"Not quite, Nara," said Eada with a small smile. "The lady Mairin and my lord de Combourg were married in London in the king's very presence, by the king's own brother, the bishop of Bayeux! What think you of that?! Josselin de Combourg is now master of Aelfleah, and lady Mairin is its mistress. Now open the chest, girl, and hand me out those clean sheets for the bed!"

Rendered speechless for once Nara aided her mistress to clean and freshen the bedchamber so that the new lord and lady of Aelfleah might take their rest.

When she was satisfied that the room was ready for its new inhabitants Eada instructed Nara. "Have Kene help Dagda bring water upstairs for your lady's tub." Then she hurried back down the stairs again for in the back of her mind she remembered Mairin saying something about supper. As she reached the hall, however, Eada stopped suddenly. Her daughter was now mistress of this house, and it was her duty to plan the menus. Eada had always hated having to decide on what to have for the evening meal. It was one ch.o.r.e she would not regret giving up. With a chuckle she helped herself to a goblet of wine, and sat down before the fire.

Chapter 10.

It was night and the manor of Aelfleah had settled down to rest. Outside the narrow windows of the lord's house the snow, which had been threatening to fall for several days, was silently drifting down through the pitch black night to quietly blanket the sleeping earth. In the hills above the valley a wolf howled his lonely cry and was taken up by another of his kind who hunted nearby. They were doomed to failure this night and would go to bed hungry, for all the other creatures had taken shelter from the storm.

Mairin had bathed earlier in the large oaken tub that had been set before the fireplace in the solar. It had been refilled with boiling water after the evening meal and left to cool. Now with everyone else abed Josselin was to be bathed by his wife. It fascinated him that although she was a widow, Mairin had not been in the least embarra.s.sed by his nakedness when he had first pulled his clothes from his body. Indeed she had seemed to a.s.sess him, or was that his imagination? He was uncomfortable to think she was weighing and balancing his attributes against others she had seen in such a state of nature.

"You are very long," she noted innocently while looking at him up and down. He had just stripped the last of his clothes off.

"Is there any particular part to which you refer, lady?" he teased her devilishly.

"Everything about you is long, my lord. Your face, your arms and legs, your trunk. Indeed I have never seen such a long man."

"Is there nothing else of great length that takes your fancy, lady?" He leered wickedly at her.

He could see her seriously considering his words for a long moment. Then suddenly she turned fiery red as what he really meant struck home. "Oh, knave!" she scolded him as he laughed. "Get into the tub, my lord, before the water cools too much! I am not certain that a cold bath would not be more suitable for such a randy fellow!"

"Oh, Mairin, my sweet enchantress of a wife! I admit to being as randy as a young billy goat for you! You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen! We have been man and wife these six nights yet I have been unable to bed you. Do you know how very much I long to lie with you? To caress your beautiful body? To possess you fully?"

She smiled, and began to gently soap his broad shoulders. "Tonight, my lord, we will both satisfy our desires for each other. I will give you pleasure such as my first husband taught me, pleasures that delight a man. In return you will make love to me, and give me children. I very much want children!"

She had no idea of the effect her words had upon Josselin. The blood pounded in his ears and with a suddenness that surprised her he reached up and pulled her into the tub with him. Wrapping his arms about her he kissed her with a ferocity that left her totally breathless. She felt his tongue push into her mouth. She welcomed that first penetration of her person, slowly stroking at his tongue with her own even as Basil had instructed her. Cradling her in his lap he tore away the delicate linen of her shift, the only garment she had been wearing, and flung the two pieces from him. She was vaguely aware of water sloshing over the side of the tub and onto the floor as he drew her hard against his chest.

Their tongues were cavorting wildly, one about the other, licking at each other, at lips and cheeks and ears. She flung her head back exposing the column of her throat to him. His tongue darted along the silken length of the skin while a hand fastened itself about her breast. With unhurried movement he kneaded the flesh within his fingers slowly, until he felt her bottom grinding into his lap as her pa.s.sion began to rise.

