The Barbarian Read online

  This was simply his pride. She’d bested him and he didn’t like that. If he thought for one moment he could take her, she knew he would. His reputation and her sisters had confirmed it. He and his men spent a lot of time with ladies seeking their favours. Dipping their wicks. These men were takers not courtiers. He would be hard to ignore but she wasn’t weak.

  He didn’t want her. Had hurt her, told her he’d give her to one of his men..

  She shuddered and looked around the room, she had the feeling these were a part of his quarters and as long as she was in them…..

  She would change that first. Her determination held. He may not want her and if he wouldn’t let her go, it could be on her terms.

  She tried not to let his words affect her. An alliance in hostageship was nothing new. In fact, it was quite normal practice in their world. You married it, bought it or traded it.

  She would be none of those. He didn’t own her and she didn’t have to make it easy for him either. Taking a deep breath, building her resolve, she slipped out of the covered, put on her robe and strode to the door pulling it open finding guards stationed there.

  Was she a prisoner?...

  “Am I a prisoner here?” she demanded.

  They looked confused. “No my Lady.”

  “Good. Get me the housekeeper immediately.” She closed the door and staggered to the chair by the fire, her strength leaving her.

  It started now. She was moving rooms this minute.

  The less she saw of that male the better….

  Maids came up with clothing and food. They helped her dress. The female entering her rooms shortly thereafter could only have been one person. Eleanor would have known her anywhere. She held herself with confidence and the huge bunch of keys at her waist gave away her title. This female was in charge of the household. She curtsied. Eleanor smiled and held out her hand to her.

  “Hello, we’ve not formally met, I’m Eleanor a guest here.”

  The woman looked at her confused, then her hand unsure but Eleanor did not remove it and waited on her. Finally, she took her hand slowly and gave it a light shake before dropping it. Unhooking the keys on a chain about her person she handed them out to Eleanor.

  Eleanor smiled. “O no. I am not the mistress here, I do not want the keys Housekeeper. They remain yours as does your job. What is your name?”

  The female looked surprised. “Kate mam.” Eleanor could hear the confusion in her voice. It was her life these days, full of confusion all around it seemed.

  “So Kate,” she told her, “I hope we will be good friends and believe I am staying in the master’s room is that correct?” The housekeeper looked at her more clearly genuinely showing her confusion and nodded. Eleanor rubbed her hands feeling chilled and weak.

  “Right, well that won’t do, this is not my room. I need a guest room, south facing if possible, with a fire and as far away from here as possible. Do you have such a thing in his huge monstrosity?”

  The housekeeper hesitated unsure. “But the master gave instructions that you were to stay in this room.”

  Eleanor shrugged. “Did he now? Well that’s because he’s used to making all the decisions for everyone and I was not awake. Now I am and that was before I could think for myself, wasn’t it? I find I wake to a situation I do not wish to be in and certainly not in his…. anything. So, a new room is needed.”

  She rose form her chair. “Which way? And as I said, the further from here the better.”

  The housekeeper looked at the guards standing in the hallway beyond uncertain.

  “They have no rule over me Kate.” Eleanor reminded her. “Come, come housekeeper. Time is awasting!” Eleanor told her cheerfully. More cheerfully than she really felt.

  The housekeeper walked with her to the door. She leant in conspiratorially.

  “The master will not be happy.”

  Eleanor leaned towards her and smiled as they walked into the hallway. “Really, that’s quite a shame.” Trying not to roll her eyes.

  Kate smiled slightly and stood taller. “You do not fear upsetting the Lord?”

  Eleanor laughed. “No.”

  Kate smiled wider. “This way my Lady.”

  Eleanor clapped excitedly. “Well met Kate. Well met.”

  They walked slowly to what was clearly the central stairway of the house. Elenor finding it harder than she’d first thought possible. Kate waited for her as she pulled herself up the staircase refusing the help of her guard. Then headed in the opposite direction on the top floor. Kate kept up a one-sided conversation pointing out various rooms and what they were for distracting her from her pain and chills. Eleanor got her bearings, breathing steadily, leaned in and took note.

  She marvelled at the fine stonework, fireplaces and windows. This was more than a Keep. She begrudgingly acknowledged it was finer than her father’s castle.

  Eventually they came to a stop in front of a large door at the end of a corridor. Eleanor was at her limit. Her skin clammy as she braced herself against the wall. Kate took a large key from her chain. Her face taking on a kindly but worried look.

  “This was Lady Bronwyn’s rooms, the late elder Baron’s wife’s rooms.” Her voice changed. “The Lady disliked him a great deal and preferred her solitude.”

  Eleanor thought she was getting that picture very clearly. The apple didn’t fall far from that tree after all.

  “Before the Baron placed everyone at risk and brought his mistress to this house, it was a happy place. The Lady refused to accept his behaviour as was her choice, but she loved her child and he was a good lad.”

