Godiva: Unbridled Page 10

  “Very well,” she said, walking toward him, and lifting his chin to look at her. “I understand your caution. But I know what awaits me. Freedom! I am keeping my half of this bargain. Edwin will be obliged to keep his. And, if he doesn’t, I will run as I ran before. Either way, I will come back to you and then we shall speak of love.”

  Thomas looked up at her, determination set in her expression, and he sighed then glanced to the stool by the washbasin. “Go on then,” he said. “Fill the basin with water and get settled on the stool. I’ll fetch the stones and the shaving kit.”

  She did as told, and perched in her towel atop the wooden stool. Thomas returned in a moment with the kettle of hot stones and the tongs and carefully laid several of them in the washbasin, causing the water to sizzle and steam and he laid a cloth inside the heated water. She watched as he took the lanolin from a little pot and mixed it together in a bowl with the foamy soap, creating the creamy lather that he’d used on her before. When he turned to her, she opened up her towel, exposing her bottom half, but still clutching the top against her chest. Thomas took in a staggered breath at the sight of her bare sex, closed his eyes to regain himself. He waved the heated towel to cool it then pressed it against the golden stubble that had emerged from her shaven skin. Pressing the cloth and hiding her nakedness beneath seemed to help him but the warmth of the towel and the pressure of his hand against her pelvic bone caused Godiva to shiver, and involuntarily, she tipped her hips against his touch. Thomas smiled slightly at her undulation and looked up at her, and she exhaled, returning his unspoken acknowledgment of their mutual desire. Reaching for the bowl, he dipped his hand in, covered his fingers in the creamy froth and removed the cloth, massaging in the lather. Godiva held her breath again at the gliding touch of his fingers as they spread the cream, and her eyes wandered up the muscular arm, the strong shoulders, and the seemingly focused concentration of his handsome face as he reached for the seashell to start the scraping. She felt him lay a palm alongside her hip, holding the skin taut, and she bit her lip to hold still and not react to the feeling of his large hand laying so firmly against her. She wanted to reach to his hair, to wrap her legs around his shoulders, press his face against her heat. But she remained still as she could, aside from some slight quivering that she wasn’t sure if Thomas could detect or not. He scraped her bare again, his focus never wavering, and when he was done, dunked the cloth into the steaming water and placed it between her legs one last time. When he removed it, he inspected his work, saw that there was nary a hair or sign of any golden stubble left behind. He stared at her porcelain skin, the womanly swell of her hip, desire brewing like a thirst he could not quench. His hardness strained desperately against the leather ties that secured his pants. Just days ago he could have unlaced his breeches, seated himself to the hilt inside her slippery, welcoming heat with one fulfilling thrust, without hesitating, without concern, a mutual joy of pleasure and need. He looked up to her face. Her towel had gaped open and her breasts heaved with anticipation, and he knew she wouldn’t stop him if he grabbed her, locked her against him. Instead, he looked back to her creamy, hairless mound, taut, youthful skin, and placed his lips just to the side of where her hairline started. He felt her tremble at the touch, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, placing his face flat against her pelvis.

  “Tonight will be a celebration,” he whispered. “I can hardly wait. Perhaps I’ll shave myself again, too.” He squeezed her tightly then stood, giving her a small smile. He tightened her towel for her and emptied the basin before he left the bathing alcove so that she could continue getting ready.

  Chapter 19

  By three o’clock, Thomas had brought all the animals inside and given them an early dinner. After much protest from the cow in particular, everyone was safely enclosed in the barn with extra helpings of their favorite treats. The chickens clucked and fluttered around restlessly, adding to the nervous atmosphere that had started to build. Niklada stood just inside the entry of the barn, and Thomas was arranging the drape on her back that would serve as both a blanket and a cloak to conceal the Lady Godiva before and after her ride. Thomas had used the fabric he’d gotten from Aggie Smithton and attached the golden fringe along the edges. It was also sectioned, so that the front had leather-lined makeshift stirrups, giving the lady more control, and the back could be flipped up and over, so that on her way into town, and also, on her way back out, she needn’t go bare. Thomas had also reinforced the seat with a coarser material, so that there would be less chance of any falling, should Godiva need to flee. She had just finished doing her hair, and she walked up to try out the drape. She hopped up onto the back of the horse and fitted her feet into the stirrup openings, finding them helpful and sturdy.

