Chapter Fifteen #2
Silently, she stood up and moved in behind him as he sat on the stool.
Brandt tried to turn around to look at her but she put her hands on either side of his head, forcing him to face forward.
With her hands still on his head, she got in behind him so that she was right up against his back. His head was level with her breasts.
“Relax your head,” she requested, gently pulling it back so it was resting against her chest. “Just… relax.”
Brandt did as he was told, leaning his head back slightly until it came to rest against her.
He didn’t even ask her why. He simply did as she asked.
He was rewarded for his obedience when Ellowyn’s fingers began to gently massage his sweaty scalp, his temples.
It was heavenly. Brandt groaned with delight and closed his eyes as Ellowyn proceeded to rub his head, her fingers applying slight pressure, ironing out the worries and stress he was overloaded with.
Her gentle fingers moved all over his scalp and forehead, and partially down his neck but his hauberk prevented her from doing much with his neck and shoulders.
So she focused on his head, rubbing his temples and tenderly stroking his forehead.
It was a gentle touch, a loving touch, something Brandt had never experienced before.
He had so much on his mind, including the weight of a young prince’s dreams and the expectations of the royal father.
If he failed, Edward failed, and the monarchy’s quest in France failed.
Everything rested on one man’s shoulders.
Days like today, he felt the burden more heavily than others.
Ellowyn seemed to sense that. By magic or intuition, she seemed to sense what was troubling him and was prepared to do what she could to help him in a way he’d never been helped before.
It was on a deeper level, an emotional level, and he’d never known such comfort.
He was quickly becoming languid, dozing, enjoying every rub, every stroke.
He felt her kiss the top of his dirty head.
“You have had a very trying day,” she whispered. “Right now, at this moment, I want you to think of nothing else but peace and relaxation. Can you do this?”
His eyes were closed as he leaned back against her. “I can try,” he mumbled.
She smiled at his sleepy reply. “I want you to think of a peaceful lake on a warm summer’s day, and of cool grass beneath your feet,” she murmured. “I want you to think of me sitting next to you on the shores of this lake. I want you to….”
She was cut off by a rattling snore. She laughed softly, continuing to rub his head, pleased that he had fallen asleep against her. At least for a few moments, she had given him that peace she had hoped for. The poor man was exhausted.
As she stood there and rubbed his head, she realized it was the first time she had seen the man with his guard down.
Even in times of intimacy between them, and there had been several since they had been married, he hadn’t fully let his guard down.
There was always some manner of control to his behavior.
But at this moment, he was at his most vulnerable.
Underneath all of the pomp and circumstance, he was just a man with all of the needs of a man.
Ellowyn intended to provide for those needs. She intended to take care of him.
Brandt’s snoring was deep and even. He was dead asleep against her, sitting up, as she massaged his scalp.
It went on for several minutes until the tent flap slapped back again and Dylan appeared.
Before he could say anything, Ellowyn barred her teeth at him threateningly and he came to a wide-eyed halt, seeing that Brandt was sleeping the sleep of the dead as his wife drilled her fingers into his head.
“Wake him and you shall feel my wrath,” she hissed softly. “Let him rest, for Pity’s sake.”
Dylan’s gaze moved from her face to Brandt’s and back again. He was apologetic. “Forgive me, my lady,” he said quietly but politely. “He must know that Arundel is on the move. They are vacating the castle.”
Brandt’s head popped up and he was on his feet before Ellowyn realized it. “Well and good,” he growled, moving for his helmet and slapping it back on his head. “Is the portcullis lifted yet?”
“Aye, my lord.”
“Then move my troops in and make sure anything that is Arundel is cleaned out,” he said. “I do not want that man’s stench in my castle.”
Ellowyn ran after him. “Wait!” she called. “Where are you going?”
He paused before quitting the tent and she bumped into the back of him. He took her hand and brought it to his lips for a sweet kiss.
“I will return,” he assured her, looking remarkably awake for a man who had been passed out moments earlier. “You will remain here until I do. I will have someone bring you something to eat.”
She peered at him closely. “Are you well?” she asked, concerned. “You were so exhausted and….”
He kissed her hand again, her palm, and her lips swiftly in that order, cutting her off. “I can move mountains,” he assured her quietly. “You, Lady de Russe, have that effect on me.”
She smiled as he winked at her and quit the tent. She could hear his voice outside, relaying orders and receiving information. Listening to his strong, confident voice kept the smile on her face for some time to come. Returning to her cards, she settled in to wait for Guildford to be cleared.