Splendor, page 23
Geoffrey sat forward in his chair. “Do you oppose my having supported Stephen?”
“Whom you support matters not,” William snapped. “My daughter’s welfare is what concerns me. Now, this is what I propose.” He leaned over the table to view the chart. “Miles, you are to take thirty men and ride toward Derby. Just to the northwest lies Cartbridge.” He pointed to the location. “Before his death, the earl was one of Henry’s most avid supporters. I imagine the castle is yet held for the duke.”
“And what do we do once we get there?” the younger man asked. “I doubt they will just open the gates and welcome us in.”
William stared briefly at Miles, wondering if the man had any sense of strategy. “No, they’ll not let you in, not if you approach in the company of an armed force. But a weary traveler, with a few unarmed attendants, might be asked inside. When you come upon Cartbridge, leave your men behind. They can set camp several miles away, but make certain their fires cannot be seen. Any smoke by day will surely alert those at Cartbridge that you are not alone.”
“What about at night?” Miles asked.
“Logic dictates that if the men camp in a valley, the firelight will be masked by the surrounding hills,” William returned, questioning whether he shouldn’t go to Cartbridge himself. Watching Miles nod, he continued. “I suggest you post several lookouts to watch the castle. Also devise a signal of some sort. Should you get inside, you may want to advise your men as to what is going on. Also, if Catherine is indeed there, you’ll need to get word to us so we can join forces.”
“How do you expect me to signal anyone? If I do get inside, I’m sure I’ll be watched.”
William tempered his rising ire. Could the man not think for himself? “Can you write?”
“Certainly I can write,” Miles stated, obviously affronted by the question.
“Then, I’ll make certain there’s someone in the troop who can read. Before you make your approach, do some reconnaissance. Find a spot where you think it’s safest and leave your message there. Whether you drop the thing from a window or tie it to a stone and toss it over the wall, I care not. Someone is to go each night and search the area.”
“And what if there’s a moat?”
“Then I hope you have a sure aim. For if you find yourself in trouble and need assistance, you’ll not get it otherwise.” William proceeded to tell Miles that he and Geoffrey would search to the north and east, naming each place they would go. “If you find Catherine, I want a messenger sent to us. We’ll be back at my estate by the end of next month. If you don’t find her, be there yourself. If you do find her, make certain someone is there to alert us.”
“The place is northeast of Oxford, correct?” Miles asked.
“Aye. If you doubt you can find it on your own, ride straight to Oxford. You can receive directions there. Since the town and castle are in Stephen’s hands, I don’t think you’ll have any worry.”
“If she is there and I’m allowed inside, how do you propose I get her out? Certainly they won’t just let us leave with a wave and a fond farewell.”
“That, Miles, you’ll have to determine for yourself. Use your head for once. Whatever you decide, make sure it is done with caution and stealth, for I don’t want Catherine harmed. Understand?”
“Aye,” Miles said. “I will be cautious.”
“Good,” William returned. He looked at Geoffrey. “I presume you are agreed to this?”
“I have no objections,” the man stated.
William stood up. “Then tomorrow we ride. For all our sakes, Catherine’s especially, pray God our search will soon be at an end.”
In their chamber, Catherine stared across the way. Surrounded in darkness, Rolfe stood by the window, its shutters thrown wide. She heard his deep, cleansing breaths as he gulped the night air into his lungs. He’d suffered another nightmare, this one far worse than before.
At his first agonized stirrings, she’d instantly come awake. She didn’t go to him, but instead, as he’d instructed, kept to her bed. Feeling powerless, she’d watched him thrash about, mumbled cries vibrating in his throat. The ordeal, though lasting only a short while, had seemed to go on endlessly.
Pity had swelled inside her, and she could take no more. But just when she started from her bed, he suddenly roused. Like a great bear rising on all fours, he bounded up from his pallet. There was a wildness about him that frightened her. She was now thankful she’d stayed from his reach. Half awake, but still caught in his horror, he might have killed her.