She turned her head to bury her face into his neck. Then reaching up she fastened her teeth into his earlobe, and bit gently, worrying it as a puppy might worry a piece of cloth. Next she pushed the tip of her tongue deep into his ear, teasing at him with little flicking motions.

"Ahh, enchantress," he groaned, "unless you desire our first coupling to be here in this tub, then you must cease this sweet torment."

"I did not know one could couple in the water." She looked into his face seductively, saying sweetly, "I was quite happy bathing you, my lord.'Twas you who drew me into the tub, and totally destroyed my chemise. Are you not ashamed?"

"No," he said softly, his green-gold eyes bright with his desire.

"Let me up," she commanded him weakly, his look seeming to drain the very strength from her bones.

Reluctantly he released her, and helped her to arise. Mairin stepped quickly from the tub and knelt to finish her task of bathing him. The ends of her long hair were wet, but she did not feel them for her skin was still damp too.

Josselin had glimpsed her fully when she had risen and he had almost lost his breath in wonder at her beauty. He had felt himself hardening with the mere sight of her. She was so very beautiful, and she was his.

With a pounding heart and lowered eyes so she might hide her thoughts, Mairin finished bathing Josselin. She poured several buckets of rinse water over him and he stood up, his aroused state no longer a secret. Her breath had grown quite shallow as she observed the hard, pale column of his manhood springing from the dark blond curls between his lean thighs. Here before her was the weapon which would destroy her virginity, and how eager she found she was to face that destruction. Rubbing him dry with a rough piece of linen she said huskily, "We must get into bed, my lord, lest we catch a chill."

Without a word he took the cloth from her, and gently rubbed her damp smooth skin which was almost dry from the warmth of the fire. His hands lingered in the region of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, tracing the shape of them, encircling the nipples until they stood hard. Kneeling he stroked the cloth down around her navel across her plump, pink mound. His fingers followed the slit carefully, caressing gently. He felt her shudder. Wordlessly he picked her up, and carried her down the hall that ran between the solar and their bedchamber, depositing her carefully upon their bed.

The flickering candlelight cast black shadows upon his fair body as he stood above her looking down upon her beauty. When she held out her arms to him he could not resist the invitation and he lowered himself to the bed to wrap himself about her. His length pressed itself against hers, and she sighed. He smiled for her open pleasure was enormously flattering. He had never known a woman who admitted to enjoying a man's attentions. Indeed he found it delightful for it seemed to intensify his own desires. He swept his hand down her back to cup her b.u.t.tock, and was somewhat surprised when she did the same.

"Your skin is soft for a man even where it is hard with muscle," she murmured.

It was not quite what he expected. All the women he had ever known lay quiet while he had his way with them. Mairin seemed to want to actually partic.i.p.ate in their pa.s.sion. It was startling, but it definitely had possible advantages. "Your skin is soft too," he answered, suddenly seeing the humor in their situation.

They lay together caressing and learning each other's bodies. To his surprise he found he wanted to be very gentle with her even though she was a widow. He could not remember having ever taken as much care with a woman as he now took with Mairin. Straddling her, he reached out to play with her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Then bending forward he took a nipple into his mouth, and began to suckle upon it.

Mairin felt the warmth of his lips clamping about her skin, and involuntarily her body arched upward. The pull and tug upon her tender b.r.e.a.s.t.s was deliciously maddening. Threading her fingers through his tawny hair she kneaded at his scalp like a cat. Then she felt his teeth, nipping lightly at her sensitive flesh, to be followed by his tongue rubbing where his teeth had mildly scored her. It was all so marvelous to be loved again, Mairin thought, and she wanted to love him back. She wanted him to feel the same wonderful feeling that his mouth, and tongue, his hands and his teeth engendered in her.

Josselin's tongue swept down the valley between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s to her navel, leaving a trail of tingles behind it. "You are delicious, enchantress," he growled at her. "I want to kiss and caress every inch of you!"

