Prisoner of My Desire

  Words failed him. Of all the things she could have asked for, including her

  release, never would he have thought her request would be to pleasure him. He

  was going to make a fool of himself after all, because he wanted her so badly

  now, he was about to explode with it.

  He started to stand, but her hand came to his shoulder and she added ?Forsooth,

  I did not mean now, but later, when you decide you want me again.?

  ?Wench, think you you can say such to me and I can then wait to?

  ?I was not trying to lure you to your bed,? she quickly assured him.

  ?Were you not??

  A soft blush rose to her cheeks.

  ?I had thoughtthis eventide, when ?tis dark and? She did not finish.

  Warrick, so ready to bury himself inside her that he could barely stand it,

  understood her dilemma, though he wished he did not.

  ?I forget at times that you were a virgin. Just now I would have it otherwise,

  but Go, wench, and do not let me see you again ere the sun setsbut then you had

  best be waiting in my chamber for me. Only do not expect your boon until I have

  had you at least once, more like twice. Verily, I may not give you rest until

  the morn.?

  Her slight blush had turned bright scarlet before he finished. She gave a short

  nod in answer and hurried away. Her absence, however, did not cool his ardor,

  and his discomfort began to infuriate him.

  Damn the wench, what was it about her that caused him to react with such

  extremes of emotion? From his first consuming fury that demanded revenge to this

  raging lust he was in the grips of now. And then there was this sudden mellowing

  of his need for absolute retribution, with young Fergant, even with the Lord of

  Ambray, who had earned his vengeance for nigh two years now. Had it been

  gradually occurring, or was it, too, a result of the profound effect Rowena was

  having on him?

  Verily, it seemed she occupied his thoughts now to the exclusion of all else.

  And he could not even say it was because she, too, had earned his complete ire,

  since he no longer thought of revenge when he thought of her. Even d?Ambray?s

  challenge was of little interest to him now, whereas a month ago he would have

  leaped at the opportunity to meet his enemy face to face. He would ride out on

  the morrow to do so, but he saw it now as more of a bother.

  It occurred to him suddenly that he was riding out on the morrow, not to return

  for a goodly number of daysnot to see her for that long.

  He left the hall in the direction Rowena she had taken. She could have her boon

  later, aye, he would insist upon it. But he could think of no conceivable reason

  why he should have to wait until the sun set for what he wanted. She might need

  the dark to become bold with him, but he preferred the light when he was buried

  inside her, so he could watch every nuance of her expression when she reached

  her pleasure beneath him.

  Chapter 33

  He was gone, but Rowena had not been thrown back in the dungeon as she had

  feared. She had not even been roused from his bed to attend her duties this morn,

  but had been allowed to wake on her ownto the empty chamber.

  Warrick had bid her good bye, however, at the crack of dawn. She remembered that,

  just barely, remembered being swept up into his arms, pressed tightly to his

  mail clad chest, and kissed tenderly. Tenderly? Aye, she was not mistaken in

  that, for her lips had been sore, were still sore, yet that kiss had not hurt.

  But she had fallen back to sleep almost immediately after she had been lowered

  back to his bed, the exhaustion of the night she had spent with him too much to

  pique her interest in his leaving or aught else.

  Now that she was awake, she wondered about that kiss, so different from all

  those she had acceptedand giventhroughout the long night. Her swollen lips could

  attest there had not been much tenderness in those other kisses. Not that she

  minded. The pleasures she had received far outweighed the little discomforts she

  was left with. And now that she thought of it, she also wondered why Warrick had

  been so insatiabfe. Surely not because she had brazenly spoken aloud what she

  would like to do with his body. And yetand yet he had found her not long after

  she had left him in the hall yesterday afternoon and had dragged her to his

  chamber, where he had shown her theconsequencesof teasing him like that.

  He had been so hot to have her that it had happened only moments after they

  reached his bed. There had been some discomfort when he plunged into her, but so

  arousing did she find his unbridled passion for her that she was moist by the

  second thrust, and as mindless as he by the third. After that he made love to

  her more leisurely, but with no less ardor. And it was lovemaking, for he gave

  more of himself than he took, without once mentioning what stood between them.

  At one point they both realized they were hungry for something aside from each

  other, and he went himself to wake the cook. But ?twas unnecessary, for someone

  had left a tray of food in the antechamber for them, as well as a full bath.

  They availed themselves of both, though the food was as cold as the water by

  then. That they had so lost track of time?

