Bold Conquest Page 7

  Lillyth moved away from him to the other side of the room. "I believe I chose the larger chamber for us," he said, emphasizing the last word. She bit her lip to prevent herself from answering his deliberate provocation.

  He looked about. "If these things are yours, remove them to my chamber." He took off his heavy chain mail and washed his hands.

  "Shall we go down to dine now?" He gave her a mocking bow.

  She took her usual place at table. All was the same, yet all was different. Could it only have been three weeks before that she sat here at her wedding with all eyes upon her?

  Guy sat beside her and shared his plate with her, cutting all the choicest pieces of meat for her with his knife. Lillyth had a scant appetite with his eyes never leaving her.

  "How do you like my seating arrangement? Man, woman, man, woman, throughout the hall. I believe the fastest way for my men to learn Saxon is from the women. The women will no longer serve the food, the esquires can do that. The woman can dine with my men and exchange conversation. Before long you won't be able to tell this place from William's court." He grinned.

  She felt very daring with her hair uncovered, but before the meal was over, Lillyth was amazed when Edyth, who was sitting with Andre, took off her head covering to display her long, wheat-colored tresses.

  Nicholas was sitting with Rose, who did such beautiful embroidery, but she was only fifteen, and Lillyth could see she was white and frightened. Lillyth was determined not to talk to Guy de Montgomery. She gazed about the hall and was surprised to see her mother sitting with Rolf and not even holding herself aloof as Lillyth was determined to do. One or two of the knights had chosen peasant women to dine with them, and it was the first time the women had ever eaten in the hall. The men drank wine as they were used to back in Normandy, but some tried the home-brewed ale and seemed to like it. In spite of their differences, the men and women were communicating on many levels.

  "Ah, cherie, you draw every male eye in the hall. They all envy me— little do they realize you will neither look at me nor speak with me," he sighed heavily. His thigh brushed hers beneath the table and it was like a shock wave going through her. Lillyth pulled sharply away, and her cheeks burned hotly. She glanced across at Rose and saw Nicholas whispering in her ear. Rose began to cry softly. Lillyth turned to Guy and broke her resolve not to speak.

  "My lord, the young girl your brother Nicholas is forcing his attentions upon is little more than a child!"

  He regarded them through lazy, half-lidded eyes. "Neither is he, mademoiselle, they should suit each other very well."

  "I hate you!" she spat at him.

  "lf that is true, Lillyth, you are free to choose another," he challenged her.

  She tossed her head in disdain and a wide grin crept over his mouth. "Since you have made your choice, shall we go upstairs?"

  His hand closed over hers before she could make her escape, and he arose and took her with him to his chamber. She could feel his hand at the small of her back, gently urging her forward. As she went through the doorway ahead of him, his hand went lower and he caressed her bottom. She whirled instantly and slapped his face. She gasped at her own temerity and fear sprang into her eyes as she realized what she had done.

  He dragged her against his body and his mouth possessed hers. His kiss was scalding, searing. She squirmed and wriggled in his embrace in a futile effort to free herself. His thighs pressed tightly to hers and she felt his manhood harden and rise up against her. She stopped moving immediately when she realized her movements excited him. He took his mouth from hers, and she fought for breath.

  He whispered, "You have something I want, Lillyth. I shall want it from you every night." He paused and looked deeply into her eyes.

  She lowered her lashes and her cheeks flamed scarlet.

  "Ho, I know where your thoughts are leading, cherie! For shame! I merely want you to teach me your Saxon tongue." He grinned and set her free.

  She fled across the chamber. "You are playing a game with me! 'Tis just sport you are enjoying!" she accused angrily.

  His eyes followed her, lingering on her hair and her mouth in the candlelight. She is so unearthly fair, I'll never get my fill, he thought.

  "I wish to retire to my own bedchamber, my lord," she demanded, her chin held high.

  "Lillyth we both know you are sleeping in my chamber this night," he said quietly.

  She began to tremble. "I will not share this bed with you, Norman." She had a prickling fear of what he would do as he bent his ruthless gaze upon her and she had nowhere to flee to safety. Then the humor came back into his green eyes.

