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  Aric’s knees almost buckled from the sweet warmth of her breath over his cheek and his brows furrowed in anger. “Aye, Danielle, I know you are not a child.” His heated gaze slid over her and by the deepening coloring of her cheeks, he knew she understood what he meant. "Nevertheless, until I say different, a babysitter, if that is what you wish to call it, will remain. What is of such import that caused you to ignore my order?”

  Danielle ignored the anger in his tone. He’d said her name loud enough for the others to hear. But she was still angry. With her hands planted on her hips, she said. “That’s just it. You and your orders. Did we not talk about this?” She did not care that she was nigh shrieking nor did she notice that Balwain had approached and was waving his hands to the men to move further away. He really didn’t have to, for the dark look on Aric’s face already had them moving away at a distance.

  Yet, the look on his face this time did not have its usual power on Danielle. She moved nearer, her anger was too great. Why she was so angry, she did not understand. She just was. Her emotions were all over the place when it came to this man.

  “I told you once before I’m not something you own that can be ordered about whenever you feel like it. This is just one of those times I meant. Every time you open your mouth to me, ‘tis to bark an order and naught more. I walk and breathe freely as you.” Her chin was now a hair’s breadth away from his chest as she glared up at him. Her eyes blazing with emotion. She wanted to jump on him.

  Aric looked at her as though she’d just gone mad and grabbed her elbow. She sounded like a screeching crow. “You want to discuss orders?” His icy tone met her ringing ears. “Come. We will discuss my orders when you get back to the manor and I return. Now-“

  Danielle shocked him as she yanked her arm out of his grasp and spun away from him. “Nay!” She yelled.

  Aric stiffened.

  Balwain mounted and bade the other soldiers to follow quickly. Aric boiled and he seemed to stretch every word. “You dare much, Danielle. You defy me in front of my men. I could beat you where you stand for all to see for such insolence.”

  His steel tone did penetrate her then. But Danielle was too wound up to care; the emotion inside her that she did not quite understand was churning in her gut and eager to get out. She was ready to burst.

  “Insolence? Then go ahead! Do what you must to gain what you call order here. But, know this Aric Claydon. I still will not be ordered about. Nor will I punish myself and sulk away my troubles in our chamber. I am a baroness and am behaving as one as you not so long ago reminded me. Not your mistress who will be told to come and go at your every whim or fancy!”

  The anger in him immediately deflated and he arched a brow. He stared at her for a silent moment, watching.

  That was it. Her jealousy warmed his heart. He now understood her behavior, but was not so sure she did yet. Aric could not stop his grin as his chest filled with emotion. “You are still angry?”

  “Yea. I am.” His widening grin was infectious. But, Danielle was not going to let him off that easy. He needed to apologize. “I will give you your heir as 'tis my duty to do so, but I will not tolerate Lady Ella or any mistress ever again under the same roof as I.” The emotion in her burst causing her voice to crack and Danielle fought back the tears. Damn him! She could no longer wait to know if he had lain with another.

  Aric watched her eyes fill. He did not care who heard them at this point. He softened more, his tone came out husky. “Nothing happened that night, Danielle.”

  “Well, maybe…maybe not that night.”

  He knew what she sought and needed. “Not that night or any other night that she was under Gravane’s roof. I was spurning her advances when you happened upon us. I would have told you that night, had you not run from me.” Aric watched her and wanted to take her into his arms. He could see she struggled to believe him. She’d indeed been deeply wounded by what she had seen. In that moment watching the myriad of emotions flickering in her gaze, he realized that he’d grown that tendre.

  Danielle wiped hard at a fat tear as it slid free. “Just because you sent her away does not mean ‘tis over and I know that. But if I do not see her, I…I” she swallowed. She was relieved to hear his words and now she was falling apart. More tears fell. “I can tell myself ‘tis not happening. I may not be the beauty she is, but I am your wife. You order my respect. Am I not entitled to the same from you?” Danielle swiped her hand hard across his chest on an anguished sob as he closed the gap between them. “Must your dalliances be so blatant and on display in front of all? I look the fool.”

