Chapter Seventeen

R eynard reined in his horse at the approach to Oxford Castle. The winter months had all but crawled by and what little time he had been allowed to spend with Elysande had been mostly in the presence of others or during a dance in the great hall. Their moments together were fleeting and unfortunately there were other knights who constantly vied for her attention, hoping that she might favor them.

There had been many changes to Oxford's grounds in preparation of the upcoming tournament with tents erected with the standards of nobles flying to depict their houses. His return to the castle after leaving to travel to Devizes with the Empress had been impatiently awaited, at least on his part. They had been gone for far longer than he wished to be away from the lady who had all but crept into his heart.

But the empress had insisted Reynard travel with her to meet with her half-brother Earl Robert and her other advisers. That he had been privy to such private conversations should have humbled him but the news that he heard only warned that a resumption of this war between the empress and Stephen still lingered on the horizon.

Empress Matilda had admitted she would need to find another way to gain the throne, having come to the realization that England was not ready for her to rule. Her oldest son Henry recently celebrated his ninth birthday. She had learned that her husband Geoffrey had begun campaigning on their son's behalf. Geoffrey had already been busy in his attempts to conquer all of Normandy in her absence whilst Matilda fought to gain England's throne. If Geoffrey were to succeed and become duke, he would then remain in this important position until Henry gained his majority, at which point he would then resign in his son's favor.

But until such a time, the empress's position was precarious. She did not have the resources for a convincing war against Stephen nor was the church on her side any longer. Their only solution was to raise more troops. The empress hated the idea of asking her husband for help, but she was left with no choice. A missive would be sent to Geoffrey but his response could take months to be received back in Oxford.

Now they had returned almost to the day when the empress had told those left behind to ready the grounds for the tournament. Reynard had not had the opportunity in the recent weeks to spend any time on training, and he felt weak, which would do him no good in his quest to win the various matches and become victorious. Much was at stake, and he was in no way willing to lose the fair Elysande.

As he entered the inner bailey, a vision flew from the keep's door and down the stairs as she ran to greet him. Her black hair floated in the air, making her look like an angel come down from the heavens.

"Reynard," she called out with a bright smile, and he leapt down from his horse as she flung herself into his arms. He lifted her and buried his nose in her hair to breathe in the scent of roses that always reminded him of her.

"Elysande… you have grown more beautiful since I last saw you," he said in a husky tone that made him wish they were behind closed doors.

"I have missed you," she whispered whilst she held tightly around his neck.

"I can see that you have, and such news brings me much pleasure, my lady," he replied with a chuckle before he handed the reins of his steed to a lad who took the animal toward the stable.

The empress's wagon halted in the courtyard and her voice called out to the pair. "I can see for myself who she favors, Norwood, but release the lady before I take you to task for mishandling the woman."

He stepped back and raised Elysande's hand to his lips. He gave her a wink and was pleased to see her smile brighten. "Forgive me, Empress, but I have missed the lady," Reynard proclaimed as he went to the wagon to help the empress down. Once he set her on her feet, she waved her finger at him.

"Just remember you are not wed to her yet. If you want her, then you best win at my games," the empress said as a warning but then she made the mistake of allowing a short laugh to escape her lips, making it clear she was more amused than annoyed.

"I plan to do just that, my Empress," Reynard said with a nod of his head.

The empress waved her hand to dismiss him whilst pulling a linen handkerchief from her sleeve. She pressed the cloth to her nose. "Off with you then but you best clean up before I see you next, Norwood. You smell like your horse."

"Of course, Empress," Reynard replied with a bow and watched as Elysande fell into a curtsey before the empress left them.

Elysande took his arm. "I have much to tell you."

"Can it not wait until I do as the empress bids and wash the dirt away? I am certain she was correct when she mentioned I am not fit company after my travels."

Elysande shook her head. "I care not for any of that, Reynard, only that you are back. Come with me…"

She gave him little choice as she firmly took hold of his hand. He followed her along as she made her way down a path and into a secluded area of the garden where they would be out of sight. Before he could guess her intent, she pressed herself fully against him and he experienced the bliss of every inch of her body nestled close to his own. A groan escaped him. Something so simple yet there was nothing simple about the fact that her breasts were pressed against his chest. He peered down at those creamy orbs where her cleavage was appearing above the neckline of her gown. She was going to be his undoing.

And then he lost all thought when her arms made their way up and around his neck. "Kiss me, Reynard," she whispered so softly he almost missed her words.

How could he refuse? Bending forward he captured her lips with his own and began to explore what she so willingly offered. Did he feel the world tilt on its axis when their tongues began to dance together? Aye, he did. Surely, somehow, his whole world just shifted for he could not imagine letting this woman belong to anyone else but him.

How long this exquisite torture went on he could not say. Time seemed to stand still. When he at last put a halt to their play, her lips were red and swollen. He knew he had done something right if her look said anything about how much she wished to continue.

"Why did you stop?" she asked with wide eyes.

"Any more and I would unman myself," he confessed and he pulled her once more fully against him so she could tell for herself how much he wanted her.

"Oh!" She appeared so innocent there could be no mistake the lady was a virgin. It pleased him to know there had been no other before him.

"Aye… Besides, I cannot take things further until you are mine."

Elysande gave a little shrug. "I would not mind, Reynard, and mayhap if the deed was done there would be no need for a tournament."

"I will not take you like that , Elysande." He gave her another quick kiss and stepped back before he forgot himself again. "We will be wed. I swear it."

"Mayhap you should not make such a promise," she murmured but there was a catch to her voice whilst uncertainty crept into her voice.

She suddenly looked so forlorn that Reynard became concerned with what had been going on in his absence. "Something has happened…"

He watched her take several deep breaths to control herself. "The men who wish to marry me have grown… bolder in the empress's absence."

A growl of outrage left him. "Has someone…"

Her eyes became wide. "Oh heavens… no… nothing that far, but they are making their intentions very clear."

"Who?" he growled out, not trusting himself further.

"Lord Constantine for certain, although he is not as badly behaved as some of the others. A Lord Gerold Morcant has become a most unpleasant person to be around," she said whilst her lips formed into a grim line of displeasure.

"Morcant?" he asked and watched whilst Elysande gave a nod. "He has made the rounds of the empress's court attempting to win the hand of one wealthy heiress after another. There is a reason why the empress has denied him. Do your best to stay clear of him."

"They are only two men of many who have tried to put me in a position where a tournament would not be necessary. They mean to do anything to have me as their wife. Be careful on the morrow when the tourney begins. I would not be surprised if they plan to cheat their way to become the victor."

"And what of Warin? Has he at least remained respectful or must I needs call the man out?" Reynard inquired whilst swiping his hand across the back of his neck in agitation that any man would take advantage of the fair lady.

"Whilst Lord Constantine continues to make his intentions known, his behavior has remained proper. Still, I have never come across such a pompous arse in my entire life," she muttered as she rolled her blue eyes.

A short chuckle left him. "Sounds as though Warin is the least of my worries," Reynard said confidently.

She came to him and placed her hand over his heart. "Promise me you shall be careful," she replied, waiting for his answer.

"I promise," he declared, sealing his vow with another sweet kiss.

Elysande seemed to be relieved, and he began to escort her back toward the keep, promising to see her at the evening meal. He wondered if the empress would allow him to be seated next to his lady whilst they dined this eve. He would find out soon enough.