The Great Hall glowed warmly, illuminated by hundreds of candles in numerous brass sconces set along the stone walls and from a magnificent crystal chandelier that hung suspended from the rafters high above the dance floor. Gay laughter and music filled the air as a colorful array of magnificently dressed nobles in their silks and lace milled about the hall absorbed in lively conversation and merry laughter.
Bianca knew the moment Lord Draco arrived because she had been watching for him. It gave her pleasure just to observe him as he moved loftily around the edge of the room. Her heart fluttered with joy as she realized that he purposely made his way toward her. But as she stood in anticipation, a young man stepped forward to intercept Draco with the intention of introducing him to the lovely young woman at his side.
Bianca recognized the young nobleman as one of the young lords who had arrived only that morning. So far, he had made no effort to seek her out, and from what she had learned about him through her maid, his real intention for being here at Neige was to find a husband for his shy younger sister.
“And at present, it appears he considers the infamous Black Dragon of Normandy a possible match for her.” This last was murmured beneath her breath so that anyone standing near would not hear her speculation.
Bianca’s eyes narrowed with sudden jealousy. She had never before paid much attention to the other unmarried maidens who came to take up temporary residence other than to pass a short time visiting with them as they sat in the solar gossiping about fashions and such as young women do. But now she found herself in the disquieting position of viewing every woman in the room as a potential threat to what she considered her property and her hackles rose as she prepared herself to do battle to hold him. The extent of her jealousy was a very new experience for Bianca. She had never had anything to be jealous about before now.
As soon as Draco arrived, his eyes sought Bianca out. She was surrounded by a multitude of likely suitors who all clamored for her attention. She handled them with the ease of a young queen holding court as she smiled and nodded. But when their eyes met over the distance of the room, he knew that she was only waiting for him to rescue her. Even if he had agreed to help her sort through the numerous candidates seeking her hand in marriage, he could not bring himself to merely hand her over to any one of them. His heart warred with his mind about where his duty lay.
Glancing around the maddening crowd to find the most unobstructed route to her side, he found his cousin holding court at the side of the room. But it was the lovely Lady Modesta who received all his attention. Draco smiled slightly as he watched his cousin maneuver the maiden away from the crowd. They moved into one of the small alcoves behind several large pots of shrubbery where Charles placed his large body between the shy Modesta and the rest of the room as he proceeded to woo her.
By the envious expression on the faces of several young women, as well as a couple of older ones, who looked with interest at his broad, velvet-covered back, Charles still had the knack for drawing females of any age. Draco smiled wryly and shook his head. He threaded his way through the crowded room trying to avoid being stopped by anyone who just wanted to chat. But it was not meant to be.
“Baron d’Ensoleille?”
Draco paused as a familiar young nobleman touched his sleeve. It was one of the young gallants who had been in his hunting party that morning. He raised a black satanic brow in a frown at the forwardness of the man. A gasp of terror from his young female companion drew Draco’s attention in that direction. The lovely young maiden had a death hold on the young nobleman’s sleeve as he tried to draw her forward but she held back staring up at Draco as if he were indeed the very devil.
“Hush, Miranda. Show a little backbone.” The whispered reprimand was loud enough for Draco to hear and he empathized with the girl for her terror. He knew that his face was a fright. Before he could move away, the young lord forestalled him.
“Excuse me, Baron Lord d’Ensoleille, for being so bold, but I wish to present my younger sister, Lady Miranda.” He pushed the trembling young maiden forward, only to have to clear his throat in warning to remind her of her manners. “His lordship, Baron d’Ensoleille.”
Timidly, Lady Miranda raised her hand and offered it for Draco’s attention. He accepted it gravely and lifted it to his lips, but before his mouth even touched her skin, she jerked her hand from his grasp and then went white with shock at her rudeness.
“Oh, my lord, please forgive me. I am so….” Before she could finish her sobbing apology, an older woman, who was apparently her attendant, stepped forward and drew her away before she could embarrass herself or her brother further.
