “What ceremony?” Elizabeth narrowed her eyes on him, still not understanding what was going on.

  A wide smile appeared on his face. He took her arm and walked her out of the great hall. “Our wedding, of course, lass. I invited our close neighbours and my brothers. All of them are in the church, waiting for us.”

  “Right now?” she stopped, unable to believe it was happening so suddenly. It seemed like she was still sleeping.

  William laughed in answer and pulled her outside.

  When they entered the yard, Elizabeth saw a groom holding their horses. William helped Elizabeth into the saddle and soon they were riding to the gate.

  Surprisingly to her, both inner and outer baileys were empty. The only people she saw were the guards by the gates.

  “Why is it so quiet here?” she asked. “Where is everyone?”

  “Some people are in the kitchen, preparing the wedding feast. As I’ve told you already, the rest are in the church waiting for us.”

  When they passed the drawbridge, Elizabeth saw the church at some distance, a crowd of people surrounding it. The weather seemed to be as happy as Elizabeth. The sun was shining, a light breeze playing in her hair. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath. Soon, she would be William’s wife and all her troubles would be gone.

  The road to the church seemed to last for eternity. When they finally reached it, the crowd greeted them with cheers and well wishes. William dismounted and helped Elizabeth off her horse. Still in his embrace, Elizabeth looked at all the people around the church. She recognized some faces of those who served them in the castle. The rest, she concluded, must be peasants who lived in surrounding villages. Children smiled at Elizabeth and looked at her in awe. She could not help but smile back at them.

  William took her hand in his and pulled her to the church. the crowd stepped away, forming a corridor for their lord and his lady. When the couple entered the church, all the guests from outside followed them, filling the empty church.

  Only the first two rows had people sitting on the benches. These were the gentry. When William and Elizabeth entered, the gentry stood and their eyes became fixed on Elizabeth.

  Apart from James, Stephen, and Cecilie, who were standing in the first row, Elizabeth knew no one. She watched these strangers with curiosity, and they watched her, too. Apparently, these were the neighbours William had told her about.

  William and Elizabeth approached the altar and the ceremony began.

  The priest started his speech, but Elizabeth could hear nothing. She watched William from the corner of her eye and fought tears that stuck in her throat.

  As if in a fog, she said “yes” when prompted by the priest, and heard William do the same. When the priest proclaimed them to be husband and wife, William pulled her into his arms and kissed her. The crowd cheered. Elizabeth could not hide her emotions any longer. Her lips curved in a happy smile and tears started running down her cheeks.

  “Silly girl,” William whispered in her ear and kissed off her tears. He took her hand and walked her back to the horses, and a large procession followed them to the castle.

  Once they returned to the great hall, Elizabeth and William stayed by the entrance, greeting the guests. Unfamiliar faces passed by in a blur, young and old, until William’s brothers and Cecilie entered.

  James embraced Elizabeth so hard that it seemed he would break her bones. “Finally, you are my sister now,” he said, smiling wide. “I could not dream of a better wife for William. I was more than a little in love with you myself. But if I had to lose to someone, I could not find a better man.”

  “Welcome to the family,” Cecilie said and wiped tears from her own cheeks. “I have always dreamt of a sister and now I have one.”

  “As if you have bad brothers,” James mumbled.

  Elizabeth laughed at his comment, wiping her eyes. She loved each member of this family. They had become her family over the last weeks, and now she could call them family aloud, not only in her thoughts.

  Stephen, the quietest of the three brothers, took her hand in his. “You can call me your brother, too.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered, tears starting to run down her cheeks with new force. “This day would never have happened without you.”

  When all the guests had finally arrived, the meals were served, and guests took their places at the long tables. William and Elizabeth were seated at the head table.

  James, who was sitting on William’s left side, looked around, searching the entire hall with his eyes. Finally, he looked at William.

  “Where are all our servants? I see only those serving the food.”

  William grinned and leaned towards his brother.

  “They are in the village. I have allowed them to celebrate our wedding. There must be a great festivity going on there. Some food from the kitchen will be sent to them. ‘Tis not only our celebration, but theirs, too.”

  Elizabeth was listening to their dialogue, unable to believe William’s generosity. She had the best of husbands. Even in the best of dreams she could not believe her father doing anything like that. William did not make their wedding one of the most expensive, but he did make it possible for everyone on his lands to celebrate it.