  “Grab right here,” Thomas said, showing her tassels on either side of the horse’s hindquarters. She reached back, easily grasping the tassels and pulled the drape up around her shoulders, where she could fasten it with a loop at her neck. Two other loops with ties were lower along what proved to be the front hem of the makeshift cloak, but the top one she could secure or unfasten with one hand, if needed.

  “How do I look?” she asked, the fabric draped around her, seated high on her horse’s back.

  “Wait, and I’ll show you,” Thomas replied, and dashed to the bathing alcove to get the mirror from the wall. He held it up so that she could see her reflection, the ornately decorated fabric as it spilled over Niklada’s body, the gold fringe and tassels making it seem even more luxuriant than it was. She had braided a section of her hair and wrapped it around the crown of her head, weaving in some of the lavender blossoms that grew in abundance outside the barn. She twisted her hair along either side of her temples and the sections reached to join into one twisted braid in the back. The rest of her blond hair hung long and loose, cascading over her shoulders. As she stared at her reflection, she reached to the fasten at her throat and the cloak fell away, spilling in a burgundy pool over the horse’s back. Naked now, she stared at herself, more impressed with the beauty of her horse with her ornate drape than the nude woman who sat astride her.

  “You are stunning,” Thomas whispered. “It is a shame that the entire village will not be witness to the beautiful creature that you are.”

  “Well,” she replied, swinging herself down from the horse. “They will reap something more valuable than the sight of my naked flesh. And I will be free to live my life so after today we all gain something grand.” She took the mirror from Thomas and walked toward the bathing alcove. “Quick visit to the privy then we’ll be on our way. Edwin is never late with his speeches so we’ll want to be leaving at present.”

  Chapter 20

  They rode double atop Niklada, going around the outskirts of the village and all the farms and houses that surrounded it, to avoid any possibility of detection. Once they arrived at a spot where Godiva would need to take a more common road to reach her destination of the south entrance of the town, Thomas gave her a squeeze before he dismounted. Looking up at her, that same determination was set on her face; pure focus, mindful of but one goal. He caressed her leg beneath the drape.

  “Ride with care,” he said. She nodded, not looking down. Thomas leaned into Niklada’s neck and spoke to the mare softly. “Be steady and swift, Niklada.”

  “I will be with you tonight, Thomas,” Godiva said. She grasped at the whistle sewn into the drape that covered her shoulders. “If there’s trouble, I will whistle, and you will come find me.”

  “I will keep close watch,” Thomas promised, and grasped the whistle that hung from his neck on a leather cord. “Tonight we celebrate.”

  Finally, she looked down to him, and nodded. Then she looked back up and turned Niklada toward the direction of the road, trotting away.

  Thomas watched for a moment, then looked around. There was nobody to be seen in this desolate patch of hills and fields, so he headed in the direction of the town. He would gather with the rest of the citizens to hear Edwin’s spe
ech, whatever it would be. Then he would shutter himself in the tailor shop and wait. Anxiety stabbed cold and sharp through his stomach and he began to run. He needed something to burn this nervous energy, and he hoped he would have enough time to blend into the crowd without much notice. As he crested the hill, he could see almost the entire town, and the crowd that gathered at the south archway. He didn’t know what Edwin looked like, but nobody was standing at the podium just yet. Everything seemed in place, and there didn’t appear to be a show of force anywhere. None of the potential exits were blocked, all of the side streets that he had discussed with Godiva on their midnight walk through town were clear and open. He sighed, a little relieved. Perhaps all his worrying had been for nothing.