"No, no!" she said. "Not yet! Let me love you a little, my lord."

"Love me? Isn't that what you're doing, dearling?"

"Nay, husband, you are loving me. I would love you now. Oh, please, Josselin! Lie upon your back, and I will love you a little."

Amused he complied to her rather strange request, curious as to what she would do. Kneeling upon her haunches Mairin leaned over him, kissed him sweetly and swiftly. Then her little tongue began to bathe him, sweeping down his neck, over his shoulders, and across his chest to his nipples. She licked and nibbled at them, and Josselin was a.s.sailed by the most incredible feelings.

He had never been touched by a woman in such a manner. He had believed a man mounted a woman and had his pleasure of her. He, however, had learned early that he gained more pleasure of his partner by caressing her a bit before the coupling. He had never had any complaints. Now, however, his wife was showing him another side of a woman. He was not, however, certain whether she should do these lovely things to him even though he was enjoying every moment of her attentions.

Then suddenly to his immense consternation Mairin's red-gold head dipped low, and he felt her take him into her mouth. With a groan of total surprise his first thought was to reach for her, and draw her away from him, but he could not do it. Rhythmically she drew upon his manhood sending shocks of burning pa.s.sion through his entire system until he was certain he would burst. In that moment he regained enough of his senses to order her away.

"Cease, enchantress!" he managed to gasp. "Though I would flood you with my seed, at least let it be where it can take root!"

Mairin raised her head up and said, "But did I give you pleasure, my lord?"

He nodded, and then asked, "Did your prince teach you such things?"

"Yes"-she smiled-"he did. I asked him if such a thing was forbidden, but he said only by fools and hypocrites."

Josselin laughed weakly. "I think, lady, that I follow in large footsteps," he said. Then reaching up he pulled her back down to him, feeling her b.r.e.a.s.t.s crush against his chest as their tongues began to play once again. He could taste himself within her mouth, and he found it arousing.

He inflamed her. This man who was her husband excited her greatly and she wanted him very much. How strange, she thought hazily. I thought I should never love or trust again. Though I knew it not at the time, I was naught but another beautiful possession to Basil. I cannot help but wonder if he ever really wanted me. Would I have been enough woman for him? Why did Basil wed with me? Was it that he wanted no one else to have me if he could not? With Josselin things were much simpler. We have wed for the sake of Aelfleah. He is a normal man, and he wants me because I incite genuine l.u.s.t within him. He says he loves me, and perhaps he believes it himself. Maybe he even does.

He was stroking her b.r.e.a.s.t.s again. His warm hands cupped and fondled her while his fingers played with the tight buds of her nipples. Gently he pinched the sensitive flesh, pulling it out to roll the tender tips between a thumb and forefinger. Mairin murmured softly with pleasure.

I want him! she thought. I want to be taken and totally possessed by this man; I want my virginity to end. Sweet Holy Mother! He doesn't know! Mairin suddenly realized she hadn't told him that she was still a virgin! She hadn't even thought of it seriously until this very minute! It had not mattered, considering all that happened since he had come to Aelfleah.

She was a widow. In light of their love play she knew that he would a.s.sume her to be totally experienced. How many virgins had experienced the various kinds of pa.s.sion she had with Basil? And then came to their marriage beds still virgins? Could a man really tell if a woman was a virgin? It was something she had never considered before. What was she to do? This was hardly the time for them to discuss it.

Josselin was burning with desire for his beautiful wife. Her provocative actions had aroused the most incredible l.u.s.t within him. He had never felt this way before. She was the most exciting female that he had ever known. He didn't know whether to be delighted by this knowledge or not. Pa.s.sion was not, after all, a quality one expected in a wife. Then feeling her warm, silky body atop his, he could no longer resist. With a groan he rolled her over so that it was he who mounted her.

"Enchantress, I will wait no longer! You have kindled a raging inferno within me that I am not even certain possessing you will ease."

