"And to the new duchess of Sherwood-" lifting his glass in toast, Will looked down at Regina "you have stolen the day with your beauty." The crowd of guests cheered in tribute. Will cleared his throat, shouting above the roar of cheers, "And to the new duke, well, ole man, while the day is lost, the night surely belongs to you." The crowd burst out in laughter and cheers. Regina felt the warm flush of a blush creep hotly over her cheeks and lowered her head in embarrassment.
Toast after toast was pledged in honor of the couple as the elaborate dinner came to an end. Dancing began and late afternoon waned to early evening.
Cora noted the lateness of the hour. Her dark eyes scanned the crowd of over a thousand guests, coming to rest on the couple standing at the doors amidst an array of acquaintances. A smile crossed her mouth as she regarded the tall, handsome form of Robin clad in an elegant white and silver jacket and pants, his waistcoat was solid black, providing the perfect foil to his otherwise white elegance. She watched him, noting that his eyes often drifted to Regina, and his arm possessively rode the small of her back, keeping her close to his side.
The dark eyes sparkled, resting on Regina, outfitted in a long white satin bridal gown with an equally long matching train. The gown was lavishly trimmed with pearl scent braid. Her hair was pulled away from her exquisite face, drawing attention the elegance of her features. White roses were tucked in the gather of curls caught up, exposing the graceful line of her neck. When Regina turned, the tender smile faded and a glimmer of irritation crossed the dark eyes.
Regina was in a state of being numb, somehow she had managed to arrive at the church earlier, say her vows, and became Robin's bride without a bat of an eyelash, or an utter of protest. She had stood, a smile affixed on her face, nodding to congratulations offered, extending thanks to those who shared in the occasion.
When they approached Robin's mother, Robin bowed, placing a kiss on his mother's extended hand. Evette turned, grasped both of Regina's hands in hers. Tears shone brightly in Evette's blue eyes and edged her soft voice. "I have waited a long time for this day. I am so happy to welcome you to our family. Finally there is another woman to help balance our predominately male members."
Regina smiled perfunctorily, replying, "Thank you, Your Grace."
Evette said reassuringly, "I believe when all is said and done, dear, you will find all the joy and happiness I have found at Sherwood." On a lighter note, Evette ventured, "I hope Robin and you will visit me in Genoa, for the weather there is conducive to my health and I leave on the morrow."
Robin had watched Regina all day and was well aware of her state of mind. He smiled at her and then at his mother, replying. "Madam, we will come to visit. You need not worry."
"Ah, well now that you have settled down, I've no doubt. I would like it to be soon. I've had little chance to get to know my new daughter and would like that luxury before you present me with a score of grandsons." Evette said laughing.
Robin laughed and teasingly said, "Perhaps they will be granddaughters."
Evette smiled broadly. "Now, that would be nice! The first girl in ten generations of male Locksleys. Lord only knows I tried. But, alas, it was not in the stars."
"Well madam, I shall try to accommodate you," Robin said with a smile as he leaned toward his mother, kissing her on each cheek, before she departed.
Robin turned to Regina in to the close circle of his arms, whispering gently. "Darling, the hour grows late. It is best we bid our goodbyes, to the guests and leave them to their celebration."
He saw a flicker of fear cross the dark eyes and suppressed the urge to pull her closer to reassure her.
After making the necessary good nights and listening to the harmless jests from the men, Robin led Regina to the broad, curving staircase. The events of the last hours began to slowly burn away at Regina's numbness. When Robin stopped before the large double doors of their apartments and turned to her, he saw the fear of realization in her eyes. When he opened the door but did not enter, he saw the flicker of relief pass over her face. His eyes spoke of his desire and understanding as he studied her. His voice confirmed what his eyes told her. "I will give you some time, Darling and then I will come to you."
Cupping her chin, he brought his mouth down upon hers in a gently, yet promising kiss, before leaving her.
Regina stood alone in the dressing chamber. She unconsciously brushed her hand along the fine black silk belted robe, the only night apparel found. Her hair was pinned up after her bath, and wisps of dark locks curled about the nape. She approached the bedroom door with trepidation and tentatively touched the brass handle, quickly withdrawing her hand as if burned. Her thoughts spun as her hand trembled before her.
She knew, once she entered that room, the man who would come to her would physically bind her to him. In that room, beyond those doors, she was legally his to take as he chose. Her hand trembled as it moved back to the handle. She swallowed the fear that had lodged itself in her throat. Taking a deep breath to still her racing heart she reasoned, her body might be his to take, but giving herself, her heart, her soul lay in her hands. She vowed no matter what he did to her body or how her body responded, he would not touch her heart. No! That belonged to Daniel, always would.
A sense of strength flowed through her. Straightening her shoulders, she turned the handle.
Whatever she expected to find behind the door or feared to find did not prepare her for the breathtaking sight. French doors were thrown open, allowing the soft whispering breeze to flutter the long, gauzy curtains that graced two full walls. Nestles between the two walls was a black marble fireplace, where a small glowing fire smoldered.
Turning her eyes fell upon a giant bed. Fear rose as she gazed at the black ebony bed set upon a dias which rested on a lavish Oriental rug of black and mauve. Her eyes drifted to the mauve silk bed curtains tied back at each post and came to rest on the six plump pillows arranged at the headboard. A rich ermine spread was drawn back, and white satin sheets gleamed in the candlelight.
