Traded Innocence (ebook)

Argumento de Traded Innocence (ebook)

On the golden crescent visible at high tide, a horseman cantered towards the headland. An emerald green bandanna tied back glossy black hair from his face. His white shirt ballooned as he rode, muscular thighs gripping the horses flanks.

Fingers laced, two young women giggled their way across the dunes above, to scramble into a sandy bowl, sheltered by swaying grass and sea thrift.

Shell never catch us now, said Rebecca, fingers raking her copper curls. I wont let her spoil our fun.

Biddys only following your fathers orders, said Catrin. He wants you to make a good marriage.

Its not fair! Marrying me off to someone whos a hundred years old.

Catrin frowned. Hes a wealthy lord.

Born back in the last century. You do the sums! Once Im in the old goats clutches, I shant see you any more. As for Biddy shed chop off her head rather than leave my father. Ill have no one to talk to.

Catrin looked down at the dry sand trailing through her fingers.

Rebeccas eyes narrowed. You know something, dont you?

But her cousins attention was elsewhere. On the beach below, a horseman had appeared. The horses hooves kicked at a wave, sending watery diamonds into the air. Catrin pointed him out to Rebecca and they watched him vanish around the headland.

He rides well. Catrin smoothed her skirt around her legs.

Rebecca bent her head towards her cousins ripe-corn mane of hair and whispered.

Catrin gasped. You wanton!

Why? I know what you really meant. And you still havent answered my question. I might be forced to tickle you. Rebecca knew her companion would confess to murder once subjected to this torment.

Catrin upturned her palms. Im to be married too.

What? Rebecca froze.

You and I will be wedded and bedded by summers end. Its whats destined for young women like us.

Rebecca scrambled to her feet. Well see about that. Her defiant cry merged with the mew of the gulls fussing overhead.

The girls retraced their route. Laughter drifted down to the shore where the horseman had turned to ride back towards the opposite cliff. His lips twitched at the glimpse of snowy petticoat peeping from skirts swirled by the breeze. His gaze followed the two slender figures climbing the path snaking through the dunes until it dipped sharply, swallowing the tops of the girls heads.

Pretty, he told his horse. A fair milkmaid and a fiery goddess. This peninsula shows promise. Maybe Ill enjoy my stay with my uncle even more than I anticipated. He pressed his thighs against the animals flanks. Come,Sofia. I need sustenance and so do you.

* * *

I cant marry him. I wont. I cant bear the thought of his lizard claws on my body! Rebecca drained her goblet of wine. Slammed it on the table.

Her father rose and paced towards the window, wishing for the umpteenth time his belovedMarionwas still alive. But his wife had been burnt out by fever when Rebecca was a child. Now a lovely young woman, as well as a minx, her bright autumn leaf hair and proud nature were poignant reminders of her mother. Lord Beaumont had seen the expression in mens eyes, watched them contemplate the dew on the bud. Rebecca must be married, and soon. Loyal Biddy was no match for his spirited daughter. And if Rebecca continued wandering off on escapades, even with Catrin

Hugh tried wheedling. Geraints a good man. Youll lack nothing, Rebecca. Nor will your children.

Children? Rebeccas tone implied hed suggested a family of polecats. How can I marry someone without first loving him?

My daughter thats what your dear mother thought when we became betrothed. Shed convinced herself she couldnt possibly wed a fair-haired man. I had to gain her confidence until, like a shy young filly, she trusted me. After Rhys was born, she thanked me for her flaxen-haired boy. His voice faltered. In the fullness of time, you arrived and we had two fine children.

But Father, youre much more handsome than my lord Geraint. While his left eye looks at my face, the right one peers over my shoulder.

Her father hid a smile. Imperfection is God-given, as is perfection. Looks are not of great importance in a man or a woman.

Rebecca pounced. So say you! A handsome man who married a beauty. How can you condemn your daughter to taking a toad to her bed?

Hold your tongue, girl. Go to your quarters. Youll find marriage brings its own rewards. And any children of yours will be handsome, of that Im certain.

Shed pushed her father enough. Rebecca knew he was deaf to her views. He was also concerned about the local peoples obsession with smuggling. The idea of such dangerous doings thrilled her. She and Catrin often whispered in the dark, the whiff of melting candle wax tickling their nostrils. What were they really like, these swarthy sailors bringing fragrant scents, fiery spices and rich tobacco? Which local men patrolled the smugglers coves?

Rebecca sought out her cousin, startling Catrin who sat dreaming in her room. He wont listen, Cat. Id run away but hed fetch me back before nightfall. I long for something to happen someone to help me.

Will you settle for a wager?

What?

I heard the servants talking last night, said Catrin. I was outside the kitchen door, giving Lol his supper.

Rebecca nodded. Catrins little corgi gave her ample excuse to be around the yard. Go on.

Theres talk of a new king.

Somethings happened to George?

No, silly. A smuggler king.

Rebecca leaned closer.

Will Bevan from down the coast, is no longer the dominant force. Theres a local man, Dermot Maddocks, trying to keep Bevan out. Maddocks has a nephew a young Irishman, come to keep his uncle company.

An apprentice smuggler?

Bold but gentle, they say. Reluctant to use his fists or his sword, unless the provocations too great.

Then hes a fool or a coward. Rebecca knew compassion wasnt a common trait among the smuggling community.

Hes known as a kind man who takes his share of bounty and distributes it. There are widows and old, sick folk thanking God for Jac Maddocks generosity.

I think, said Rebecca, this Celtic Robin Hood sounds dreary. Maybe hes too puny to find a wife.

Biddy says hes pretty enough to eat.

She said that?

Told me she was out walking the other afternoon and saw him riding along the bridleway. Biddys not so old, you know. Catrin nudged Rebecca. I think shes right.

Youve seen this Jac too?

We both have, said Catrin. Wasnt it only yesterday we ran off to the sand dunes? Remember the horseman on the shore?

I recall him. Rebeccas expression was unreadable. So, whats your wager?

I wager you cant steal a kiss.

A smile curved Rebeccas lips.

Of course, its only servants gossip about his kindness, said Catrin hurriedly. You mustnt endanger yourself or risk your reputation for the sake of a little escapade. I dont know what possessed me to mention such a thing. She looked anxiously at her cousin. Youre a lady, almost betrothed to a man of substance.

If Im to wed a frog, said Rebecca, surely I deserve to kiss a prince? This is one wager I cant resist, even if the prince is a smuggler.

Will you take me with you?

Where are we going, Catrin? Rebeccas full lips parted.

We know when the prince rides out.

So we do, Catrin. So we do.

Rebeccas curiosity about the handsome horseman fuelled her fantasies later as she lay in bed. There he was, walking along the sea shore. No one else was allowed to ruin their solitude. Jac ran the last few yards towards her, making her heart race. Making her anticipate the touch of his lips on hers. Their first kiss surprised her with its intensity. Holding her gaze, he pulled her close so she felt his excitement as his body pressed against hers. His lips covered her throat with tiny kisses, found her mouth again, his tongue teasing, flooding her body with delicious sensations. Her own hands took on a life of their own, stroking her breasts, seeking out each nipple in turn. Rolling it between thumb and index finger.

Her mind spun an erotic fairy tale in which she and Jac lay on the sand, his hand stroking the soft skin of her thighs. She felt herself melting as he bunched up her skirts. She moved her legs apart. Instinctively. Gently. He murmured her name as he edged closer to her core.0