"Josselin . . ." she began, but he silenced her with a kiss, and she felt him seeking between her thighs. She pulled her head away from him desperately. His kisses were like a drug which always left her feeling dizzy with pleasure. "You don't understand!" She made another attempt to tell him.

Gently he put his hand over her mouth. "No, enchantress, you don't understand. I am hot to have you, my adorable flame-haired wife, and I will without further delay!" His legs straddled hers and his big hands firmly parted her thighs. One hand reached forward, a slender finger slipping between her nether lips to gently rub at her little jewel. He knew the action always excited a woman.

A soft hiss escaped her. His touch sent a tiny flame of desire racing through her which was followed by several others in quick succession. Her body was both weak with her longings, and tense with her imaginings of what was to come. I must tell him, she thought dreamily, but it was too late. His mouth closed over hers again, and she could feel the smooth head of his manhood probing her unresisting flesh to finally press forward just within her pa.s.sage.

I must be gentle for it has been a long time since she last received a man, he considered thoughtfully. She is so tight! So very tight! Ahh, sweet Jesus! How I want her!

She tried to relax, willing her young body to be warm and welcoming, but she was suddenly afraid. Pain! Eada had said there was pain. He was going to hurt her, and she had to stop him! He had to know that she was a virgin! They couldn't do this thing! She panicked completely, all her sweet memories of pleasures fleeing before her fear. To his great surprise Mairin struggled wildly against him, twisting this way and that, almost unseating him in her terror. Her fists beat against him with serious intent.

At first he thought it some new game she played. Catching at her hands he yanked her arms above her, and began to once more press forward within her. "Why, enchantress," he demanded of her through gritted teeth, "do you play the virgin with me?"

Bosom heaving with her exertions Mairin managed to sob, "I am a virgin, my lord! I am!"

He was about to laugh, then he unexpectedly found his progress within her delicious body impeded by some barrier. Thinking he had imagined it, he drew back, gently advancing only to find himself again prevented from any further progress. Amazement written upon his features he looked down at her questioningly. "What sorcery is this, enchantress?" he demanded feeling the insistent throbbing of his manhood, and the need to complete what they had started.

"None, my lord," she sobbed. "Basil did not consummate our union. I was too young. There was no time!"

"No time?" The words exploded in his brain. There had been time enough to teach her a courtesan's tricks, but none to honestly consummate a marriage? What the h.e.l.l kind of man had Basil of Byzantium been? Why had he not made Mairin completely his wife? Josselin's head was beginning to throb. Why was he so angry? he wondered. Mairin was a virgin. No other man had even known her. None ever would. She was his, and his alone. He could feel himself aching with his need to finish what had begun.

"Enchantress," he groaned, "I will try to go gently, but I cannot stop now!" He began to move once more within her, pulling back to begin a tantalizing, rhythmic motion that left her gasping with pleasure. Then when she did not expect it, he burst through her maiden barrier burying himself as deeply as he could inside her, saddened by her sharp cry of pain, yet glad to have been the only man to have heard it.

Her own cry echoed in her ears. The pain seemed to be everywhere. It spread up into her chest, and down almost to her knees. Was this pleasure? It couldn't be! And then as quickly as it had claimed her the pain was fast receding from her body like a tide. A different feeling began to grow, a feeling of such enormous proportions that she was almost as frightened of it as she had been of her other fears. Still it was not unpleasant, only unfamiliar. Reaching out she clung to Josselin, some primitive instinct leading her onward now, her lips moving against the side of his face.

He had lain for a long moment atop her, willing himself still so that she might regain herself. Then feeling her arms about him, her soft mouth kissing him, he could no longer restrain himself, and began to drive within her with a sweetly sensual rhythm that he knew would bring them both to eventual fulfillment. Her sharp little nails began to claw him, but at the same time he felt her make the first tentative movements of her own in answer to his body's call. Very quickly they were moving together as one, and her face soon told him everything he needed to know.

