Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine (reading an ebook TXT) 📕

covering her face with kisses, his hands feeling for her breasts in the low neckline of her gown. She gasped with pleasure, her arms encircling his neck, drawing him down toward her as she felt him fumbling with her long skirts. All sense of caution was gone. She did not care who saw them as he took her swiftly, bringing her again and again to the giddy climax of excitement. Once, as her back arched against him, her hips moving with his, she opened her eyes, dazzled by the brilliant blue sky above them. For a moment she stiffened as something moved—a shadow against the sun—then the thrusting excitement within her claimed her whole attention once more and she fell helplessly into the tide of her passion.

When at last Richard raised his head he was smiling. "So, my lady, you are mine. " He dropped his head to nuzzle her throat.

She stroked his hair gently, still trembling. "If I am discovered, William will kill me, " she whispered.

"William is in France. He'll not find out, " he said, sitting up slowly. "No one has noticed our departure. If they have, we'll say we were scouting for cover later in the day. Come. " He stood up and held out his hand to help her rise. "Let us go and eat, my lady. Love gives a man an appetite!"

They walked slowly toward the clearing. By the trees Matilda halted and beckoned the food baskets forward with an imperious wave of her hand, aware that many eyes had been watching them and had probably missed nothing of their disappearance. Aware too that Richard was looking at her with eyes that made her shiver with desire. Only the slightly heightened color in her cheeks betrayed her inner turmoil as she stood haughtily by as the cloth was laid on the ground.

She glanced at Richard again. Outwardly at least he was calm now. He sat on a rocky outcrop of the bank, his tunic unlaced at the throat, his hand held out carelessly for the wine his page brought him. Catching her eye, suddenly he grinned again and raised the cup in half salute. "To the afternoon's sport, my lady. "

She turned away abruptly and watched as the austringers settled their frames beneath the shade. The hawks huddled disconsolately on their perches, sleepy in the heat. Around them the grooms sprawled, shading their eyes from the light that pierced the high branches of the Scots pines, chewing on their pasties. The air was heavy with the scent of pine needles and dry grass.

The riders were upon them before anyone knew it. A party of a dozen or so, wearing the light arms of the Welsh, bows strung around their shoulders, their drawn blades glinting in the sun. Their leader drew to a halt before Matilda and Richard, the hooves of his sturdy pony dancing only inches from the edge of the white cloth on the grass. He saluted and sheathed his sword with a grave smile. Behind them their startled attendants stood helpless, guarded by drawn swords.

"Henpych gwell, arglwyddes. Yd oedd gennwch y hela da? Batch iawn yw dy hebogeu. " The man was swarthy. He had wavy hair and was dressed in glowing purple. "Greetings, lady; has your hunting been good?" he went on in flawless French. "I trust the sport of my mountains does me credit. I see your kill has been substantial. " He nodded in the direction of the birds that lay trussed for carrying beside one of the grooms.

He eyed Matilda slowly, taking in the tall, slim figure with the bronze hair beneath the veil. "My Lady de Braose, if I'm not mistaken? I am Einion ap Einion Clud, Prince of Elfael. " He bowed gravely in the saddle. "I was told you were in residence in Hay. May I ask when your husband is to join you there?" His eyes, green as the sunlight in the moss below the waters of the brook, were suddenly amused.

Matilda colored violently. This man had seen them. She knew it without a doubt. He had seen them make love. A quick glance at Richard showed her that he still sat, unarmed, wine cup in hand, on his rock. The set of his lips and the dangerous gleam in his eyes were the only signs that he was angered by the interruption.

"It was good of you to ride to greet us, Prince Einion, " she said, keeping her voice steady with an iron effort of will. "My husband is at present in service with the king. May I ask what you want of him? Perhaps a message could be sent. " Her face was haughty as she gazed at the man. The amusement in his face had gone. It was replaced by something hard and frightening. She refused to allow the suspicion of terror that gnawed suddenly at the back of her mind to show as stubbornly she held his gaze.

"It is a matter of a small debt, my lady. The kin of Seisyll of Gwent are unavenged. Do not think that the matter, of however little consequence, is forgotten. " His voice was level and light in spite of the irony in his words. "Think about it when you roam about my hills, and bid your men keep watch over their shoulders. I doubt if any of them could willingly lose a hand even in the defense of your gracious person. " He bowed again, mocking. She swallowed, clenching her fists to stop her hands from shaking. The moor was uncannily silent for a moment, then suddenly, close by, came the harsh grating call of a corncrake. Einion's horse threw up its head and whinnied. Instantly his mood seemed to change. He smiled a warm smile and raised his hand. "Good hunting, my lady, " he murmured, inclining his head. "I trust your sport is as rewarding this afternoon! Farewell. Duw a ro da it!" He threw back his head and laughed,