  Her words lanced like a knife through his chest. Placing a finger under her chin, Aric lifted her face back up until her eyes met his. When he spoke, his voice was thick with passion in his need to assure her. “She is never coming back.” She tried to pull away, but he held fast. “There will not be any others to take her place, either. And there is no one more beautiful to me than you. Do you not know that yet, Danielle?”

  She had no time to respond for he took her mouth in a blazing kiss as the light breeze whipped around them. His hot mouth fused to hers and soon his tongue coaxed her lips apart and he plundered her depths. Her moan of pleasure drew a groan from him and Aric pulled back, ending the kiss.

  She fell against him breathless, whispering, “Aric.”

  Gathering her into his arms, he lifted her off her feet and rubbed his face in her hair and neck as he held her tightly against his chest. She felt so good. “Come, I think we need to have this discussion you so order me to have.”

  Her head came up so fast, she bumped his chin hard. “Oh! I’m sorry.” Danielle blurted.

  Aric planted a quick kiss on her lips. “’Tis fine. Come, we ride back. Seeing that you feel better, join me as I stop by the village before we return to the manor. We can discuss whatever ‘tis you desire.”

  She stiffened. “The village?”

  He pulled her near her horse with a smile on his face. “Aye, the village.” She lowered her head. Aric smiled. “And, Danielle,” he caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “I’m so very sorry for what happened that night and that you had to see that.”

  She smiled weakly, but a sparkle of warmth blazed in her eyes. Aric grunted. He missed her and wanted nothing more than to bury himself inside her heat. But, it had to wait. Not for long, he hoped. He helped her mount.

  They rode side by side. Balwain and the soldiers met them halfway back and continued with them the rest of the way to the village.

  Chapter 21

  Danielle’s heart was full with mixed emotions over Aric’s actions and the sensations they had stirred within her. As they neared the village the sight that greeted them cut through her musings. Her husband’s men were dismantling the stone wall that ended at the fire pit which had separated the villagers for the past few years. Danielle held her breath as Aric dismounted and assisted her down to stand next to him.

  The villagers continued to pour forth out of their homes to line up and be seen by their new lord and to welcome him. Aric left her side to walk slowly in front of the growing group as Balwain and the soldiers waited.

  Aric’s gaze swept over the serfs.

  They looked to be a healthy enough lot. Aye, Gravane indeed was a prosperous land as William had promised. The fields beyond, green and lush bore harvest tendered, plowed fields and in abundance. Out by the common pasture, livestock was penned off to one side.

  As the procession of tenants came to an end, Aric went back to the middle where Balwain approached and called the first family forward to swear fealty and so the process began. Aric tried to keep his thoughts centered, but they kept wandering off to Danielle. He was distracted with her so near. The dark expression on his face caused many of the serfs to shake with fear and coddle their children as they paid their respects to him as their new overlord.

  So distracted was he, he didn’t even realize that he kept sneaking peeks at her every now and then as she stood there. His wif
e.

  Aric sucked in a breath. These new emotions were disturbing him and ‘twas bad enough he’d found his gaze returning to her most of the way here as she'd ridden beside him.

  Her ample breasts were calling to him and he was afraid for one moment to dismount for fear his aroused state would be visible to everyone. The smile plastered on her face was nearly his undoing.

  And the way she watched him with her heart in her eyes didn’t help. What was he thinking bringing her here with him?

  When his eyes met hers, her smile faltered and Aric knew it probably was from the scowl on his face. But then he saw that she was looking past him. Before he turned to see what caused the look of upset on her pretty face, he caught the flash of sorrow, wariness in her wide eyes and her smile disappeared completely. He would know the cause of that look.

