The Innocent

here? Have you come back then to destroy the whole family this time, wench? Someone give me a knife! I will kill her now before she can do us any further harm!'

Elf stepped between Arwydd and her outraged nursemaid and explained as she had to Sim and to Ranulf.

'Your heart is too good, lady,' Ida said grimly. 'I do not trust the Welsh. She will be trouble,' the old woman predicted darkly.

'There will be no trouble,' Elf said sternly. 'Do you all understand me? This girl protected Ashlin’s heir. For that I am eternally grateful. She is under my protection. Any who harms her by word or deed will have to answer to me. Remember that I am the lady here!'

Arwydd suddenly knelt before Ida and, looking up at the old woman with tear-filled eyes, pleaded, 'Please, Ida, forgive me the wrong I have done the Ashlin folk!'

'Clever baggage,' the old woman muttered, glowering down at Arwydd. 'You will have to earn my forgiveness, wench, but I will not speak against you to the others. That, at least, your pretty plea has gained you.'

Arwydd scrambled to her feet and hurried after Elf, who was already entering her home. Alyce came forward carrying her little charge in her arms. Elf felt the tears sliding down her cheeks as she took her son into her arms. His hair was her own pale red-gold, but Simon de Glandeville looked at his mother with his father’s warm hazel eyes. Elf kissed the child passionately until he protested and squirmed away from her, holding out his arms to Alyce.

Elf laughed. 'Oh, Simon,' she said to him, 'you must forgive your mama. I have missed you so very much, and missed so much of you, bebe. But they tell me you will never know of this separation, and within a short time you will be used to your mama again.' She kissed the top of his head, and handed the little boy off to Alyce. 'Thank you,' she said to the young serf who had cared so faithfully for her son.

'Maris fed him, lady, and still does,' Alyce said blushing with her mistress’s praise.

'Tell her she must continue to do so, as my milk has been dried away now,' Elf responded.

'My lady! Welcome home!'

'Cedric!' Elf held out her hands to her steward, smiling.

He took her hands, and pressed them to his heart a moment, then stood back to allow John the bailiff and Fulk to come forward. They both greeted her happily. Elf thanked them both for their care of Ashlin in her absence.

'Sim,' she told Fulk, 'was very brave, and did well in the face of adversity. You may be proud of your kin, Fulk. I promise you that the next time you advise me, I shall listen well.'

Fulk’s eyes grew visibly misty. 'Thank you, my lady,' he said, grateful she did not hold him responsible for her captivity.

'I'll want a bath after the meal,' Elf announced as they seated themselves at the high board.

The meal was served, and Elf ate with relish, particularly of the roasted meats and the greens, which had been few and far between at Gwynfr, whose cook it seemed boiled everything to mush. There was even a sweet pudding of boiled wheat, milk, sugar, cinnamon, dried apples, and raisins. She practically licked her wooden bowl clean, swallowing down the last of her sweet wine with a sigh.

'It would seem,' her husband noted, 'that the kitchens of the Welshman left much to be desired. Do you want the rest of my pudding?'

Without a word Elf switched bowls with him, and scooped up the remainder of the pudding with a mischievous grin. 'I was hungry for sweets,' she said.

'So am I,' he replied, his hazel eyes twinkling, and she giggled. It was a wonderful sound, he thought. 'Go and bathe, petite.'

'Let us bathe together, Ranulf, my dear lord,' she invited him, and her glance was warm. 'We have both been on the road for several long days… and nights. I believe we would find the water salubrious.' She arose from the high board and, walking to the door leading to the solar, turned to look seductively at him. Then she was gone.

A feeling, unfamiliar to him these last months, rippled through his large frame. His member actually tingled in anticipation, then began to harden with lust. He drained his cup slowly, making a small attempt to bring himself under control. He had waited for this night for months. He would not spoil it with undue haste. Willa and Arwydd came from the solar, giggling. They had once been friends, and now Elf’s approval of Arwydd restored, Willa saw no reason to hold a grudge. The two young women had taken up where they had left off.

'Lady says you are to join her, my lord,' Willa said.

'And we're not to return until morning,' Arwydd added.

He grinned at them conspiratorially evoking another burst of giggles from the two girls. He walked across the hall to the solar and barred the door behind him. Turning, he caught his breath in surprise. She awaited him as naked as the day she had been born. He closed his eyes briefly as he felt his hunger for her welling up once again.

'My lord,' she murmured low. 'Let me help you to undress so we may have our lovely bath. The water is perfect, warm and just lightly scented with the fragrance of flowers.' She drew him over to a stool. 'Sit, please, so I may remove your boots.'

He sat, not certain if he should be shocked by her boldness. What had happened to his innocent Eleanore? Was it possible that Merin ap Owen- He pushed the suspicion away. The one thing he could be certain of was that his wife had been faithful to him in her captivity. Had she not, she would either have killed herself or told him of it and begged his forgiveness. Besides, why was he concerned that she was so suddenly deliciously impudent? Was it not for his pleasure? His eyes caressed her round little bottom as she bent to pull off his boots. Then she drew off his stockings.

'Please to rise, my lord,' she instructed him. Kneeling she slipped his braies down and slid her hands beneath his tunics and chemise to caress his naked flesh, fondling his bare bottom with kneading fingers. She rolled the fabric of the braies down his legs, smoothing his calves as she did so. 'Foot,' she said, tapping his left foot so he would lift it. Then the right foot. Sitting back on her haunches, she folded the braies and set them on the stool.

Standing again, Elf smiled teasingly up into his face. Then she went about the business of removing his outer tunic, and the two undertunics he wore. Now Ranulf was clad only in his linen chemise. His raging manhood thrust the soft material forward. Licking her lips with her tongue in a provocative fashion, Elf slowly unlaced the garment, her hands pushing it open, smoothing over his broad chest, sliding the garment off his shoulders so that it fell to the floor. 'Now,' she said, 'we are equal, my lord,' and bending her head she stroked his warm flesh with her wet tongue, teasing at his nipples until he thought his head would burst and his loins explode with their raging desire for her.

Ranulf drew her up and wrapped his arms about her. His lips played softly over her lips. 'What,' he demanded, 'has happened to the little innocent I married?' Then, before she might answer him, he kissed her hard as their bodies pressed together heatedly.

Elf knew she was yet in control, but she was half-conscious with the pleasure his lips offered. Too long! Too long, she thought muzzily. Her breasts were molded tightly against his chest. The heat from his body was utterly intoxicating. His manhood was like iron against her belly. His thighs were like rock. Her lips softened and parted just slightly beneath his. His tongue played with her tongue, sending shivers of delight and anticipation up and down her spine. Finally she drew her head away from him. 'The water will grow cold if we do not bathe soon, but our desire, I think, will continue to remain hot, my love.'