  When the feast was over and tables were moved to the walls, the dancing began. Elizabeth wanted to stay with William, but she was pulled into the dancing instead. She put on a smile and pretended to enjoy it, but deep inside she wanted to stay alone with William. In their bed.

  When the music paused, someone pulled Elizabeth away from her dancing partner. Elizabeth turned
around and saw her saviour. Cecilie. The girl gestured her to follow and Elizabeth obeyed without giving it another thought.

  Once they were outside, Cecilie embraced Elizabeth.

  “I am so happy that we are sisters now,” she said and pulled away, giggling. “James was right. You are the best wife for William we could think of.”

  Elizabeth looked around. Darkness had already fallen over the castle. The inner bailey was empty and quiet, only distant drinking songs and laughter reminding her of the festivity in the village.

  It was the first time being outside without William did not scare her. Humphrey could not marry her anymore. If he attempted it, he would go against the king’s will and suffer the consequences.

  “I wish William thought the same,” Elizabeth said as they walked along the walls of the keep. “He married me as revenge against Jane.”

  “I know my brother. From the way he looks at you I can tell that he doesn’t think about Jane at all. You are his wife.”

  “And I have all the time in the world to make him fall in love with me,” she mused aloud.

  Cecilie stopped. “Do you love him?”

  Elizabeth opened her mouth to object but had nothing to say. “What makes you think so?”

  Cecilie laughed. “I cannot believe you are so naïve. You care about him. You want his love. What could be more obvious?”

  A door to the keep opened and Hildred appeared in the dim light of torches. She looked around and, when she saw Elizabeth, started towards her.

  “My lady,” she said when she caught up with Elizabeth and Cecilie. “‘Tis time for your wedding night. Your husband is waiting for you.”

  Silently, Elizabeth exchanged glances with her sister-in-law, and both followed the maid back into the great hall.

  Once they entered, Elizabeth caught William’s concerned stare, but he instantly relaxed. He was standing by the stairs, watching her every move.

  “‘Tis time for the wedding night,” he said loud enough for everyone to hear. “Come, wife.”

  Elizabeth lifted her skirts and rushed to him. When she reached him, he lifted her in his arms and started walking up the stairs.

  Suddenly, he turned around and Elizabeth saw almost all the male guests following them. William frowned at them.

  “I did not invite you to follow us,” he said in a cold voice.

  “‘Tis tradition,” one of the guests replied.

  William sent him a stare that could kill. The man stepped back.

  “‘Tis my castle, my wedding, and my wife. None of you will follow me. Is that clear?”

  Some of the men nodded and all of them went back to the great hall, disappointed.

  “Thank you,” Elizabeth whispered, pink staining her cheeks, when he started walking up the stairs once again.

  “I’ve told you already, you are my woman and I am the only man who can see you naked.”

  When they finally entered William’s chamber, three maids were there, waiting for them. Hildred was in charge.

  “My lady,” she said, walking towards William, who was still holding Elizabeth. “We will help you undress.”

  William looked at them in a way that made Hildred and the other two women freeze with fear. “Lady Elizabeth is my wife now and it is my duty to help her undress.”

  Elizabeth smiled, happy to hear these words.

  “Now leave,” William commanded, and all three maids scurried away, giggling.

  When the last maid left and the door shut behind them, William put Elizabeth on her feet.

  “Finally, we are alone,” William said and pulled Elizabeth into his arms. “I have been waiting for this moment since we said our vows.”

  William covered her mouth with a passionate kiss, and gently undressed her until she was completely naked.

  When Elizabeth had no clothes on, she helped William, first lifting his tunic over his head, then untying his hose from his belt, rolling them down his legs as he removed the belt from his waist. For the first time she did not move her eyes away but admired the look of her husband’s naked body in the dim light of a dying fire.

  William stepped out of his hose, then lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. His strong gentle hands began to stroke her body. His hands, his lips, his tongue slowly explored every inch of her.

  He was unusually slow. His lips moved down her body, down to her most private place, kissing her and toying with her. His kisses made her go wild with desire. She wanted him. She wanted him inside of her.

  “William,” she whispered, unable to think about anything but him. “I want you. Inside of me. Now.”

  It seemed to be what William had been waiting for. All his patience was gone at once. He moved up and kissed her with all the passion he felt. His knee moved her hips apart, and before she realized it, his cock thrust inside of her.

  Elizabeth gasped when a wave of pleasure covered her.

  His thrusts became more frequent, bringing them to the peak of delectation.

  They reached their release at once, together.

