The Bargain (28 page)

"You are a vision, Aleysia. In truth, Renaud will not be able to keep his hands from you."

"I hope he is pleased."

Her eyes had been rimmed with kohl, emphasizing the light green color. They seemed to glow from within. Her lips and cheeks had been rouged, and Elena had suggested rouging her nipples as well; Aleysia had, shocking herself by her boldness.

"I wish I could see his face when he enters the chamber and sees you," Elena said with a laugh, heading for the door. "I will get Renaud. I told Galeran to signal the musicians when we left the bailey. If all goes right, you will be able to hear them from your window."

The chamber was dark, the only light from two candles on the bedside table and fire.

Aleysia waited nervously, pulling the cloak tight about her as Elena went to fetch Renaud. What would he think when he saw her? How nervous she was! A thousand times she had reconsidered and thought it would be best to wash her face and rid herself of the outfit, but they had come too far and Elena had worked so hard finding the gypsy outfit for her.

Nay, she would play this out.

Outside she heard footsteps approach and turned her back to the door. The door opened and closed. "Aleysia, what are you doing?"

"Lie down," she said, her voice shaky. She willed herself to relax, and waited as she heard him sit on the bed.

"I am lying down now."

"Close your eyes."

"All right." A hint of laughter touched his voice.

She had no idea if he actually had closed his eyes, but taking a deep breath, she dropped the cloak and turned toward him. His eyes were closed, and a soft smile played upon his lips.

"You may open them now."

Still smiling, he opened his eyes and the smile slowly slid from his face as his gaze shifted over her.

She did not know if he was pleased or disappointed. As though on cue, the music drifted in from the window. Now was not the time to lose her nerve. The hypnotic sound of the lute and drum blended together, and Aleysia moved her hips.

Renaud sat up on his elbow.

She lifted her arms up and over her head and snapped her fingers, while rotating her hips in a circle.

She heard him release a breath and smiled.

She moved closer, twirling about in a circle, her skirt flying up.

Renaud could not catch his breath. He could hardly believe the transformation in his wife. How beautiful she was, perfect in every way. He was relieved she had not tried such a stunt in public, for he would have had to kill every man who looked at her. She was so desirable. As it was, he could not wait to take her to bed.

Now as she rotated her hips his cock grew achingly hard—the blood burned within his veins. Her breasts were barely contained by the golden silk that hugged them, her nipples rock-hard against the material, and he could see the tiniest hint of rose as one peeped above the fabric. If he wasn't mistaken, she had rouged her nipples as well.

Her eyes, outlined in black kohl, focused on him, then moved down his body. She stared brazenly, her hands moving down her body as she rocked her hips, her fingers splaying over her own breasts, cupping them.

His mouth went dry.

Her fingers drifted lower, along her waist, her belly, toward the apex of her thighs, and then just shy of touching herself, she flung her arms wide and whirled about in a circle, the motion sending her skirts up, showing her naked bottom and her shaved femininity.

His cock jerked. She came closer, her hips moving faster, her breasts bouncing with each movement.

He had never been so hard in his life.

Her gaze shifted to his cock, which strained against his braies.

She lifted a tawny brow, and he could not help himself. He reached out and grabbed her, pulling her down on top of him.

He kissed her hard, and rolled over so she was beneath him, and he pushed his braies down.

She seemed as anxious, for she guided him, sighing as she took each inch inside her.

She moved her hips and he grabbed hold of them, steadying her, knowing he would spend himself if she moved.

"Did you like my dance?"

He brushed the flimsy material of her top aside. Seeing the rouge on her nipple, he grinned devilishly. "Aye, I did," he said, before taking a nipple into his mouth.

She gasped and cradled his head while he paid homage to one breast, then the other.

She came instantly, her hot sheath contracting around him like a glove. "I am glad you were pleased. I never want you to look at another gypsy again."

"I have no need to. Don't you know that you never have to dress up and be something you are not? I love you, Aleysia de Wulf, my woman, my wife."

He rolled over so she was on top and lifted her up and down, her breasts bouncing with the tempo he set. "Ride me, wife."

"So you do not want me to dress like this again?"

"Nay, I did not say that," he said a touch too quickly.

