Page 24 of One Knight
He lowered her, again seating himself fully within her, and Elisande covered her lips with her forearm to keep from screaming as she felt her mind come apart. Lost in pleasure, she slumped against his body.
He thrust twice more and then tensed, his hand cupping her hair and pulling her into his shoulder as his breath heaved from his lips into her ear.
“Thank you,” he whispered before he fell silent with his arms wrapped around her.
Pinned to his body in a state of exhausted euphoria, Elisande let go and allowed sleep to overtake her.
CHAPTER 11
The quaking ground beneath him from the thunder of approaching heavy horses woke Henry like nothing else could. His miracle of a wife curled into him, and he was naked.
This was why he slept in chain mail while traveling unless he was certain there was no threat.
He slid his body from beside Elisande’s and pulled on his clothes before reaching for his armor. He didn’t have time to wait for his squire.
Shouts from his men had him hurrying.
“What is it?” Elisande said, pulling his cloak over her.
“Put that on and go into the priory. I will come for you.”
“What?”
“I must go. Hurry.”
He grabbed his sword belt and shoved his feet into his boots and stuck his head out of the tent.
At least fifty horses, with mounted knights and soldiers, bore down on them.
“Elisande. Now. Run. Don’t stop until you’re inside.”
She stumbled from the tent, and he grabbed his shield to cover her dash to the gate. Once she was safely behind the walls, he joined his men, all with swords drawn.
“Can you make out the banners?”
“They had better be Norman, or we are in trouble.”
Red fabric whipped in the wind as the horsemen drew closer.
“King William’s standard!” Geoffrey yelled first.
Relief flowed through Henry as he sheathed his sword. His king was welcome. Anyone else was not. Now more than ever, he wanted Elisande back behind the walls of the manor. Having her out in the open and unprotected was no longer an option.
He called to Diggory to help him with the rest of his armor. By the time King William’s men slowed to a halt in front of the priory, Henry was ready to greet the king, if he was among his warriors.
And of course, His Majesty surged to the front of the pack and dismounted with the ease and grace of a man half his age.
“We heard there were knights moving toward the priory. My wife was alarmed and begged me to ensure the monks’ safety. Sir Henry, it is good to see you hale and hearty.”
Henry bowed low, as did his men behind him. “Your Majesty. We did not mean to cause a mad dash.”
“What brings you here, Sir Henry? I thought I’d sent you to Rosewyn Manor?”
“I am securing your claim, sire. A priest was necessary to make it irrevocable, as you commanded.”
“You married the girl? The baron’s daughter? Is she the prize we’ve all heard?”
Henry hoped his news would not displease his monarch, but the truth was the truth.
