Page 19

She smiled. Men hated to admit the small inconveniences of age. There were musicians playing, to be sure, but they were not overly loud. Raising her voice, she tried again. “I want to thank you for your generous hospitality, my lord. I did not expect such a reception.”

The hall, decorated with fresh greens, smelled of pine, roasted heron, and poached fish salmon.

They had enjoyed aged cheese and mulled wine after the meal and now the sweets had been set out.

Her mother stood with a group of women at the long trestle, spread with a variety of dishes.

Agnes nibbled at candied fruits and rose petals; the countess enjoyed a custard tart made with almond milk.

“I’m happy to see Rolf make a good match. He has been a loyal vassal. I hope you do well together.” The earl patted her shoulder. “My wife says you are a handsome couple.”

“I said they complemented one another like night and day.” The countess approached from behind. “Your husband is loathe to stray too far from you, I see. His eyes constantly scan the room until he knows exactly where you are.”

Melissa blushed. “Mayhap he looks so often because he is trying to remember my face. We have known each other for such a short time.”

“Pfff. No man would forget such a sight as you this day. You are lovely, child. If my eldest was not already wed, we may have pressed for a match.”

The older woman was close to the truth. After they had left the church, Rolf had whispered to her as he helped her mount Thunder.

“After that kiss, I feel my resolve weakening. I wish I had not agreed to the day’s entertainment.

” He had lifted one braid and placed a kiss on that sensitive spot between her neck and collarbone.

“I will do my best not to embarrass us, but you must promise we will take our leave early this evening.”

The memory sent liquid warmth through her body.

Her father joined them. “Thank you, Robert. It was an excellent wedding feast. I hope when you travel near us, you will stop and allow us to repay your generosity.”

“I look forward to it.” He nodded at Rolf as he made his way across the room.

“My lord,” Rolf addressed the Earl of Garrick, “I will send word when we arrive safely in Scotland.”

“We will see you in the morning. Agnes has made sure Melissa’s trunks are packed and ready for travel.” He held his arms out to his daughter. “Come my dear, give your father a kiss good night.”

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on each cheek.

As she stepped back, he pulled her into a tight hug then released her just as quickly.

“Agnes, it’s time now. Stop your chattering and let’s go.

” His voice sounded gruff, and Melissa thought she saw his eyes glisten.

Sentiment rarely affected her father. What a day it had been.

The countess hurried over and squeezed Melissa to her chest. “My girl, my little girl is now a woman.” She giggled and whispered, “And about to become a married woman.”

“My lady, I’m afraid you’ve drunk too much of the mulled wine. Thank our hosts so we may take our leave.”

As Melissa watched her parents go, a shiver of anxiety ran through her.

Or was it anticipation? She wasn’t sure.

Though her mother had told her what to expect, she was still hesitant to believe such an act could be pleasurable.

Many of the noble women spoke of it in hushed tones, calling it “a wife’s duty.

” Yet, her mother did not consider it as such.

Her fingers rubbed the lemon balm in her kirtle pocket and the scent wafted up, calming her.

The guests saw them up the stairs with much laughter and ribald jokes.

But once behind the closed door of Rolf’s chamber, her smile vanished.

She stood in the center of the room, her hands hidden in the folds of her skirts.

Gripping the material tightly, she crunched the remaining leaves left in her pocket.

A small trunk of her accessories had been brought over earlier and set at the foot of the huge bed.

On top of Rolf’s large coffer, it now seemed so small—like her slight frame compared to her husband’s large one.

Moving to the chest, she lifted the lid and busied herself with the contents.

“Melissa.”

His voice plucked her like a tight string of a violin. She felt the quiver run straight to her core. “Hmm?” She hated the small voice that squeaked out.

“I would never hurt you. I would do anything to take away the pain you will experience tonight.”

“It is only a fleeting pain, my mother said. It will not be more than I can bear.” She tried to sound reassuring but knew she failed miserably.

His hands rubbed over his face. “If it makes you feel better, I am also out of my element.”

That surprised her. “How so, my lord?”

“I have never had a virgin. My trysts have always been with…experienced women who did not look for more than immediate pleasure.”

“And a small payment for their services?”

Rolf grinned sheepishly and a ran a hand through his hair. “Exactly.”

“Well, this will be an adventure for us both.”

They looked at each other for a moment. The past month raced through her mind, the events leading up to this very moment.

With a start, Melissa realized that this had been her fate.

There was nowhere else she would rather be.

Still, the uncertainty in her belly remained as she looked at the dark, heavy bed curtains drawn around the corner posts.

She took several deep breaths, found her courage, and gave Rolf a small smile.

When he held out his arms, she moved to him, wishing away the shyness and doubt.

He cupped her face with both hands and brushed his lips against hers once, twice, then clutched her to him in a fierce embrace.

Melissa clung to him, their bodies melding together.

Her eyes closed as she listened to his heart beat, felt his breath against her ear.

Somehow, she knew with certainty that he would always keep her safe.

His fingers slowly pulled the veil from her hair.

He kissed the top of her head, her temples, her nose, and her mouth again.

She could not think, could not keep a single thought in her head as his lips moved down her neck and the side ties of her tunic loosened.

Rolf pulled her arms gently up and pulled the heavy material over her head.

It hit the floor with a distinct rustle.

