They dined together, but paid such scant attention to the food, they could not recall what they had eaten. The anticipation of sharing a bed and sleeping together for the first time blotted out all other thoughts.
Brianna chose the spacious master bedchamber where Guy de Beauchamp and Jory always slept. It was far more inviting for making love than her own small chamber.
“I was in such a fever to get here, I brought no clothes.” She threw open her mother’s wardrobe and found some of Jory’s elegant gowns and pretty undergarments.
Wolf came up behind Brianna and slipped his arms around her. “Oh, bugger. Can we pretend you didn’t find these things? I’d much prefer to keep you unclothed.”
“I shall so pretend…at least for tonight, you Welsh devil.”
He began undressing her immediately. When he had her down to her shift, he plucked it from her triumphantly and flung it across the room. Not to be outdone, Brianna unfastened his shirt and removed it, then playfully unsheathed the dagger he wore at his belt and pointed it at him. “Strip and show me the dragon, or I’ll slit yer throat!”
“If ye ask me nicely, wench, I’ll let ye ride the dragon.”
“Oh, yes, please.” She licked her lips in anticipation.
They caught a glimpse of themselves in the polished mirror, and the contrast between their bodies acted like an aphrodisiac. Their reflection showed them to be complete opposites. His hard, muscled body emphasized her soft femininity. His jet-black hair made her red-gold curls look like brilliant tongues of flame. Her smooth, creamy flesh played counterpoint to his swarthy skin that was tanned to a deep copper. Yet under the skin they were perfectly matched, not only sexually, but also temperamentally.
When Brianna saw the dragon on his thigh, she dropped to her knees and kissed it. Then she traced its outline with the tip of her tongue. Her feathered fingertip caresses and the effect of her sleek tongue sliding over the hidden, intimate parts of his body made him quiver with desire. “You enthrall me. I never believed anything could be as exciting as my visions of you, but I was wrong.”
Wolf swept her up and carried her to the bed. He lifted one foot and kissed her instep, and then he proceeded to anoint every inch of her creamy flesh, worshipping her with his mouth. Tonight, he wanted more than her body, he wanted to enter her blood, her heart, and her soul. His love words were so intense they held her in thrall. His lovemaking was passionate and she knew she could never escape the power of this man. She did not want to escape it, now or ever.
He lay back and lifted her onto his body in the dominant position. “Ride me, ride the dragon, Brianna.”
There was nothing passive about her tonight. She made love to Wolf with a wanton passion she did not know she possessed. She had a ravenous desire to make him groan with a hunger of his own and her lovemaking became splendidly uninhibited.
Though he usually had an iron control, at this moment it did him no good. He too began to move. She rode him faster and harder and he held her lush breasts cupped in his strong palms. Finally, she arched backward and released a cry of shattering bliss into the night.
He withdrew so he would not impregnate her and gathered her close against his heart. Later, they lay curled together in the big bed and talked. Neither wanted to waste the precious hours they had left in sleep.
“You looked afraid today, when I smashed the iron trap.”
“The trap brought out a violence in you that you keep hidden.”
“Shadow was only a few days old when I found her. She was huddled against her mother, who had lain in agony in a trap for at least three days. The hungry, suckling mother had been lured by the bait. She tried to eat off her leg to free herself. I arrived too late to save her. I had to put her out of her misery.”
“Shadow’s love is your reward.”
“I have an affinity for wild creatures. That’s why I cannot resist you,” he teased.
“This has been the happiest day of my life,” Brianna murmured. “Your father is undoubtedly safe in France by now.”
“His work has only just begun. He will start gathering an army to invade England so he can rid her of a useless king. It may take years, but he can be relentlessly patient when necessary.” He kissed her tenderly. “I have a massive job ahead of me. I have to secretly unite all the barons who are against Edward and Despencer. When my father comes, we must be ready.”
“Wolf, I will wait for you, no matter how long—”
He silenced her by placing his fingers against her lips. “No undying vows, Brianna. I have taken enough from you. I have taken today and tonight—I must not take all your tomorrows.”