She turned from the bed, thinking too soon she would join Robin on it. A prickly sensation shivered down her spin as she moved out onto the terrace. She turned as she heard footsteps, thinking it was her new husband she took a deep breath and steeled herself for this. But it wasn't Robin, instead it was her mother.
"What are you doing here?" Regina asked as Cora approached her.
"I wanted to remind you how much I have done to insure that you were the wife of a Duke," Cora said. "I saw the way you looked down in the ballroom, you looked like you were being shown to the gallows. Wake up daughter!"
"I don't love him, mother!" Regina said. "I'm in love with Daniel!"
"He's dead and I made sure he didn't come between your marriage to the duke," Cora said.
"You had him killed, Mother!" Regina said. "You had the man I loved killed so that I would marry Robin." The weight of what had happened came down hard on her. The innocent man she loved was dead because of Robin. His want of her had helped set this deadly set of events.
"He was a nobody, Regina," Cora said. "I did not work so hard to ensure you would marry a duke, to throw it all away over a simple stable boy. Now stop looking like this, and get ready for your husband," Cora said as she shook her daughter harshly by her shoulders before leaving her alone.
Regina grabbed an item from the table by the fireplace, she quickly placed it under a pillow on the bed and hurried away from the bed quickly. Turning to stare into the fire, curling her toes in the fur, she heard the soft closing of the door. Turning around, she saw him. Leaning against the door, his arms folded across his chest.
Robin smiled softly at her image. His eyes fell to her long, shapely legs revealed by the subtle parting of her robe. His blood flowed hotly, knowing soon he would feel her legs entwined and wrapped about him. Slowly, his eyes roamed seductively upward, stopping at her waist, a belt about it which defined its smallness and accentuated her rounded hips. A breeze molded the silk robe to her full, titled breasts, outlining her nipples. Passion inched slowly, burning its way through his veins, as he knew his mouth and tongue would soon feast upon the bounty.
"Look at me, darling." Robin said as he approached her to stand in front of her.
She could not. She would not, for if she did, she knew her every fear would be revealed, and God knew he needed no more power over her!
Robin caught the rippling weight of her hair in one fist. "Your hair is glorious, princess, the color of a raven's wing."
His gaze captured hers. "We cannot escape this night, Regina." His tone was soft, almost whimsical.
"I didn't want to marry you," Regina said.
His lips thinned to a stern line. "Nonetheless, we are wed. And our marriage must be consummated for it to be binding. I will not force you, I seek to pleasure you this night. I am yours princess, yours to command. Aye, I submit, I am your most faithful servant."
The pads of his fingers pulled her robe apart as his fingers grazed the tips of her breasts. Flame seemed to leap from the dusky peak he brushed so fleetingly. He toyed and teased, circled and brushed those budding crests till they thrust hard and erect and quivering against his palm. His palms filled themselves with her swelling roundness. She stared in dazed fascination at his hands, so dark and bronzed against her burgeoning fullness. To her shock her breasts seemed to jut forward through no will of her own, overflowing his hands, her nipples titled up as if in tempting sacrifice.
She scarcely heard his low, triumphant laugh. "Ah, you like that, milady. Shall we see if you like this, too?"
Protest was beyond her. Her hands came to his shoulders, as if to push him away. But she stood frozen, afraid to move further, afraid to speak for fear he would take still greater liberties.
He moved so that his head was level with her breasts. She inhaled raggedly as his warm breath trickled across the peak. She could only stare in shock as the tip of his tongue came out to delicately touch the swollen tip...again and then again. Curling. Lapping. Stroking... His mouth closed around the dark, straining center. He began to gently suck, tugging harder and stronger, first one and then the other.
"Ohhhh," she said faintly. "Oh dear lord."
His thumb framed the apex of her femininity, hovering yet not quite touching her sweetest treasure. He decided not to give her the greatest of pleasures this night, for he was not sure how long he would hold out. In all his life he didn't when he'd been so rigid and straining.
He gently picked her up and laid her on the bed, he straightened only to divest himself of his clothing. He leaned back over her and kissed her lips deeply as his fingers sought her core and he took possession of her there, his touch as bold and brash as he himself was. His fingers initiated a maddening rhythm, elusive and tormenting. There was a sharp, stab deep in her belly, a jolt of sheer pleasure. It spun through her mind that he was well versed in the act of love as in everything.
He rose over her, his knees subtly spreading her thighs until the tip of his shaft hovered at the entrance to her velvet heat. He bent low and whispered against her lips. "You're mine, princess. From this night forward, you are mine...as I am yours..."
Pain sheared through her, a streak of lightning, a sharp, rending agony, and then he was deep, deep inside. Regina tore her mouth away. He had warned her, aye, she had known, yet the pain was a burning betrayal...She choked back tears.
His fingertips brushed her cheek, a tender caress. Again she heard his dark whisper and felt the touch of his eyes on her face. "Do not tense so," he said softly, "for you only make it harder..."
Robin had stilled above her, and as his head lowered to kiss her cheek, she made a grab for the item she had hidden earlier. It was a dagger and she gripped it tightly in her hand and raised it above his head, above his back in particular. He was responsible for the man she loved being dead now.
He had to be pay for what had happened to Daniel, she took the dagger and started to lower it...