  But the night was not over, and Rowena had not forgotten what had started this

  odyssey of sensual indulgence. Neither had Warrick. But only after he was

  confident that ?twould take a miracle to stir his manhood to life again did he

  grant her original request. Yet the man was mistaken in what he was capable of,

  for he had been unable to lie still for her for very long.

  Twice he had tried, and each time when his control finally broke he was like a

  wild man in his possession of her. She had started at his neck with her mouth,

  working slowly to his shoulders, down those thick arms, across to his chest. She

  had wanted to lick every inch of his body, but she had not got much lower than

  his belly ere he would push her back on the bed and drive into her. Twas not

  until he was nigh exhausted that she finally had her way with him, and even now

  she blushed to remember her boldness and the sounds of pleasure she had wrung

  from him.

  It seemed like a dream now, how he had been with her, so different from how he

  usually was. Not once had he shown his cruel side. And she was amazed, now that

  she remembered, how often she had made him laugh. It had been a night she was

  not likely to ever forget.

  What she did not know, and was not going to find out now with him gone, was if

  his new behavior and treatment of her was the hopedfor result of her seduction

  of him, or if it was only temporary. He was going to be away less than a

  sennight, he had told her, but just now that seemed an infinitely long time to

  wait to learn if she really had succeeded with Mildred?s plan. Of course, even

  if it had worked, this separation just might undo it, so she would have to start

  over again.

  Rowena sighed as she got up and dressed. She was being impatient, she knew,

  especially when it was, in truth, unrealistic to assume that she might have

  actually tamed the dragon this soon. One night did not make a changed man. And

  one little reminder of why he had sought revenge against her
would bring the

  fire breather back. But she had made progress. There was no denying that. And

  she could not deny either that seducing Warrick de Chaville was not the hardship

  she had thought it would be. Nay/twas most definitely a pleasure.

  She did not realize how late it was until she entered the hall and saw none of

  the morning sunbeams that usually winked in from the high windows. The large

  room was almost deserted as well, except for a few servants. Mildred was one,

  and hurried to intercept Rowena on the way to the kitchen.

  Rowena was surprised enough to ask ?Is it safe, then, with him gone, for us to

  be seen talking??

  ?His order be damned,? Mildred replied.

  ?What I have learned cannot wait for a private moment. But why do you not seem

  distressed at his leaving??

  Rowena grinned.

  ?Behold, this is not the dungeon.?

  ?Nay, I do not refer to that, but to where Lord Warrick has gone. Can it be you

  do not know??

  ?Know what, Mildred? Warrick told me only that he would be gone a short while,

  not why he must leave.?

  Rowena began to frown.

  ?It cannot be to make war, not in so short a time.?

  ?Nay, not war, but a battle nonetheless. Gilbert has challenged him, and Warrick

  rides now to meet himface to face.?

  Rowena paled.

  ?God?s mercy, one of them will die.?

  Mildred blinked, startled that that should be a concern.

  ?Certainly,? she said impatiently.

  ?But first they will recognize each other.?

  Rowena barely heard, for she could not get the picture out of her mind of how

  large Gilbert was, how well skilled with a sword, and how Warrick would fight

  fairly, but Gilbert likely would not. Nausea churned in her belly as the picture

  became Warrick? lying on the ground? with blood?

  She was shoved forcefully into the chair by the hearth, with no knowledge of

  having walked there. Mildred?s hand was cool on her hot cheek.

  ?What ails you, my lamb?? the older woman was asking anxiously.

  ?Is it the babe??

  Rowena looked up with utter despair in her eyes.

  ?I do not want him to die.?

  ?Ah,? Mildred said knowingly. She sat down on the stool beside Rowena and

  continued briskly.

  ?And why should he? He left here anticipating and prepared for a trap. Twill not

  likely even come to a fightat least not between the two of them. But I thought

  you would be more worried about Warrick realizing who you really are. Once he

  gets a good look at Gilbert he will recognize him as one of his captors at

  Kirkburough, and he will make the connection. Does that no longer concern you??

  ?Not for the same reason. I know now that he will not kill meat least not for my

  properties/? she added with a smile that was more sickly than wry.

  ? Tis his rage I fear if he thinks I deceived him with my silence, which in

  truth I did. For that I could end up back in his dungeon.?

  Mildred?s smile was even more sickly.

  ?Sooner than you think, my sweet one.?

  Rowena frowned.

  ?How so??

  Mildred glanced behind her first to make sure they were still alone.

