The Kadin - Bertrice Small [181]
“You Westerners call the peoples of the East uncivilized infidels, but never in all my years in Barbary was I treated by any man as you have treated me tonight. As a maiden my innocence was cherished and respected. As my lord’s wife and later as his widow I was honored. You are the barbarian, Lord Hay! You have had you way wi’ me, now get out!”
Instead he rose from the bed and moving quickly lifted her up and lay her back on the bed again. She tried to escape him, but he laughed at her futile attempts. Slowly his mouth traveled the length of her body burning deeply each spot it touched. Now his big body blotted out her slender one. She could feel her own desire mounting again, and head thrashing from side to side, she moaned and tried to fight it down. He would not let her, and with a skill that terrified her, the master of Grayhaven raped her once again.
Exhausted for the moment they lay wordlessly upon the bed. Then mustering the little strength she had left, Janet crawled to the farthest corner of the bed, and pulling the coverlet over herself, fell asleep. He knew the battle was not yet over but left her alone for the moment and wrapping the rest of the coverlet around his own body, he, too, slept.
When he awoke, the early dawn was just beginning to chase the night Rolling over, he found her sprawled still sleeping, on her back. Awake she did not look her age, but asleep she was a girl again. Her lovely hair billowed about her. He allowed his eyes the pleasure of traveling the length of the lovely body be had so cruelly loved but a few hours back.
“My god, Jan,” he whispered softly. “You are extravagantly beautiful,”
“My husband once said the same thing, Colly.”
He started. “I dinna realize ye were awake.”
“I was not until ye spoke. For many years I was wakened each day by a slave telling me it was time to arise. The sound of a voice always wakens me.” She reached out to draw the coverlet over herself.
“Don’t!”
“Please, my lord.”
“What do ye hide I havena already seen?” Gently he drew her close, and while one arm cradled her, his other hand began to fondle her breasts.
“Colin, no! No more!” she pleaded. “Until last night I knew only one man, my husband. Ye have twice shamed me. I can bear no more.”
“Ye hae been widowed ten years, sweetheart Had it been he who was left, would he have been so celibate?”
“Ye hae made me a whore.”
“I would make ye my wife.”
“Never!”
“By God, madame! Ye act as if I had insulted ye by offering ye my name!”
She started to laugh. “Oh, Colly! Don’t ye understand? My whole life has been controlled by men. This is the first time I’ve ever been in control of my own destiny. Neither Adam nor Charles would dare to interfere wi’ me, and I am wealthy in my own right I like it! If I married ye, then ye would hae the right to control both me and my money. I should never be free again.”
“My God, Janet, I want ye for my own!”
As she cradled his head against her breasts she thought Why not? I shall be an old woman soon. Why should I not take my pleasure while I may. He had no wife to hurt and I want him as much as he wants me. Perhaps even more!
She said quietly. “Ye shall have me for yer own, my lord; and ye shall be the envy of every man in Scotland—including the king himself—for the beautiful and wealthy Lady Leslie will be yer mistress.”
“Janet!”
“But betray me even once wi’ another woman, my lord, and ye’ll nae enter my bed again.”
Her hand wound into his dark hair, and she pulled his head down to her. For the first time she kissed him willingly, and her lips were softly fragrant beneath his. He caught his breath in surprise as she scattered little kisses over his body. Now she was beneath him, her body moving more voluptuously as each minute went by. “Not yet,” she murmured in his ear, holding him back.
“My Oed, Jan,” his voice was thick, “sweetheart, please! Yer driving me mad!”
She laughed softly. “But a moment, my lord Let me find my own paradise.”
Minutes