Chapter Thirty-One

R eynard watched his wife as she performed the patterns of a dance with Richard. Her laughter rang out and he wished he had been the one to cause her such joy. Wife… if someone had told him a year ago that he would be wed at the age of a score and three he would have laughed in their face. The twist and turns that life had thrown in the path of the Norwood brothers had changed their lives for the better. All three wed to beautiful women who were more than worthy of them. Reynard was still in a daze from all that had occurred just this day.

Married and then a short moment later a titled lord. Who would have known that the generosity of Empress Matilda would have gone that far? Reynard had expected such of Wymar for he was the head of the family. But Theobald and he had also gained far more than Reynard ever thought possible. His eyes searched for his wife who had disappeared amongst the dancers. Not that he was worried. Richard was like his brother and Reynard knew Elysande was as safe with Richard as if she stood next to him now. Perchance love would also find Grancourt soon.

A voice from behind him brought Reynard out of his musings.

"Have you lost your bride so soon, Norwood?"

Reynard barely acknowledged Constantine as he came to stand beside him. "Nay, I have not," he said reaching for a tankard of ale from a passing servant. "I did not see you at the wedding."

A grunt of displeasure escaped Constantine's mouth. "There is only so much suffering one man can stand. I had come to admire the lady, not that I would voice such feelings aloud when she clearly cared for another."

"You did not protest at all that Elysande and I were to wed," Reynard replied, watching Constantine closely. Could he have been mistaken thinking Warin had moved past his feelings for Elysande?

Constantine shrugged as though indifferent. "I had no objections to you wedding the lady but that does not mean I needed to bear witness to the ceremony. We would have still made a good matched if the empress had blessed our union."

"For an arranged marriage," grumbled Reynard, taking another long pull of his drink.

"Some have married for far less," Constantine suggested. "I am surprised you have not whisked your beautiful bride to your chambers. I assure you, if she were mine, we would already be upstairs." A chuckle rumbled in his chest when he looked over to Reynard who could only scowl at his rival.

"'Tis none of your business when I take my wife to our bedchamber," Reynard finally replied as the music shifted as the song came to an end and another began. Hawke took his turn to dance with Elysande and Reynard could hear her laughter from where he stood.

Constantine threw up his hand and laughed. "Far be it from me to advise you on how to run your marriage. I will bow down to the better man who captured her… heart."

Reynard was about to reply when Constantine raised his own cup in a salute and walked away. Reynard watched him leave. The man was quickly surrounded by several women of the court. He would not lack for companionship this eve if he so chose.

Enough of Warin , he thought. He had better things in mind than a man who one moment was helping him locate Elysande and the next appeared almost jealous. Elysande waved from across the great hall when her dance with Hawke was finished and Reynard began making his way through the crowded room to reach her side. She wound her arms around his neck and he pulled her close whilst inhaling the smell of roses that came from her hair.

"Are you enjoying our wedding celebration, my dear?" Reynard murmured whilst a part of him began to rise given their close proximity. God's blood… what this woman did to him with the briefest touch!

"I am, but I have not seen you amongst the dancers," she replied. She began twirling a length of his dark brown hair and 'twas hard to keep his hands to himself.

"I would rather watch you dance than join in with a woman who is anyone but… you."

"I did not realize I had married someone so romantic," she teased, and her eyes appeared to sparkle in the torchlight of the room.

"Only for you…" His reply hopefully had an underlying tone that suggested they head upstairs, but he did not want to take away her happiness if she wished to continue the celebration happening in the great hall.

Her smile was so sweet and innocent that he wanted to run his fingers through her hair and enjoy the remainder of the eve in the privacy of their chamber. He bent down to capture her lips and she molded her body close to his own. 'Twas all the encouragement he needed, and he crushed her into his embrace. Her breath hitched, and Reynard knew without any doubt she could tell how ready he was to make her his in every way.

"Perchance no one would miss us if we were to continue our celebration privately?" she suggested with a seductive smile that reminded him of seeing her naked and about to step in that tub at the inn.

"I suspect they wonder why we have not left hours ago," he said with a grin.

"You rogue," she teased, running her hand up and down the front of his tunic. "I suppose we should ask the empress for permission to leave?"

He briefly took his eyes from his wife to see that the empress was deep in conversation. "She will not miss us. If you are ready, let us go upstairs."

She nodded and took his hand. They stayed composed by slowly walking and nodding to the other lords and ladies as they headed toward the turret. But once out of view, they began to run up the stairs, down the passageway, and threw the bolt as soon as they gained access to the bedchamber.

"Good eve to you, wife," Reynard said in a husky whisper. He untied the belt at his waist, letting it drop to the floor, and then pulled his tunic over his head. His eyes roamed over every inch of the woman who had stolen his heart with just one look.

"Glad tidings to you, husband," she answered, looking over her shoulder. She pulled the wreath from her head, carefully placing the flowers on the table before she opened her arms to him. He wasted no time shortening the distance between them and he lifted her with one arm. He swung her around, and her head tilted back in delight.

"You are happy." His words were more of a declaration than a question.

"So happy that I must be dreaming," Elysande replied as her body skimmed down his chest.

"Then we are sharing the same dream. I could not be happier than to have you as my bride."

"I swear I became lost the moment I gazed into your grey eyes," she said contently. "Well… mayhap not at first glance but there was still something there."

He gave a light chuckle. "And I was found the moment I looked into your blue ones."

She took her fingers and brushed them over his cheek. "I love you."

He took both her cheeks in his calloused hands. "As I love you, Elysande. For today, tomorrow and for always."

"Then kiss me and make me yours… again," she purred, and he wasted no time pulling her gown away from her body. Her jewels came next along with her under clothing, and a pile of linen began to form on the floor. She jumped onto the bed, and he went to sit on the edge to remove his boots. She molded herself to his back and his breath caught in his throat at the feel of her warm skin next to his own.

"Hurry…" she urged and he did as she commanded for he could barely hold himself back from taking her there and now.

But he had other plans, and he took his time exploring every inch of the body that was exposed beneath his gaze. When he could finally stand their play no longer, he knew she was more than ready for him when he heard a moan of pleasure escape her lips. And just when he thought he could not hold off any longer, they shattered together as they each yelled out the other's name. They had climbed to the heavens and seen the stars together, forever becoming one with their release. Surely God above had blessed their union, and Reynard would give further praise to Him come the morning Mass that He had put Elysande in his path.

He was, indeed, a lucky man.