His Rival's Daughter (Stafford Family Book 1)

by Catherine Woodville

  He stepped away and gasped, his breath quickened. Lord, what a beauty she was. Her large breasts were full, her waist narrow, and the triangle between her thighs so tempting. He could not stop watching her.

  Elizabeth seemed uneasy under his intense stare, but he only smiled. The time would come when she would get used to it.

  William sat down on the improvised blanket and patted next to him, inviting Elizabeth. With a shy smile she sat next to him.

  William took her chin in his hand, pulled her closer to him and kissed her, his lips gentle as the breeze that stirred her hair. He could not afford to rush. He had to redeem himself for what he had done the night before. He had no reason to hurry. Everything would be slow and gentle.

  He pushed her down to the clothes and started kissing her body. His every kiss, every touch made her shiver with pleasure. It was exactly what he needed.

  “Stop it,” she moaned in a husky voice. “I miss you, William. I want you.” She bit her bottom lip and her back arched.

  A desire to thrust into her right now came over William. He desired her as badly as she desired him. Still, he thought he should not. He should go slow. He took a deep breath to calm down, but nothing worked.

  “Please,” she moaned, and her legs invitingly moved apart.

  Damn it, this woman was driving him mad. Unable to stand this torment any longer, William moved down between her legs, spread her thighs farther apart and thrust into her. She took in a sharp breath, her hot breath burning his neck.

  His control snapped. He thrust into her again and again, bringing them both to the peak of pleasure. The release found both of them at once and William fell down next to her, feeling breathless. Still, he held her in his arms.

  Elizabeth turned on her side to face him and touched a lock of his hair.

  “I love you,” she whispered, looking into his eyes, “and I have never betrayed you.”

  ***

  A happy smile played on Elizabeth’s face when she returned to the castle. William was riding next to her and Elizabeth felt happier than ever. Finally, all the misunderstandings between her and William had been resolved, and nothing was in their way to happiness.

  When they reached the inner ward, Elizabeth instantly became alert. She saw familiar faces among the castle garrison. Those people belonged to her brother. She watched them, frowning, then lifted her eyes to William. He watched them, too.

  “What’s going on here?” she asked him in a low voice.

  “’Tis what I am planning to find out.”

  He dismounted and helped her to the ground. He called for the groom and handed him the reins, then returned to Elizabeth.

  “These are Edward’s men,” she said, looking around.

  “What are they doing here?” his expression hardened.

  Elizabeth shrugged. “I wish I knew.”

  William rushed to the great hall, Elizabeth on his heels.

  When they entered, they saw a peculiar picture. The table in the middle of the great hall had been served with different meals and both of William’s brothers were sitting there along with Edward. They were having a good time, talking, eating, and drinking.

  When the door closed behind Elizabeth and William, their brothers stopped talking and looked at the newcomers.

  Joy and confusion collided and overwhelmed Elizabeth. “Edward,” she screamed, lifted her skirts, and ran towards him.

  He stood up from the table and ran towards her. When Elizabeth reached him, he squeezed her in his arms.

  “I missed you so much,” she said, pulling away and looking into his face.

  He stroked her cheek. “I missed you too, sister.”

  William cleared his throat behind Elizabeth’s back, returning her to reality. She pulled away and looked at her husband. To her pleasure, there was no trace of hostility on William’s face.

  “Welcome to Backleigh castle,” William said, smiling.

  Edward grinned. “I have already had the best “welcome” I could ever hope for,” he pointed at James and Stephen. They seemed to be quite drunk.

  “Aye,” James smiled and took a sip of ale from his goblet. “We wanted to kill him, but it turned out that he came in peace.”

  Elizabeth looked to James, her eyes open wide, then moved her stare to Edward.

  “Don’t worry, Elizabeth,” James continued. “Edward did not come to take you away. He is a part of our family now. We cannot close the gates in front of the family, can we?” he looked at Stephen who shook his head, which obviously meant “no”.

  Elizabeth paid almost no attention to what James said. Her attention was entirely concentrated on her brother. “How long will you stay with us?”

  “I’m leaving on the morrow,” Edward answered. “I cannot stay longer than one night.”

  His words alarmed Elizabeth. She knew Edward too well. He was fond of visiting neighbours or friends and usually stayed at least a week.

  “Is everything fine in Harmton castle?” she asked in a low voice.

  A shadow crossed his face, but the next moment a merry smile appeared on his lips. He lifted his goblet. “What can go wrong, Elizabeth?” he drained the vessel in one gulp.

  Elizabeth looked at her brother with worry. Something wasn’t right.

  “Why did you come all this way for only one night?” she was still confused. If he didn’t come to ask for help, what was he doing here?

  “We need to talk,” his merriness was instantly gone. Worry clouded his features.

  William looked around, frowning. “Let’s go to the study,” he said and walked to the further end of the great hall, Elizabeth and Edward rushing to keep up. James and Stephen exchanged surprised glances and followed the others.

  When all of them were in the cabinet and the door behind them firmly shut, Edward started.

  Elizabeth sat on a bench by the window, while everyone else remained standing. Edward began pacing and started his story.

  “As you all might know, Humphrey and I used to be friends.”

