Page 30 of Rory

Chapter Eight

Elspeth managed to get through the day without encountering Kelso, which chased away some of her fears. After she’d been honest with him in the laird’s chamber, she’d worried he would continue to plague her, but instead he’d made himself scarce. She knew the other maids had been gossiping about her refusing three men at the same time. When she had seen Ben in the great hall during the attack it had been all she could do to stop herself from running to him.

I have to tell them I love them still.

After having her evening meal and not seeing Ben or Ulf come down for theirs, she suspected the men were again working late. Perhaps if she brought some plates up to them, she might better explain herself, and beg them to wait a little longer.

Una met her in the kitchen, and offered her a basket filled with food and a jug of perry.

“Healer said he and Hunter Ulf wouldnae be leaving some potion they’re cooking, so I set aside their meals.” She thought for a moment. “The potion, ’tis gum powder, I think they said?”

“Why should they wish to powder glue?” Perplexed, Elspeth shook her head. “My thanks for preparing their meal. I shall take it up to them.”

The other woman touched her arm. “Smile a little when you greet them, lass. That should reassure the lads.”

So lost was she in her thoughts on the way upstairs that Elspeth failed to give attention to her surroundings. It was only when she approached the door to Benedict’s workroom that she realized Kelso was standing right beside it as if waiting for her. His eyes shifted over her and the basket she carried before he met her gaze.

“You and I have naught to speak on, guard,” she warned him.

“Aye, so you reckon. I only wonder why never once did you bring me food when I had midnight duty.” He pushed himself off the wall. “Nor did you befriend men or outsiders in the past. When you desired a romp, you came to me.”

“You’re confused.” Although his expression had turned ugly, she kept her own calm. Reacting to his accusations was the same as admitting to them. Rather than point out that they had been lovers only once, a relationship they’d started during this past year, she said, “Ever I’ve brought food to the healer and the hunter when they miss the evening meal. Lady Ava oft sends me.”

Kelso walked around her, and when he got behind her he bent down and put his mouth next to her ear. “I shall permit you attend to them, as long as you make your bed with me tonight.”

“I cannae agree for the reasons I’ve already said. I did refuse you, Kelso.” Elspeth closed her eyes for a moment as he bit her earlobe, catching her breath when he didn’t let go of it. “If the healer sees me bleeding, he’ll wish to ken why.”

His big hands slid down to her hips, and he pulled her buttocks back against his trews, where through the layers of fabric that separated them his erect cock throbbed thick and heavy. For the first time since she’d become his lover Elspeth experienced no desire for the guard.

“I shall wait for you anyway.” He pushed his hips forward, working the long ridge against the seam of her arse. “Come to me this night, and I shall take you thus. ’Tis as you’ve ever wanted, aye?”

Elspeth held her tongue and reached for the door. Kelso opened it for her, his hot breath grazing her cheek as he pushed her inside. She closed the door and nearly dropped the basket in her hands as the violent trembling she’d been resisting overwhelmed her.

“Hello, love,” Benedict called from the back of the room. “If you’ve brought food, leave it there, please. We can’t have anything disturb this new mixture.”

Ulf came over, but when he saw her face his smile vanished. “That arse came and lay in wait for you, didnae he?” He strode past her, reaching for the door, and she had to move quickly to stop him. “’Twillnae end until we brace the man.”

“I’ve braced him,” she whispered, glancing at Ben before she added, “We were lovers for months before I declared myself to you and Healer, and Kelso’s a proud lad. ’Twill take him time, accepting my refusal. We’ve only to keep from quarreling.” Because she couldn’t stand hurting him and Ben any longer, she added, “I’ll speak to the laird and ask if he may wed the three of us. If he agrees, then we’ll marry as soon as we may.”

“’Twould be grand, aye.” Ulf’s stern expression softened, and he pulled her close, tucking her head under his chin. “Forgive me. I’ve a foul temper, I ken, but I dinnae relish seeing you frightened by him.”

“I’m no’ afraid of Kelso.” The love that burned inside her for him and Benedict flared up out of control, and she hastily stepped back to end the embrace. “I should go now.”

“Stay.” He caught her hand and tugged her back against him, turning so that his tough body warmed her back. “You’ve finished your duties, aye?”

Elspeth nodded, afraid to speak or even move. All of her loneliness welled up inside her, a terrible aching emptiness that only her lovers could fill. Just like the soft, needy places in her body she wished to take them.

“That’s the way, lass,” Ulf murmured against her hair, his other hand spreading over her belly. “If you dinnae wish to share yourself with us until we’re wed, why then, Benedict and I shall have to pleasure each other for you to see.”

Elspeth almost struggled against him, but when she saw the healer advancing on them she sensed her will crumbling. He looked so sad and lonely, and Ulf would not do such things to her unless he suffered, too. She hated that she had inflicted this on them when she only wished to shower them with her love.

“Dinnae fret, Wife to be,” the hunter crooned as he began rubbing the slight curve of her belly. “Benedict and I’ve vowed never to force you. We love you too much to do thus. If you wish me to kiss and lick your quim, which I’d dearly love to taste, you must come to me and bid me do so.” He kissed her ear before he added, “So I shall, if you’ll take our husband’s cock in your mouth while I fack you with my tongue.”

As he rubbed her belly Ulf made hot, hard sparks of sensation sizzle through her nether regions. Ben pulled out a chair and sat in front of them, watching what Ulf did without blinking.

“’Tis what you wish, Healer?” Elspeth asked him.

Benedict smiled. “I want you both so much I can hardly sleep anymore. Only we will wait until you’re ready for that, sweetheart. It only works if all of us want to be together.”