Page 21 of Suddenly a Bride
“I am accustomed to bathing in the evening,” she began, and he noticed that she could no longer meet his gaze, “but there are no servants at night. Would you mind if I bathed during the day?”
He stared at her, feeling utterly dull and stupid, as he imagined the sun across her wet nakedness. He licked his lips, then almost winced when her gaze dropped to his mouth.
Chapter 6
Gwyneth felt a little shock crackle through her as she stared at her husband’s lips. She had not been so close to him since their wedding meal, and even then he’d sat at her side, where she hadn’t been able to look directly into his eyes. But now they looked at each other face to face, only an arm’s length apart. She saw again the pale, pure blue of his eyes, the hard, masculine lines of his face.
More and more she looked at him and thoughthandsome, although that had not been her first impression. And just a glimpse of his tongue made her mind have strange imaginings. He was wearing a well-worn leather jerkin over a loose white shirt, which emphasized his dark hair and tanned skin.
“I have already told you, my lady, that you may do as you wish. Bathe any time it is convenient.”
His voice sounded gruff and stern, but his face did not seem angry. Could he be…embarrassed? Or just unsure of how to deal with her? That could explain so much.
“Thank you, my lord,” she murmured, still watching him.
Sir Edmund’s gaze seemed to search hers for a moment, and then he buttered another piece of bread and took a bite. She wanted to ask whenhebathed, for the scent of his body did not offend her.
She could barely keep her questions down. With her gaze, she begged him for answers. Why didn’t he come to her and make a true marriage of whatever was between them? And could it have been he who had been haunting her tower last night? Why do such a thing, if he meant to remain so remote? She had so many questions and was too embarrassed to ask them. He seemed oblivious to her turmoil.
She took a bite of her own bread, chewing in silence, wishing he would begin a conversation so she didn’t seem to be the only one trying to start this marriage.
“I have never lived on such a large estate,” she began awkwardly.
He frowned at her, but she was determined to press on.
“How do you busy yourself during the day?”
He swallowed a mouthful of ale, and she watched the movement of his throat with surprised fascination.
“I thought I said you could discuss this with Mrs. Haskell.”
“I don’t mean me,” she countered, smiling, “but you. What do you do all day?”
Again that frown, and she wondered if he ever smiled. Since his sober face made her heart beat faster, she imagined his smile would affect her very breathing.
“I keep the estate running smoothly. I was going to go over the account books while I ate.”
She heard the reproof in his voice and tried to ignore it. “Is that what you’re going to doallday?”
“No. I will be visiting all the fields and pastures and outbuildings this morning as well, to speak with my tenants.”
“Oh, might I go with you? I would enjoy meeting everyone.”
“I am too busy to play the lady’s companion, Gwyneth.”
Though the words weren’t what she wanted to hear, it was the first time he’d called her by her Christian name. She liked the sound of it said in his deep voice. And she hadn’t really expected him to agree, not right away. It would take much effort on her part. And she had something else she felt the need to do today.
“Forgive me if I have offended you…Edmund.”
She watched him from beneath her lashes, saw how he glanced at her sharply then back to his meal. But he didn’t forbid the familiarity. It was enough for a beginning, so she let him eat the rest of his bread in silence. He could eat a lot of bread.
After a while, even he must have felt awkward, for he said, “I hope your chamber is comfortable.”
“Oh, yes, Edmund, it is quite astounding in its luxury. And the view is everything you promised. I had heard Yorkshire was a wild, barren place, yet its beauty quite amazes me.”
“I thought much the same thing before I came here,” he said slowly, and seemed to be really looking at her.
She looked back.