  ?The Lady Beatrix has been throwing tantrums since she was informed she must wed

  into the Malduit family. She is utterly furious with Warrick, and if the man has

  taught his daughters aught, ?tis the satisfaction of revenge. She means to make

  her father sorry for giving her to a mere boy she does not deem worthy of herand

  she means to do it through you.?

  Rowena?s eyes widened.

  ?Me? Butdoes she have authority, then, with Warrick gone??

  ?Some, not all, but she is too clever to depend on that. I overheard her

  plotting last eventide with her sister, and ?tis clever indeed what she intends.

  She does not know what your crime against Warrick was to make you prisoner here,

  no one does, but ironically, she plans to say ?twas thievery, that Warrick told

  her so.?

  Rowena closed her eyes against full understanding.

  ?She is going to say I stole from her.?

  ?Aye, and her most valuable trinket, a pearl necklace given her by Warrick.

  Melisant will support her, to say that you were the last one seen outside their

  room ere it was found missing. Beatrix will then demand a search of the weaving

  room, as well as Warrick?s chamber, and whilst there, she will pull the necklace

  out of its supposed hiding place, confirming your guilt.?

  ?And she will not even have to insist I be put in the dungeon. ?Twill be done no

  matter what, until Warrick?s return, and he is like to believe her tale. So

  often he called me a little thief. He will be forced to punish me,

  severelymayhap a whipping or?

  ?That is not your worry, my lamb. What will be done to you ere he returns is how

  Beatrix hopes to hurt him.?

  Rowena frowned.

  ?But John Giffard?

  ?Is not here. There is another jailer, a man not so nice who they say takes

  pleasure in abusing those given into his charge.?

  Rowena paled.

  ?II have met him.?

  ?That still is not all. Beatrix intends to suggest that you should be questioned

  to find out what else you might have stolen. Do you know how prisoners are

  questioned by this man??

  ?Torture??

  ?Aye. That little bitch hopes you will be so scarred andand used that Warrick

  will not want you back in his bed, but more than that, that you will lose the

  babe you carry. That is how she thinks to hurt him, because she knowsall knowhow

  much he wants a son, even a bastard.?

  ?I am going to be sick.?

  ?I do not blame you,? Mildred said sympathetically.

  ?Nay, really sick.?

  And Rowena ran to the garderobe.

  Mildred was waiting with a cool wet cloth when she emerged. Rowena accepted it

  gratefully, then asked ?How long do I have ere this trap is sprung on me??

  ?Until Beatrix readies herself for the evening meal. That will be her excuse to

  want to wear the necklaceand find it missing. But you will be safely gone ere

  then. I have already prepared you a sack with food and clothing, some of yours

  but more servant?s garb also, which you will need to wear in order to leave. I

  hid the sack in the alehouse, and was just about to see what was keeping you so

  long?

  ?I overslept.?

  ?Ah, then ?twas working, our plan??

  ??Your plan, but aye, it did seem to be? Rowena laughed joylessly.

  ?Not that it matters now.?

  ?Nay, this matter will right itself with Warrick?s return. And you need not go

  far. There is a woods a league east of here, big enough to hide a whole army.

  Stay near the edges, and I will send Warrick to find you once I make him

  understand why ?twas necessary that you go.?

  ?Can you not come with me instead, Mildred??

  ?I would be noticed missing too soon, which might draw attention to your own

  absence, which should not be otherwise noted until the accusations are made. You

  will have a better chance do you go alone, and I needs be here to assure Warrick

  hears the truth ere Beatrix offers her lies.?

  ?You forget he does not listen to excuses leastwise not from us/?

  Rowena said in a small voice.

  ?If I
must go, better I not return. Tures is not so very far from here?

  ?

  ?Us a good three or four days on foot!? Mildred exclaimed.

  ?But my people there will help me, or hide me until I can figure out a way to

  rescue my mother from Ambray Castle.?

  ?Rowena, you cannot think to travel that far alone on foot. Trust in Warrick.

  Given time, he will do right by you. I feel it.?

  Rowena shook her head.

  ?I have not your confidence. And now that I think of it, I do not want a man who

  breeds such vicious children to have aught to do with the raising of my child.?

  ?Fault him for his negligence, but remember that neither of those girls had

  mothers to guide them, whereas you?

  ?Mildred, there is no time to debate this issue now,? Rowena cut in impatiently.

  ?Tell me only how I am to get outside the gates.?

  That Mildred was annoyed to leave the subject unfinished was obvious by her sour

  expression.

  ?There is only one guard at the postern gate. You will slip through whilst I

  distract him. But if you are determined to escape for good, then wait in the