  When Edward mentioned Humphrey the atmosphere in the room became strained. A shadow crossed William’s face, making him frown. Edward seemed to notice. He stopped and looked at William, continuing, “But our friendship ended the moment Elizabeth became your wife.”

  Elizabeth smiled. The men relaxed, some of them smiled.

  “But Humphrey still cannot calm down,” Edward continued.

  James grinned. “Oh, we are well aware of it.”

  Edward looked at him with a frown. “Did he managed to do anything?”

  James laughed. “Even if we don’t count the numerous houses in surrounding villages that he set on fire, then yes, he did. He tried to kill William.”

  Edward’s eyes bulged at James, then moved toward William.

  “But my dagger left Humphrey a sweet reminder for many years to come,” Stephen grinned.

  “Well, I believe I have seen your dagger’s work on his shoulder,” Edward grinned back, but the next moment he got serious again. “Humphrey came to me recently and asked for men.”

  “Bastard,” William swore. “His own men are dead, and he is searching for more to slay.”

  “He is a dangerous man,” Edward said, “and he seems to be obsessed with one thing,” Edward looked at Elizabeth, making her heart freeze with fear. “You have to be careful, Elizabeth,” he said looking into her eyes and then moved his stare up to the men. “He is very clever and cruel. He will not stop until he gets what he wants. And it’s not only Elizabeth that he wants.”

  “What else does this bastard need?” William was furious but tried to keep his anger under control.

  Edward looked straight into William’s eyes. “To kill you.”

  ***

  It was a late night and everyone in the castle was asleep. Jane was sitting by the fire, stretching her hands and feet to its warmth. It had been raining for the entire day, cold winds blowing through the wooden shutters. The rain had stopped only a couple of hours ago, but th
e air remained damp and cold.

  Jane sent worried looks to the door, listening. Edward had been gone for several days. It was the perfect time to get rid of the child. Edward would think it was a natural miscarriage.

  An evil smile curved Jane’s lips. She had asked him not to leave her alone, but he didn’t listen. He would pay for it. She would make him feel guilty for the loss of the child. She would make him obsessed with the guilt and totally under her control.

  Light steps sounded outside the door, then it slowly opened, and her maid entered.

  “My lady,” she said with an apologetic voice, “the healer cannot come now. A woman in the village went into labour and Matilda went there. She will come to you on the morrow.”

  Jane got up, nearly suffocating on her fury. How dared she not come when her lady needed her? Every minute counted. Jane had to get rid of the child before Edward or his father returned.

  She walked to the table, her back to the maid, and drummed her fingers on the surface. “Did you tell her who sent you?”

  “Yes, my lady. She knows. She said that the life of a child is the most important thing and she is staying to help a woman give birth to a child who will live.”

  A fresh swell of rage rose in Jane.

  “Leave,” she said quietly, but the maid hesitated. “Leave,” Jane almost cried, losing her temper.

  The maid silently backed away and shut the door behind her.

  “Think, Jane, think,” she whispered, running her hand through her hair and trying to concentrate.

  Well, she had one more day until Edward returned. If the woman wouldn’t come to the castle on the morrow, Jane would go to her. She had only a day left. And she had nothing to lose.

  Suddenly, a noise from the yard alarmed her. Wet soil muffled the sound of hooves, but it was loud enough for her to hear. Jane rushed to the window and opened the shutters.

  Earl Harmton, together with his men, was entering the inner ward. He dismounted and rushed to the great hall, giving orders on the go.

  “Damn it,” Jane swore and rushed to the bed. Once there, she covered herself with the duvet and shut her eyes, pretending sleep. Her breath quickened, her entire body trembling with fear.

  She prayed for Harmton to spend this night with his mistress. Or alone. But not with her. If he was with her long enough, he might suspect something. Her breasts had changed since the last time her husband had bedded her. Of course, she could try to make him think it was his…

  The great hall filled with loud talking, followed by explosive laughter. The earl had started his usual drinking. Jane strained to hear. He was uncontrollable when drunk. When in such condition, he could come to her and take her against her will. She had to be awake to try to escape his demands.

  The drinking lasted for several hours and Jane fought hard to stay awake but sleep finally overtook her.

  She woke up in time for breakfast. Her maid helped her to get dressed and did her hair.

  Jane took an evaluating look in the mirror. She looked beautiful, as always.

  “I am going down now,” Jane said, still looking at her reflection, her voice slightly trembling, “and you go to the old witch—I mean healer. Sneak her in through the servants’ entrance. I want her to be here when I return.”

  “Yes, my lady,” the maid made a curtsy and left the room.

  Jane took a last glance at herself in the mirror and left the chamber. To her relief she was feeling well this morning, unlike last week, and the smell of freshly made food made her hungry.

  When she entered the great hall, the tables were already served, and everyone was waiting for her.

  “My lovely wife,” Harmton proclaimed, staring at her with a grin. “Come and join your beloved husband.”

  Jane gave him a fake smile and slowly walked to her seat; her face strained. Why was he being so nice to her? His behaviour made her suspicious.

  When Jane sat by her husband, a strong smell hit her nose and she instantly felt dizzy. She drew in a sharp breath.

