today.
Just as the hazy relaxing cloud of slumber rolled over him, Isabella reached for the edge of the bed. Her upper body followed her extended arms, while her soft rounded buttocks pressed against his groin, sweeping away any thought of sleep.
With a grumbled curse, Richard opened his eyes. While splaying his fingers low over her belly, he pulled the pillow from beneath her head and curled his arm in its place. He pressed his palm against her forehead, tipping her head back to ask hoarsely, ‘Is it your intention to ensure neither of us sleeps this night?’
To lend emphasis to his question, he held her in place and thrust his hips forward. ‘If so, you are succeeding.’
She froze immediately, gasping a strangled, ‘No.’
The surprise in her voice only sent more blood rushing to his groin, making rational thought difficult. Richard groaned. What was it about this woman that enticed him so? She was nothing more than a means to an end—a pawn—someone to use to his advantage.
So why then did he keep having to remind himself of that simple fact? And why did he ache to touch her, to taste her, to take her and make her his wife in all ways?
Even through the layers of clothing separating them, the heat of her body swirled around him like a warm, beckoning caress. It was all he could do not to accept such a tempting invitation.
She tugged at his wrist, trying to move his arm. ‘You need to release me.’
‘No.’ He snuggled impossibly closer. ‘I find this rather comfortable.’
Finally, with an exasperated huff, Isabella fell still. After a few moments of blessed silence, Richard thought—hoped—she’d fallen asleep and he once again closed his eyes.
And once again, just as sleep promised to overtake him, Isabella broke through the fog. ‘This will not work.’
Richard swallowed the growl rushing up his throat and asked, ‘What will not work?’
She relaxed, easing down into the mattress and against his chest. ‘If you think to seduce me with this sudden bout of gentleness, rest assured you cannot.’
Seduce her? The notion hadn’t entered his mind—until now. He didn’t know whether to laugh at her assumption, or curse at the ideas filling his head.
‘I cannot? And why is that?’
‘I am immune to your...charms.’
‘Charms?’
She tapped his forearm. ‘Yes, this holding me close and not attempting to force yourself on me.’
He choked on a laugh, then cleared his throat. ‘The only reason I am holding you close is so you can’t run a knife through my heart while I sleep.’
‘No. I think you lie. If you were truly worried that I might murder you in your sleep, you would have gone elsewhere.’
‘You don’t think it would appear odd were I to sleep elsewhere on my wedding night?’
She shrugged. ‘You gave your man bloodied sheets to flaunt before the others. As far as everyone is concerned you already...did your duty.’
Richard rolled his eyes. Did his duty?
Before he could say anything in response, she continued. ‘So, the only reason for this...closeness...is an attempt at seduction. And just so there is no doubt in your mind, let me assure you, it will not succeed.’
Richard withdrew his arm from beneath her head, unhooked his leg from hers and rolled on to his back. He was torn between two immediately clear options—kiss her until she shut up, or lock her up somewhere and conveniently lose the key.
He sat up, grabbed a pillow and the top cover from the bed and tossed them to the far side of the chamber. Leaning over her, he stroked a fingertip along her cheek. ‘Because I am too tired to think clearly or battle any further, you win this round, my lady. But to erase any doubt from your mind, let me assure you of one thing...’ He paused until she turned her head and looked up at him. ‘...I have never in my life backed down from a challenge.’
‘But I didn’t—’
He cut off her denial by covering her lips with his own. It didn’t matter what she’d said, she could lie to herself all she wanted, but her body didn’t lie. He knew the truth the instant her mouth softened beneath his.
‘My lady?’
Before Isabella could fully open her eyes the window shutters creaked open. Sunlight flooded the chamber, near blinding her and stripping away the last vestige of sleep.
She sat up on the bed and squinted at the older woman now bustling about the room while shaking her head and muttering in disapproval.
‘What was his lordship thinking?’ The woman tossed the linens from the makeshift pallet into a pile. ‘Bringing a lady here with the keep in this condition is unforgivable.’ She tossed some clothing atop the pile. ‘And to keep you in this tiny room—he needs his ears boxed.’
Swooping up the pile, she stood alongside the bed. ‘Never you fear, I’ll see this set right. If you’re hungry, I’m sure the cook has put something together by now.’
Isabella’s stomach growled, supplying the answer before her lips could form the words.
‘How thoughtless of me, of course you are hungry.’ The woman headed towards the door, promising, ‘I will return soon with some food.’
Her senses still muddled, Isabella called out, ‘Wait. Who are you?’
‘Hattie, my lady.’ Still at the door, she added, ‘His lordship came to the village at sunrise, on his way to the docks. After seeing to some matter at the bakery, he ordered his servants back to the keep and asked if I would see to your needs for a time. Now, with your permission I’ll get you something to eat and then we can plan this day’s activities.’
‘Yes, thank you.’ Rising from the bed, Isabella wiped her sleep-tousled hair from her face, wondering just what activities would be in store for her. Obviously a cook had been found—or retrieved—and perhaps a few servants would be on hand to help clean.
Actually, she hoped there were more than a few, because cleaning this keep would require an army just to make it presentable. She shook one of the bed curtains and coughed at the dust flying up into the air. Her mother would be horrified.
To her relief, the items needed for her morning ablution were stacked on top of the chest at the end of the bed. Noticing the ribbons to braid through her hair, she knew these necessities hadn’t been provided by Dunstan.
* * *
Hattie returned with the promised food just as she finished adjusting her ornate girdle low around her waist.
Two men carrying a small table and benches followed the woman into the chamber. The younger man—little
