Born In Sin Page 11

  Thinking it perfume, Callie opened the lid and took a whiff of it. She knew the reeking smell in an instant. It came from the plant her mother had used to rid their hall of mice and other unsavory vermin. It was a bottle of poison.

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  Chapter 7

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  Callie hesitated at the solar door where two guards stood on either side, making sure the countess didn't leave her rooms again. But a moment's hesitation was all she gave it. Her anger high, she strode between the men and threw the door open, then slammed it shut.

  The countess looked up with a startled gasp from her perch on the bed as Callie charged unannounced into her room.

  "What is the meaning of this?" Callie asked, moving to the bed to hand the countess the bottle of poison.

  The lady wiped the tears from her eyes and drew a ragged breath as she ignored the bottle. She lifted her chin regally while toying with the edges of the pillow in her lap. "I thought you would have need of it tonight. Either for yourself or preferably for him. Either way it would spare you having to stomach such a repulsive monster in your bed."

  Callie was aghast. What on earth was the woman thinking? "How can you say that about your own son?"

  The countess stiffened, her dark eyes snapping righteous fire. "He is no son of mine. That bastard destroys everything he touches. He always has. If you were wise, you'd drink that poison now and save yourself years of untold misery at his hands."

  The countess's hatred of Sin mystified her. What could he have done to his mother to warrant such rampant hostility? "Why do you hate him so? What has he ever done to you?"

  "What has he done?" she shrieked, rising from the bed and dropping her pillow to the floor. "He has ruined my life. That wretched demonic father of his seduced me when I was just a child. I spent one night with him that no one ever should have known about. Instead, I conceived. When my father found out, he was so enraged, he beat me so severely it would have swept any normal infant from my womb. But not him. He is the devil's own. He even survived when I drank potions that should have killed him."

  Callie's stomach knotted at what the woman was describing. Her hatred of Sin was unimaginable.

  "When he was born," the countess continued, "he almost killed me. I bled so that 'tis a wonder I ever survived. When they tried to hand him to me, I couldn't bear to even look at him. So I bade my maid procure a wet nurse and sent him immediately to his father."

  "You sent a newborn bairn out into the world within hours of his birth?"

  "Hours? I sent him out as soon as I had finally flushed him from my body."

  Callie couldn't breathe as pain assailed her. She saw the image of a newborn being handed off so clearly in her mind. How could anyone be so cruel?

  Worse, there was no remorse in his mother's face. She felt fully justified in what she'd done to him.

  It defied Callie's understanding.

  Rage and hatred burned in the countess's eyes. "The man I wanted to marry refused to have me after I had been stretched by another man's child, so my father viciously married me off to a man older than he was."

  "None of that is Sin's fault."

  "Nay? Had he not been born, none of it would have happened." By the light in her eyes, 'twas obvious the past was replaying itself to her. "I sent him to his father and thought I was through with him forever. Then, years later, he showed up here at court and all the gossips started in again. I had to live with the disgrace daily. People whispering behind my back. Comments and aspersions being made about my dear baby Roger. My husband was a pious man and made me wear hair shirts beneath my gowns from that day until he died. I was humiliated and forced to beg penance constantly for it. And now that monster has taken the only thing good in my life. Roger was all that was important to me. The only thing that gave my putrid life any happiness."

  Callie sympathized with the woman's grief and she wished she could ease the pain she knew the countess bore over the death of her son. But none of that changed what she'd done to her eldest, who had been nothing more than an innocent babe in dire need of a mother's love.

  "Sin didn't kill him."

  "You're a fool if you believe his lies."

  Callie patted the countess's arm in sympathy, wishing she knew what to say to ease the woman's suffering.

  But there was nothing she could do that would make his mother accept him or feel better. Shaking her head at the tragedy of it all, she handed the poison back to her. "I am very sorry for your loss, milady."

  She turned and quietly left the countess to her conscience.