“Forgive my sister, Baron d’Ensoleille. Miranda is very young and not accustomed to the ways of men.” He shrugged his shoulders in his puzzlement as how to explain his painfully shy sister. “She is easily frightened. Not that you alone frighten her, my lord. She panics readily. I fear that my duty in finding her a suitable husband will be near to impossible.”
“Think nothing of it, young…” Draco couldn’t remember the young man’s name, so he went on. “Perhaps you should talk to the Duke de Neige about such matters. He seems to know the way of it.” With that short rejoinder, Draco moved on, not wishing to engage him in further conversation. He was well aware of what the young nobleman had in mind. A possible match between his young sister and the Black Dragon. But Draco had no intention of accommodating him in that area.
Draco had mapped out his future years before and marriage was not to be found. Even now, he made an exception in appearing at this ball. He generally had little time or patience for the company of gentlefolk. He was used to his way of life, a warrior’s life, harsh and, at times, unforgiving. This crowd of overly dressed nobles and their fine ladies made him nervous and he did not care for the feeling. The only women he came in contact with were camp followers or whores. Having lovely young maidens pushed at him with the proposition of matrimony in mind was disquieting to say the least.
His earlier intention of making his way to Bianca’s side suddenly evaporated and he came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the room. In his mind, he still saw the horror reflected in young Lady Miranda’s eyes. Flashbacks of a similar look on young Lady Deidre’s face when he arrived to claim her as his bride flashed to mind. Even though he was much older now, a seasoned warrior who had faced down enemy after enemy, the recollection hit him hard. He truly believed that Deidre had been correct in naming him for what he was; a great, ugly, scarred beast.
Draco looked around him and found that several maidens were staring unabashed at his face, their faces showing dismayed fascination. When Draco nodded slightly to acknowledge them, they quickly looked away pretending they had not noticed him. But their whispered comments behind decorated fans were loud enough to hear and his horrible, scarred face was what they commented on. Several pairs of eyes glanced back at him and then away as if he were a monstrous display for their entertainment.
Draco moved then, forcing his way rudely through the remainder of the crowd, his face darkened in humiliation and anger. He continued through the crowd, barely responding to the polite acknowledgments that were murmured his way. He had one goal in mind at that moment and that was to get to a darkened corner of the room where he could drink ale until he could leave without insulting his host.
But he was distracted from his dark thoughts by the loud unruly noise near the entranceway. As the noise of the crowd subsided, an older, gaily dressed man with a violin at his shoulder stepped through the open doorway and began to play a lively jig as a group of young men and women beating tambourines followed him.
Guests cheered heartily and then moved back to the edge of the dance floor to make room for the much-anticipated entertainment to begin. The low plaint of a Rom violinist suddenly changed tunes and began softly filling the air with a slow, sensuous melody as several gypsy women moved forward and began to move sensuously around the dance floor. Their movements were purposely seductive, their arms rolling and weaving in the air, their hands undulating in curiously hypnotic patterns as the men beat the tambourines against their hands. The bangles on the gypsy’s ankles jingled in rhythm with the slow foot movements and their hips swayed enticingly as they danced in and out among the guests, selecting the males to slowly circle, their bodies touching and retreating in an obviously sexual invitation.
The beat of the music quickened and arms and hips followed in rhythm and the women whirled in fast, intricate movements moving to the center of the room and out again. Each picked a man and now moved to him, smiling provocatively up at him as she ran her hand ran over his arms and shoulders while he laughed and playfully grabbed at her. The display of sexual charms soon had every male in the room moving to try to catch an elusive gypsy dancer as she whirled by.
But it was one particular man whom Bianca watched as a comely dancer took every opportunity to press her body against his as she whirled and swayed to the music. It was obvious she performed for him alone. Bianca watched the expression on Draco’s face, trying to determine if he enjoyed the attention. When he smiled down at the dark beauty, she felt her heart squeezed slowly, painfully. When the gypsy took Draco’s hand and invited him to join her in a slow, sensual dance, Bianca found that she could no longer stand there and watch. She moved to the side of the room and slowly made her way to the doorway, thinking to seek the solitude of her bed for the rest of the night.