  He soon found it upon the faces of a group of mean looking serfs that stood off to the far end of the line on the other side of the wall. They quickly tried to mask their disgust, but not soon enough. Aric’s rage boiled in him and without taking his gaze from the group of three, he called out to Danielle.

  “Come here, milady.” Danielle was at his side immediately. He continued. “Those of you that wish ill will upon milady, you can take your leave now and know that you leave here with naught but the clothes on your back. Thomas Balfour has no authority here and those of you that wish to stand with him, just and swift punishment will be your reward.” His warning fell over the crowd like the threat he intended. The silence was eerie. Aric continued. “Furthermore, your lack of respect for The Lady Danielle ends today. You will show nothing but the utmost respect and then some at all times from this day forth.”

  His tone was like thunder. The trio looked down and one broke away from the lot and stepped forward. Danielle recognized the blacksmith.

  He held his hand to his chest, bent on one knee and said. “I swear fealty to you, milord and all you hold dear. My family and I wish to remain on Gravane land and serve you and milady, milord.”

  Aric’s response was a long time in coming and Danielle thought for a moment he was going to send the man away despite his pledge. Finally, he nodded with a wave for the man to return to the line. The blacksmith moved to the other side where a woman crying silently, held a child to her breast and another at her hip, hugged him to her.

  The remaining two men turned away and separated from the serfs. Aric gave a look to Balwain that only he seemed to understand. Danielle watched as a handful of Aric’s men standing behind the serfs, moved forward and surrounded the two men and then disappeared with them behind the wall of people. She wondered where they were going.

  She waited until Aric turned to her before she asked in a hushed whisper, “Where are they taking those men?”

  “They are escorting them off Gravane land with a warning never to return.” came Aric’s cool reply.

  Danielle knew he had not told her all of it, yet she said no more.

  The other half of the village stepped forward to make their pledge. It was well past noon by the time it was all done. Danielle was antsy when one woman looked her way with pleading eyes as she tried to hide behind the man standing next to her. The woman held the little boy’s hand at her side and she turned to move away and return to her hut. Danielle bit her lip, a gasp of relief leaving her lungs.

  Aric surprised her when he gestured to the couple. Danielle’s eyes widened. Nay!

  “Yea. You there, come forward and bring the boy.” Aric’s voice boomed again in the suddenly quiet yard. Danielle held her breath. Bruce, Livvy and Little Jacob came to bow and stand before him.

  “Bruce, Livvy and Jacob, am I correct?”

  “Aye, milord.” Bruce responded, nervously. His eyes on his lord while Livvy’s trained on Aric’s feet. But, Little Jacob, he couldn’t help but gaze up at Danielle smiling. His young face of innocence showed his affection for her.

  “You good with your hands Bruce other than in the fields? With fashioning weapons and such?” Aric asked the man.

  Bruce nodded readily. “Aye, milord.”

  “Your new job will be to apprentice as assistant to my blacksmith. With my other holdings, my man will need more than just his hands to see to all that I and my troops will need. By the size of you, I know you can handle it.”

  Bruce thanked him, beaming and still did not look at Danielle. All three bowed and then Aric called Little Jacob forward.

  “You feeling better, lad?”

  Little Jacob brought a smile to Danielle’s face when he puffed out his little chest and answered his lord like a brave little knight. “Aye, milord, I am.” His round eyes slid to her and Danielle melted.

  Aric straightened and ruffled the top of Little Jacob’s head. “Good. How would you like to come to the manor one of these days and watch the knight’s train?”

  Little Jacob screeched with joy, before settling down. His young face red and beaming with the honor. “Aye, milord. I would like it.” Bruce swelled with pride over the special attention his lord was favoring upon his son.

  “You will need to be strong and healed. You can visit the manor before that with the Lady Danielle so that she may see to your wound.” Aric continued over Danielle’s gasp as he moved away to instruct the men further about the village separation and that all tenant homes would be reinforced and new ones built if necessary. He would have none better than the next. Each man worked just as hard as the other, paid the same and deserved no less.