  Sin spent the entire day riding. He'd left London behind and headed south. Part of him just wanted to keep going. He had lands all over England, Normandy and Outremer. Castles so strong not even Henry's entire army could breach them. No one had ever defeated him in battle. He could destroy nations if the mood took him.

  There was no reason why he had to go back to London or to his wife.

  None whatsoever.

  No reason other than the fact that he liked the feel of her hand on his arm. The look of laughter that hung in her bright green eyes. The look of that peekaboo dimple that flashed when she spoke.

  He closed his eyes as indecision ripped him apart.

  Tonight she would be his. He could take her over and over until he was sweaty and spent, until they both were unable to move from exhaustion. She wouldn't deny him the right of her body. Wouldn't turn away from him in disgust or fear.

  For once, he could have comfort and a welcoming touch. There was no doubt in his mind.

  Sin closed his eyes and tried to imagine a world where someone truly wanted him. A world filled with a woman who would smile at his approach. Whose face would light up in happiness at his presence.

  Would it be so awful?

  Callie wanted to be wife to him. Could he not be husband?

  He could try.

  Aye. He could at that. His heart suddenly lighter, he wheeled his horse about and headed back to London.

  Sitting at the window with her dinner laid out on the small table, Callie watched the sun set with no sign of her husband anywhere. He'd left hours ago and no one knew where he was headed or when he would be back.

  If he would be back.

  She heard her door open. Hoping for Sin, she turned to see Aelfa entering the room with sad eyes. "He has yet to return, milady."

  So this was it, then. Alone even on her wedding night. It didn't bode well for her future if he showed her so little regard today of all days.

  Callie glanced to the ring on her finger. When she'd first seen it, she'd hoped that maybe there could be happiness between them. That maybe he might be willing to accept her into his life.

  She was such a fool.

  "He could still return," Aelfa offered charitably.

  Callie picked at the dinner she had hoped to share with her husband. As she sat there staring at his empty trencher across from her, she became angry. This was her wedding night! How dare he treat her this way.

  How could he have so little regard for her? The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She had been nothing but kind and cordial to him. Had shown him only respect, and then he couldn't even be bothered to show himself for supper?

  Well, she wasn't some nothing. It was one thing to need time alone, quite another to wallow in self-pity and leave her guessing about where he was and when, if ever, he might decide to return to her.

  By all the saints above, she wasn't going to sit here another minute and feel this lowly and unwanted. If he didn't want her, fine. She wasn't going to spend the rest of her life trying to please him when it was obvious he didn't want to be pleased at all.

  "Where is Simon?" she asked Aelfa.

  "He is with Jamie in his room."

  "Could you please watch Jamie for a short time and ask Simon to come to me?"

  Aelfa looked a bit confused, but didn't hesitate with her answer. "Aye, milady. Gladly."

  Callie got up as the maid left and quickl
y washed her face and straightened her appearance.

  It didn't take long for Simon to join her, and yet she'd managed to down two goblets of wine while waiting for him.

  "Can I be of service, milady?"

  "Aye, Simon. I hear music below, and since my husband seems wont to ignore me, I would appreciate it if you would escort me to the hall where I can actually enjoy my wedding night."

  She saw the hesitation on his face.

  "Please, Simon. Otherwise I shall just sit here until I become so angry that I might do him harm."

  He laughed at that. "I would like to see that, I think."

  But he escorted her below.

  Callie decided she would enjoy this night. Partaking of the wine and music, she danced with Simon until her head was light and dizzy from it.

  Sin entered his wife's chambers and drew up short. There was no sign of her anywhere. A cold meal, barely touched, rested on the table by the window.

  Where was she?

  Frowning, he glanced around the room, trying to discern what mood she might have been in when she left.

  Surely she wouldn't have escaped now after they were wed. She'd told him she would be waiting.