Bianca considered that the whole of her day had been ruined. Her disappointment had begun early that morning when she had found out Lord Draco had ridden out before she could catch him.
When it finally came time to make an appearance in the great hall, she had been excited and anticipated how the evening would proceed. She had hoped to be seated next to Lord Draco at dinner. Bianca needed to see him, to talk with him. But he had not made an appearance. She made do with the company of several young lords who did their utmost to entertain her with stories of their great hunting feats earlier in the day.
Bianca sat for several moments fuming at the knowledge that she had missed the pleasure of spending the day in Lord Draco’s company. After searching the valley and forest for the hunters she had given up and returned to the castle to retire for the afternoon to her rooms to work on her writing. But her attention kept wandering to the dark knight and her pen remained idle for the most part.
Now she forced herself to smile and she accepted their offers of the choicest pieces of meat and the best wine and pastries. She had all their attention but she felt empty and lonely even among so many. There was only one man whose company she craved and she had spent the entire meal waiting for him to make an appearance.
During supper, she happened to glance down the table at her father only to find him watching her intently. He gave her an encouraging nod to let her know that he approved of the attention she received from her young suitors and that she should make the best of it. Bianca smiled weakly at him and then she glanced at her stepmother who sat at his side. She was shocked to find the woman’s face twisted in a mask of hatred as she returned Bianca’s stare.
It was clear Heloise was very unhappy about something, but what, Bianca had no notion. She glanced around at the young men around her and found them to be handsome each in his own way and pleasant enough. What did it matter to her stepmother who she chose to marry as long as she did? It was what Heloise wanted, was it not? Her stepmother had let it be known far and wide that her stepdaughter was old enough to wed. And she had made no secret to Bianca that she wanted her gone from Castle Neige and her life.
When she reached the entranceway, Bianca turned back to watch Lord Draco as he moved around the floor with the voluptuous gypsy in his arms, a haunting melody playing on and on. It was worse than being caught in one of her dark dreams because this was real and she could not awake to escape it. Her head began to ache and she felt sick to her stomach. Bianca needed to get out of there before she made a fool of herself by losing her supper there on the dance floor. There was only so much pain and heartache that a maiden could endure and she was definitely past that point.
She had never considered that Lord Draco would betray her with another woman, but then, he had never made her any promises either. Their relationship was a frail one, and apparently, at this point in it, she was not important enough for him to consider her feelings at seeing him in the arms of another woman, even if it was only a gypsy wench. The baron was a man after all. He could take any woman he wanted and she had no leverage with which to stop him. Sadly, Bianca had only a few more days to get him to commit to her, only until the end of the week, or she would lose him. Now, as she watched him dancing with another woman, her confidence in her scheme faded. How much could she expect of a man who publicly fawned over a gypsy slattern, one who made it obvious that she was only too willing to share his bed if he but asked?
Of course, Bianca thought bitterly, he had no intention of marrying the gypsy either, but he knew that he could bed her and leave her in the morning with no consequences.
Bianca was so furious, she did not notice the old gypsy woman standing in the alcove behind her until she nearly tripped over her.
“Pardon me,” Bianca murmured, and tried to pass, but the old woman sidestepped her and planted herself in front of Bianca, effectively blocking her escape. Looking closer at the woman, Bianca gasped and stumbled back, a feeling of real panic filling her.
“Pray, do not fear me, child. I mean you no harm.”
The words were said in a low, soothing tone, which penetrated the haze of fear and calmed Bianca enough that she could catch her breath. “What do you want here?”
“I came to see you.”
“Why?”
“Need you ask that, child?” A small, reproachful smile lit up the old, wrinkled face. “I realize that I have not been around in a long while, but we have been on the road a great deal the past few years. You know that a gypsy has no real home except for her family.”
“Yea. But why have you come back? And why now?”
“I sensed that you needed guidance. All the signs I have studied pointed to it. You are of an age where you need your own man and to start a family.” The old woman shrugged her shoulders slightly. “I thought that perhaps I could advise you in some small way. Everyone needs a little help from time to time. Do you not agree? Come, let us talk for a while.”
