Page 43 of Betrothal

Geoffrey groaned as he pushed deeper, until the hot fullness of him lodged at her very core. She shifted uncomfortably.

He stopped, peered into her face. “The worst should be over. Do I hurt you still?” His hoarse voice betrayed his need to continue.

She sucked in air through gritted teeth and tried to relax. Perhaps that would help. “N…no, my love.” Did it hurt now or did it just feel different? “’Tis strange, is all.”

“Aye. But ’twill be familiar soon enough.” He grinned down at her then crushed his mouth against her lips, plying kiss after kiss. With deliberate slowness, he began to move, withdrawing and stroking back.

The burning sensation increased. Alyse bit her lip, determined not to cry out again. But as his rhythm quickened, pain gave way to those delicious feelings of mounting excitement. She raised her hips to meet his thrusts, each plunge driving her passion higher.

Suddenly, the burst of pleasure washed over her once more. Geoffrey shuddered then sagged on top of her, pressing her into the soft mattress.

Alyse clung to him, welcomed his weight. Completely his at last.

* * * *

Sometime later, the sound of a door closing brought Geoffrey fully awake. His first instinct was to leap to his feet and reach for his sword. The habit of war still sat upon him, even in times of peace.

But the warm bundle that lay against his chest recalled him to the present. Alyse. He had to protect her reputation. Peering into the darkness, he pulled the cover more securely around her shoulders and head to shield her from prying eyes. She breathed evenly, her spent body still cradled against his in deepest slumber.

Thomas emerged from the gloom of the chamber and stood regarding him from the end of the bed, his face unreadable in the waning light of the candle. “I see you are monk no longer.”

Geoffrey smiled ruefully. “Nay, Thomas. I always feared I could not hold out against her charms for long.”

“She needs to return to her chamber. The banquet is all but done, and her proper bedfellow will be retiring soon. It would not bode well for Alyse’s bed to be empty when she returns.” Thomas gave him a sharp look. “Your absence was remarked upon.”

Geoffrey swore softly and placed an arm around his beloved. “I will tell her to feign an illness. I saw her to her room then came here for an early night.” He shot his friend a wary glance. “Even though we are to marry in but a week, I would not have her reputation ruined, though it be by my hand. You will say nothing?”

Thomas’s smile was lazy, indulgent. “Of course not, Geoffrey. You have guarded my transgressions these ten years. The least I can do is oblige you with this one.” He raised an eyebrow. “Was she everything you imagined?”

“More than I could ever imagine. God, so much more.” Geoffrey’s gaze lingered tenderly on the small figure beside him, the memory of her sweet body clasping his filling him with new ardor. No more until the wedding lest someone take note of their assignations. ’Twas too risky for Alyse. He sighed. “Will you go and keep Lady Anne occupied for a bit while I return Alyse to her chamber?”

Thomas grunted and shook his head. “If I must. Such a disagreeable creature. She would doubtless be improved by a good bedding.”

Geoffrey laughed softly. “I leave that to your discretion, Thomas. Do what you must, but keep her out of her bed for half an hour at least.”

With a quick salute and a chuckle, Thomas left.

Geoffrey pulled the cover back from Alyse’s face and pressed a kiss to her flushed cheek. “My love?” he whispered in her ear. “Alyse, you must wake, sweet.”

Her eyes fluttered open, and she started. A small gasp escaped her, and her face darkened as with a blush. She must have recalled the night’s events.

He rubbed her cheek gently with his thumb and smiled at the heat of it. “Much as I desire for you to stay with me, my love, you must be found in your own bed soon. We were missed in the Hall tonight, and lest you be thought shameless, we must say you fell ill and I attended you to your room after we left the banquet.”

“How do you know we were missed, Geoffrey?” She frowned.

“Thomas told me.”

“Thomas? He saw me here?” She clutched the sheet to her, sweeping her gaze around the room as if he still lurked in the shadows.

He smoothed her hair, trying to soothe her. “Aye, sweet, but fear not. As I have held his confidences for him, he will hold mine. Thomas will say aught of what he saw. Indeed, he has gone to make sure Lady Anne comes not to your chamber before you are safely there. So you must make ready to go, my lady.”

Shortly, they both stood prepared to leave the chamber. He checked the room but found nothing amiss. Though there was no excuse to tarry longer—indeed ’twas dangerous to do so—still he did not want to let her go. Almost at the door, he drew her into his arms once more, thrilling to the feel of her body pressed against his. When he took her mouth in another searing kiss, she returned it with full passion. He longed to sweep her back to his bed, but they had to go. Too soon, he forced himself from her embrace, clasped her hand and led her into the hall.

Thank Christ they met no one on their way to her chamber. He stopped outside her door. “I must go now, love, but I will see you on the morrow.” At the threshold, he kissed her deeply, longing to rekindle their earlier heat. Soon. “Sweet love, tonight you have made me the happiest I have been in my life.”

Alyse smiled up at him, her eyes glazed with desire. “I also, my love. I would it had never ended. I miss your arms about me even now.”

“’Tis but a week until we are wed.”