  "There you go again, mademoiselle. I know the sorry plight a young widow must be in, but I must decline your tempting invitation. I promise we will have many nights before us to quench the fires in our blood. At least four men will be on guard duty every night patrolling this land. None will take it from me, for once I mark something as mine, it remains so. Rolf, my brothers and I will take the first night's watch." He reached for his hauberk.

  "But Andre is wounded," she said, feeling relief and pique at the same time.

  "A scratch merely. If you treat him as a baby, how am I to make a man of him?" His face softened as he looked at her. "Lillyth, I am not playing games when I tell you to bar the door after me. I cannot answer for your safety tonight unless you remain here with the door securely barred."

  Chapter 7

  The four men rode the perimeter of the land every two hours and met back at the hall at midnight, two and four o'clock. At four Andre looked haggard. Nicholas said, "Stay here and rest; I'll ride double patrol."

  "Nay," protested Andre, glancing at Guy. "l'll manage."

  Guy handed Andre some hot mulled wine. "Your brother is trying to make amends for stabbing you. Let him do your patrol and ease his conscience at the same time. Andre, get up to bed, and mind which chamber you pick," he warned.

  Nicholas grinned, and Andre was bold enough to ask, "There's no chance of you tiring of her, is there?"

  "Splendor of God, you can't straddle your horse, but you are thinking of straddling a wench! Do you think of naught else, boy?" Guy demanded.

  "Very little," admitted Andre. "I don't know what's wrong lately, but it's on my mind constantly," he laughed.

  "It's all this blond hair and creamy flesh these Saxon maidens possess. I've heard it is dangerous to your heath to remain stiff for a day and a night. Better ask the widow for some medicine," laughed Nicholas.

  "The only medicine he needs is a bed wench three times a day until he can think clearly again," advised Rolf.

  "Speaking of the widow, how goes it with you in that direction, Rolf? You've a great deal of courage to tackle that one, I'm thinking," laughed Guy.

  "Nay, I've not tried her yet, man, I've only been here one day. How goes it with your young widow, if it comes to that, Guy?"

  "I'm in like case, Rolf. Let's go!"

  The morning dawned cold and gray. At six o'clock the three men eased out of their saddles and went to the bathhouse. The young squires ran to do their bidding and by the time they had stripped, the wooden tubs were in readiness for them. Guy sank into a tub of hot water and let it soothe the knots from his aching muscles. His eyes met Rolf's in amusement as they observed that Nicholas had fallen asleep in the water.

  "This young generation is a trifle soft, I'm afraid," said Guy.

  "Give him his due. Sometimes the standard you set is too hard," said Rolf.

  "Better waken the young devil before he drowns," said Guy, his face softening.

  The hammering on the chamber door awakened Lillyth. She wrapped a fur pelt from the bed close about her body and went to the door.

  "Who is it?" she called.

  "Your lord and master. Why do you keep me waiting? Open up immediately before I break it down," he laughed. He sounded in good humor and she wondered if she could take the time to dress, but the loud hammering started up again, so timidly she took down the bar and opened the doo
r.

  He looked at her and thought, She is even more desirable with the sleep still in her eyes and her mouth all soft and warm.

  She looked at him and thought, He doesn't even look tired after riding patrol all night. He is fresh and clear-eyed as if he'd just slept the night through.

  "I have men coming up here to build a hearth so we can have a fire on cold winter nights, so if I were you I wouldn't stand about naked." He pointed to her bare legs and feet.

  She whirled about angrily. Damn him, she thought, he is always putting me in an awkward position and then making a fool of me. She tossed her head and went next door to her own chamber to get dressed.

  Her mother caught sight of her and followed her into her room. She raised an eyebrow at Lillyth's attire. "I've seen the way he looks at you and I can tell you now he is lost. But do not yield too easily, Lillyth; he would not treasure anything that came too easily, that one. He will enjoy the chase as much as the victory. Let it be as lengthy as you can make it."

  Lillyth gasped open-mouthed at her mother. "Whatever you are thinking, you are wrong. I wouldn't let the Norman dog even touch me!"

  "Lillyth, he will force you, and I don't want you to be hurt, child. I don't suggest for one minute you defy him."