Hesitant to take the old, proffered hand, Bianca gaze into the soulful bluish-purple eyes uncertainly. But as she considered her words, she saw only trust and compassion and, she gasped, yes, there was love shining in her eyes for Bianca. Was it possible that this old woman, who had popped in and out of her life over the years and who always managed to appear when she most needed advice on a life-changing matter, loved her as well as any grandmother loved her granddaughter?
In all the years she had known this woman, she had come to no harm. Which made it hard for Bianca to understand her own attitude toward the Rom. They had for the most part treated her as family. It had been the incident when she was a young child that still haunted her in her dreams that had her mistrusting any gypsy who came within any distance of Neige. To this day, she still had nightmares, even if the incident had dimmed somewhat and all the details seemed to blur over the years. It seemed foolish now that it was all in the past, but the tragic happenings at that time in her young life had changed her whole perspective about trusting anyone.
Taking a shuddering breath, Bianca closed her eyes as she made an effort to push the sadness away. Slowly she offered her hand and felt it clasped by rough, bony hands. A warmth seemed to race up her arm, and she opened her eyes to gaze down at the old woman’s hand. Whether it was her imagination or reality, a blue flame formed a soft aura around their hands and a feeling of quiet enchantment rushed up her arm to warm her body as it settled in her heart. She blinked once and then it was gone and she was left wondering if it were real.
“Now then.” Her grandmother’s words brought her back to her surroundings. “About this man you care so much about, the one you are going to lose, not to that debauching little dancer doing her best to seduce him, but to your own lack of fortitude. You know your heart, but you are letting your jealousy work against you. He is yours, granddaughter, believe it. Use the knowledge that he cares deeply for you and only you to help you find a way to get the words from him.”
“That is easier said than accomplished. What do I do, go and dance for him as well?” Sarcasm dripped from her lips as Bianca laughed mirthlessly, helplessness echoing off the cold, stone corridor walls. It was a sound that matched her disposition.
“Yea, if that is what it takes, do so, but not in the hall where every ravenous male can feast his eyes upon your lovely flesh. No, you must do something for him and him alone. If dancing is what it will take, then dancing he shall have.” Taking Bianca by the arm, the old woman ushered her down the twisting turns of the corridors and up the stairs to her tower chambers.
“I cannot dance for him, grandmother. I would not even know how.”
“That is a defeatist attitude, my dear. If your mother had believed that, you would not be standing here today.”
“Yes, I suppose you are right.” At the mention of her mother, Bianca’s lagging fortitude did an about-face. “What must I do? Teach me the dances that will seduce him and I will do it.”
“Good, child. That is the attitude you must take. Never do I want to see your lower lip trembling again. It does no good to wallow in self-pity.” The old woman kissed Bianca’s forehead gently and hugged her close. “There, now first things first, we must find something suitable for you to wear.”
Bianca glanced down at her lovely gown. “What is wrong with this?”
“It is very beautiful, my child. But you need something more; something that will dazzle him, something that will take his breath away when he sees you in it. A costume he will remember and dream of long after you have performed for him.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat that threatened to choke her, Bianca’s eyes widened with wonder, and just a little fear. She hesitated even going so far as to open her mouth to tell her grandmother that she didn’t think she could do it. But then she remembered that last time she had been alone with Lord Draco, in his rooms, and the memory of the gleam of desire in his dark eyes.
Yes. She would dance for him. This would be her time to seduce the stubborn man.
“Are you seeing it as it could be, granddaughter? Yea, I can see that you are.”
With a slight nod of assurance, Bianca let her mind’s eye picture exactly what the old woman spoke of and then her courage wavered.
“I have nothing so enchanting.”
“Hmmm… Do you still have any of your mother’s wardrobe?”
“Yes, whatever is left is stored in those chests in the corner.”
Not needing an invitation, the old woman moved across the room and opened a chest. She rummaged through it for a moment or two, murmuring quietly to herself.