  William fell on top of her, limp. Elizabeth wrapped her legs around his hips, fixing them between her thighs.

  “I love you,” she whispered into his ear. Yes, it was silly, and she knew it, but she could do nothing about it. She had to say it, otherwise her emotions would destroy her.

  ***

  James was sitting on the wall, his back leaning against cold stone, and staring into the dark night sky. He had been already drunk, but could not stop drinking. He wanted to drown his sorrow in wine. But it did not seem to work. The pain tore his heart apart.

  Heavy steps approached him and Stephen walked out of the darkness. He sat down next to James and sighed.

  “How are you feeling?”

  James grinned. “I’m good, as always.”

  Stephen looked at James and shook his head.

  “You are the worst liar I have ever met. Can you be honest at least now, when William is not with us?”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about,” James said and closed his eyes.

  “I’ve noticed how much you care about Elizabeth. And the way you look at her tell me a lot. You love her, James, don’t you?”

  James opened his eyes, sighed heavily, and run his hand through his hair. “I tried hard to throw this woman out of my head. But I failed.” He sighed again and bit his lip. “I hoped that William would give up on the revenge and I would be able to marry Elizabeth. But ‘tis too late now. She is his wife. And she is my sister now. At least, I should treat her this way.” He silenced and emptied his goblet.

  A distant laughter broke the silence.

  “’Tis even worse than I have expected,” Stephen said after a short pause. “I thought it was just an infatuation, but now I see that ‘tis much more.”

  “Aye,” James nodded. “I wish it was just an infatuation, but ‘tis not. I hope William will never learn it. Can you promise that to me?”

  Stephen snorted. “If you continue staring at Elizabeth the way you do it now; he will learn it soon.”

  James grinned. “You are right. I need to stop it.”

  He got up and walked to the embrace. Cool night air freshened his mind slightly. He would forget about Elizabeth. He had no choice.

  Suddenly, something flickered in the distance. James narrowed his eyes, but he was too drunk to what it was.

  “Stephen,” he called for a soberer brother. “What is it?”

  Stephen got up and walked to James. He stared into the darkness for some time, then tightened and swore. “We have to wake William up. There is a fire in the village.”

  ***

  William lay on his side, holding his new wife in his arms. Her naked body was still hot from their lovemaking. The words she had said a few moments ago were still burning in his head.

  I love you, he heard over, and over again.

  William pulled Elizabeth closer to him and kissed her temple. She smiled faintly; her eyes closed. He could not tak
e his eyes from her. So young and fragile, she had been working her way into his heart. He knew he was falling for her but could not admit it. He had married her only for revenge, but truly, he could not imagine his life without her.

  William heard noise outside that was getting louder. He moved all his attention from Elizabeth to what was going on around them.

  Heavy, rapid steps sounded on the stairs.

  His warrior’s instincts called for action. Whatever was going on there, whoever was there, William would meet the danger fully armed.

  Gently, he released Elizabeth and got up from the bed. Crossing the room, he threw on just enough to cover his nakedness and withdrew his sword from its scabbard, ready to protect his wife to the death. If Humphrey had come for her, he would pay dearly for the intrusion.

  To his utter bewilderment, the door burst open and James stormed in. His hair had been mussed; his eyes were still sleepy. William wondered how James was able to get up at all. William relaxed and put his sword away into the sheath.

  “James, you are too drunk. Go back to your bed. You need a good night’s sleep instead of running about the castle.”

  Awakened by the noise, Elizabeth pulled the duvet up to cover her naked body. Her eyes travelled from one man to another, her brow wrinkled, clearly confused.

  James looked down, too embarrassed to look in William’s direction.

  “What’s wrong?” William asked, frowning.

  “There is a fire in the village,” James said out of breath. “We are leaving to extinguish it. Are you with us?”

  William swore under his breath. More than anything he wanted to stay in bed with his beautiful wife, but almost every man both in the castle and in the village had been as drunk as James. They would be unable to handle the fire. Every man who could be of help was needed.

  “I am going with you. Wait for me downstairs and prepare my horse.”

  Silently, James left, and William finished dressing.

  “Fall asleep, lass,” William said, looking at her with regret.

  She watched his every move, the creases in her brow deepening.

  “Please, be careful,” she said.

  “I will,” he answered, but it didn’t seem to soothe her. William came to the bed and knelt in front of Elizabeth. “I promise, I will be fine, and I will return to you as quickly as I can.” He kissed her goodbye and left.