  "I am not afraid of him!" she shouted boldly, then clapped her hand over her mouth in case he should hear her boast.

  Rolf ran up the stairs. "Guy, trouble with the villiens. A fight has broken out between Norman and Saxon."

  Both men ran swiftly, swords to hand.

  "Aedward!" breathed Lillyth to Lady Alison.

  Fear rose up in her throat as she hurried her dressing. She grabbed the first thing that came to hand, a rose-pink underdress and tunic. She brushed her hair quickly and flung it back, not bothering to cover it, then she ran as fast as she could.

  They had not discovered Aedward as Lillyth had feared, but Rolf held one of the villiens in an iron grip, and one of the Norman knights was laid out on the ground. His head had been bashed with a wooden club and he was bleeding profusely.

  Guy knelt to examine his young knight. "It's Giles. Take him up to the hall and ask Lady Alison to tend his hurts."

  Lillyth was surprised to hear him call her mother Lady Alison.

  "Now what happened here, what started this?" he demanded.

  "The Saxon swine was laughing at our short hair and clean-shaven faces, so Giles hit him across the face with his gauntlet. The Saxon picked up a club and nearly killed him," answered Gilbert.

  "Strip him," ordered Guy. He took a whip from one of his men.

  "Know this, Saxon. If you had used your fist, I would not have punished you thus. Never use a weapon on a Norman again. If it happens a second time your life will be forfeit. Twenty lashes!"

  They strung him between two trees, and Guy drew back his arm and let the first stripe fall.

  Lillyth screamed, but he didn't even glance in her direction. Coldly and methodically he laid lash after lash across the Saxon's back until the blood dripped. On the nineteenth stroke Lillyth fainted, and Aedward, who had been standing close, picked her up and carried her into his hut. She came to almost immediately.

  "Oh, Aedward, thank God you are all right. He is a monster! I thought he was kind. I didn't know he was so cruel and inhuman." Her face was white and she was trembling slightly.

  "He did what he had to do, Lillyth, but you should not be exposed to these things."

  "I came because I was afraid for you, Aedward. How is your arm? Let me see."

  He stripped off his chainse and displayed the stump. "It is healing well."

  A huge shadow fell across the doorway. Lillyth jumped guiltily and sobbed, "Oh my God!"

  Guy came into the hut, eyes glittering dangerously. He said very quietly, "I'm always finding you with naked young men, cherie."

  Fear choked her, making her breathing so difficult her breast heaved. She saw the blood on his hands. "Stay away from me!" she cried.

  "I don't have to explain my actions to you, Lillyth, but I will. My judgment was harsh because it had to be. He used a weapon that almost killed my man in front of all the fiefdom. His punishment had to be swift and sure or every last one of them will try it. By William's justice I should have chopped off the arm he raised against a Norman."

  "He's right, Lillyth," said Aedward quietly.

  "Like all women you are full of deceit. You told me all your men were dead, yet this is obviously a knight who fought against us at Hastings. How many more are you hiding?" He advanced upon. Aedward and Lillyth threw her arms wide to protect him and cried, "He is my brother!"

  Guy looked at the young man, and indeed his blond beauty reminded him of Lillyth's. He was puzzled. "Surely you could trust me not to take your brother's life. Do you think so ill of me, Lillyth?" He turned to Aedward. "If you will swear your fealty to me, you may come to the hall. I have need of an interpreter. There is more than enough work for all. Do we have a bargain?"

  "My thanks, sir. We have a bargain," said Aedward, wishing that Lillyth had not lied for him. As they entered the hall, Lillyth made a sign to her mother to be quiet. She rushed on to say, "My brother Aedward has permission to dwell in the hall with us again."

  "Thank you, my lord," Lady Alison said to Guy. "Come upstairs, Aedward, and I will see to your arm. Lady Hilda will be pleased to see you are recovered somewhat."

  Guy followed them upstairs. "I want to check on the progress of the fireplace. They should be finished by tonight. A fire in our chamber should be welcome this cool night, don't you agree, chérie?"

  Aedward clenched his teeth at these words, and Lillyth pressed her lips together and ignored the taunt.

