His Rival's Daughter (Stafford Family Book 1)

by Catherine Woodville

  “Where the hell have you been?” he hissed at Elizabeth, looking right into her eyes. Her happy face disturbed him. Something was going on behind his back and he had to know what, exactly. The thought that Elizabeth might have deep feelings for James made him crazy, but he threw this thought away. James would never betray him or want to possess his wife.

  “We went for a ride,” Elizabeth answered, not meeting his eyes. The joy on her face had changed to a blank expression that William could not read.

  “You should have told me,” he said, slightly calming down. “I would go with you.”

  Elizabeth turned to face him, her eyes flashing. “You would go with me?” her eyes burned with anger. “You spend every minute with Jane and cannot spend a moment away from her. You don’t care where I am or what I do. If I told you that I wanted to go for a ride, what would you do? You would forbid me to do it. But you would never leave Jane, not even for a moment. She is so fragile.” Elizabeth’s eyes shot daggers at him.

  William grabbed her hand and pulled her close. “Stop it. Do you want the entire castle to know what is going on between us?”

  “Oh,” Elizabeth’s eyes widened in mock surprise. “Do you think they know nothing? You spend all your time with Jane, and no one sees it? Everyone in the castle knows that Jane is your mistress.”

  She snatched her hand away and stormed past him into the great hall.

  William watched Elizabeth leave and could say nothing. He had never seen Elizabeth that furious before. And to be honest, he did not know what to do.

  “She is right,” James said, passing by. “You need to decide which woman you need. You cannot have them both.”

  William wished he knew whom he needed. He loved Jane, but Elizabeth was the only woman who made his blood run hot. He desired her, he wanted to be with her, even now, when her look could kill.

  ***

  It was late when William finally returned to his chamber. After the argument he had with Elizabeth, he had been avoiding her, and he had been avoiding Jane as well. He needed time away from both women.

  Now it was time to go to bed, but he was uneasy, as though he’d never shared a bed with a woman. He grinned. Who would ever have thought that Baron de Broke would be afraid to go to bed with his wife, a small, gentle lady?

  William stopped at the door. He wondered what unpleasant surprises could be waiting for him inside.

  “Come on, William, you can do it,” he whispered and pushed the door open.

  To his surprise it was quiet in the chamber. A cheerful fire in the hearth lit up the largest part of the space. It was warm, cozy– exactly what William needed after a long day outside.

  Elizabeth was in bed, her eyes closed, but William doubted she was sleeping. He undressed and slipped under the duvet next to his wife. “Are you asleep?” he whispered in her ear, but he already knew the answer.

  Elizabeth remained silent.

  He watched her. William could not understand himself. He missed Elizabeth. He missed her touches, her kisses, her naked body next to his. The very thought of her aroused his desire. Now, when she was lying so close to him, he wouldn’t give up. He would possess her tonight.

  William pulled her into his arms, but Elizabeth pushed him away and moved to the further side of the bed. He moved closer to her, this time holding her tight, not allowing Elizabeth to move.

  “Leave me alone,” she said.

  “No,” he held her with one hand, while his other hand caressed her shoulder, moved down to her breasts, caressed a nipple through the thin chemise. Elizabeth gasped in pleasure. “I miss you, Elizabeth,” he whispered and kissed her neck.

  Elizabeth relaxed and turned to face him. Gently, she caressed his jaw. “I thought you would be saying these words to Jane.”

  Elizabeth looked into his eyes as she said it, but there was no anger in her voice.

  William wanted to answer something rude, but he stopped himself. “’Tis me and you here, in this bed. You are my wife and I desire you. Only you. Isn’t this enough?”

  He covered her lips with a passionate kiss. His lips nibbled and played with hers in fierce, hungry kisses that left her breathless. A soft moan escaped her as she slid her arms around his neck. William knew he had broken through the ice.

  He thrust into her and another moan escaped her. This time louder. She clung to him, answering his deep thrusts with all the passion in her trembling body.

  His lips brushed against her cheeks, her ears, her neck. Elizabeth quivered beneath him, turning her face to meet his lips. With a sighing urgency his mouth took hers and they were caught in a whirlwind that swept them to unfathomable heights, until the release entwined them in mutual bliss.

  Sweaty and satisfied, William laid on his back, Elizabeth in his arms. Finally. He was happy. Was it the answer he had been looking for? He was happy when Elizabeth was with him, in his arms, and there was no feud between them.

  To his surprise, William realized that he loved her, his wife. This revelation struck him like lightning. Yes, he loved her. She was the only woman he really needed.

  Elizabeth caressed his chest. “I want to leave,” she said hesitantly. “Let’s go back to Backleigh castle together.”

  He kissed her hair. “We will leave soon,” he promised. He realized he wanted to leave, too. There was nothing more for him to do here.

  .

  ***

  Jane was sitting by the window, unable to fall asleep. Furious with William, her thoughts returned to him again and again.

  They had spent the entire morning together and William seemed to be fully in her power, but something changed in the afternoon. What? She could not understand. He had hardly talked to her during the rest of the day, his eyes constantly on that stupid wench, his wife. Elizabeth had not interested him for the entire time he had been in the castle, so what would cause such a change? Jane didn’t like it.