  Pain pierced his chest at the thought of her fleeing from him. It was so severe that it momentarily took his breath. He hadn't realized until that instant just how much he'd looked forward to seeing her when he arrived, to finding her here with a welcoming smile on her face.

  Stunned by the realization, he headed below to find Simon and see if he had word of her.

  The crowd in the great hall was thick. Music, voices and laughter rang throughout the madness of it. Couples danced in the center while some groups stood off to the side and people lined the tables that were filled to overflowing with food and drink.

  Every time Sin drew near a group, they would grow silent and stare at him with repugnance etched into their faces. And as soon as he passed, their heads would go together and they would whisper.

  Sin didn't care. He had no use for them, either.

  As he skimmed the courtiers, his gaze was drawn by a flash of Highland plaid in the center of the tables where people were dancing.

  His breath caught at the sight of his wife in Simon's arms. Callie was leaning back against Simon's chest and smiling up at him with an open, happy expression.

  Sin saw red as possessive anger tore through him. How dare she look at Simon like that! The pain of it ate at him. He'd wanted her to greet him with that expression, and now she directed it toward another man.

  Wanting blood, he stalked toward them.

  "Callie," Simon said with a laugh as he reached for the goblet in her hand, "give me that cup. You've had enough wine for one night."

  She pulled it from Simon's reach, then stepped away from him, spilling half the cup's contents across the floor. "Pop and dandies, Simon," she laughed back. "I want more of it, not less."

  "What goes here?" Sin demanded as he drew near.

  Silence settled across the room. Sin felt the looks of all the courtiers on them as they watched curiously.

  "I was dancing," Callie said, her gentle brogue a bit slurred and hard to understand. "And I was drinking." She frowned at the cup in her hand as if unable to understand where her wine had gone. Pouting, she looked up at Sin. "But now Simon won't let me do either."

  "I'm trying to get her into bed," Simon confessed.

  Sin arched a brow.

  "Don't give me that look. She's drunk."

  He arched his brow even higher.

  "Oh, great Peter's hairy toes, Sin, you know me better than that. I wasn't going to do anything other than summon her maid to care for her."

  Callie snorted at that. "It's a very evil thing when a woman is this far into her cups and still no man wants to tup her."

  The men exchanged shocked looks.

  Seeking to get her away from the others before she destroyed herself entirely, Sin scooped her up in his arms and carried her from the hall.

  She sighed, then wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. Sin trembled at the feel of her hand in his hair as she ran her fingers through it, lightly brushing them against his scalp.

  "You are a strong one, aren't you?" Her wine-scented breath against his neck sent chills all over him. "I like the way your arms feel when you hold me."

  Then she gave a sharp yank on his hair.

  "Ow!" he said sharply. "What was that for?"

  "I thought you left me." She kicked her legs and squirmed in his arms. "Put me down. I'm mad at you."

  Sin tightened his hold on her. He wasn't about to put her down. Not until he had her safely in her room.

  "Mad at me?" he asked incredulously. "For what?"

  "You're a large, aggravating beastie. That's what you are. Turning my head and making me want you, then leaving the first minute you can."

  In spite of himself, he grinned. There was something about this drunken lass's outspokenness he liked. "Making you want me, eh?"

  "Aye. I want a kiss from you, husband."

  He set her down only long enough to open the door to her room.

  She swayed slightly, then threw her arms back around his neck and tried to kiss him. She missed his lips and planted a hot kiss on his jawbone.

  Hot chills erupted like liquid fire all over his body.

  He hissed as she licked his flesh with her tongue. "Mmmm," she moaned. "You're all prickly and hard."

  She had no idea just how hard he was.

  Sin kicked the door closed as she pulled back.

  "Where were you?" she asked, trying to put her hands on her hips, but they fell limply to her sides.

  "I was riding."

  "Oh. Your favorite thing to do. How could I forget? It's the only thing you enjoy doing. That and training."

  "Aye, and you like to dance. Tell me, were you drunk before or after you went downstairs?"