I have died, she thought. I have died of pure pleasure! She was very conscious of him. He was big and hard, and throbbing with an unbelievable heat inside of her own pulsing body. She ached with his loving, and at the same time she soared like a falcon. Up. Up. UP. Surely she could go no higher! Yes, her bemused brain told her. I have died, and it is magnificent. Then she was whirling downward into a warm darkness that suddenly claimed her.

With a groan Josselin loosed the flood of his seed into her eager virgin's body. In his entire lifetime he had never known such fulfillment with a woman! She was perfection, and she was his wife. Rolling his weight off of her he wrapped his arms about her, holding her close. "I love you, Mairin," he said simply, smiling against the tangle of her hair as she sighed softly and replied, "I think I love you too, Josselin."

He managed to pull the fox coverlet over them before they fell into an exhausted sleep, and they slept for most of the night. In the cold, gray light of dawn Mairin awoke. She was aware of an incredible feeling of well-being such as she had never experienced. She heard the sound of his breathing next to her. Mairin turned her head slowly and saw that he lay yet sleeping, one arm flung over his head, the other across his eyes. He looked vulnerable in sleep. She wondered what his life had been like when he had been a child. His father had obviously accepted him despite his b.a.s.t.a.r.dy. Who are you, Josselin de Combourg? she wondered with a little smile. Who are you, you who are my husband and my lord?

"Good morning, my lady wife," his voice said, piercing the quiet. His eyes were still closed.

Mairin chuckled. "How long have you been awake, my lord?"

"Since before you awoke, enchantress."

"And you lay there while I contemplated you?" He nodded, and she chuckled again. "Thou art a villain at heart, my lord," she said, but she was smiling, her eyes light with laughter. "Have I properly fed your vanity now?"

"What were you thinking as you looked upon me?" he said.

"Despite our marriage and our coupling I was realizing how little I know you, Josselin de Combourg. I was wondering what your childhood had been like."

"It was happy and it was unhappy," he said, fascinated by her thoughts.

"Why?" she probed.

"You know the circ.u.mstances of my birth, Mairin. I lived at Combourg from the time of my birth until I was four years of age when my father remarried. My mother and I were then sent to my grandfather's house. I was happy in both places. I was well loved by my parents, and by my grandfather. My much elder half-sisters, Adele and Bruis were kind, and spoilt me.

"My father visited my mother each day while we lived away from him. Then his young wife died in childbed delivering my half-brother. At first there was much consternation that Guethenoc might not live, but a strong, healthy wet-nurse was found for him, and he thrived. By then mother and I were back at Combourg. This time my father would not listen to his relations, and he wed with my mother. I was six then, and it was then my life began to change.

"Of course my mother was anxious to prove to my father's family that she was fit to be his wife and the chatelaine of Combourg. She lavished great and loving care upon my younger half-brother. Guethenoc was, of course, by virtue of his legitimate birth, my father's legal heir. My mother would allow nothing to discomfit Gue. Knowing no other mother my half-brother adored her unquestioningly. When he was two I was sent to William of Normandy to begin my formal education for my father would educate me as he had been educated."

"And you were unhappy to be sent away," said Mairin.

For a moment Josselin's eyes grew distant and sad. Then he answered her, "Yes, I was unhappy. By that time my mother was more Gue's mother than she was mine. It has been that way ever since. She was a wonderful mother to me for six years, but today there are those in Brittany who believe her my half-brother's natural mother for she behaves that way. I am considered my father's motherless b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

"I would be lying if I said to you that I did not resent it. I do, yet I feel guilty. My family has never denied me their love or support. By making my own way I learned my worth, and that is important for a man. Still each time I see my half-brother with my mother I ache. Her eyes light with pride for his meager accomplishments. They turn away from the sight of me for my presence embarra.s.ses her. Nothing I can ever do will wipe away for her the stain of my b.a.s.t.a.r.dy."

"And your father?" Mairin queried curiously.

