Page 56 of The Raven and the Rose
“Let me love you, Roseanna!”
She was shocked beyond anything she’d ever known as his tongue began its devilish dance in and out of her hot, throbbing womanliness. She tried to stop him, but an inner voice told her it was the most wickedly thrilling sensation she would ever experience, and she let him go on for long minutes. Finally she begged him to stop, but he was not ready to give up her sweetness. The throbbing pulse where his tongue thrust became heavier, threatening to erupt, yet he went on and on until she cried out and arched up from the bed. Finally, when the explosion came, it brought with it the most blissful feeling she’d ever known. Everything was totally new and exciting. The spark of sensuality had ignited into an explosion of erotic sex. He had her primed and willing now, and he wasn’t about to let her retreat behind her cold, rigid barrier yet.
His hot mouth moved up her throat, and he murmured into her ear, “Whisper to me your secret fantasies. What wicked reveries delight you?” She could not answer him, for she was beyond words. So he whispered his wicked desires to her and finished, “I would like to do that with you! Let me love you again, Roseanna, before daylight comes and makes you circumspect!”
She reached out, and her fingers closed around his swollen shaft. He groaned his pleasure, and they were shamelessly hungry for each other again. Her breath was ragged, and he knew her desires were as great as his. Her sighs of delight as his pulsing shaft thrust deep told him that she received almost as much pleasure as did he. She caught his rhythm and moved with him until they were both lost in the throes of passion. His seed thundered into her; her enjoyment was so intense, she almost fainted. His body shook with a great shudder of intense pleasure as he filled her with his love.
At dawn he slipped from her bed, taking infinite care not to disturb her. He caught his breath at her loveliness. Her hair was disheveled, and it suited her. She was wildly beautiful. He silently cursed his state of erection as he yearned for a time when they could awaken together. Then he would reach for her, and she would open to him and welcome his advances. The nightmare had shaken him, although he kept the lurid details to himself. In the dream when she’d been missing, he had searched for Roseanna and had found her dead, exactly as he had found Janet. His face grim, he silently put on his robe and went softly from the chamber.
Roseanna spent the morning visiting Rebecca. She wasn’t surprised to learn that Tristan had spent the night with her. Their relationship was much improved; Rebecca was eager for Tristan’s return from Ravenglass, for if the political situation seemed quiet, they would all be traveling back to Ravenspur.
“Did Roger tell you how long they would be away?” asked Rebecca hopefully.
Roseanna shook her head. “We didn’t speak of it. I assume they’ll be gone about two weeks, but I suppose it could be much less. Ravenglass is about sixty miles from here. If they ride hard, they could get there in a day.”
Rebecca sighed. “The thought of moving the entire household again fatigues me, but I’ll be glad to go home. I’ve had enough of the frozen North.”
“I’m looking forward to going to Ravenspur Castle. I haven’t seen my real home yet,” said Roseanna.
“Oh, you’ll love it. It’s so much prettier than this place. It doesn’t seem like a castle at all. In the spring and summer the gardens are like a picture, and the parkland between Ravenspur and the house where Tristan and I live is ideal for riding. It’s nothing like the wild moors up here.”
“I rather like these hills and dales, although they seem like mountains to me. I suppose I’d better get Kate Kendall started on the packing if we are about to move households. I’ll consult with Mr. Burke; he knows everything that’s going on, and he usually has everything under control.”
Her mind was already busy with the horses. They’d take them all back to Ravenspur, taking special care with the three mares that were in foal. She’d have to speak again with Thomas about the white horses that those monks were known to breed. Now that she had money, she intended to buy a mare or two to breed with the Arabian.
That evening, she again dined in her chamber rather than go down to the dining hall, which would be empty except for servants and the castle women. Afterward, she took a notion to explore Ravenspur’s chamber. What a great opportunity to satisfy her curiosity about the chamber—aye, and about the man! His possessions would give her insight into his personality and perhaps his weaknesses.
In his room she blushed at the sight of the bed, yet she spent a pleasant hour touching his belongings, looking into coffers and cabinets, and admiring his rich clothes, which were hung in two large wardrobes. One, she noticed, smelled of exotic sandalwood, while the other held the scent of newly mown hay from the herb woodruff.
Already she had known him for a fastidious man; now she realized how neat and organized he was. The room was furnished richly, and she could tell he loved luxury; yet she knew he was Spartan enough to survive any hardship. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and tossed her head in disdain. A mirror, indeed! To admire himself, no doubt. He was an arrogant and prideful devil, too.
She was aghast when the ache inside her began. In a panic she fled the room to dispel his influence. She closed the door with a soft thud to return to her own chamber, but as she passed the doorway that led up to the barbican tower, she came face to face with Sir Bryan. He was carrying a shuttered lantern, which he quickly set down, and he drew her into his arms. “Oh, Roseanna, my heart bleeds for lack of you.”
She reached up to caress his face tenderly. “My sweet Bryan, don’t pine for me. It breaks my heart.”
He pulled her into the shadow of the doorway lest anyone see them. She glanced up the stairs to the barbican tower. “What were you doing up there?” she whispered.
“I go up there to be alone—to compose verses to you.” She felt his breath upon her cheek; he sounded so young and sincere that she almost melted. “It must be freezing up there. What manner of lantern is that?” she puzzled.
“The shutters are for closing so the drafty winds cannot blow out the light.”
Roseanna accepted his explanation, yet in the recesses of her mind she knew shuttered lanterns served a dual purpose.
When he whispered, “May I kiss you?” her heart nearly burst with pity. He demanded nothing but the crumbs that were left over from Ravenspur’s table. She lifted her mouth to his and found his lips cold. They remained fused together until her warmth entered him. She wanted to take him to her cozy chamber where they could be warm and private and share their precious thoughts, but she knew she must not. “Go down to the kitchens for something warm to eat and drink. I’ll meet you there as if by accident. We can talk before the fire. None can deny us such a small pleasure.”
They shared a high-backed settle before the enormous kitchen fireplace, sipping slowly on warmed ale and gazing into the flames.
“Does Ravenspur hurt you?” he asked.
She was startled at his question but answered truthfully, “No. Why do you ask?”
“He murdered his last wife, and I’ve learned the unspeakable way he did it. She was raped with his dagger!”
Roseanna recoiled, horrified at his accusation. “Nay, Bryan, I’ll not believe it. Where did you hear such foul slander?”
“One of his own men told me. Ravenspur was arrested for the murder, and only the fact that the King intervened on his behalf saved his neck.”
“If the King believed him innocent, then so do I,” she said firmly because the alternative was unthinkable.