From where she lay, she could tell he yet bore the memories of this latest terror. Again she wanted to go to him, to offer him comfort, but she held back.
His fist struck the stones beside the window. “Why?” he groaned.
All the misery inside him emerged with that one question. Catherine didn’t think. She was away from her bed and across the room. As her hand settled on his sweat-dampened back, she felt him stiffen. “Rolfe?”
He reared his head back and stared at the ceiling. From his reaction, she thought he was no longer fighting his nightmare but something else entirely.
“Go back to bed, Catherine,” he said, looking back out the window.
“Why?”
“You shouldn’t have come to me.”
“I know you said not to when you were yet asleep, but now you’re awake.”
He sighed heavily. “Your closeness only adds to my misery.”
She didn’t understand him. He suffered emotionally; yet, tormented as he was, he wanted her away. “I came to give you comfort. How can my offering to assist you possibly make you feel worse?”
A sharp laugh erupted from his throat. “You have no idea what I’m saying, do you?”
Catherine frowned. She was a bit dazed from her sleep, but she thought she’d heard him clearly enough. “I’m not sure. If I’ve missed something, please tell me.”
For a moment, there was silence between them, then he said, “I want your comfort, need it desperately. But I need something else from you equally as much. I’m afraid if I accept the first, the other urge will become uncontrollable. Even if you refuse, I may not stop.” Slowly he turned toward her. “In other words, I want to make love to you. I told you I would approach you only by your own bidding. If you don’t want to again lie in my arms, go from me—now.”
Catherine didn’t move. How could she run from him when she felt his anguish? She loved him and, though he might not return the sentiment, she’d do anything to help ease his pain. Gazing at the familiar angles and planes of his face, which lay in shadow, she knew the choice was hers.
“Catherine, please,” he implored, turning again to the window. “Go, before it’s too late.”
“’Tis already too late,” she whispered, pressing her cheek to his back. “The urge is in me as well. I want you to hold me as you once did, make love to me as I remember. Nothing could make me happier. Therefore, I bid that you come to me.
He inhaled deeply, jaggedly. His breath flowed slowly from him. “Are you certain?”
The question rumbled through his body into her ear. “Aye. I’m certain.”
He spun around. “Later, you’ll hold no regrets?”
“None.”
“Then so be it.”
Catherine gasped as he swung her up into his arms, the abrupt movement making her head spin. On his way to the bed, he sidestepped his pallet. At his destination, he easily lowered her to the center of the mattress. Her chemise came over her head. His braies fell to the floor. Naked, he joined her.
Kneeling, they faced each other. Then Rolfe’s arm was around her waist, pulling her to him. “You don’t know how much I’ve longed for this,” he breathed just above her mouth.
Somehow her hands were at the nape of his neck, her linked fingers urging him closer. “Say no more and kiss me.”
He complied eagerly. As their parted lips joined, their tongues hungrily entwining, he pressed her to the bed. Preliminaries were unnecessary, as their banked passions were already ablaze. Delirious with desire, Catherine needed no prompting. Her thighs opening, she welcomed him.
He was inside her, filling her. His hand lifted her hips, and he moved in the most enticing manner. Their joining was wild and wonderful. As she met him stroke for stroke, Catherine knew no man could elicit such joy in her as did Rolfe.
In their frenzied search for the ultimate gratification, she thought she heard him utter praise to St. Michael for having answered his prayers. She couldn’t be certain, for at that moment all her senses began to spin. She tossed her head and moaned.
“Experience the ecstasy, Catherine,” he whispered in her ear. “Let it take you where it may.”
She obeyed readily. But as he joined her in that rapturous place that only he could take her, he promptly withdrew. Holding himself, he groaned and shuddered as he won his satisfaction. Even in the furor of the moment, Catherine understood the reason he’d pulled from her. He wanted to ensure there would be no bastard child from their union. Again she believed her decision not to tell him was the right one.
