“Pillaging Elinor’s Castle” blurb:
Lady Elinor's father and two brothers are killed in battle, and Lord Rhys loses his demesne. To protect her people Elinor decides she will marry Lord Rhys, but only if he agrees the Captain of the Guard, Hammond, will share their bed and the decision making from now on. They agree and seal their contract in blood. Rhys and his people move into the stronghold.
After the wedding they begin to plan for how to survive the attack that will inevitably come. The stronghold is a wealthy one, and many will consider it an easy target with its lord and his sons dead. They also have to blend the two households together and prepare for the coming winter. At night Hammond and Rhys work hard in bed, learning to share Elinor, finding out what pleases her best, and arousing each other to new heights along the way.
STORY EXCERPT
Lady Elinor nodded to Hammond
and took him and Lord Rhys into her solar.
It was evident both men were
uneasy to be alone with a woman, even if she was now the lady of the castle.
“Should I call Madam Heloise to
join us, Lady Elinor?” asked Hammond.
“My aunt is no doubt sound
asleep in a chair by the fire, along with Father Augustus. Besides, she is the
last person who I wish to hear what I’m about to say. It is for our ears only.
Swear to me you will not repeat this conversation.”
A puzzled frown marked his
handsome countenance, but Lord Rhys instantly crossed his sword over his chest
and promised. Hammond followed him.
“Lord Rhys, as we all well
know, your father and mine discussed our marriage many times over these past
twenty years. However, we both remain unmarried, and you are now landless.”
Rhys’s face began turning red,
and Elinor hurried on with her prepared speech. She didn’t blame him for losing
the battle, or for the death of her family, but the facts were plain for all to
see, and she needed these men to agree to her plan.
“As the sole survivor of my
family, this stronghold now belongs to me. That is the law. However, we all
know it will be the focus of attack by every landless knight and masterless man
in the kingdom. Sooner or later one of them will take the castle, or take me,
or both. Neither of these situations is to my liking.”
Once again Elinor stared at the
men. Both clearly agreed with her statements, but also were obviously confused
about where she was going with her speech. Quickly, before one or another of
them could start talking, she said, “I have a different plan. We three will
jointly rule this stronghold. It is mine, and I will keep it. My word on the
lives of the people—my people—will ever be the law. Lord Rhys, you will marry
me tomorrow, and will therefore take ownership of the land. Any child I bear
will legally be your heir and mine. Hammond, you will share in all the
decision-making. Your knowledge of strategy is second to none, and as Captain
of the Guard you will train all our soldiers. You will also share our bed. We
will be three in this relationship.”
Hammond gasped but remained
otherwise silent, his warrior training having taught him never to speak out of
place. Rhys, as a noble, was less reticent. “Let me understand your proposal,
Lady Elinor. You and I will marry, so by law I will then control the castle,
the stronghold, and all Lord Huart’s lands and wealth. My men will serve under
the Captaincy of Hammond. You retain management of the castle and the people.
And Hammond and I…share…your favors?”
“Exactly. We each give up a
benefit to achieve a greater combined gain. I give up my lands to you, but I
will manage the household, as many women do anyway. Hammond gives up the
opportunity to have a wife and family of his own to serve us, but he achieves
control over all the guards. He will also help train any of my sons, be they
yours or his. A position of high status. You give up part of the control of the
stronghold and must share my person with Hammond. But no one will ever know
about that, and any child will bear your name. All in all I consider it a plan
that gives all of us the best possible chance of living long and happy lives.”
“Such strong security will
certainly deter others from attacking the castle. Whereas, with the lord and
his sons all dead, we would assuredly have been attacked within a month,” said
Hammond.
“And I am currently homeless
and landless. I was planning to travel to cousins in the next county, but your
plan ensures the safety of my people as well as of myself. Besides, as you
said, many ladies manage their households and people.”
“And many ladies are not
faithful to their lord,” added Hammond.
“How will that work?” asked
Lord Rhys.
“Tonight
you’ll both share me. That will seal our agreement in blood.”
Berengaria Brown
Find out more about my books at: http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/
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