  Lady Alison turned to Guy. "I tended the man you had whipped, but he had better remain here tonight along with the Norman with the broken head. Let us hope there is no more trouble, all my beds are filled to capacity. I am sharing with Lady Hilda down there."

  Guy caught Lillyth's eyes and said, "My bed will hold two."

  Rolf came into the hall for further instructions and Guy directed him to cut the Saxons' hair tomorrow and order them all to shave their faces. "The differences are too marked. The sooner we all look alike, the sooner we will all think alike. I want a man to ride across country to see how William's forces are doing, and to let him know we hold towns secure close to London. If I know William, he will have taken Dover by now and be on his relentless way up the coast. You pick a man for me, Rolf. We had better ride over to this place Oxstead and another town close by called Sevenoaks, I think. Once we have secured these, I had in mind to establish Nick and Andre. A little responsibility wouldn't hurt them right now. By the way, remember the wolves we heard last night? I want to talk to the flock herders and find out how many they lose to these wolves. I have an idea to cut down the numbers. We'll take young Aedward with us, it will make explaining somewhat simpler."

  "Can't you save some of your improvements for tomorrow? My bones are crying out for sleep," said Rolf.

  "Must be getting old," laughed Guy, clapping him heartily on the back.

  When Guy returned it was almost supper hour. From where Lillyth sat in her own chamber she could hear the workmen next door and knew the moment Guy returned. She had braided her hair with some rose-pink ribbons and was admiring the effect in a hand mirror of polished silver when Guy tried her door and finding it barred, banged on it heavily. Her heartbeat quickened against her will as she lifted the bar and opened the door.

  "Do you bar the door against me, chérie?" he inquired with a lazy lift of the brow.

  "I bar it against all, my lord," she said quietly.

  He looked at her admiringly. "You have many lovely clothes, Lillyth. I feel quite shabby beside you."

  "You could have some new ones made without difficulty. We have lovely velvets and linens, and I could make you some fine new shirts."

  "If you would do that for me, it would indeed give me pleasure." He smiled. "It will also give me pleasure to escort you to dinner. I'll be
back as soon as I speak to the workmen for a moment."

  He went back into the larger chamber where the men had finished building the fireplace.

  "Excellent work!" he praised them. "I have another task for you before you go to sup. Cut an archway in the wall here to make these two bedchambers into one. The wood is thick, but you have done such a skilled job with the fireplace, I'm sure you can accomplish miracles. Be sure to get help in cleaning up the mess and get one of the servants to build me a fire. Many thanks, men!"

  Guy was hungry; he had a large man's healthy appetite. Beside him Lillyth seemed to eat very small portions and occasionally dallied and played with her food.

  "You should try to eat more, Lillyth. You are too delicate, too slim," he urged.

  "Do you like your women fat, my lord?" She smiled.

  "No, I most certainly do not, cherie, it is just that you do not seem strong. If you took sick, you would not be able to recover quickly." He picked up her slim hand and toyed with her fingers.

  She quickly averted her eyes from his and looked about the hall. She counted a dozen women who had left off their head coverings.

  "I told you we would set a new custom. Tomorrow they will all have ribbons in their plaits, now they have seen how lovely you look." He smiled.

  She was amazed that he was able to read her thoughts. Her thigh brushed his under the table, and he was immediately aroused. He was thankful that the table concealed his condition from his knights.

  "My lord, I have a problem," said Lillyth, turning the full impact of her green eyes upon him. "I cannot use the bathhouse, there are always too many of your men about. Could you assure me privacy tomorrow and keep them all away?"

  "I will have a bathtub taken up to your chamber and then you may bathe anytime you desire."

  The images that danced through his mind did nothing to lessen his physical. discomfort. "May we go up soon?" he urged.

  She noticed that Aedward dined with Nicholas and Andre, and they showed great interest in his mustaches and rich mode of dress. All about the same age, they were deep in conversation. Rose, the young girl with Nicholas who had been crying the previous evening, was chattering happily with Aedward, but instead of being jealous, Nicholas seemed to be studying the Saxon's manner with the girl in the hopes of learning something. Aedward's eyes rested on Lillyth every few moments, and she wondered if he had some desperate plan in mind. She fervently hoped not; he had suffered enough at the hands of the Normans.