Once his breathing had settled, he kissed her soundly, then rose from the bed. She watched as he went to the basin, whereupon he washed his hands. Soon he rejoined her.
His long, hard body stretched out beside her, his head propped on one hand, he looked into her eyes. “No regrets?” he asked.
Only that he didn’t love her, she thought. Even if he did, she doubted things would be very much different. His chosen profession meant all to him. Nothing would ever change that.
“You don’t answer,” he said. “I presume that means you’re having second thoughts.”
“Not so,” she replied, knowing that no matter what the future brought, right now there was no place she’d rather be except here beside him. “I have no regrets.”
He smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”
As he spoke, his fingers lightly ran from her curls to her breasts, then down again. Catherine’s stomach quivered at his touch.
“If milady agrees, we could spend our nights together as we just have,” he said, his fingers sliding deeper into her curls.
Catherine’s breath caught at this new assault. Other than his saying the words she most wanted to hear, she desired nothing more than to be with him. “I have no objection.”
His fingers eased between her folds to play and probe. “Then ’tis decided. For whatever time remains for us, we’ll enjoy each other fully.”
Her throat choked as tears stung her eyes. “Aye,” she whispered, urging his mouth to hers. “For whatever time remains.”
CHAPTER
16
CATHERINE AWAKENED TO FEEL THE TOUCH OF ROLFE’S TONGUE at the corner of her mouth. It sliced deliciously through her lips, then withdrew to lick her chin, down her neck, and on toward one breast. There the wet sliver laved the crown, bringing her nipple to erection. The act was performed on her other breast, then his tongue tickled to her navel, where it probed lightly.
His face moved lower. “Open to me,” he said, his warm breath fanning her curls.
Stretching, Catherine arched her back, her thighs spreading wide. Her breath caught as his tongue worked its magic, delving and flicking. Her senses reeling, she moaned, thinking what an exceptional lover he was. These past two weeks had been pure heaven. Nothing, she was certain, would ever compare.
Just as her hips began to writhe, he abandoned her. The mattress sank as he bounded from the bed. Deprived of fulfillment, she sat up with a jerk. “Why did you leave me?”
Standing naked at the foot of the bed, he grinned wickedly. “I felt like tempting you.”
“Tempting me?”
“Aye. To make you eager.”
“You’ve already done that. Now come finish what you’ve started.”
His golden locks brushed his solid shoulders as he shook his head. “That’s only a sampling of what is to come.”
Frustrated, she glared at him. “And why can I not have the sum total, here and now?”
“Because ’tis time we dressed.” He shot the words over his shoulder as he made his way to the basin. “Rise, Catherine. We’ve slept too long. Everyone will be wondering where we are.”
The rogue. Had he not kept her up most of the night, they would have risen far earlier. As she gazed at his body, which to her bespoke perfection, she remembered those wondrous hours they’d shared. Considering what had passed between them, she decided to forgive him for leaving her just now. Tonight they would again come together in a promise of ecstasy. She wished giddily that the sun would set within the next hour.
Breathing deeply, she noted that Rolfe’s scent clung to her. She wasn’t opposed to its presence on her skin. Indeed, she enjoyed the aroma. Still, someone else—such as Eloise—might notice the telltale fragrance. Questions were one thing she wanted to avoid.
By now Rolfe was through at the basin. Catherine rose and attended to her needs. Washed, her teeth cleaned, her hair combed, she set herself to dressing. Poking her head through a clean chemise, she saw Rolfe, his clothes donned, leaning lazily against the bedpost. He watched her.
“Enjoying the view?” she asked, feeling strangely embarrassed.
“Aye,” he returned. “’Tis breathtaking.”
Noting the way he gazed at her, Catherine felt her heart trip a little faster. Oh, why did this have to end? “And once your eyes can no longer behold me, how will you feel then?”
“Saddened, milady. Very saddened.”