They stole another day together. And as lovers always had done before them, they rode, walked, and swam, moving their bodies together in the same rhythm, imitating what they really wanted.
They went fishing, and laughed and splashed in the stream so much, it was a miracle they caught anything. Wolf cleaned the trout and then cooked them over a wood fire he built.
Shadow went hunting and brought Wolf back a token of her love in the form of a hare. Since it was already dead, he skinned it and cooked it over the fire.
That night, Wolf’s lovemaking brought a lump to Brianna’s throat. His kisses were so sweet, so gentle, and so breathtakingly tender that she felt cherished. His sole intent was on giving her pleasure. His caresses were unhurried, and his whispered words made her feel beautiful and deeply loved.
Later, as they lay entwined together, Brianna knew that he had changed her life forever. She felt completely safe and secure locked in his arms, warmed by his powerful body. The heavy, strong, sure beat of his heart lulled her to sleep.
When Brianna opened her eyes at the first flush of dawn, she felt the loss immediately. She sat up in a panic, knowing that he had already left her. On her pillow lay the wolf touchstone that she had given to him so impulsively on the day he had brought Shadow to her for safekeeping. As her fingers closed over it, her eyes flooded with tears. “God keep them both safe.”
Chapter 22
“I must face Lincoln Robert and ask him to release me from our betrothal.” As Brianna brushed her hair before the mirror, she spoke to her reflection.
She felt no guilt over loving Wolf Mortimer and had not the slightest regret that they had spent the last two glorious days and nights together consummating that love. There had been sparks between them from the first moment they met, and the attraction had flared stronger and deeper with every encounter, until it had ignited into a fire that would burn forever. Though she had denied it, her heart knew all along that she had fallen in love with him, and when she finally acknowledged it, her spirit had been set free.
Brianna did, however, feel great remorse over Lincoln Robert. She had pledged to marry him and now she would have to hurt him by asking him to release her. She now realized that what she felt for Lincoln was a natural affection for a brother or a cousin. It had nothing in common with the tumultuous, all-consuming passion she felt for Wolf.
Since she was already in Surrey, Brianna decided to ride the few miles to Farnham Castle and tell Lincoln Robert, face-to-face, that she could not marry him.
When she arrived at Farnham, she saw that the property was even lovelier than Lincoln had described in his letters. She gazed about the estate where she and her betrothed were supposed to begin their married life. Lynx and Jane were so generous to give us this castle that belonged to the late Earl of Surrey. They will think me an ungrateful wretch when I ask to be released from the betrothal contract.
In the courtyard, Farnham’s steward greeted her.
“Good morning. Can you tell me where I may find Lincoln Robert?”
“He returned to Hedingham yesterday, Lady Brianna. He will be sorry to have missed you. He spoke of your visit often. Do come inside and enjoy Farnham’s hospitality.”
“Thank you for your lovely invitation, but I had best return to my duties at Windsor.” Brianna could not help feeling relief that the confrontation with her
betrothed had been postponed. As she left, a voice inside her head accused: Coward!
“Where on earth did you disappear to?” Isabelle asked Brianna when she got back to Windsor.
“I rode to Farnham Castle to see Lincoln de Warenne. I kept postponing my visit until after August first.” It’s not really a lie—I did actually ride to Farnham.
She saw the concerned look on the queen’s face. “Never fear, Isabelle, I did not confide any secrets to my betrothed.”
“Thank you, Brianna. We must trust no one. I have news for you. While you were gone, it was discovered that Mortimer’s sons and the de Bohun brothers were no longer at Windsor. By some miracle they escaped their confinement.”
“That is a great relief, though we must pretend complete indifference.”
“It was my son, Prince Edward, who told me about it. He was quite happy they were no longer prisoners. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he had a hand in helping his royal cousins escape.”
Brianna decided not to disabuse her of her suspicions.
