Chapter Fifteen
Gillian returned to her chamber, relieved that the mess she'd made had been cleaned up. After being with the queen and her ladies for the last hours, she was exhausted. She stretched out on the bed. She would rest for just a few moments.
The feel of hands sliding up her legs drew her from slumber. Still groggy, she forced heavy lidded eyes open. Royce leaned over her, her skirts around her waist and his hands seeking her sex. Heat rushed through her at the wicked smile he gave her.
"You were sleeping so soundly, I almost couldn't wake you," he said, his fingers moving ever closer to her pussy.
She should protest, especially after the way he'd treated her the last several days. But as always, the fire he stoked consumed any rational thought. At the first touch of his warm hand on her sex, she moaned, her hips tipping up to give him better access.
"I feared you wouldn't wake before we leave in the morn."
His seeking fingers stroked and caressed, and her sex dripped with excitement. Somehow, his words filtered through the haze. Awareness came slowly, but the fog of lust finally broke away.
"You are leaving?"
He said nothing, slipping two fingers inside her, stroking her until she near forgot what he said. How she held onto the barest thread of her wits, she'd never know.
"Royce, please tell me. Why are you leaving?"
He continued his sensual assault as he responded.
"Edward has called a Parliament in Shrewsbury, where we will hold the trial. You will come with us. We should return within a fortnight."
She had no chance to question him further, for he leaned down and took her mouth in a devouring kiss.
His tongue was like hot velvet, and she moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He continued to torment her sex, until the lust threatened to once more consume her.
She drew away, gasping for air. He ran a finger along her cheek, his other hand still teasing her sex.
"Please, my lord, I need..."
"Yes, you do, but you're not going to get it yet."
He withdrew his hand and she whined in protest. She tried to pull him back to her, but he resisted her efforts.
"I would make this night last, to hold me through the coming days. I suspect we'll have little time together."
Her heart raced with excitement, her thoughts awhirl with ideas of what wicked games he might play with her now.
"Why must I come with you?"
"Since you were publicly named as traitor, Edward believes your presence will put the last of those rumors to rest. Simon will remain here, with Burke, to defend Lyndon"
She gaped at him. "So you believe us now?"
He nodded. "I believed you several days ago."
"You... what do you...? I don't understand."
He grunted and sat up, pulling her against him. She pushed away, wanting to see his face as he spoke. There was a hint of regret in his tawny eyes.
"Please explain why you continued to keep me locked up when you knew I was innocent."
Another grunt.
"Edward and I... we believed Simon was the traitor. Keeping you under public suspicion was a way of trying to make him reveal himself."
She shook her head, anger rising to take the place of her passion. She pushed him away.
"You are a fool."
"I had to be sure."
"Because of that there are others who believe me in league with the rebels."
He nodded. "Aye, which is why your presence at the execution is required."
"Execution?"
"Edward will assuredly condemn Dafydd to death for high treason."
She thought on his words and realized she had no choice. The king demanded she be there. She met her husband's gaze.
"And what finally made you realize you were wrong?"
"The queen and her ladies have a talent for uncovering secrets. And sharing them. 'Twould seem Lady Madelaine was your brother's reason for his suspicious behavior."
"I know that!" She stood and began to pace, evading his attempts to draw her back to him.
"Gillian, I would do it again."
She whirled to face him. "I know that too. You are the most mule-headed man I have ever encountered. I'd expected you to be smarter though."
His eyebrows slashed down and he stood.
"Even though I declared you innocent, I will not tolerate your disrespect."
She folded her arms and lifted her chin. "And what of your disrespect for me?"
"What do you mean?"
She shook her head. "You treat me like a criminal! Locking me away with no good reason. If you believed me innocent of the claims of treason, you could have told me. I would have helped you and the king. I still can. And I will."
"Aye, you will. By standing at my side during the trial and execution."
"Are you sure Lyndon will be safe?"
"Burke and your brother will work together to ensure Lyndon is secure. And they will investigate the other possible traitor. Burke is more than capable."
She hesitated, unsure whether to tell Royce about her discomfort with his captain. She had no wish to anger him again, but the recollection of the way Burke had leered at her remained clear and fresh in her thoughts.
