She reached to him, drew back.
You are bold, she told herself. Be bold in this as well, Alvilda who is now of Torquay. She reached again, stilled, and dropped her arm to her side. “Guy?” she beseeched.
His eyes opened. “Vilda?”
“Still you do not regret wedding me?”
“I do not,” he said with a slight smile she wanted to believe was encouragement.
Be bold, she reminded and, certain candlelight pressing through the thin chemise would reveal her curves if he lowered his gaze, stepped nearer. “We have had our kisses, and they were very fine, but now…” She moistened her lips and thought it a good thing his eyes flicked there. “I wish you to make…make…”
He caught up the hand she curled into a fist to keep the ring on her finger. “Love, Vilda? Is that what you would have me make with you?”
Though she knew that word was so often spoken alongside carnal knowledge it did not ensure participation of the heart, she had hesitated to use it. “Aye, now that we are wed, I think you ought to make love to me.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Think? A moment ago, ’twas a wish.”
In this circumstance, it was not easy to be both bold and prideful, the latter demanding a lie. Embracing the bold and the honest, she said, “Still ’tis a wish.”
At last, he moved his gaze downward.
Heat suffusing her, she was glad that though her curves were outlined, he could not see the bright of her skin.
His eyes returned to hers. “Why do you wish me to make love to you?”
To prove you are mine, she thought. To begin pushing her out so one day I may stand in your affections where once she stood.
Turning her hand up in his, she opened it to reveal the ring on the finger that was said to be the road to the heart. “You are my husband, I am your wife, and that cannot be truer until there is consummation.”
“Only for that you wish to make love?”
Embracing the bold again, she said, “For more than that, as well you know.”
“I do, but ere we seal our vows, first we must speak.”
“Of?”
Continuing to hold her hand, he caused her to startle when he slid his other arm around her waist and drew her onto his lap.
Peering across her shoulder into a face so near she had only to turn into him to set her mouth on his, she breathed, “Guy?”
He turned her into him. He set his mouth on hers. It was brief, but if the tension about his body was to be believed, here was restrained desire. Settling back in the chair, he said, “Having had much to think on since Hereward secured your future—”
“At your expense,” she said with apology.
He sighed. “Forgive me for resentment, but you ought to know it was born of stung pride and soon replaced by gratitude like that felt when one finds something precious they feared forever lost.”
She caught her breath. Was he saying…? Did he mean…?
He touched the ring on her finger. “You said for more than consummation you would be one with me—for love.”
“Aye, and I long for it to be the same for you.”
His lips curved. “When it seemed we would part evermore, you prayed for me a good life—that I find love so greatly returned I have no further regrets about Elan and be grateful the loss of her allowed me to gain far more.”
Hopeful, she nodded.
“Ere you spoke that, my regret over losing her to Harwolfson was long resolved. I knew she was where she ought to be and it was better for all.” He slid his fingers through hers. “What was not entirely resolved ere I met you was what I felt for her. Though I had begun to think what remained of those feelings would not heal, I was glad for the salve of time, even if that was all it proved.”
“Was it only salve?”
“Only salve,” he disappointed.
When she lowered her chin, he released her hand and urged her face back to his. “Time did not heal the last of those feelings. What healed was loving again and loving better. As you wished for me, I gained more in losing her.”
She stared. “You speak of this sturdy virgin widow?”
“You, Wife.”
Vilda nearly yielded to this beautiful unfolding that urged her to seek what lay beyond his embrace, but there was one more thing. “Lady Rhiannyn believes the reason you would not have Elan and her husband cancel their visit is so you may sooner close that door.”
He nodded. “She is right, though she may not fully understand why it is so important it is done now.”
“Tell me.”
“It was difficult to lose Elan and Blackspur Castle, but there was something else I lost.”
She did not have to think long on that. “You speak of your friend.”
“I do. Though I could have remained in service to Maxen when his sister wed Harwolfson, for as hurt and angry as I was, I thought it best to distance myself. Thus, not only did I leave Etcheverry behind but great friendship. Having renewed it in the Fens, this day I protested cancelling Elan and Edwin’s visit in the hope of sooner removing all barriers to it.” He sighed. “It was selfish, and I saw that before Maxen confirmed it. Hence, had it been possible to rouse you from sleep, much weight would have been given to your feelings.”
She smiled. “I thank you, but I would have been well with whatever you and the others determined was best. Has the messenger been sent?”
“He has. It being unfair not to alert Elan and her husband that I am here with my bride, by now they know. Thus, they shall decide whether to deal with the awkwardness on the morrow or in the future. Will