Two days later, King Edward and Hugh Despencer arrived in London, incensed that Roger Mortimer had escaped from the Tower. Though the constable blamed his sublieutenant Alspaye for aiding and abetting the notorious prisoner, the king had Segrave slapped in irons and the entire garrison of guards punished.
King Edward was in a state of near panic. His royal army was shrinking by the day. Mortimer at liberty could be the focus for a concerted opposition to his rule. He issued orders that Roger Mortimer must be recaptured, dead or alive, and raised the hue and cry all over England. Both Edward and Despencer took it for granted that the notorious traitor would have gone to either Wales or Ireland, and ordered Pembroke to send men-at-arms to scour those infernal places.
“This could not have happened at a worse time. I am beset on all sides,” the king raved to Pembroke. “You were up north with me. Not a day went by that the accursed Scots did not mount raids into England! Your army is useless, Pembroke. We have never been victorious fighting the Bruce!”
The Earl of Pembroke, aging and not in the best of health, dared to tell Edward the truth. “Sire, war with Scotland is one that can never be won. Your father emptied England’s coffers conquering the Scots, but they refused to stay conquered.”
“Each time we sign a truce, the accursed Scots break it. God rot their heathen souls! You must go and negotiate a long and lasting truce with Robert Bruce that he will not break after a few months.”
“Sire, may I suggest that you send the earls of Surrey and Arundel with me to Scotland? They have been friends of Robert Bruce since boyhood. I warrant if any man can persuade the Bruce to a lasting peace with England, it will be Lynx de Warenne.”
Edward turned to Despencer, who was busy stamping deeds with the Royal Seal of England. “What do you think, Hugh? Your advice in these matters is indispensable.”
Hugh Despencer dominated the king, who had given him all the confiscated lands of Mortimer, d’Amory, and Audley, making him the unopposed ruler of South Wales. The insatiable Despencer was not satisfied, however. He spent his days amassing estates, land, and wealth, which in turn increased his power. Since he hated women, he took particular delight in preying on widows and other vulnerable females who owned property. He had his own network of enforcers that did his bidding because he paid them well. Since these men did not hesitate to commit violence, the women surrendered their manors and their lands. The people of England both feared and hated him, and secretly lusted for his downfall.
Hugh Despencer had been closely following the conversation. “Since de Warenne has come into the earldom of Surrey, he has done little to prove his loyalty to the Crown.”
“He brought his forces to help siege Leeds Castle,” Pembroke pointed out.
“That proved his loyalty to the queen, not the king,” Hugh declared. “Summon de Warenne and set the task before him. If he is reluctant, gentle persuasion can be brought to bear.”
Rickard de Beauchamp visited the London merchant Botton and picked up secret correspondence from France. Mortimer asked that Rickard pass messages to his son Wolf and to Adam Orleton, Bishop of Hereford. He also asked him to get word to the queen that he had arrived safely in Paris.
Accompanied by Simon Deveril, Brianna met her brother Rickard in the woods by the river. She saw that he now sported a beard to help disguise his features.
“Roger sent a message for the queen. He arrived safely at the King’s Court in Paris and was warmly welcomed by Isabelle’s brother Charles.”
“Thank you, Rickard. She will be greatly relieved. Did he send a message for Wolf?”
“He did,” Rickard confirmed.
“Then you know where he is!” Brianna said quickly.
“I know how to get in touch with him,” he said evasively. “He moves from place to place. His mission is the same as mine—to unite those who oppose the tyranny of Edward and Despencer. Adam Orleton is secretly uniting the bishops. We all have our work cut out for us. Roger Mortimer will raise an invading army. When he lands, we must be ready.”
“Thank you, Rickard, for risking your neck to bring us a message. Is there any safe way I can contact you?”
“If it’s absolutely necessary, send Simon to Flamstead.”
On the way back to the stables, Brianna said, “Thank you for not asking where I disappeared to last week.”
“I didn’t need to ask,” Simon said quietly.