  Suddenly the door to her chamber opened wide and Edward entered. Her eyes sparkled when she saw him, her lips curved into a happy smile. Indeed, she was happy to see him.

  Edward took long strides towards her, and his dark face did not promise anything good. Jane stood up; her brows drawn together.

  He reached her in a matter of seconds and pushed her against the wall. His commanding touch aroused Jane. Edward was so close to her, his hands, his lips touching her everywhere but her lips. She ached for a kiss. Yes, she wanted to marry William, but his kiss, his touch had been so innocent. They bored her. She needed passion, which only Edward could give.

  “Leave my sister and William alone,” he growled, pinning her to the stone wall with his body.

  “I will not do it,” she said, her breath heavy with desire. “He belongs to me and I will take him away from Elizabeth.”

  She said the words, but her thoughts were far away from William. Edward. He was the only man she could think of now.

  Edward’s face became as dark as a storm cloud and the next moment he hit the wall behind her head.

  “You are my woman, Jane,” he said through clenched teeth, “and I will not let anyone else possess you.”

  Before she was able to understand anything, Edward grabbed her in his arms and threw her to the bed, covering her with his body. She held her breath, watching him with eyes full of desire. He covered her lips with a demanding kiss. There was not a hint of the gentleness that she had become used to. Pure passion. He bit her lip and she gasped with pain, but her body responded in a way she had never expected. Her nipples hardened, her back arched, a moan of pleasure escaped her. Damn, she liked that. Edward pulled her skirts up, not breaking the kiss, his cock hard against her thigh. She moved her legs apart and leaned against Edward, letting his pulsing manhood thrust inside of her. Yes, he was the only man who could give her the pleasure she desired.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jane was sitting by the hearth in the great hall, alone, watching the fire, and immersed in thought. Everyone had left after breakfast and she was quite alone. Th
e fire helped calm the fury that pulsed through her veins.

  Now, William spent all his time with Elizabeth. His attention to his wife irritated Jane. Why would he change so fast? What had Elizabeth done to him to keep him so close?

  Light steps broke the silence. Jane turned around to see who the intruder was, and saw Anne, one of the housemaids, approaching. The girl moved her eyes around the great hall, making sure that there was no one except the two of them, and walked to her lady. Such behaviour intrigued Jane.

  “My lady,” she said as she came closer and made a quick curtsy. “I have news for you from sir Humphrey.” She handed Jane a letter from within the folds of her skirts.

  Jane looked around. No one. She took the letter and looked at the seal. It was from Humphrey, indeed.

  “Leave,” she said to Anne and, once the maid was gone, opened the letter.

  She quickly read through the short letter and threw it into the fire. She sank deep into the chair and smiled at the good news. Humphrey had agreed to help her.

  Finally, her life would change, and she would get the man she desired, as well as the man who sparked her passion. She would have them both.

  When the letter turned into ashes, Jane got up and walked out to the yard, desperate to see William.

  She found him at the wall, talking to James, and went straight to him.

  “Can we talk?” Jane asked with an innocent smile as she approached the men. It had always worked with William.

  William glanced at James. These brothers understood each other without words. James nodded, threw a frown at Jane, and left.

  “Is it something important?” William asked.

  The way he spoke annoyed Jane. His voice and posture said that she was distracting him from something important. But what could be more important than she?

  “I thought we could spend some time together today,” she said with a honey sweet voice, but she was seething with anger inside.

  “No, Jane, I am too busy now.”

  William turned around and stepped away from her, but she caught his arm, forcing him to stop.

  “You are a baron,” she said with a smile when he turned around to look at her, “other people should do things for you, and you have to do what is more important.”

  “Such as?” he frowned.

  Anger was spreading through Jane. Did he truly not understand??

  “I am more important. You could spend your time with me,” she smiled. It was hard to maintain the pleasant mask while her real emotions were getting out of control.

  “I cannot do it,” he said. “Sorry, I have to get back to work.”

  William pulled his hand away, but Jane held it firm.

  “What is going on, William? I am not blind. I see that something has changed. But I don’t understand what it is.”

  William took a deep breath. “We are leaving soon, and I am preparing for the journey.”

  The news took Jane aback. She struggled, without success, to maintain an even expression. She wanted to say something but could not find the right words.

  When she finally spoke, her voice trembled.

  “Are you telling me that I will lose you again? I love you and I cannot imagine what my life will be when you leave.”

  “You will be all right,” he smiled at her.

  “I thought you loved me,” she was almost crying, but it was damn hard to force the tears.

  William’s features softened. He wiped a single tear from her cheek and said with a gentle smile. “I thought so, too. Even if I loved you, I am married, and we would not be able to be together.”

  “What do you mean even if you loved me?” she hissed, staring into his eyes.

  “I don’t love you, Jane,” he caressed her cheek. “I am sorry. I will always care for you, but I love my wife.”

  Jane’s eyes narrowed to slits, then widened. She wanted to swear but forced herself to calm down. She had to continue playing the role of an innocent.