She laughed again and kissed him. "I am glad that you are pleased, husband."

"I love that word coming from your lips, wife."

"As do I."

Her head fell back on her shoulders as another climax claimed her.

Renaud lifted her off of his lance and had her kneel on the bed. He entered her from behind slowly, deeply, moaning as he touched her very womb.

His strokes were fast and sure, the slapping of skin against skin, the entire bed rocking against the wall. So much for taking her gently. He couldn't help it, especially when she called out his name, her inner muscles squeezing him tight.

He came with a satisfied moan, and pulled her down, into his arms. Kissing her, he smiled against her lips. "I love you, wife."

She ran her fingers tenderly along his jaw. "And I love you, husband."

Epilogue

Aleysia stood beside Elena on the platform that had been set in the center of the bailey. At the foot of the steps stood Renaud, looking handsome in white tunic and dark braies. Beneath him, dressed in a white linen tunic and trunks, silk stockings and shoes ornamented with golden lions, Adelstan bowed.

In front of God and everyone, he took the pledge of knight, swearing allegiance to King William and the Norman cause.

Trumpeters played as several knights helped Adelstan with his armor. His sword, which had been blessed the night before by the priest, was brought to him, and he kissed the hilt.

Renaud executed the colee, an open-handed whack that nearly knocked Adelstan off his feet.

The soldiers shouted their approval.

"Go, fair son! Be a true knight, and courageous in the face of your enemies."

Adelstan nodded. "I shall."

A loud roar sounded and Adelstan turned and flashed Aleysia a smile.

'"Tis done," Elena said, hugging Aleysia tight. "How proud you must be."

Aleysia nodded, doing her best to hold back tears. She had prayed for this day, and now that Adelstan had sworn fealty to William, she knew she could finally live in peace.

She lay a hand on her swollen stomach. In three months her babe would be born. Never in her life had she thought to find such happiness.

In a few weeks' time Elena and Galeran would marry. They spoke of moving back to France in time for the birth of their child, but Renaud grumbled each time it was mentioned, so they never spoke about it in front of him.

Aleysia would miss them both desperately. Elena had become her dearest friend and companion.

But at least for now she had her brother, and he did not seem to be going anywhere.

Another loud cheer rang out as Adelstan turned and bowed.

As was customary when a man became knighted, Adelstan displayed his skill with lance and sword.

Galeran came to Elena and pulled her into his arms.

Renaud bent down and gave Aleysia a kiss. "Are you happy, my love?" he asked, his eyes shining with love.

"Aye. I feel like I could burst."

He placed a hand on her stomach. "Our son is not yet grown."

"He will prove an able soldier, my lord," Galeran said, watching Adelstan with a smile on his face. "He's as fierce as they come."

"Aye, he will make an excellent sergeant-at-arms."

Galeran looked stricken and Elena turned to her brother with a frown.

Renaud laughed under his breath. "I need a new sergeant-at-arms, for you will no longer be serving with me at Braemere."

"My lord, if I have done something that—"

"Nay, Galeran, you have done nothing wrong. On the contrary, you have done everything right, and that is why I am bestowing my lands and titles in Sussex to you and my sister."

Galeran swallowed hard and shook his head as though to clear it. "I cannot accept it. 'Tis too much."

"Braemere is my home, and I have no desire to leave her. Except perhaps to visit my sister and her husband on occasion."

Elena looked up at him, a wide smile on her face.

Galeran kissed her, then bowed. "Thank you, my lord. I am honored."

Adelstan galloped toward the quintain, a dummy fashioned in chain mail that had been fastened to a post. Her brother attacked it, hitting it straight in the heart.

The crowd roared their approval, and Adelstan dismounted and took a bow. Now they would feast and celebrate this wonderful day.

"He will make a fine sergeant, my lord," Galeran said, smiling widely.

"Aye, he will," Renaud replied.

Aleysia lay her head on his shoulder. "I am glad it was you who came to Braemere that day."

He smiled devilishly. "You did not seem happy to see me."

"Nay, I was not, but I am happy now."

"Are you?"

"Aye. I have never known such happiness."

He leaned down and kissed her. "Nor have I, my love. Nor have I."