“Oh.” Brianna blushed. “I must go to Hedingham, as soon as the queen can spare me for a few days.”
“I will escort you, my lady.”
“Thank you, Simon. I am most grateful.” You know my secrets, yet you are still loyal to me.
By late August, Brianna knew that in all conscience she could no longer delay her visit to Hedingham. When she asked for permission from Isabelle, she did not tell the queen that the purpose for her visit was to end her betrothal. Lincoln Robert must be the first to know.
When Brianna and Simon Deveril rode into Hedingham, Jane, who was in the courtyard, broke into a radiant smile. “Oh, how wonderful you are here. I was just about to write you a letter to invite you. I have such exciting news, Brianna!”
“Hello, Jane.” Oh dear, you look so happy, and I am about to ruin it. Simon helped Brianna from the saddle and took Venus to the stables.
“I see you are wearing the touchstone I painted for you. Do you believe in the wolf’s mystic power to bring you secret knowledge, and to guide you on the path of life?”
“Yes, I do. The wolf is absolutely the right symbol for me,” Brianna said truthfully.
“Come inside and I’ll tell you the news.”
Jane led the way into her solar and poured them dandelion and burdock wine she had made herself.
“Lynx was summoned to Westminster by the king. I knew he was reluctant to go, though he didn’t tell me why. But when he returned yesterday, his worries seemed to have been put to rest and he was full of plans.”
“What did Edward want?” Brianna was immediately wary.
“The king wants Lynx and the Earl of Arundel to accompany Pembroke to Scotland to negotiate a lasting truce with Robert Bruce. I will be able to visit my family at Dumfries Castle and show off my sons. I haven’t been to Scotland for almost eighteen years. I am very excited!”
“Jane, I am so happy for you. It will be wonderful to return to Scotland and see your family after all these years.”
“We want you to come too, Brianna. The first thing Lincoln Robert said was how overjoyed you would be.”
“That is most generous of you, Jane. I…I don’t know what to say.” Dear God, I must tell Lincoln I want to be released from the betrothal. I cannot just fling it in Jane’s teeth.
“You will be able to visit Wigton Castle, which will be yours when you wed. And you will meet Robert Bruce, the King of Scotland. You will love him—everyone does.”
“Yes…indeed,” she said faintly. “Where is Lincoln Robert?”
“H
e’s gone to check on the harvesters. We hope to get the early hay crop in before we leave. He should be back any minute.”
“I think I’ll go and meet him.”
“Off you go, darling. Let him tell you about Scotland. Don’t let on that I spoiled the surprise.”
Brianna felt wretched. I’m the one who will spoil the surprise.
She began to walk to the hay fields, which lay beyond the orchard. She got as far as the first row of apple trees when she spotted him returning. Brianna stood still and waited.
He let out a whoop when he saw her and slid from the saddle. “You didn’t keep your promise about coming to Farnham,” he teased.
“I…I did go to Farnham, but you had already left.”
“Did Mother tell you we are going to Scotland?” He picked her up and swung her about.
“Lincoln, please put me down. I have something serious I must discuss with you.”
“Me too.” He set her feet to the ground. “Why don’t we get married at Wigton Castle?”
“No, Lincoln…that is impossible.”
“Then Scotland. We could have the wedding in Scotland.”
Brianna took a deep breath. “Lincoln, I ask that you release me from our betrothal.”
His face turned grim. “No!” he shouted. “I absolutely refuse to release you!”
“Lincoln, you must.” She searched for words that would not hurt him, but failed. “I have come to realize that my love for you is that of a cousin. We were childhood friends, and I thought that was enough, but—”
“Friends don’t do this to each other!”
“I am so sorry. I am filled with remorse, Lincoln. But I cannot marry you, because I don’t love you that way.”
“I don’t give a damn, Brianna! The contract is legal and binding and I won’t allow you to break it.”
“You must release me, Lincoln. I will not marry you.”
“Love has nothing to do with it. You are the daughter of an Earl of the Realm. You signed it and you will honor it!”