Melissa had never stood before a man in only her bliaut and chemise. She felt almost naked. The thought almost made her giggle. When he pulled her close again, her trembling hands went to his chest. The hard muscles tensed beneath her touch. The strength of him was unsettling. “Rolf?”

His breathing was harsh, and his lips left a trail of fire down her neck. “Aye, my sweeting.”

“I pray I do not disappoint you.” A tear slipped down her cheek as the fear she had fought all day took over. “But I do not know—”

He scooped her up in his arms and kissed her.

A hard, demanding kiss that made her senses reel.

Her arms went around his neck as he strode to the bed and pulled back the curtains with one hand.

Setting her gently on the bed, he slowly, so slowly traced the skin just under the collar of her bliaut.

He pulled the soft material of her underdress from her shoulders.

The cool air sent goose bumps across her skin and made her nipples harden.

An ember popping in the hearth made her startle.

Rolf moved away but she grabbed his sleeve.

“I’m sorry, please…”

He shook his head and pulled off his overtunic. “I’m only removing some of these clothes. I find myself growing warm.” The smile did not reach his eyes, those dark and dangerous eyes now deepened to the hue of a rich brandy.

The shadows from the nearby flames danced across his face, his broad chest visible through the thin under tunic.

Hair darkened the skin showing through the opening.

He had the body and markings of a seasoned warrior.

As he pulled off his shirt, his wide shoulders flexed with the movement.

A scar ran along his right rib. The well-defined muscles of his arms and back glowed golden in the soft light.

The braies did little to hide his manhood as he untied and rolled off his chausses with one quick, fluid motion.

He raised first one leg and then another to step away from the discarded garments, the tendons rippling in his hard, lean thighs.

Rolf was beautiful and sleek; his movements possessed the power and grace of a wild animal, a predator seeking its prey.

Just like in her dreams. Yet, this was no fantasy.

This was real and so much better than anything she experienced in her nighttime reveries.

A throbbing began in her belly and crept lower.

Melissa sucked air into her lungs as he moved back to the bed.

Realizing he must be showing her what to do next, she sat up and pulled off her bliaut.

The bare skin prickled with only the light covering of her sleeveless linen underdress.

As she bent a knee to take off her own stockings, Rolf’s hand covered hers.

“No, that is my privilege.” He lay down beside her, his hands skimming her body.

She shivered and the throb between her legs became an ache.

“Do not think you could ever disappoint me in this way. I have touched you, loved you in my dreams a thousand times. You are beyond anything I hoped for these past fifteen years.”

His mouth covered hers and her lips parted. The touch of his skin made her burn for something she could not name. His arousal pressed against her thigh, and she naturally turned into him as his words caressed her. “I have waited a lifetime for you. And now you will be mine, wholly mine.”

And finally, her mind accepted what her body had always known—she wanted this man, this union.

He kissed her harder, and a groan escaped her throat.

Their tongues danced and darted; her nails dug into his back.

Tentatively, her fingers traced the muscle of his solid arms and the cords in his neck.

When he shuddered beneath her touch, Melissa felt the power she had over him.

It surged through her, making her bold and filling her with a greedy hunger.

And you are mine, husband. For you have given me a magic of my own.

***

Rolf opened his eyes to a swirl of wheat blonde hair across his chest. A smile curled his lips.

His arm tingled from not moving all night, but he hadn’t the heart to wake her.

She looked so peaceful. Her lashes formed a dark gold arc on her creamy cheeks as her breasts gently rose and fell.

In truth, her head upon his chest, her breath upon his skin had been a balm to his heart.

The gods had given him a taste of simple happiness, and he would never again be satisfied with less.

Melissa stirred and he clenched and unclenched his fist to pump the blood back into his limb.

Today they would begin their journey, in more ways than one.

He looked at the stranger in his arms that he had known all of his adult life.

His protectiveness would grow, he knew. He must find a way to balance it without curtailing her independent nature.

Melissa had a quiet strength that would serve them both well in the years to come.

The intelligence in her eyes told him she would not only be a capable wife but a trusted ally.

“Oh!” The word came out as a squeak, and the weight on his arm lifted.

Rolf ran a hand down her bare back and pulled her back down beside him. One hand lazily stroked her slim hip and velvety thigh. “Good morn, my lovely. Are you rested?”

With a beautiful pink climbing up her neck, she nodded. He kissed the top of her hair and chuckled as she wriggled closer to him, throwing a knee on top of his leg.

“Quite rested, my lord husband, but very hungry.”

“After the feast we had last night?”

“Do not share this with the earl and countess, but I barely ate anything. Not that it wasn’t well presented or tasty, I just…” She looked at him beneath her thick lashes. “I was preoccupied with the activities planned after the banquet.”

“Are you sore, my sweet? Was I gentle enough?” His experience with women had never included romantic notions or tenderness.

Rolf had tried to put his own gratification off as long as he could to make it more pleasurable for her.

Yet by the end of the night, she had surprised him with her boldness.

“We will give you a few days reprieve while your body recovers.”

“Oh, no—I mean, I am young and healthy.” Her fingers followed the line of his stomach to the edge the bedcover. “Mayhap I will heal quickly.”

“I know little of these matters, so let us discover your restorative powers together.” He kissed her. The quick peck turned long and hot and delicious. “But if we do not get up soon, we will miss bidding your parents farewell. I want them to see you are eager and fit for the journey.”

“My mother will know by the look on my face. But just to be sure…” She moved up and straddled him, sending all thought except her from his mind.