Bianca walked up behind her and peered over her shoulder as she shifted through the items that had been so reverently packed away and never again disturbed. The scent that rose from the depths of the long closed chest brought back precious memories of a long ago time. It was like making a journey into the past. The exotic perfume that Marilis de Neige once wore filled the air. Jasmine and myrrh had always been her mother’s favorite perfume. Bianca felt emptiness wash over her. The feelings that had taken her so long to bury arose to meet her in a crashing wave of pain, nearly felling her to her knees.
It had been nearly nine years since Marilis had died of fever only days after attempting to birth a male child, an heir for her husband, the Duke de Neige. Neither mother nor son survived the birthing. Marilis left behind a brokenhearted young daughter and a husband so wrapped up in his own despair that he nearly forgot about his only child, until that horrible, fateful night, the memory of which still gave Bianca dark, troubling dreams.
“Ah, child, this is perfect. I knew your mother would not throw all of her costumes away. She had a great fondness for this one. She wore it the first time she met your father. He was enthralled with my beautiful Marilis. I believe it will look just as sultry and ravishing on you as it did on her.”
Never in all of her life had Bianca laid eyes upon anything as exquisitely exotic as the diaphanous gold and black piece that was held before her.
* * * * *
After managing to free himself from the persistent Carmen with her too bold, roaming hands, Draco followed Bianca from the hall. He knew from the moment that Carmen began to dance for him that it had outraged Bianca. By the fierce look she gave him, it was obvious that she was jealous and angry. He just hoped that both emotions were short-lived, and would fade as soon as rational thought returned. Although, he had to admit that having a woman jealous over him gave him an odd sense of arrogance and restored a great deal of his confidence as a man. Being a soldier, a badly scarred one at that, he was unaccustomed to that kind of feminine attention. Women had never been hard to come by if you had the coin, but he had never had a woman show any emotion for him other than revulsion.
By the time Draco reached the end of the darkened corridor, Bianca was nowhere to be seen, and after squelching an impulse to follow her to her chambers, he decided to retire to his own bedchambers.
Lighting the candle on the bedside table, he stripped down and collapsed on the mammoth sized bed with a great sigh. He lay there for some time, his arm thrown over his eyes, his mind in turmoil over what he should do about the lovely Bianca. He could no longer deny his desire for her. She enraptured him from the first moment he had laid eyes on her dressed in her outrageous maidservant’s clothing. Still he was not about to admit there was any more to his attraction for her than pure lust.
If he had any sense left in his muddled brain, he would pack up and prepare to leave Castle Neige at first light as he had originally planned. But that thought no longer appealed to him. The memory of her lush curves pressed against his hard body, and her sweet, kissable mouth came to mind and his body clenched and tightened in response. Damn but he wanted her. He wanted her badly.
So distracted by his lascivious thoughts, he barely heard the light tapping on his chamber door. He was not sure he had actually heard anything, so he waited and after a moment or two, it came again, a light, timid tapping.
He swung his long legs over the edge of the bed and pulled on his leggings before padding across the room in his bare feet. He opened the door and the sight that met his eyes had his jaw going slack with amazement. For a moment he thought he had fallen asleep and was in the middle of an erotic dream, but then her soft fragrance enveloped him, settled over him like a caress, and he knew this dream was no dream. She was very real.
Her face hidden behind opaque golden scarves, Bianca found the courage that she lacked just moments before while standing in the cold hallway, her hand raised to knock on the scarred door. But the hot gaze that swept over her veil-covered body left her flushed with uncertainty and embarrassment. She blushed at her own audacity to come to his room dressed in such a way. Was this a mistake? Had her grandmother been wrong?
Draco’s eyes lingered over the full breasts before moving down to the tiny waist and over the curve of her hips. The dark triangle at the junction of her thighs showed through the thin layers of shimmering fabric. The sight of such beauty displayed so erotically send his manhood into full-blown arousal, testing the sturdiness of the stitching at his crotch.
