‘I... I don’t know what to say.’ She shook her head slowly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry at his kindness.
‘Say you like it? It may not be the usual thing to give a woman a flock of sheep, but then you’re...’
‘Different? Unusual?’ she asked, raising her brows.
‘Well, yes, but that makes you special,’ he replied, seeming a little taken aback at what he had no doubt inadvertently uttered.
Eleanor flushed at his words, his lovely, kind words, and laid her hands on his shoulders, lifting herself on her toes and pressing her lips to his.
He looked surprised, and a slow smile spread on his face. ‘Well, my lady, does that mean my gift has met with your approval?’
‘Yes,’ she swallowed. ‘It does.’
He curled his hands around her waist and grinned. ‘Good. They’re yours to do with as you see fit. The quality of wool, itself, could yield a good profit.’
‘No one has ever given me anything like this. Thank you.’ She choked slightly with emotion as she felt the softness of the sheepskin against her cheek. ‘And, yes, it’s incredibly soft and would make the finest cloth. Oh, Hugh, the income this could generate will help Tallany’s long-term prosperity.’
He watched her for a moment. ‘You really care, don’t you?’ he asked gently.
She nodded unable to voice her response as she touched the soft pelt beneath her fingers absently.
‘Well, so do I,’ he said.
Eleanor flicked her gaze up to meet his, her eyes wide with amazement. She had done her best to keep her husband at arm’s length, but all her defences were crumbling one by one.
It was staggering, the extent of the confused coil that she was in. Hugh was everything Richard had not been. Kind, considerate and patient, as well as a whole host of other things that put her to blush. The way Hugh gazed or smiled at her made her stomach flip. She was shocked by the changes in her feelings towards him, and even more shocked that she was wondering, at times, what intimacy might be like with Hugh.
Sheep, for the love of God!
It made her want to throw her head back and laugh at the absurdity of it all. She couldn’t quite believe it. Couldn’t believe that her husband would be so thoughtful. For Hugh to gift her something so personal, knowing how much it would mean to her was both touching and unexpected. The thought of being able to manage something that would yield a profit for her people made her feel overwhelmed, if not a little tearful.
Oh, Lord! She swallowed uncomfortably, willing herself to continue with caution and not get carried away with her emotions. She didn’t know what to make of his kindness and in truth wasn’t sure she deserved it.
‘What is it?’ Hugh whispered.
‘Nothing... I’m just a little surprised by all this.’ Eleanor shuffled her feet on the ground, feeling a little self-conscious.
‘Don’t be. It’s perfectly acceptable for a husband to give his bride a wedding present,’ he said.
Eleanor nodded absently.
‘Besides, I may have an ulterior motive, my lady.’
He winked at her, grinning, then tightened his hold around her waist. A flutter went through her whole body as he drew her a little closer, as if an invisible cord was dragging her to him. He cupped the side of her face, tilting it upwards. Eleanor was startled to see the intensity in Hugh’s heated expression. He smiled in that way of his that made her feel a little breathless as he dipped his head and kissed her forehead, her cheeks and her lips.
‘You must know that I’m ruthlessly trying to seduce you, Eleanor.’
‘With sheep?’ Her lips twitched at the corners.
‘Naturally.’
From somewhere behind her she heard someone coughing, clearing his throat. She pulled away, and this time Hugh let her go.
‘Good morning, my lord and lady, and what a fine and fruitful morning it is.’ Sir William’s voice was laced with amusement.
Eleanor turned just as he sketched an elaborate bow.
‘Ah, Will, impeccable timing as always,’ Hugh said sardonically.
‘Indeed. I do try to please.’ He smirked. ‘Now, my lady, am I right that the idea of being a shepherdess is to your taste?’
Eleanor giggled. ‘It is—and please call me Eleanor.’
‘Thank you.’ He raised her hand to his lips. ‘And by the same token it’s Will. Sir William is far too formal, don’t you think?’
‘Very well, that’s enough of that,’ Hugh ground out, crossing his arms over his chest. ‘Be warned, Eleanor, Will is a shameless flirt.’
Will clasped his chest dramatically with one hand. ‘You wound me—and when I come bearing yet more gifts.’ He lifted the other hand, which held two quarterstaffs.
Eleanor’s eyes flicked to Hugh in confusion. Had he told his friend about her desire to learn about using the weaponry the two of them had sparred with yesterday? It was somehow unsettling that he had. Even more so that neither man seemed to be shocked by such a request from a woman.
Hugh seemed to sense her discomfort and leaned in towards her. ‘It’s all right, my lady, your secret is safe with him.’
Both men laughed with the easiness and understanding that only came with a long-standing friendship such as theirs.
She felt a sudden jolt inside as realisation dawned on her. No, none of her secrets was safe with Sir William, nor even with Hugh. She would do well to remember that.
The cool antechamber, with its high wooden-beamed ceiling and its large ornate furniture pushed to one side, made a perfect substitute for the training ground, since their one and only session with the quarterstaff would take place in private. Combat training not being the normal pursuit of a woman.
‘I’m ready and waiting,’ she said.
Hugh nodded and handed her a quarterstaff. ‘Very well. Now, copy my stance, Eleanor. Put your weight on your legs, slightly apart, and bend your knees. Good, now we can