  “Can you come to me tonight?”

  “I cannot,” he avoided looking into her eyes.

  “Please,” she begged. “I want to say farewell to you. I promise,” she forced a sad smile, “that this will be a meeting of old friends, nothing more.”

  William took a deep breath. “I will come to your chamber tonight, but not for long. I don’t want Elizabeth to think that I’ve lied about my true feelings for her.”

  He turned around and left. Jane stood there, watching his back. This man would never belong to Elizabeth, Jane would make sure of it.

  ***

  Anne helped Jane to take a bath and prepare for William’s visit. She brought some wine, while Jane was combing her hair, getting ready for bed. The room was lit by numerous candles, making the atmosphere romantic.

  “You know what you have to do,” Jane said, when Anne put the bottle and goblets on the table.

  Anne nodded and left the chamber.

  When Jane was alone, she undressed and slipped into the bed. William would be unable to resist when he saw her naked body.

  Soon, the door opened, and William entered.

  “I am glad that you kept your word,” Jane said when he shut the door. She threw away the duvet, presenting her slender, beautiful body to William.

  William stopped, still. He looked at her, then looked at the door. Jane didn’t like that. He should look at her with desire, but, instead, he looked as if he wanted to leave.

  “You promised that you would not try to seduce me,” he said, finally.

  “I didn’t promise that,” she said in a husky voice. “I promised that we would meet like old friends,” she got out of the bed and walked towards him. “Who said that old friends cannot make love one last time?”

  When Jane was close to William, her hand touched his broad chest, but he stepped away.

  “I should go,” he said and started towards the door.

  “William, stop,” she gasped. “I give up. I wanted to try to get your love back, but now I see that you really love Elizabeth.”

  William stopped and turned around, listening to her.

  “I don’t want you to leave thinking that I tried to seduce you.”

  William walked past her to the bed, still avoiding looking at her, grabbed a blanket, and wrapped it around Jane’s shoulders. “Now we can talk,” he said when her body was covered.

  Jane smiled. “I behaved like a fool.”

  The bastard had humiliated her. No man had ever denied her when she offered herself. He would pay dearly for what he had just done.

  “You should get dressed,” he said, looking around for some clothes.

  “My clothes are in there,” she pointed to the wardrobe. “Will you help me to get dressed? Anne is gone to bed and I don’t want to wake her up.”

  William smiled and went to select one of the dresses from the chest. While he was across the chamber with his back to her, Jane poured some wine into two goblets, then took a tiny bottle and poured a drop into one of them. When William returned with the dress, Jane handed him the vessel with the potion, which had completely dissolved in the wine.

  “Let us drink to your journey,” she said and raised her wine. “I hope you will be happy with Elizabeth if you couldn’t be happy with me.”

  William sipped the wine and asked Jane, again, to start dressing. But she didn’t rush. The sleeping potion that Matilda had given her should work fast. At least Jane used to fall asleep quite fast after taking it.

  To her delight, William sat down on the bed, his face turned away from Jane. “I think I need to go,” he said, his voice quiet. “I am falling asleep.”

  An evil smile touched Jane’s lips. Oh yes, he was falling asleep and soon he would be in her full possession. Just a few minutes later William was fully asleep. She threw the blanket off her shoulders to the floor and started undressing William. He was heavier than she had expected, and she had to use all the strength she had to take his clothes off. Sweat was running down her body when she had finally fin
ished. She could not take her eyes away from his beautiful bronze body. She had missed it so much. Soon he would spend every night in her bed, she promised herself. She just had to wait.

  She slipped into the bed next to him, covered their naked bodies with a blanket and fell asleep. In the morning Elizabeth would hear everything about William’s and her night of passion.

  .

  ***

  It was late, but William still hadn’t come to their rooms.

  Elizabeth put aside her embroidery and listened. Nothing. No noise came from behind the door. At first, Elizabeth thought that he was still in the great hall with his brother, but when the noise died down and William did not return, Elizabeth started to suspect that something wasn’t right. Worry for him tore at her heart. She wanted to go to James and ask where he was but feared she would look stupid.

  Could he be with Jane? No, she threw this thought away. After last night, Elizabeth knew she meant a lot to William. He wasn’t such a fool as to ruin their mending relationship for one night with Jane.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door, and Martha entered. Her pale face made Elizabeth’s heart race.

  “What is it?” she asked, starting to panic. “Has something happened to William?”

  Martha looked down.

  “My lady, please, don’t get mad at me.”

  “What’s wrong? Will you tell me or not?” Elizabeth almost screamed.

  Martha looked up at her. “You know Anne, Lady Jane’s maid?”

  Elizabeth knew her too well.

  “She came down to the kitchen few minutes ago,” Martha continued her story, “and said that lord William is with her lady in her chamber.”

  Elizabeth’s entire world broke into pieces in that moment. She shook her head in disbelief.

  “No,” she covered her mouth with her hand, fighting back tears. “’Tis not true.”

  She stood up, the fabric with unfinished embroidery falling to her feet. Uncontrolled tears washed down her cheeks.