Violent Delights (Violent Delights Book 1)

Chapter 14: "All that is won and lost. Give me a kiss. Even this repays me"

Edward leaves for the continent at the end of May. It's a two day crossing, then he must make his way inland. He leaves us at one of his castles in Dover. Close enough to defend an invasion. He's not optimistic enough to believe he could leave myself and John in London.
Kent has been speaking of going to the continent, but he has not left. He claims he has business. At this point I think we all assume this business is his brother.
Dover is a well guarded fortress, quite perfect for meeting an invading force and easy enough to defend. John remains with me, and of course Elenor and Aimee and my entire household. We even bring the lion, which I'm quite attached to by now. The beast is generally upset at Edward's absence, but accepts its keeper as a meager substitute.
With summer coming I find myself enjoying the warmer days, and we walk down by the coast. I grew up inland and am new to the charms of living on an island. The beach is cold, and rocky, but we even get Elenor laughing as the great wolfhounds run in and out of the waves.
Early in June, we receive an unexpected visitor. Kent is calling.
The animals greet him with dull annoyance he's not somebody better, which doesn't stop him from informing them that he's not a desired Edward.
Hauntingly similar to his nephew, he's tall, and a bit weathered, but beyond that a copy of my husband, even their manner is similar.
"I'm going back to Europe in a couple of weeks," he says, by way of starting the conversation.
"We appreciate your presence but this could have been a note," I point out.
He smiles, "Or not."
I am assuming he means what I think he means but I don't know how he knows I know what he knows.
"I had hoped to bid the king farewell, however he won't return before I sail. It's a pilgrimage you see. England is secure I—I wish to seek counsel with the pope, I am then going to Jerusalem," he says.
I assume it's lies.
"Well. Then we wish you safe journeys, I know my husband shall miss your counsel," I say, graciously.
He nods a bit, looking out the window at the summer day.
"Was there anything else?" I ask.
"No. Just tell my nephew that—that I hope we both find what we're looking for."
"I shall," I nod a little.
He smiles, "I hope you find what you're looking for as well."
"I'm quite found."
"I don't think anyone is."
With that he leaves. I write down his message for Edward, though I'm sure I'll remember it. It's obvious he's going on business relating to his brother. But what exactly? That wasn't hostile, certainly he doesn't seem to have an inclination to overthrow Edward. The entire affair troubles me, however; there's little to do until Kent makes his next move.
In the end Kent departs barely a few days before Edward returns. And Edward returns, ridiculously early, having cut out of half his engagements, flushed from the journey and clearly pleased. He kisses me quickly on the lips in greeting before ushering the rest of us inside for our usual war council.
"I met with a monk. He swore my father lived, and could get him a message. I sent a code which my father would know," Edward tells us, when he and Monty are able to come and see myself and John and Aimee alone. "If he gets it he does. If not I've done what I can."
Aimee and I then tell him of Kent's visit, and I relay his cryptic message.
"So Kent's still playing," I say.
"Hm, yes," Edward says, "And he does think he knows where my father is. Doesn't do us any good unless we have him followed, but I'll give him credit and not do it. He's clever enough to lose a tail."
"He wasn't hostile, that message wasn't," I say, "I did not get the feeling he's plotting any violence against us."
"No, but I'm not fond of trading on feelings," Edward says, "Soon enough all our enemies need to be in one place so I can smite them at one time. And I'd really like to know if Kent counts himself as our enemy."
"I think he does not," Aimee says.
"Nor do I, but I agree 'think' doesn't do us much good," I say.
"It doesn't. Well. This meeting is adjourned, we now know what the other knows, which is to say there's nothing new to know except more things we don't know, Philippa, I need a word," he says, wrapping his arms around me so I can't actually leave, not that I was trying.
"What about the homage? How did that go?"
"Oh I didn't do it correctly."
"EDWARD!" John and I cry.
"And I think Philip wanted to kill me"
"EDWARD!" John and I and Aimee this time.
Monty says, "Oh that could be true," very calmly. The man is always calm there's usually something worse that's happened to him so nothing really riles him it's relaxing.
"Goodbye, all of you, I'll talk alone with my wife," Edward says, mostly kidnapping me, as he tugs me back towards my room.
Monty rolls his eyes a little bit but nobody but me sees.
"What? Do you have other information the others should—," I say as he tugs me into my room.
"No, I want to kiss you, beautiful. I haven't done for far too long," he says, kissing me on the lips, "Couldn't do that with everyone about."
"Oh," I laugh a little.
"Yes, oh, now prepare to be kissed like only I know how," Edward says, fiddling with my hair to loosen it.
"You know I turn sixteen next week," I say, quietly.
"You do? I thought you were only fifteen," he says, pausing, his face nestled in my hair.
"I am, I turn sixteen—just get on the bed," I say.
"Got it," he says, as I blush. He realizes I'm saying he can make love to me I'm basically old enough.
"Yeah, my birthday is next week, it's a grey area," I say, kissing his mouth quickly.
"I'm well with that," he says, then he picks me up completely and carries me to bed.
The sea breeze is drifting in the window, and warm summer afternoon sunshine glows gold on my skin as he undoes my dress. He's not good at this but I help him, laughing. We both laugh, and he slows everything by pausing to kiss me for extended periods of time.
Then he finally works off my dress and sheds his own tunic, and of course his things are much, much easier to get out of. He's got actual jousting injuries, which means he sneaked off and went jousting in France, in disguise, which is very in character.
"I was bored," is his explanation, when I kiss his bruises.
"I know," I say, putting a hand through his rich golden hair.
I curl into his warm arms, we're both sweaty and hot, half tangled in the crisp sheets. A salt air breeze drifts in the window as the sun throws long shadows across the bed.
Edward's not practiced but he is gentle, his thick arms cradle me with care, and he  takes time to kiss my neck and chest, pressing his face against my skin, bronze from the last few weeks in the sun. His face and neck are nearly sunburnt. I rub oils into it as we lie on my bed, laughing, him still tracing his fingers down my side, as though happy with what he knows is his.
My long hair is a curtain down my back. He gently moves it to kiss my shoulders, worshiping every inch of me. I return the adoration, though my body is warm and heart is racing. I've never felt loved in this way. And I didn't know I could feel desire like the longing I have for his arms. I thought I would be afraid of this but I'm not. Everything is golden. This afternoon could last for the rest of my life and I'd be glad. Just the afternoon sun on his face, smile warm with pleasure as he loves me as only he can.
"I do love you, don't ever think I don't," he says, twisting his fingers through my hair.
"I love you too," I say, quietly, and hope he's strong enough to believe it. And that it means anything.