  “What’s wrong, Jane? Are you unwell?”

  Jane looked up at him and forced a smile. “I am fine,” she lied.

  “Fine,” he nodded and raised a glass to his knights. “To my wife, Countess Harmton.”

  “To Countess Harmton!” the knights cheered, raising their goblets.

  Suddenly, her stomach felt uneasy and Jane paled. The next moment she turned away from the table and vomited to the floor beside her. That was it. Her secret had been revealed; she knew it for sure.

  Silence fell over the great hall and Jane felt every pair of eyes in the hall on her.

  She rose up from the table. “You were right, my dear husband. I feel unwell. I beg your pardon.” She made a curtsy and walked out of the great hall, her legs trembling.

  When she reached her chamber, she was shaking badly. To her relief, when she opened the door, she saw the old woman and her maid inside.

  Jane looked at the maid and smiled faintly. “I didn’t think you could run to the village so fast,” she said.

  “I came myself,” the witch said.

  Jane turned to look at the maid.

  “Leave,” she ordered, and the young girl rushed away from the chamber. Jane shut the door and walked to the bed. “Why didn’t you come last night when I called for you?” she asked.

  “I told her,” the woman pointed to the door, where the maid had just disappeared, “that I was helping a woman in labour. It is more important to me to save an innocent life than to kill one.”

  Sharply, Jane turned around and narrowed her eyes, her lips pressed together.

  How dared she! Jane was ready to scold the old witch, but bit her tongue and suppressed her anger. Her life depended on this woman and she could not risk losing her help.

  Jane looked at Matilda and forced a friendly smile.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” Matilda said. “I don’t like people pretending.”

  “Fine,” Jane said, and her features relaxed. “We need to get rid of this child as soon as possible.”

  The woman gave a heavy sigh and continued in a minute. “It will hurt,” she said. “Are you ready for pain?”

  Jane was quiet. She knew that it was painful to give birth. Miscarriage must be painful, too. At least, she would be alive, she told herself. Still, she hesitated with the answer.

  “I am ready,” she answered after a short pause. The unknown scared her. She bit her lip and looked at the old woman. “Will you stay with me?” she almost begged Matilda. Jane hated herself at that moment for this weakness, but she needed the witch close.

  Matilda looked at Jane with hesitation, as if considering other options. Finally, she broke the silence. “I will,” she nodded. “’Tis hard to cope with it alone. Prepare some clean cloths.”

  Jane obeyed. She rushed to the chest, lifted the lid and looked through her clothes for a chemise that she could use. Once found, she pulled it out and returned to the old woman.

  “Now,” the woman continued, “order your maid to bring hot water. You need to drink a hot potion.”

  Jane went out of the chamber and called for the maid. The girl appeared in a matter of seconds. Such speed made Jane suspicious. Had she been eavesdropping? Well, Jane would deal with her later, but now she needed water.

  Several minutes later Jane had a cup of boiling water. The old witch threw some herbs into the cup and mixed them until the water became a shade of gold. “Wait until the drink gets warm enough and drink it all at once.”

  Jane looked at the potion with suspicion. It smelled bitter and Jane had doubts about the drink. But she had no choice.

  Nervously, she paced the room, time after time looking at the potion, and sometimes listening at the door, expecting her husband to come at any moment.

  When the drink was finally cooled enough to drink, the woman handed it to Jane. “Drink it slowly, my lady. You do not need to rush.”

  Jane held her breath and slowly drank the potion. It tasted as disg
usting as it smelled. Gently, the warmth of the drink spread across Jane’s body, giving it a strange feeling of numbness.

  “Now,” the old woman said, “go to bed. We need to wait.”

  Jane obeyed. She crawled on the bed and wrapped herself in the covers. The warmth inside relaxed her and Jane did not realize when she fell asleep.

  A pain in the belly woke her up a couple of hours later. Her entire body was covered with tiny drops of sweat and shaking as if with cold. Jane grimaced with pain; a scream ready to escape her throat. She shut her mouth, suppressing a cry, but could not suppress it entirely. A moan escaped her. “Is it starting?” she groaned, writhing, and watching the old woman with eyes full of pain.

  The woman nodded and came closer. She grabbed the blanket and harshly pulled it off Jane, baring her legs. “Look.”

  Jane lifted her head and followed the woman’s stare. To her horror, her chemise was blood stained below the waist. “What is it?” she gasped and looked up at the woman, but the witch remained calm.

  “What else did you expect?” she answered with a chill in her voice, not a muscle moving on her wrinkled face. “Now we need to wait for the child to come out.”

  A new wave of pain tore Jane’s body apart. Jane’s fingers clawed at the sheets and pulled them to her chest, her back arched in pain, and a silent cry escaped her.

  She could not scream, she repeated to herself, but her agonized mind could hardly understand her own thoughts. She would live through this horror and everything would be over soon. But time dragged slowly. Every minute that passed seemed to be an hour long. An hour seemed an eternity.

  The old witch was by her side all this time, wiping the sweat from her forehead and holding her hand. Surprisingly, for the first time in her life Jane felt that she was not alone. There was someone she could trust her life to.