  Thomas walked up Merchant Road, which crossed the town in the center, wanting to appear as though he’d come from nowhere. He didn’t want anyone to see him around the tailor shop, although he might get asked where he would go once the villagers were ordered inside. Voices rose from where the crowd had gathered, so he headed in that direction, hoping to avoid any questions. Now he could see the Earl at his podium, looking out over the people who watched him. So this was the man that Godiva called husband. He was not unhandsome, but had a certain demeanor upon his face that gave him the appearance of arrogance. Though not quite as tall as Thomas, he seemed a strongly built man, and nothing to bring shame in outward show. However, his eyes lacked warmth, and his mouth had no smile lines. Thomas could easily see how someone so free and open as Godiva would feel trapped beneath his stern and unyielding manner. Near to the podium were two men on horseback, and immediately, Thomas felt the knot in his stomach tighten again. He had never been one to attend town functions or speeches, so he wasn’t sure if this was customary, perhaps ceremonial? One of the men had a similar build to Edwin but had a kinder, bearded face, the other was clearly some sort of guard. His horse was huge to accommodate his rider’s muscular frame, and his angular features intimidated even from a distance. Thomas looked away from the podium, glanced about the crowd. For the first time, he felt like maybe he should stand near people who knew him. He saw Aggie Smithton and started to go toward her but then wondered if Godiva would appear before the crowd, in advance of her naked ride, draped in the fabric that Thomas had gotten from Aggie herself? So Thomas found Mrs. McFarland and blended into the group of people who gathered around her, all gossiping and talking. This felt communal enough to be part of the crowd, but not so intimate that he would have to converse. Thomas looked up again and saw Edwin gazing over the group of people and he quickly looked away, remembering the gallows outside of town. He had the sudden and irrational fear that his own thoughts and memories might be on display at this very moment, should Edwin so much as glance into his eyes.

  “Citizens of Coventry,” Edwin called out, and a hush swept over the crowd. All eyes faced forward, to the podium where the Earl stood. “I call you to gather today to witness a show of protest given by my own wife. The Lady Godiva feels that I have been unfair in my taxation of you, that I have shown greed in the tariffs that I demand to uphold and maintain the services of this growing town. One month ago, I proposed a wager, and she accepted. It seemed in jest at first but she readily accepted, and I then agreed. She said that she would ride her horse through the town, as bare as a newborn babe, if only I would rescind the taxes that I have levied since the beginning of this year.” The crowd tittered, mumbling among each other as though some hadn’t heard about the wager, and had only gathered because a crowd had formed. “I am a reasonable man, and want only what is best for Coventry and its people. But since my wife is so determined that there are better ways to distribute our funds and still get the same results from less tariff, I am willing to examine this idea and work with the lesser fund to create harmony among our fair people.” A wave of approval and almost gratitude passed through the crowd, and Thomas had to check himself. The Earl was presenting himself as a reasonable, caring man. And Godiva seemed like a champion to those who had no voice to reach him.

  One of the men on horseback gestured to the Earl and he looked over his shoulder and paused, long enough for the crowd to start questioning what was going on. But Thomas knew. He knew that Godiva had crested the lower hill at the bottom of the road. That although none in the basin of the village could see her, when Edwin looked over his shoulder, he saw her there. Thomas could picture her, staring directly at him, cloaked or not, depending on what she had decided, how she wanted to face him after all these weeks. He could imagine the look of determination on her face. Thomas himself would need to have faith in that determination to fight back the nagging twist of anxiety he felt every time he looked at the giant man on the giant horse.

  Before he spoke again, the Earl cleared his throat and shifted his weight. “I ask that you all respect and honor my wife’s modesty. And to ensure that this unprecedented event remains chaste I will ask that you all go into your homes or places of business and close your doors and shutter your windows. The Lady Godiva has arrived! So that you might look upon this beautiful vision of a woman who cares so deeply for your welfare, I will allow that she step forward before shedding her cloak and taking her naked ride through our town.”

  A gasp flowed over the crowd, followed by absolute silence. Thomas felt his eyes go wide as Godiva crested the hill, first the intricate braids of her golden hair, followed by the burgundy draping on her shoulders, Niklada’s strong and proud head carrying her mistress to the top of the hill, where they stood, the picture of beauty and grace. Thomas felt eyes on him and before he could stop himself he glanced over to see Aggie Smithton looking his way. He turned his head, back to stare at Godiva, not knowing what to do, and thankfully, the Earl started talking again.

  “Now, off to your homes, your businesses. Upon completion of this event, a messenger will call throughout the streets, giving an all-clear for you to once again open your windows and doors. In a fortnight, after the Lady Godiva has completed her ride, I will speak with you again, and bring you news of any changes to your current taxes. So now, let us see this wager to its completion. Into your houses you go!”