He had been daydreaming of Bianca just moments before as he lay on his bed and here she was in the most wondrous costume possible. As he stood there staring at his Beauty, his heartbeat accelerated and he had to clench his hands into fists and thrust them behind his back to keep from reaching for her and taking her down on the floor right there in the hallway. Thoughts of long hot passionate kisses and sweaty intertwining naked bodies clouded his brain and he had to shake his head to clear it.
“Yea?” He barked hoarsely, not knowing what else to say at that moment. The last thing he wanted was to frighten her away. He swallowed painfully, his throat was suddenly very dry.
“I have come to dance for you, m’lord.” Her long black lashes fluttered down seductively. She peeked up through them to gauge his reaction to her boldness and barely controlled the smile of triumph that threatened to tilt up the corners of her lovely red lips as he hastily pulled the door wide and motioned for her to enter. After she stepped across the threshold, he glanced down the corridor to see if anyone had witnessed her arrival and was relieved to find the hall vacant.
Draco closed the door and leaned against it as he watched in amusement as the feisty little beauty walked across the room to stand by his bed, her hips swaying seductively, tempting him. As she stood there, the glow of the candlelight reflected off the gold threads of the veil she draped around her shoulders and the silver threads in her diaphanous trousers she wore making her look like a goddess. And he could think of no better way to show his appreciation for her existence than worship her body with his own.
Before he could make a move in her direction, Bianca started to hum a gypsy love ballad. The tune was seductive and as she hummed it low, she began to move. Her hips undulated from side to side slowly; her hands roaming suggestively over her body. Then, with slow, rolling movements, she lifted them above her head with erotic grace. She turned slowly around and around, her small bare feet keeping rhythm as her arms and hips swayed like reeds in the wind, every angle of her lush, little body coming into his view.
Never had Draco seen anything so erotic, so arousing. That she did this exclusively for him made it all the more significant. His arousal was great and his need to bury himself deep within her soft body nearly uncontrollable. Draco stalked her like a predator moving slowly behind her, around her. His eyes narrowed as he watched her every movement and soon he had only one thing in mind and that was to touch her, to feel her moving body underneath his hands. He wanted to feel her, kiss her, taste her soft, satiny flesh that peeked out from beneath the thin veils.
So caught up in her dancing, Bianca failed to noticed Draco move up behind her and then suddenly his hands were on her hips. He pulled her flush to him and began to move with her, absorbing her. The heat of his nearly naked body at her back excited Bianca and she leaned into him, reaching up and caressing his neck and shoulders. She felt the hard evidence of his mighty arousal prodding into her back as they moved together. The heat from of his body was enormous and she feared she might get burned if they went any further. But she was determined to carry this seduction to its conclusion. This was her best opportunity and she meant to make the most of it.
Draco slowly turned her around to face him. He lifted a trembling hand to push aside the gold veil that hid her face and tentatively up at him as her hands slid up his chest and she encircled his neck with her slender arms. Accepting her invitation, he gathered her close. She lifted her mouth and whispered, “Kiss me, my Dragon.”
Needing no further evidence of her desire for him, his mouth descended to capture her soft lips in a passionate kiss that went on and on, his lips, teeth and tongue ravaging the sweetness of her.
It was no longer just a simple melding of breath and lips as in their first kiss. This time there was great desire and his need for physical gratification was too great to be denied. Bianca could feel his urgency in the way he held her, caressed her body with his great hands and especially in the way he kissed her. Her heart jumped in response, her blood pulsating with pleasure and desire so fierce that she nearly climbed his frame to get closer. She moaned into his mouth as his hands moved down her back and over the curve of her hips to cup her round buttocks and lift her, pressing the junction of her thighs intimately against the heavy bulge of his arousal.
Draco cupped her full breast and his fingers grazed her nipple through the thin fabric, Bianca nearly screamed with the amazing sensations that shot through her entire body. She arched into his touch wanting more, but not quite sure exactly what it was she was asking for, only knowing that she trusted him to understand her needs. When his mouth left hers, she whimpered at the loss. But then she sighed when his tongue lapped the lobe of her ear. She tilted her head to the side to give him better access to the sensitive slope of her neck. She moaned again at the extraordinary sensations that thrummed through her, not realizing that the filmy scarves that had once covered her body were now lying in a pool of gold and silver silk at their feet.
