Vow of Seduction. Angela Johnson
of a jest, Alex, I don’t find it amusing,” she said finally, scowling.
“Nay. I have never been more serious. I shall seek an annulment with the Pope, if you agree to abide by certain conditions.”
“Even if it were possible—”
“’Tis definitely possible. We could get our marriage annulled on grounds of non-consummation due to impotency or frigidity. The fact that our bloody bridal sheet was never displayed gave me the idea. It would give credence to the claim, should you be willing to testify that we never consummated our marriage.”
Sunlight dappled her bold straight nose and cheekbones like gold dust. “You have my attention. What are these conditions you mentioned?”
“Firstly, you shall give me three months to court you and prove my worthiness. Secondly, you must spend time in my company, at my pleasure, whenever you are free from your duties to Queen Eleanor. And lastly, but most importantly, you will not find ways to avoid me and will seriously consider my suit.”
Kat crossed her arms under her breasts, the feathery leaves swaying behind her. “And how do I benefit from this bargain, should I choose to accept?”
“At the end of three months, if you still wish to end our marriage, I will seek an annulment with the Pope. As long as you don’t contest it, the annulment should be granted. Not only would your dowry estate, Montclair, return to you, but you could also marry again in one year…if that is your wish.” Alex bit his tongue, tasting blood.
“You would do that for me, Alex? Declare yourself impotent? Why?” Distrust shadowed her almond-shaped eyes.
“I have told you why. I want you, Kat. But I want all of you, body, heart, and soul. I shall not settle for less. This time you will have a choice whether you want me as husband or not.”
It was a risky gamble. Alex knew Kat would use all the tricks at her disposal to keep distance between them. As lady to Queen Eleanor, Kat could immerse herself in doing the queen’s bidding and ignore him completely. He could woo her as relentlessly as he wished, but with an absent bride, success would be highly unlikely. And more importantly, perhaps, courtship of a hostile Kat was not in his best interests. Or conducive to my good health.
“But you would never be able to remarry or sire an heir for Briand.” Alex longed to smooth the worry lines from her forehead as she gazed uncertainly up at him, her exotic flowery scent a potent allure.
“My brother, Brian, is growing into a fine young man. Should it come to that, he can sire heirs for Briand.”
A shout from the river reminded Alex of his mission.
“Come, walk with me to the river stairs.” Giving her no opportunity to decline, he took her hand and put it in the crook of his elbow, then led her out from under the concealing willow. “You need time to think about my offer, and I have business in London town. You can give me your decision when I return.”
A breeze from the southeast blew in from the river and caught strands of Kat’s hair. They wrapped around his neck like a possessive lover, undulating around him softly, arousing him with their scent and silky texture. But Kat remained oblivious of her runaway hair and his ultimate torture. Then quite suddenly, another breeze unwound the silken tie from his neck.
Disappointed and relieved at the same time, Alex looked down at the woman beside him as they strolled along the river in silence. His gut clenched at the sight of her loveliness. Though young, she exuded an innate sensuality that beckoned him like a houri to take her and claim her as his. But by his very bargain, he might lose the right to do so. He just prayed his gamble would succeed.
Kat, meanwhile, was still reeling from Alex’s unexpected proposal. She relaxed her grip on his arm. The muscles of his upper arm were surprisingly big and firm. Without volition, Kat squeezed the bulging flesh, testing it. His muscles flexed in reaction, and although he did not stop walking, he raised an inquiring brow in askance.
Kat blushed with embarrassment, cursing her momentary weakness. She covered up her mortification with a comment. “You say you spent four years in a Saracen prison before you escaped. Yet you appear strong of limb and muscle. I find it odd, is all.”
Alex pulled her to an abrupt stop. Surprised, Kat swung her gaze to him. Staring down at her, his blue gaze grew heated and his sensual lips curved in a wicked grin. The combination singed her blood and sent butterflies scurrying to life in her belly.
“‘Strong of limb and muscle’ you say.” His voice deepened. “As you have explored for yourself, you know my arms are strong, but how can you be positive all of me is as well? Unless…Would you care to examine the rest of my muscles as you did my arm? Just to be certain?”
Kat’s lips pinched tight at his irreverent wit. “Fine. Answer me not. ’Tis of no import to me.”
Alex straightened and started walking again. When he spoke his voice was devoid of emotion. “The fortress where I was held was a work camp. We toiled away every day, hauling heavy stone blocks quarried from a defensive ditch around the castle walls.”
Kat saw the river landing up ahead even as she marveled at the horrors Alex must have suffered, the frustration he no doubt had felt knowing he had the means to obtain his release but unable to convince his Saracen gaolers. The experience had changed him, made him harder, more ruthless, no longer the charming, carefree young man she married.
Her ears heated as outrage consumed her. She hoped the bastard who had sent Alex to a living hell was dead!
“Do you know who attacked you?”
Alex tensed beside her, but then immediately relaxed. “Nay. I didn’t see who knocked me out. I have learned it happened the same night an assassin stabbed Edward with a poisoned dagger. I think it most likely the two incidents were related.”
Willow trees and tall grasses lined the west bank along the river landing. A flat-bottomed barge, rowed by several men, came alongside the embankment and bumped up against the stone stairs. The pole man stepped out, moored the boat, and then waited near the landing to carry his passenger down the Thames. Kat inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Alex would depart shortly and free her of his troubling presence for the rest of the day.
The pungent odor of the river wafted on the mild breeze. A section of her hair that had come free fluttered across her face, tickling her cheek. Kat pushed the wisp of hair behind her ear and stopped.
“I shall bid you good day, Alex.”
He turned to her. His big warm hands clasped hers gently. A callused thumb stroked her fingers. Then suddenly, Alex’s right hand tightened on hers. Clutching her fingers, he raised her left hand and stared down at it in an oddly tense silence. “Where is your wedding ring?” he asked, his eyes dark with anger.
Kat tugged her hand to free it. “What concern is it of yours?” she snapped.
Alex tugged back. “Because you are my wife!”
She kept her voice lowered and hissed. “Nay. You never wanted me for your wife. You made your wishes clear on that score the day you left me. I took off the ring then and have not worn it since.” Kat raised her chin defiantly. “I saw no reason to be shackled by a symbol that proclaimed me your wife when you had no intention of fulfilling your vows.”
Alex tugged again and unprepared, Kat stumbled against him, her arms caught against his hard chest. “But there you are wrong, wife. I aim to fulfill my vows, in every way,” his voice rumbled in a seductive purr. He pulled their bodies flush before his lips swooped down on hers.
His kiss was not forceful or demanding, otherwise she could have resisted his advance. Instead, his soft lips molded hers in a gentle caress, coaxing her lips apart. Her mouth melted and he took stealthy advantage. His tongue entered the warm cave of her mouth, giving Kat a brief taste of wine and honey, before retreating.
One large hand branded her left bottom cheek. He thrust the hot, hard ridge of his shaft against her stomach, a silent warning, and a relentless promise.