  The door opened. The room was dusty but had good sturdy furniture. Eleanor walked around the room. She liked it. She could see why the Lady had remained here. It was very large. Taking up much space. They entered what appeared to be a greeting room. There was a large bed tucked away to one side, a smaller room for her toilette and clothing, all well-appointed. Both rooms had fires and stained-glass windows.

  Expensive….

  Eleanor brushed off a chair by the fireplace in the living space and gratefully sat and looking around. It would do nicely. She could be comfortable here.

  “Thank you Kate. This will do nicely. Please send up staff to clean and air it and have it prepared. Then let my sisters know I have changed rooms and for them to come back with you to take tea with me. I’d like to know all about this place, and I expect you are the person to tell me.” Kate smiled, curtsied and left.

  Eleanor looked around the room cold and exhausted. She could make it a pretty prison.

  Three.

  He’d been out riding for most of the day. The female had fogged his mind and he’d doubted himself. She’d been in the open on the road for six days. Six days that had weakened her. Made her ill once more. Her actions stupid. More worrying, had she been well enough to make the journey, he might never have found her. Her route had been clever. Unexpected. And nearly cost her her damn life!

  His emotions were raw, he’d had to leave her. Too on edge, he knew how dangerous that could be if he lost control. His mind would shut down, he’d be lost to the rage and could have hurt her. He feared that most of all and had to get away.

  That hadn’t happened since he was a pup.

  She defied him. Rejected him after he’d saved her life. Eldron gritted his teeth.

  She should have been on her knees with his cock in her mouth thanking him…..

  That thought only served to annoy him more. He needed to remember he’d cruelly rejected her. Saying things to hurt her. It was why she’d run from him.

  “Grrrr…” he growled.

  He didn’t want the fucking female….., he needed to remember that.

  He’d needed the air, the sense of normalcy. After weeks of nothing but her, he needed a reminder of who he was.

  Running?..... He sneered.

  She irritated him beyond his patience. Made him say and do things he’d not meant to. Made him want to lash out or fuck her!

&
nbsp; Like a coward with his tail between his legs, he’d retreated to what he knew best. Going to the stables and his men who were about their business. It led to riding some of the highways with them and taking lunch in a local tavern.

  They’d looked for signs and whispers of unwanted visitors and intruders, checking with his scouts. The work had helped to focus his mind, take away the feeling that he had hurt the female.

  Intentionally….

  Her words a reminder of other rejections. One’s that ran deep.

  It had been a long time since then. He wasn’t used to rejection any longer. He could have any woman he wanted.

  The barmaid had been more than convincing in her ardour to have him. Her hand on his semi hard cock had made him grow, inviting him to fuck her. Part of his mind had recoiled at the invitation.

  A strange and new reaction that had seemed alien to him. Never one to refuse a hot fanny it made no sense, and he’d taken her anyway. His mind on the woman that scorned him, rejected him and ran from him. Hearing her voice in his ear, imagining her body under him, he fucked the maid hard and fast thinking of Eleanor withdrawing his cock quickly, so his cum did not enter her womb and gone quickly tossing her more than a few coins in thanks on leaving.

  The wrongness of it wouldn’t leave him. Shame had assaulted him.

  He should have had better control, with both the maid and Eleanor….

  What was wrong with him?.....

  His mind analysed everything from their time together looking for fault and couldn’t seem to stop.

  He’d blustered and shouted at her and tried to intimidate her, threatened her in the worst of ways but she’d have none of it. A sense of pride filled him. She fought him and damn if she hadn’t won. A smile creasing his lips. Few men could stand up against him, but she did with ease, and it had only fuelled his anger.

  Eldron frowned. He was better than that and he knew it and the fuck with the maid had been a disaster.

  He didn’t know what he’d been thinking. His reaction to Eleanor was wrong. It only riled him for the rest of the day, eventually with the sun going down, they’d rode for home.

  The thought that Eleanor would be waiting for him, gave him the opportunity to try again.

  Arriving, he dismounted quickly and headed into the centre courtyard and house. Looking to make things right. He’d explain he’d tried to do things right by her, that his emotions had got the better of him and he wasn’t expecting anything from her. He’d do whatever she wanted.

  He’d been a fool, he would tell her so, tell her he’d taken the maid in error and ask for her forgiveness.

  Unlike his father and mother, there would be truth between them.

  It was a good plan.

  Throwing off his tunic and gloves he raced up the stairs, seeing no guards at his door open, he charged inside. Had she left him again? Had they been attacked? He roared his frustrations. All evidence of her having been there was stripped from the room. Her scent missing. His chest constricted.

  Where the hell was she?....

  Fear that she’d left him again when so unwell struck him hard. He roared and slammed the door calling for his guard. He’d done this. He’d pushed her too far.

  He’d scared her off…. She’d ran from him again..

  Galron and Patris came rushing in. “Where is she?” he bellowed.

  They shrugged as men came running to his command. “She’s not left the Keep,” Galron told him. “Find her.”

  He stormed about his room finding no comfort in it. Looking for any sign of where she’d gone. Guilt surfaced. He should have had better control, he told himself. Should have stayed, explained things better.