Placing his hands at her lower back, Draco slowly dipped Bianca back giving him a tempting path of snow-white flesh over which he scraped his teeth in small, nipping bites, only to smooth the rough play with his warm, wet tongue. He licked and kissed his way down to her swell of her luscious breasts.
“You are so beautiful, Bianca.” His deep voice purred as he took the tip of one succulent globe and then the other into the hot cavity of his mouth and slowly tormented her with his fire.
Finally, he simply buried his face between her breasts, molding and kneading them tenderly. His body trembled beneath her hands as she caressed his shoulders and arms for several moments before he finally raised his head and looked into her violet eyes.
“You will be the death of me, sweet. Never have I wanted a woman as badly as I want you. But I am not certain that you know what you are doing by being here.”
Breathless from his passionate loving, Bianca could think of nothing to say. But she suddenly feared he would change his mind and send her away as he had done before. She would die if he did, simply die.
“I know what I am doing, my lord. I came here of my own free will. I want you to make love to me.” Her bold declaration seemed to echo through the room.
Her words nearly brought Draco to his knees. He brought her slender body close and once again lavished sweet torment upon her lips as he pressed one strong leg between her thighs, drawing her up to the rock-hard evidence of his own desire.
She gasped at the intimate contact of the solid heat of him, it was so shockingly sensuous. She moved her hips, seeking to get even closer. Bianca had never before felt the like of it and as if in answer to her unspoken plea, Draco began to grind his hips against hers, his tumescence seeking her most private of places.
“Oh, God, Bianca! Tell me now if you want to stop. If we let this go any further there will be no going back,” Draco warned in an oddly hoarse voice, barely able to get the words out. He was so far gone with desire, his control slipping fast.
“Please, Draco, I do not want you to stop,” she whispered against his neck.
Her sweet assent was all that he needed. He swung her up in his arms and carried her to the bed where he laid her down so gently as if he feared that she might shatter. He lowered his long, hard body to cover her small soft one, claiming her mouth in a searing kiss that left them both breathless. As his hands moved over her body slowly, intimately, he left no part unexplored. She moaned and writhed beneath his tender assault, her feet sliding up and down his calves. His hand came between them to find her wet and ready for him. He deepened his kiss and then eased back to remove his remaining clothing.
“No, Draco, do not stop!”
“Do not worry, dearling, we have only just begun.”
But just as his hands gripped the top of his leggings to pull them off, there came a heavy, insistent knocking at the door.
“Draco, come, open the door! There is news!”
Not believing the timing of his young brother, Draco swore heartily under his breath; making dire promises he would pummel the little whoreson for daring to disturb him at this hour of the night. He glanced down at the naked beauty sprawled on his bed her eyes glazed with passion and thrust his hand through his hair, leaving it to stand on end.
“It is my brother, Cynric. I will get rid of him quickly.”
Bianca’s eyes widened when she finally understood what he said. She scrambled to cover her nakedness with the bedcovers as Draco moved to the door. She realized that there must be something very wrong or Draco’s younger brother would not be disturbing him. A shiver of apprehension skittered down her spine and she quietly slipped off the bed and hid in the shadows of the room adjacent to the door.
As soon as the latch lifted on the door, it was not only Cynric who stood there but his cousin, Charles as well. He burst into the room without invitation and before Draco could stop him.
Cynric followed more carefully, glancing quickly at the bed. He knew that Draco had a female visitor arrive earlier at his door. He had come around the corner of the corridor in time to see her knock. He had stepped back to give her privacy and only after she had entered and his brother had closed the door and barred it had Cynric turned and returned to the ballroom, giving them some privacy. Now he wondered what happened to the mysterious woman.
Draco did not miss the direction of his brother’s gaze and followed it to find that Bianca had slipped from the bed and had hidden herself somewhere in the room. He was relieved. At least her reputation was safe, for the time being.