  "Definitely after. There was this one tall man who said he'd be happy to take your place tonight if you didn't feel up for it."

  "Oh, I'm up for it, all right."

  Before he could think better of it, Sin stepped into her arms and pulled her close, then gave her a proper kiss.

  She moaned against his lips, then pulled back. "Are you going to hurt me?" she asked.

  "I don't plan on it." He frowned at her. "Why would you think that?"

  "Aelfa said it would hurt when you stick your… um… male piece into me."

  Sin arched a brow at her choice of words. He always had the oddest conversations with this woman. "I'll try and take care, then, not to hurt you."

  She laughed at that. "So, you are going to stick your—"

  "Please, Callie, have mercy on me."

  Biting her lip so that he saw her little dimple, she slid her hands down his chest in innocent exploration of his body. Sin struggled to breathe as he fought the urge to take her wildly. He would have to be gentle with her. Careful. The last thing he ever wanted was to hurt this gentle lady.

  "Such strength," she whispered, running her hands over his chest. She fumbled with the laces of his tunic until she bared part of his chest to her eager eyes. She peeled the edges of the collar back to see as much of his body as the tunic would allow. Sin stood perfectly still, afraid to move lest it frighten her. He would let her get used to him first, then… then she would be his.

  "I like the way your skin looks. Can I touch it?"

  "Madame, you may touch anything on me you like."

  She smiled at that. "Really?"

  He nodded.

  Callie untucked his undertunic and ran her hand over the hard planes of his muscles. Oh, the man felt good beneath her hands. She pulled his tunic off, wanting to see more of him. She touched the scars along his ribs, then traced the one that lashed across his right nipple.

  She frowned at all she saw. They were everywhere. So much pain. So much strength.

  Suddenly she wanted to see all of him. She dropped his tunic to the floor, then reached for the laces o
f his chausses.

  Oh, she liked this man even when he made her mad. She ran her hands through his hair, delighting in the feel of it as she tasted the heavenly heat of his mouth. Moaning, she surrendered all her weight to him and clung to his broad shoulders.

  She felt his hands roaming her back, pulling at the laces of her gown. A shiver ran over her as she thought of what he was going to do to her tonight. He was going to see her in ways no man had ever seen her before. Touch her in places no one had before and do things with her she had only vaguely dreamed of.

  The very thought made her blush.

  Sin held his breath as her fingers flicked against his lower abdomen while she undid his chausses. As soon as she untied the tabs, the heavy chain-mail breeches sank to the floor, exposing him to her.

  Callie swallowed at the sight of his swollen shaft nestled among the dark hairs. He was huge! Surely such a thing would cleave her in two. No wonder Aelfa had warned her of pain.

  She'd never seen anything like it before.

  Quite curious, she moved her hand slowly to touch him. As soon as her fingers brushed his velvety tip, he hissed and his shaft jerked, arching toward her hand.

  She pulled back. "Did I hurt you?"

  "Nay, love," he said raggedly. He took her hand into his and led it back to his shaft.

  She shivered at the velvety, hard feel of him in her hand as she curled her fingers around him. She stared, in awe of the pleasure on his face. Aye, she liked giving him pleasure. Liked the way he stared at her as if he wanted to devour her.

  With his hand on hers, he showed her how to caress him. How to run her hand up and down his shaft, then down to the soft sac below. Callie bit her lip at the power it gave her over him. She loved the way he felt in her hand.

  Emboldened by his pleased look, she ran her hand down to gently cup his sac. He growled and hissed, then took her face into his hands and kissed her deeply.

  Callie moaned at the taste of him as she gently kneaded him in her hand. He ran his hands through her hair, then down her back to the laces of her gown. Her heart pounded in sweet expectation.

  In a matter of heartbeats, her gown sank to the floor and they stood bare skin to bare skin. She trembled at the sensation of his hot body against hers.