  It was taking too long!.... The last time she’d gone missing…..

  He couldn’t go there, he stormed about wishing he had the soft words of courtiers, had the coaxing words to tame her. He didn’t. That was not who he was and not in his nature. Anger was his comfort not sweet words. Eldron kicked the chair by the hearth at the wall breaking it in pieces. The second one in a week. He was close to losing his shit.

  He was nearing his limit when he heard a soft voice. “My Lord?” He turned sharply, seeing Kate, his housekeeper hovering in the doorway. Her fear only made his anger worse.

  Fuck!...

  She swallowed taking a step back. Eldron pulled his head in and tried to look less….. himself. He gave her a nod.

  “My Lady has taken up residence in Lady Bronwyn’s old residence. She conveyed that it was important that you knew this on your return.”

  Eldron slowly straightened. “She what!” he asked coldly turning to the housekeeper. She bobbed and left fast. Eldron blinked after her as her words sunk in and raced from the room. His sense of relief and annoyance were equal driving forces.

  Only one thing stayed in the forefront of his mind as he raced to the other side of the grand staircase.

  She hadn’t left him…. He would kill her.

  Eleanor had slept for most of the day and had only risen recently and heard him coming. She Steeled herself for the confrontation that was coming. Not before hearing from her guards that their Lord was ‘back to his old self, shafting the ‘bar maid’.

  The shock had been bad enough but the sickness she felt after hearing it, pained her.

  She didn’t know why that upset her so much. Afterall, he was male and unattached, and she knew they dipped their wick whenever they could. She had no hold over this man that she’d rejected, so why did she feel so betrayed?

  She wasn’t sure what hurt her more, his words or his actions.

  Was this to be her life now?....

  He came towards her as she now knew he did everything else. Full on no holds barred. A storm exploding on her doorstep. Not even trying to quieten his approach in case it scared or disturbed her. He charge bellowing towards her, as if he were going into battle. Barking his orders. People scurrying around him to get out of his way. Scared for what his actions might mean.

  Eleanor breathed deeply wrapped in the blankets and furs beside the large fireplace pouring out the heat she needed and bit back her feelings of hurt and anger. She placed her book to one side, her hands in her lap and calmly waited for him to reach her.

  She would not show any emotion. Her sisters had long since left her to nap and she’d been awake a few hours reading and taking the tea the Friar had insisted upon.

  Had she only made it home.....

  The pounding on her closed door came as no surprise, that it then subsided, did. As if Eldron was unsure of his welcome.

  Did that bother him?.....

  Eleanor held back a smile. A little win if nothing else.

  She gave it a moment. He’d hurt her and he deserved it. But before she could say ‘Come in’, the door burst open and slammed against the wall. He stood in her doorway, a breathing beast of agitation for all the world to see. She held back the roll of her eyes and the annoyed sigh that threatened to break free. She would not give him the satisfaction.

  “Come in.” She told him pleasantly.

  He seemed paralysed and confused by her words and took a hesitant step forward stopping and looking around.

  Waiting for an unknown enemy?....

  The rooms had been made comfortable. Very comfortable. More than she needed and had said as much, but the housekeeper had insisted as per her status.

  Status!... Eleanor had held back her snort.

  She wasn’t sure what her ‘status’ was exactly, but she’d given in and let them have their way. Now her rooms were adorned with all manner of fine things her mother would have delighted in.

  Things that had been preserved, well cared for and packed away, waiting for someone to enjoy them once more. It seemed to bring the place to life, and in truth she loved it.

  Eleanor watched him carefully.

  “I have not been in this room for many years…” his words tailored off as he walked around.

  “The staff did the decoration. I informed that I did not need all
this, but they insisted. If you’d like things removed please let them know.”

  He turned towards her frowning. “Why would I want them removed?” He came to stand over her. She refused to be intimidated.

  “They are not mine.” She told him calmly.

  Eldron frowned. Her words cold. The fire roared in the hearth and all his bluster left him.

  Fuck he didn’t want to argue with this woman…..

  Eldron took off his sword and took a seat. “Wine,” he called. There were four very similar chairs arranged around the fire in a semi-circle. He liked it. Everyone equal. Leaving an empty chair between them so as not to crowd her, he sat. A maid brought in the wine. He told her to pull his boots. She did, taking them with her.

  Eldron wiggled his toes taking in the heat. A maid appeared with clean ones putting them down next to him before leaving them alone.

  “You did not have to leave the room,” he grumbled at last. His temper calmer.

  “I did. It’s your room.”

  She was right but it still annoyed him. He could tell her that the things here were hers for as long as she wanted them, but the words wouldn’t come out, so he sat there, in her company, gazing into the fire and drinking his wine.

  “Are you well?”

  “I still feel the cold but it’s getting better.”

  She picked up her book, the servants came and went, someone took his sword, brought him some food and still they sat in silence. Her scent tickling his nose along with the wine. It calmed him finding no need to fill the space with words. Although he had much to tell her.