"My father has always been kind, but he has never allowed me to forget that I am his b.a.s.t.a.r.d, and not his legitimate son. Still he has provided well for me, considering. It was he who opened the doors to William of Normandy's court for me, and in the years in which I was yet young he oversaw with honesty the inheritance that my maternal grandfather had left me. He has never denied my paternity, acknowledging me publicly as his son. No, my father has treated me well, considering my birth."

"How old are you?" Mairin asked him. "I am your wife, and yet I do not know the simplest things about you."

"I am thirty. My birth date is August 3rd. I know that you are sixteen for Eada has told me, but when is your birthdate?"

"October 31st, Samhein eve."

"Samhein? Do you keep the old ways, Mairin?"

"I light my fires," she said warily. "I have done so all my life. Dagda taught me, for my mother's people did."

"It is a pagan rite, Mairin. I do not think the church looks kindly upon such behavior."

"Pah!" she snapped at him. "What do you really know of it, my lord? Do you understand why the fires are lit?"

He had to admit that he didn't.

"Then I will explain it to you," she said, "but do not think to forbid me for I will not obey you in this one thing! Samhein is the start of the new year when the earth begins the slow cold death of winter that must always precede its rebirth in the spring. Do you find that un-Christian?" Mairin had conveniently neglected to mention to her husband that Samhein was also the time when it was thought that the barriers between life and death were the lowest, and it was believed that the spirits moved most freely between the two planes. "Imbolc on February 1st celebrates the lactating of the ewes, a certain sign of the returning spring. Beltaine, May 1st, is a spring festival of fertility, of conception, and was once in our past the traditional day for Celtic marriage. Lugnasagh which is celebrated on August 1st is a feast to commemorate the sun, and the energy represented by life in all its diverse embodiments. Is any of this wrong, my lord?"

"It does not sound so," he considered slowly, "but what does Father Albert think of all of this, Mairin?"

Mairin chuckled. "Father Albert comes from Cymru-Wales-and the Welsh are a Celtic people. The fires are not unusual here in this part of the country. As long as the Ma.s.s is well attended the clergy tends to look the other way."

"It is not so at the Norman court, my lady wife," he told her. "The king is most orthodox in his beliefs, and seeks to cleanse away any heresy on the part of the clergy. In this he is firmly supported by the pope."

Mairin raised herself upon an elbow, and looked down into his face. Her flame-colored hair hung like a curtain from her head down one side of her body: "Do you usually speak on such weighty matters as religion with the women who share your bed?" she asked him teasingly. "Is it a Norman court custom?"

One breast was hidden by her arm and the curve of her body; the other, however, was quite visible. Turning himself Josselin clamped his mouth over its nipple, and tugged upon the soft flesh. She gave a little shriek of surprise, and pulled herself into a half-sitting position against the pillows, but instead of releasing his hold upon her he simply moved with her.

"Two," said Mairin mischievously, "can play at this game, my naughty lord." Reaching down she took his s.e.x into her hand to play with it. Beneath her skillful touch he began to grow rigid. Her fingers moved gently and provocatively along the firm length of him. She knew from the sudden nip of his teeth against her now hard nipple that she was exciting him even as he excited her.

They were both intent on their play, and intense in their exploration of each other's bodies. He loved the feel of her skin beneath his mouth, against his body. She reciprocated his pa.s.sion, adoring the sensation of the hair upon his legs and his chest pressing against her tender skin. If she continued fondling him he would lose his control, he thought. He released his hold upon her breast with his mouth, and pulling himself up so he was level with her, he tasted of her mouth while her hand continued what his lips had begun.

There was so much sweetness, Mairin thought, as she felt his arm about her shoulders, his other hand cupping and squeezing a breast. His thumb rubbing against the sentient swollen nipple. Her shapely hands slipped up and down the sensitive back of his neck, caressing one moment, fingernails raking gently the next. It seemed so natural when he covered her body with his own and with an easy motion entered her. Tenderly he moved upon her, remembering she was but newly deflowered.

"Ahh, enchantress," he murmured, "you fill my senses and take my breath completely away."