He wasn't any match for her, of course, and she always beat him quickly, but he was the only man who actually forced her to concentrate on the game. When she'd told him that one evening the previous week, Hugh had laughed until tears filled his eyes. She thought that was a strange reaction to her compliment, but she didn't tell him so for fear she'd hurt his feelings.
Royce didn't come into the hall often enough to challenge anyone to a game, but Nicholaa didn't want to play chess with her husband anyway. She knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate. Perhaps in another year or two, when she'd gotten used to his nearness and his handsome looks, she'd be able to think about the game. Then she would play him. She'd beat him, too. That thought made her smile.
Hugh noticed her standing there. He looked startled for a second or two, then bowed low and called out a greeting.
Royce simply stared at his wife and then motioned for her to come to him.
She gritted her teeth against the rudeness even as she obeyed the arrogant command. She stopped a foot away from the men and was in the middle of a curtsy when she realized Royce could see the scars on her hands. She straightened and hid her hands behind her back.
Hugh told her how lovely she looked. Royce didn't say anything. Nicholaa wouldn't let him sour her mood, though. She stood there, determined to remain patient and sweet-tempered until they finished their conversation.
'Do go on with your discussion,' she said. 'I didn't mean to interrupt.'
Hugh turned back to Royce and said, 'Will you tear down the wall first or the castle?'
Nicholaa let out a low gasp. 'You think to tear down my home?'
'No.'
Her relief was visible. Then Royce explained. 'I'm going to reinforce my home with wood and stone.'
'Why?'
'Because I want to.'
It took all she had to smile. 'Thank you for explaining.'
'You're welcome.'
There was a definite glint in his eyes. She noticed that right away. She didn't understand why he was amused. 'I wasn't questioning you, Royce,' she said. She bowed her head so she would look submissive. 'I was only interested in your plans. What you do with this holding is no concern of mine.'
She looked up in time to catch his smile. She took heart then. Being pleasant was far easier than she'd realized.
What was her game now? Royce wondered. He had never seen her act so agreeable. The last two weeks had been an ordeal… an invigorating ordeal, he qualified. There had been moments when he'd felt as though he was standing in the middle of a whirlwind. It hadn't been at all peaceful, and yet he was honest enough to admit that he enjoyed her clever attempts to outwit him.
Now she was acting submissive. It was probably killing her. Royce continued to smile as he said, 'Then it wouldn't matter to you if I tore this building down and built another one?'
Since he'd only just announced his intention to reinforce the wood with stone, she felt safe lying. 'No, it wouldn't matter at all.'
'I'm thoroughly confused,' Hugh interjected. 'I thought that was your plan all along.'
'It was,' Royce said. 'But then I decided that my plan might prove unsettling to my wife. She was raised here, Hugh, and I thought she might have strong feelings about having her home torn down. Now, however, I shall-'
'I do have strong feelings,' she blurted out.
'But you just said-'
She forgot to be nice. 'You aren't going to tear my home down, Royce.'
He raised an eyebrow.
She let out a sigh. She hadn't meant to shout at her husband. 'I hope you will leave the building alone.'
'Then you were lying when you said-'
'I was trying to get along,' she interrupted. 'God's truth, that's almost impossible with you. Could we not eat our supper now and put this matter aside?'
Hugh was in wholehearted agreement. He hurried over to the table, bellowing for Clarise to bring on the food.
Nicholaa turned to follow Hugh. Royce held her by her arm and forced her to stand still. 'You will speak the truth at all times,' he ordered.
She turned to look up at him. 'I am trying,' she said. 'I would like to please you.'
That admission stunned him. 'Why?'
'When I please you,' she answered, 'perhaps you'll begin to please me.'
He grinned. 'And how am I to please you?' he asked. He slowly pulled her closer to him.
'If you would bring Justin and Ulric home, that would please me,' she said.
'Then I'll do that,' he answered. His hand cupped her chin. 'Just as soon as you explain your actions on the day we were attacked by the Saxons.'
'Do you still wish me to apologize for interfering?'
He nodded.
She stretched up and kissed him. It was a gentle, undemanding touch. 'I will give you your explanation tonight, Royce. When you've heard it, I don't think you'll want me to apologize. I haven't done anything wrong, and once I've explained, I'm certain you'll agree. You might even have to apologize to me. You do know how, don't you?'
She was smiling up at him so sweetly, looking so damn innocent too. It was difficult to believe she was the hellion he'd been living with these two past weeks.
'Nicholaa?'
'Yes, Royce?'
'You could drive a man to drink.'
Dear God, she hoped so. His insult thrilled her. She almost laughed out loud.
The dimple was back in her cheek when she smiled at him. The temptation was becoming too much to resist. Royce had been determined to ignore her until she realized her demands weren't going to get her anywhere. Aye, she needed to understand her position in his household.
The stakes were too high for Royce to back down. He wanted Nicholaa's complete loyalty and honesty, and by God, he would have both before he touched her. Hell, he was the only one suffering in this marriage. Royce had recognized that truth quickly enough. Nicholaa was too innocent to understand the torment she was putting him through. She didn't have the faintest idea of her own appeal, either. The woman was so feminine. When she smiled up at him, all he could think about was touching her. She didn't understand the joy and fulfillment they could give each other in bed, and at the rate they were going, she'd be an old woman before she found out.
Perhaps he should change tactics. That thought popped into his mind even as he was reaching for her. He threaded his fingers through her hair to keep her captive as he slowly leaned down to her mouth. He intended to take one quick taste, but his wife went all soft and willing on him, and he couldn't stop himself from deepening the kiss. His tongue swept inside her mouth to rub against hers. The taste of her was intoxicating. It made him hungry for more.
He growled low in his throat when Nicholaa wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tight against her. The kiss turned hot, ravenous. His mouth slanted over hers again and again until he was shaking with his need for more.
It was time to stop. This was neither the time nor the place for such uninhibited behavior. Royce gently pulled back. She followed him. He was so pleased with that reaction he had to kiss her again.
Nicholaa was trembling when he finally forced himself to end their love play. She went limp against him. He held her close until they'd both regained their composure, then forced her chin up so he could see her eyes. He whispered the obvious: 'I want you, Nicholaa.'
The harshness in his whisper didn't frighten her. Nay, she was warmed by his confession. 'I'm pleased you want me, Royce. I want you, too. It should be that way, shouldn't it, between husband and wife?'
He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. 'Yes, it should be that way, though in truth it is a