“What is it? Why are you pounding at my door this time of the night?”
“The Duke de Neige has requested our assistance. Word has just reached Castle Neige that there is trouble near the southern border of his holdings. I assured him that we would join our men with his for reinforcement. What say you, cousin, are you ready for a little excitement after so many days of boredom sitting around on our arses? Get dressed; we leave almost immediately. Dawn is only a few hours away and the Duke wants to be on the road by the time the sun comes up.”
“Yea, brother, it looks to be a small skirmish but it will be good exercise for the men. What say you to a little sport? Are you game?” Cynric added in his youthful eagerness. Shaking his head at his brother’s enthusiasm, Draco sighed heavily.
“Yes, yes. Give me but a moment to get dressed. We will meet you at the stables, Charles. Have the men ready.” Knowing that the mood of the evening was completely shattered by the news of this latest violence, Draco glanced toward the bed longingly. A chuckle drew his attention and he found both his relatives grinning broadly at him.
He frowned fiercely and as he turned to gather his clothing, he caught a glimpse of a small foot in the shadows. His frown deepened into a scowl as he realized that he had nearly seduced the beautiful Lady Bianca. As he thought about his loss of control, he felt like kicking himself. What had he been thinking? Or perhaps that was the problem. He had been thinking, but not with his brain. He caught his sigh of frustration before it passed his lips. Perhaps it was a sign from above that they had been interrupted when they had or he would have taken her innocence and then he would have felt obligated to offer for her. He wanted her, but not as his wife.
Draco had been a hardened bachelor too long to foist himself onto an innocent like Lady Bianca de Neige. Fortunately, it had not gone that far and she had slipped away. Now there was nothing left for him but to ride into battle for her father and when he returned he would have it out with her. He would be riding away, leaving her to marry a younger, more suitable man.
“What are you waiting for, Charles?” His voice was testy as he rounded on the bearer of the disturbing tidings. “Cynric, help me with my armor.”
“Yea, Draco. It is a shame that this came up. It seems that you had more…delightful things to keep you occupied this night.” Charles’ half-smile and sly glance toward the bed was enough to tell Draco that his cousin was aware that he had been entertaining a woman.
“Get the men ready, Charles. And know you can never apologize enough for disturbing me this night.”
Grating laughter followed the blonde giant out of the door. Draco cursed his ill timing. He gathered his things together. At least the cool night air would help him with his raging ardor. It was then that something on the bed caught Draco’s eye. He strode to the bed. There, glittering in the candlelight in the midst of the rumpled bed covers lay a translucent golden veil. It was the only evidence that his small gypsy dancer had even been there. He lifted the silky cloth up to his face and inhaled of her exotic scent. He would wear this precious token close to his heart. It would be the only personal item of hers that he would allow himself. The next time he saw her it would be to say goodbye.
“What are you waiting for, Draco? We have to ride. There is trouble to the south.” Cynric’s voice broke into his thoughts, dissolving Draco’s reminiscent mood.
“Yes, brother, help me dress.” He accepted his brother’s ministrations as he dressed. “What kind of trouble are we riding out to face, Cynric?”
“I arrived in time to hear only part of the report, Draco. A peasant, nearly dead on his feet arrived with the message. I know that Lord de Neige would usually have enough men to take care of the situation, but Duchess Heloise took a good number of his guard with her to visit the neighbor estate. Let a woman lead an army and they go the wrong direction, eh, Draco?” Laughing at his own jest, Cynric did not notice Draco’s contemplative mood or that he did not respond to the jest as he usually did.
* * * * *
Suitors came from near and far, all unacceptable.
Her dreams of true love and happiness seemed forever whimsical.
But still she persevered, her dreams intact,
Until the one she awaited rode up to the gates on horseback.
Massive, and intimidating, though he may have been,
Her heart beat fast for the love she found there and then.
She had discovered him, he had come for her at last.
But alas, he wanted no wife, his heart once broken like shattered glass.