Free The Dragon and the Jewel by Virginia Henley Page B

to be comfortable, I’ll remove this,” she said, taking off the headdress. “I hate wimples.” Her black hair came tumbling down to her waist in a silken mass and William’s mouth went dry. She looked so much younger now, but God help him, so much more desirable. She seemed totally at ease with him, talking with great animation, gesturing dramatically with her pretty hands.
    He stared at her in fascination. How could a woman’s waist be that tiny, emphasizing the delicious curves both below and above? All his attention was concentrated upon watching her. He had only the vaguest idea of the words they exchanged.
    She sat by the fire, leaning toward him eagerly. “Please describe it to me. My tutors are wonderful, but no matter how I beg they won’t teach me battle tactics.”
    William blinked and tried to gather his wits. How in the world had they gotten into this conversation? His eyes fell on the chess pieces set out on a small game table. He set the table between them. “Do you play?”
    She nodded eagerly, realizing he intended to use the game of chess to teach her the strategies of planning a battle. William warmed to his subject as she quickly grasped the nuances and subtleties of the game of war. It was two hours before he realized it was past midnight. He sent her to bed. She left with lagging steps, wishing they could have sat up and talked all night.
    Eleanor was convinced that William was ready to let her come to live with him as his wife. She felt elated, nowhere near ready for sleep, then suddenly she remembered poor Isabella’s haunted look and she felt quite selfish. Decisively she opened her chamber door and made her way to the west wing where Isabella’s chamber was situated. At the door she hesitated, concerned lest Isabella was sleeping, then she heard her moan. Themanor doors were not the impregnable studded portals that Windsor Castle boasted, and again she heard Isabella gasp and moan. She lifted her candle and turned the knob, when clearly her brother’s voice came from within. “I have no intention of leaving. We are going to share a bed. I want to hold you in my arms all night, darling. Damn it, I love you!”
    Then she heard another low moan and Isabella’s yearning voice said, “I love you too, Richard. Lock the door.”
    Eleanor was so surprised she almost dropped her candle. She hurried back to her chamber and slowly undressed. She was not displeased that two of the people she loved most felt deeply about each other. She understood Richard’s passion. Plantagenets felt passionately about all things. They let nothing stand in the way of what they wanted. Suddenly being alone was too painful to bear. How ridiculous it was to have left William when more than anything on earth she wanted to be with him. Well, that was soon mended, she decided, slipping a white velvet bedgown over her nightrail. He was only in the next chamber.
    On the battlements the de Burgh brothers spoke low. “You can go first,” said Sir Rickard, “but remember when we change places, I am on guard tonight.” He grinned and thumped his brother’s shoulder with a mighty blow. “Save some of your strength so you don’t fall asleep out here.”
    Sir Michael jabbed him in the ribs. “I’ve never fallen asleep on the job yet,” he said lewdly. The tower door was opened before he finished knocking. He noticed with amusement that the copper-haired wench was already naked. There would be no games of playful reluctance, no need to coax her to a giving mood. Mick reached out and pulled her into his arms. Her impatient hands were on his chausses, aiding him in the swift removal of his clothes. Never in his life had he dallied with a wench who needed it so badly. While he was still shrugging from his doublet her arms went about his neck and she lifted herself onto his upthrusting erection. Her gyrations began immediately, and he realized they’d never make it to the narrow bed. He took firm hold of her buttocks,