Page 39 of The Raven and the Rose
“Roseanna, my love, you break promises and vows without even thinking about them.”
“I’ve made you no promises save to make you wretched!” she said hotly.
He put her down before him and cupped her face with his hands so that she was forced to look up into his eyes. “What about your wedding vows, Roseanna? Did you not promise to love, honor, and obey me?” He emphasized each word slowly.
She blushed. “I cannot love you, my lord. Love is something that cannot be commanded. However, I am a woman of honor, and I shall honor you and your name and your position.” She veiled her eyes with her lashes and said softly, “I will also obey your orders and try to be a dutiful wife.”
The corners of his mouth twitched with amusement. “Meekness doesn’t sit well with you Roseanna. You don’t mean one word of that fine little speech.”
She opened her eyes wide with innocence. “My lord, you are wrong! Only set me a task.”
“Kiss me,” he said simply.
Her heart skipped a beat. He had kissed her, but she had never kissed him, and she never intended to. Why, she would have to stretch up against him onto her very tip-toes and lift her mouth up to reach his. She knew he was waiting. She decided he could wait forever. Finally he said, “You see, you will not even comply with the smallest wifely duty.”
The intimacy was overpowering and she knew she must get out of this room. Desperately, she resorted to bargaining with him. “I will comply with a wifely duty if you will show me you are a man of honor and let me go tomybed as you promised.” She expected that he would again ask for the kiss and decided it was a small price to pay to get to the safety of her own chamber.
“Undress me,” he commanded suggestively.
She was trapped. She would have to keep her promise to ensure that he kept his. She lifted shameful eyes to his, then swept her lashes down shyly. Slowly she reached up to unbutton his doublet. She was aware of him more than she had ever been before, and she knew his eyes were fastened on her mouth. He shrugged his shoulders from the garment and tossed it aside, then took her hand and drew her across the room to the great bed. She followed him reluctantly, having little choice in the matter.
He sat on the bed and awaited her next move. She reached out to unfasten the silk shirt he wore beneath his doublet, knowing that his chest would be entirely naked once it was removed. When her fingers came into contact with the crisp black curls at the neck of the shirt, they trembled slightly, and she heard him laugh softly.
Damn him, he was enjoying her discomfort to the full! When he raised his arms so that she could lift the shirt over his head, she saw the thick, black hair beneath his armpits and shuddered at the sight of his masculinity. She could hardly believe the width of his shoulders as he sat half naked before her. An image of her soft, white breasts being crushed against his heavily furred chest filled her head, and she turned to flee.
A strong hand shot out to anchor her before him. She took a deep, steadying breath and knelt to remove his boots. Watching her, he felt an aching tenderness in his heart that spread throughout his chest. He knew without a doubt that he loved her. This was his woman!
Only one article of clothing remained. Her lips trembled, but dutifully she reached out to his hips. His large hands covered hers as he lifted first one to his lips, then the other. She looked at him questioningly and saw his eyes had gone smoky with desire. Suddenly he swept her up into his arms, and she screamed with alarm.
“I believe I promised to carry you to your bed, my love,” he whispered into her ear. Without speaking, they communicated. He raised an eyebrow, and she showed him the way to her chamber, where, half naked, he swept past the servingwomen in the outer room.
She couldn’t believe her eyes. The rooms had been transformed. Everything was in readiness for her. Mr. Burke had even turned back the bedcovers so that the warmth from the fire would take the chill from her sheets.
“So this is where you’ve decided to hide yourself,” mocked Roger.
“Put me down,” said Roseanna; then she quickly added, “Please.”
He set her down onto the window alcove and touched the velvet cushions piled there. Then he saw the fur coverlet on the bed and noted, “Mr. Burke has robbed my chamber to furnish you with every comfort.” He glanced behind a leather screen in one corner and saw a slipper bath decorated with hand-painted roses.
“Yes. Everything will be perfect once you have removed yourself,” she said sweetly.
Though he knew not how, he held on to his temper. “So you mean to banish me, to cast me out to my own devices?”
“I care not how you amuse yourself, Ravenspur, as long as you leave me in peace.”
His eyes fell on the diamonds glittering between her breasts. “Can you not call me Roger?” he asked almost wistfully.
“Never!” she vowed.
He sighed and took a turn around the room, reluctant to leave. “Do you play chess or backgammon, Roseanna?”
“Yes,” she said shortly.
“Do you play well?” he asked, his dark eyes intent on her.
“Of course. I do everything well!” She tossed her head, and her long, dark hair shimmered in the firelight.
“I’ll bet you do,” he murmured, and a hot curl rose at the pit of her stomach because his words carried a double meaning. “Will you play with me, Roseanna?”
