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“I have,” her father cut her off. “He’s all of these things. He’s also a sensible, honourable man, and the finest swordsman in the realm, and he wishes to marryyou.”
Again, Judith didn’t like the way her father spoke the word.
“Perchance,” she ventured. “But I do not wish to marry him.”
“Why ever not?”
“Because… I do not care for him…”
Her father cast her a piercing look. It seemed he wanted to say something more, but then changed his mind and shook his head. At last he spoke, “In time you’ll come to care for him. He is indeed a worthy man. And he has vowed to treat you right.”
“He…” Judith searched her brain for things to say against Lord de Brunne and failed. This lord was not only handsome. He had a warm comely smile which always reached his fine dark eyes, and she’d never seen him treat a lady with disdain or unkindness. He was always courteous and most chivalrous to all. Tristram de Brunne was not only reputed to be the best swordsman in the realm. He was the best dancer she’d ever chanced upon and she supposed she’d never hear enough of his singing voice – the most melodious voice her ears had ever caught. In truth, when she’d first heard him speak, she’d thought her mind was playing tricks upon her. And Tristram de Brunne knew how to laugh and jest, and always said the cleverest and most diverting of things. Judith shook her head in sheer misery. She supposed she looked upon Tristram de Brunne with childish fancy, but she simply couldn’t help herself. She’d never met a man who seemed so accomplished in every way. And she grimly told herself he was, certainly, a man too good to be true. He must have a hidden flaw or vice. Otherwise, how could such an accomplished man wish to marry somebody such as herself? Or was it just her father’s wealth he craved?
“He…” Judith repeated stubbornly, searching for things to tell her father which would make him change his mind.
Her father seemed unconcerned. However, he attempted to place a hand upon her shoulder rather awkwardly. Judith found herself flinching from him, unused to her father ever touching her, and he withdrew his hand with a frown.
“All will be well, daughter. Have faith in me,” he told her at last, and his voice sounded firm.
“But I do not wish to wed him,” she countered in a weary voice which already sounded defeated to her own ears.
Why was she not trying harder to persuade her father she did not wish for this match?
“Yet you shall wed him as soon as can be, because he is the right match for you. And your scheming mother and that asp of a sister of hers can do nothing to stop this!” her father said in a decisive, self-satisfied voice.
A mere fortnight later Judith found herself staring upon the ring with carved initials which Lord de Brunne had slid upon her finger with a warm smile. Her half-hearted protests to her father had been to no avail, and Judith felt guilty for not bringing herself to stand up to him, knowing her mother would chide her for her cowardice. She simply hadn’t had the strength to protest. She supposed she was a vain, shallow creature, enticed by the sheer beauty and charm of the man who sought to wed her. Otherwise, she’d have found the fortitude to resist the match. Judith now reasoned she was truly weak.
Chapter 4
Present time, 1174
Judith supposed she was weak and foolish to welcome the touch of a man set on humbling her. She’d not only let Tristram take her maidenhead last night, but she’d also shamelessly revelled in their lovemaking. And it was as if she’d unlocked the door of a forbidden chamber she could no longer close.
At present, Tristram, who plainly thought himself her master, was gazing upon her chastened behind. His fingers were boldly tracing the stripes his punishing belt had left upon her skin yesterday.
“So?” Judith asked, unable to contain her anguish. “Will you punish me now?”
Tristram’s fingers were now no longer touching her reddened skin. When she gingerly sat up, he yawned as he stretched his hard body, and Judith, who’d never seen that beast which was called the leopard, but who’d seen painted images of it, supposed he now looked just like a leopard. It was perhaps not fitting that the De Brunne banner was an eagle soaring. It should have been a leopardpassant.
Tristram didn’t answer, and she found herself staring at him in vexation.
“Husband?” she queried.
“Not now. Later,” he replied, beginning to comb his tousled fair hair with his fingers.
Judith had the urge of reaching out to do that for him, but stopped herself in time. She frowned to herself, because, while her bottom felt much better than she’d thought it would, it still smarted when she sat down on it.
“Later,” she muttered with a sigh. “Later… when?”
He shrugged, unconcernedly, and Judith knew he was doing so because he wanted to taunt her. Judith had already become resigned she would have to submit to her husband’s punishments. However, she didn’t see why she should submit to his taunts.
“I’d rather you did it now, to get it done and over with,” she said, although the moment she spoke the words she realized she’d given Tristram the perfect excuse to torment her.
“I bet you would,” Tristram grinned in full malice.
The next thing he did though took her by surprise, and she didn’t even have the time to catch her breath as, lightning-fast, she found herself lying face down over his lap.
“You are defiant, wife,” Tristram chided, as he began to rub her bottom. “And to cure you of your defiance, methinks I’ll punish you both now and later.”