  Danielle watched Aric with tears in her eyes. He’d not lied. He did know everything and had not been blind to what was going on.

  As he walked back toward her now, she knew from the look in his eyes that he had more to say, but he held his tongue and she was glad for she did not want to cry in front of her people. Nay, their people.

  He surprised her again when he mounted his great destrier, Thunder and plucked her up and placed her in front of him as if she were light as a feather. He gave orders to a soldier to return with her mare, before he turned to Balwain and she saw them share one of those looks again that only the two of them understood.

  Danielle remained silent as Aric rode over the grounds. He spoke not a word either. They came to the stream on the other side of the manor. He dismounted and helped her down, and then he led Thunder down to the bank to drink.

  Then as though he’d suddenly remembered that she was there, he strode back to her and Danielle backed up. His eyes blazed with passion and something else as he walked up to her. He cupped her face and took her mouth in a long, deep kiss that left her breathless and panting.

  He kissed her whole face, planting kisses all over, trailing a blazing path with his tongue down her throat to her chest. Danielle shivered in his embrace. Something hard bit into her back. It was a tree. The man moved like a ghost, she could only feel him.

  “Danielle.” He whispered against her ear. Aric pulled her gown up around her waist and slid his hands over her goose bump flesh to cup her bottom in his grasp.

  “Oh” Danielle sagged against him as he ground his body into hers. She was on fire. It was real. He had demanded respect for her and now he was kissing her so sweetly she almost cried with the tenderness of it.

  She cried out when his fingers caressed her breasts. He had bared them to his mouth without her even knowing it and began to suckle. Danielle wrapped her legs around his hard waist and held on as he lavished her breasts with kisses and drove her mad with the want of him inside her. She missed him, his touch and the longing in her had her pulling at his shoulders.

  Aric pressed his hardness against her heat causing her to cry out again. He tore aside the rest of her clothing and pulled away. She protested but he undid the strings of his braies, freeing his burgeoning member and sought her core.

  “Danielle- oh God, Danielle.” Aric breathed hoarsely against the side of her neck as he slid his shaft along her wet cleft and a gush of moisture slid over his pulsing flesh. “I will have none wish you ill. Those that do commit a crime short
of treason and have no place here. They swear fealty to us both or they die.” He joined their bodies with a single hard thrust.

  “Oh!” Danielle exclaimed and rested her head on his shoulder.

  At first Aric thought that he had hurt her, she was so tight, but he soon felt her tremors and smiled. She was already coming.

  “That’s it, sweet Danielle. Let go and come to me.” Aric thrust and ground his hips against hers as she screamed her passion and convulsed around him. How he missed her throaty screams. Her hot sheath flooded with liquid heat. He pumped in and out, deeper, harder and still he could not get enough of her. He wanted to be inside of her deeper and deeper, especially after what had happened. Including the pain he had inflicted upon her in the past weeks. He wanted to erase it and the sorrow from her.

  When she leaned up to plant a tender kiss against his lips, his release took him by surprise. Aric groaned feeling as if he’d died and gone to heaven as she rose up and down on his hard shaft. His shattering release lasted for what seemed forever until he was drained.

  He sagged against her, one arm supporting her and the other supporting his weight against the tree. Never had he needed to be a part of someone as he needed in that moment he saw her riding across the ridge towards him. Her blue gown, only added to the alluring warmth that came from her. The sight had aroused him beyond anything he’d ever imagined and he was glad to feel and know she had been as hot for him as he’d been for her. The change in her today did not go unnoticed by him. Her shyness had all but banished because of her jealousy and her ardor, and in the way she’d responded to his fierce lovemaking confirmed it.

  “Forgive me, Danielle. Are you alright?” He asked as he lowered her legs, mindful of her knee. She went limp and he caught her, almost angry with himself for not being more careful, but then she surprised him again when she spoke.