“Why?” she asked, then held her breath.
“Once we part, I cannot imagine any woman I look upon thereafter possessing such beauty as yours.”
His answer cut deep into her breast. There would be others. Dozens, no doubt. The thought of him eagerly pleasuring another woman, the same as he’d done with her, filled her with such misery that tears gathered. Afraid he might notice them, she quickly turned from him.
Throwing on her clothes, she questioned why she was forever weeping at the least little thing. Her pregnancy, she decided, the last of her garments now donned.
Her emotions again under control, she circled toward him. “I thank you for your compliment, sir, but I’m certain that, in time, you’ll forget what I look like. Perhaps one day you’ll even find you can no longer recall my name.”
“I doubt that, Catherine,” he said, studying her intently. “I doubt that very much.” He shoved from the post and came toward her. “Are you ready to make your appearance in the hall?”
At his approach, Catherine held her head high. “Aye,” she responded, praying he didn’t touch her. Were he to do so, she would undoubtedly fall at his feet, wailing like an injured child.
He stopped only inches from her, his hands at his side. “Then run along.”
“Aren’t you coming?”
“I have something I need to do first.”
Impatient to be away, she headed for the door. As she opened the panel, she heard him call her name. She turned slowly to look back at him.
“When the years have passed, do you think you’ll remember me?” he asked.
How could she not? Especially when his child would always be there to remind her.
Again she felt her tears welling. “Aye. I’ll remember.”
Before she made an utter fool of herself, she was through the opening, the door closing behind her.
Rolfe leaned his shoulder against a merlon, watching Catherine as she took in the scenery at the adjoining crenel. After joining her in the hall and partaking of his morning meal, he’d suggested they go outside, where he led her up to the battlements for a moment’s privacy.
How could she think he’d ever forget her? he wondered, gazing at her profile. In his eyes, her beauty was unsurpassed. Not just outwardly but inwardly as well.
The thought that some day they would part pulled heavily at his heart, which at first surprised him. But then there was no woman quite like Catherine. Under different circumstances, he might consider asking for her hand in marriage. But, as a knight, his duty called. Always would.
Besides, she was accustomed to a life invested with riches. On the other hand, practically all he owned lay inside one coffer. Because of that, Rolfe knew she deserved far better than he could ever offer.
“Enjoying the view?” he asked, determined not to ruminate over things that could never be.
Smiling, Catherine turned to him. “Aye. ’Tis breathtaking.”
Realizing he’d uttered those very words only an hour before, Rolfe chuckled. “Do you refer to the scenery or to me, milady?”
Her hazel eyes twinkled as she gazed up at him. “If you must know, the answer is both.”
When she’d risen that morn, her mood was wistful. Now new life sparked inside her. She was suddenly playful. This was the Catherine who Rolfe most enjoyed. “Though I had hoped to score a point or two better, I am yet honored to find I’m at least equal to the surrounding hills. However, had you chosen the scenery as your preference, I fear my vanity would have been crushed.”
Her eyes dancing with mirth, she tilted her chin most haughtily. “Your vanity, sir, could bear the weight of a thousand men and not suffer from the load.”
Not so, he thought. Not if, after what they’d shared, she again sought her betrothed. She’d been given the truth about Miles, and if she went back to the man, Rolfe knew his pride would be dealt a severe blow. It would tell him she chose not to believe anything he told her.
He offered no comment on her statement, but instead instructed, “Close your eyes and hold out your hand.”
“Whatever for?”
“For once, just do as I say without question.” Her hand rose from her side as her eyelids fluttered shut. Rolfe slipped the treasure from his belt, placing it on her palm. Her hand sank slightly from its weight. “You may look,” he said.
Rolfe was at once amused by her reaction. Her jaw slackened in wonder as she stared at the solid gold bracelet. Her shaky fingers traced the circlet, which resembled twisted rope, then she touched the ruby eye of the serpentine dragon’s head gracing the ornament.