  Godiva watched as all the people scurried away, rushed to get into their homes and their shops. The sound of shuttering windows and latching doors could be heard among the excitement of voices. She didn’t look at Edwin, though she knew he stared at her. And when she had seen Leofric standing next to Edwin on horseback she hadn’t been altogether surprised. But she did not know the hulking knight who was poised next to Leofric, and she couldn’t pause on what to think about it, since she knew it could mean only one thing. He was there to capture her, to make sure she didn’t get away. Edwin must not have much faith in her ability or her determination to be free of his grasp, since it seemed he only had the one guard. But by the size of him, he gave the sense that he could do the work of many men.

  “I am pleased to see you, my wife,” Edwin said, not moving from his podium. Godiva continued watching the people scatter, trying not to wonder where Thomas was in the crowd.

  “This is the last time you will call me that because after this ride I am released from the bonds of this marriage,” she said.

  “The time away has admittedly done well for you,” Edwin continued as though he hadn’t heard what she’d said. “ You look rested and well. Niklada seems fit. And you are outfitted beautifully. How you managed all this in secret I’d like to know.”

  “You will never know anything about me again, ever, Edwin. After this day if I never see your smug, arrogant, face again I will be a happy woman.” She reached into her cloak and withdrew the rolled up parchment scroll. “This is my formal request for divorce. You must agree to release me. I am here, I am fulfilling my side of this wager!” Godiva could see that all the people of the town had left the streets and an utter silence had fallen on the air. She reached to the front of the cloak, untied the two restraints then unfastened the one at her neck, and the drape fell to Niklada’s side. Godiva sat tall astride her horse and bare for
the three men to see. The large man on the giant stallion turned his head as soon as the cloak dropped, staring dutifully ahead to the village. Leofric looked at Edwin, who scanned his wife’s body, eyes narrowing. He didn’t reach to take the parchment from her, so she threw it down on the podium. Tossing her head, she tightened her thighs against Niklada’s sides and trotted down the hill. Edwin gestured to Gustof and he headed around the backside of the buildings, toward the center of town. Leofric locked eyes with his brother for one moment, then he too, headed into town, toward the north entrance.

  Chapter 21

  Thomas heard the galloping of hooves coming toward him, and he rushed to peer out the tiny holes in the shutters that faced toward the sound. He saw the man that had stood beside the Earl at the podium, not the big one but the one who looked like he could be a relation, possibly a brother. Thomas pulled back, moved to another window as the horse and his rider passed, went toward the blacksmith’s yard, and then the sound stopped. He could still hear the horse, restless and snorting, but that was the only indication that the man was still close by. Carefully, he moved to the side window, looking out the holes in the shutters. He couldn’t see the smithy’s yard from this angle, the building was in the way, but he knew they were still there. Would he accost Godiva as she came around the corner? What was the reason for posting a man at the far end of town unless for that very reason? Suddenly another sound of horse hooves came and without even looking Thomas knew it was the giant knight on his enormous horse. He was far heavier, but also traveling at a slower clip, barely a trot. Thomas moved away from the shutters, his anxiety growing. The heavy hooves on the cobblestone road seemed ominous, and Thomas looked at the pinpoint shafts of light that the little drilled holes cast throughout the tailor shop, which was otherwise dark inside, as he hadn’t wanted to attract attention. Distantly, he thought that maybe he should have lighted some lanterns, and made it appear more like he was in the shop by permission, rather than hiding out the way he actually was. The clopping hooves passed the tailor shop, then silenced as they went into the smithy’s yard. Thomas could hear the two men talking, but only briefly, before in the distance in the other direction, he could hear the lighter, higher clip of Niklada’s hooves. Thomas moved to the side window that gave him a view of the street, and he saw Godiva riding proudly, sitting tall. As she came closer, he moved to the front window, watched her pass with her golden hair flying out behind her, creamy skin and bouncing breasts unashamed. When he moved to the next window, to see her go toward the smithy’s yard and where the man waited for her, his view was obstructed. Somehow, he couldn’t see out the holes. He turned hastily and grabbed for the file that lay on the table behind him, and poked through the hole to move whatever plugged it. Instead, the file made contact with leather armor.