"Royce, I... I don't know how to tell you –"
"Tell me what?"
She took a deep breath. "I don't like Burke."
The confusion in his gaze would have been laughable under any other circumstance.
"Why not? He is my loyal captain and as you are my wife, he is sworn to protect you and Lyndon."
She shook her head. "I don't like the way he... looks at me."
There, she'd said it. She held his stare, her anger rising anew when he threw his head back and laughed.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Ah, Wildcat, you are innocent in so many ways."
He walked over and drew her near. His hands along her back gave comfort as well as spurring her banked desire. If only her husband would always be so gentle with her. At the thought, she almost laughed. His harsh treatment of her excited her, more than she wanted to admit.
"I am no longer a maiden, my lord."
"'Tis not what I meant. You are used to Lyndon's men, who show you nothing but respect and would never dream of besmirching your reputation."
"Again, you make no sense."
"You are quite comely, Gillian."
He tilted her chin up. His compliment suffused her with warmth and the desire in his eyes turned the warmth into flames. Her sex slickened and swelled, anxious for him to fulfill the unspoken promise.
"Do you think so?"
He nodded, a hint of a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. "And likely Burke does as well. But he will never harm you in any way."
She thought on his words, still holding his gaze. Before any response formed, he covered her mouth in a deep kiss, one that claimed and branded her as his. Her fingers curled into his tunic, his tongue sending the heat within to searing heights.
He drew away, a finger tracing the path his mouth had just taken across her lips.
"Turn around."
She obeyed, the excitement bubbling ever more ferociously as he undid the laces of her gown and slid it from her shoulders. She remained still as he removed her chemise and stockings, until she finally stood naked. He turned her to face him once more.
The fire in his eyes seemed to burn, his gaze moving over her hungrily. She lifted her chin, the delight in knowing he found her pretty giving her pride and confidence.
"Lay down."
Again, she obediently followed his instruction, climbing up on the bed. When she turned to face him she stiffened. Held taught between his hands was another sash. Despite her confusion, her body heated at the knowledge of what was to come.
"Why must you bind me?" She winced at the tremor in her voice.
"Because, wife, I want to take my time with you, and I fear if you touch me, 'twill not happen."
Her heart raced, her sex swelling. His words sent the fire in her veins to a pitch she thought she'd never survive. When he took her wrists, she didn't resist, allowing him to bind her hands together and fasten them above her head.
Her breath came in pants, eagerness and anxiety mixing together to leave her in a state of anticipation and frustration.
She already ached to feel his touch. As he removed his clothes, her gaze locked on his finely formed body, and her pussy grew ever wetter.
When he turned to her, his cock hard and erect, she licked her lips.
Royce chuckled. "You've become quite the wanton."
"You've no one to blame but yourself, my lord."
"Aye. I will take full responsibility." He climbed into the bed beside her. "Just as I will when your disobedience is finally curbed."
"If you weren't such a mule-headed oaf –"
"And your lack of respect is atrocious. Whatever shall I do with you?"
"I suspect you'll punish me, whether I truly deserve it or not."
He nodded, casually reaching out to grab her breast. She arched toward him, the feel of his fingers rolling her hardened nipple a delight she never wanted to end.
He leaned over and sucked the tip into his mouth, laving her flesh with his tongue.
Her eyes fluttered closed as waves of pleasure swept over her.
He drew away, the cool air in the chamber leaving her skin pebbled and hard with the loss of the heat of his mouth. She moaned in protest.
The sting of his hand against her breast startled her. Her eyes snapped open, meeting his curious gaze. The shock of the blow faded, replaced by a warmth seeping into her breast. She sucked in a sharp breath.
Royce repeated the motion, and again, the sudden spark of pain quickly dwindled, replaced by the ever-intensifying fire.
He soothed her with soft caresses, which seemed to spread the pleasure deeper into her body.
She wanted to tell him what she felt, but another slap to her other breast halted her words.
The conflicting sensations of gentle caresses on one side, the sting of the strike on the other, created a tumult that left her gasping for air.
"You find pleasure in the pain."
'Twas not a question, but she nodded anyway. She did enjoy it, and she couldn't hide it. When he grinned, the delight in his eyes bloomed, warming her anew.