Her slender white legs, parted to receive him, drew his lust and he ran his hands down her thighs, feeling her stiffen to his touch. Caressing her buttocks again, he withdrew himself slightly with the intent of making love to her again but caught sight of a slight amount of blood on them both.
The sight was like throwing cold water on him. It took him a moment to realize that he had just consummated the marriage with his virgin wife and hadn’t been entirely considerate about it. He’d treated her just as he treated any other woman he bedded. He should have been more thoughtful and compassionate, but the truth was that he’d been so overwhelmed with lust for the woman that he hadn’t thought about anything other than quenching his own desire.
He hadn’t thought of her feelings in the least; why should he? He was the great and powerful Davyss de Winter. He always tookwhat he wanted and he had wanted her. But this was different; this wasn’t some courtier or lady to be used and cast aside without thought. This was his wife, a good woman he’d been told, and he had just seriously abused that relationship. He’d thought only of himself. Pangs of remorse began to claw at him.
Carefully, he withdrew completely and set her on her feet. Sobbing, Devereux pulled the tattered ends of her surcoat tightly around her and stumbled away from him, pressing herself into the wall as close as she could get. The entire time Davyss reclaimed his tunic and secured his breeches, his gaze never left her. There was something in his expression, something unreadable and confused, that reflected the mood of the room. There was devastation here. He could feel it.
He left without another word.
CHAPTER FOUR
Lady Katharine wasgreeted by Hugh at the great gatehouse of Castle Acre Castle. She’d traveled with fifty men-at-arms the nine miles from Breckland Castle to Castle Acre Castle to spend the evening with her eldest son and new wife. Given her conversation earlier in the day with Davyss, she thought it might be a wise thing to do. She’d sent word ahead of her arrival and was met at the bailey gate by Hugh, Nikolas and Philip.
The sun had set and a line of torches lit the road from the bailey gate into the heart of the compound. The glow they gave off into the velvet night was eerie, the only light amidst a vast sea of darkness. Hugh greeted his mother with a kiss to each cheek while Nikolas and Philip each showed how gracefully they could salute her. Lady Katharine eyed Nikolas in particular.
“Nik,” she said. “Come closer.”
Nikolas stepped forward, gazing full-faced at Lady Katharine. She reached out a bird-like hand and grasped his chin, turning his face slightly. She was looking at something in particular.
“Where did you get that black eye?” she asked.
Nikolas didn’t falter although Philip, next to him, fought off a smirk. “In the struggle with Lady de Winter earlier today, my lady,” he replied steadily.
“Did she strike you?”
“Not with her fists, my lady,” he replied. “She hit me with the leg of a chair.”
Lady Katharine’s eyes narrowed at the injury and she unfortunately caught a glimpse of Philip; his nose was swollen and purple. She jabbed a gnarled finger at him.
“And what happened to you?” she demanded.
Philip’s smirk was gone and he cleared his throat softly. “A door to the nose, my lady.”
“Lady Devereux?”
“Aye, my lady.”
Lady Katharine shook her head. “God’s Blood,” she breathed. “I have never heard of such nonsense.”
Hugh stood next to his mother, still feeling the sting of embarrassment and inadequacy from earlier in the day when they had all failed to charm, or subdue, Lady Devereux. Davyss’ collection of knights were some of the most powerful warriors in the court of King Henry the Third but they had failed to effectively restrain one very small lady. It was a shameful display that they hoped would never become public knowledge.
The carriage carrying Lady Katharine moved from the gatehouse towards the massive lower bailey beyond. At sunset, the smells of cooking fires and roasting meat were heavy in the air. Hugh rode beside the carriage astride his big bay charger.
“All that is in the past, Mother,” he assured her. “She surely understands her place now.”
Lady Katharine cast him a long look. “What makes you say this?”
“Because she has been confined to her chamber since arriving here earlier today,” he replied. “Davyss spent a good deal of time with her earlier. I am sure he explained things to her.”
“Where is your brother now?”
“In the hall.”
“And how is your brother’s mood since his undoubtedly productive discussion with Lady Devereux this afternoon?”
Hugh looked at her; he resembled his mother a good deal with his dark eyes and angular face. “Why do you ask?”
“I am curious. Answer me.”
