Page 37 of A Husband for Esyllt
“Are they considering coming to find the hapless pair and make the most of the woman’s charms?” he growled in her ear.
“No,” Esyllt breathed, sounding as appalled by the prospect as he felt. “But I fear they are considering taking the horses with them.”
Of course. How had he not thought of that? His stallion alone would be worth a fortune, an irresistible temptation to poor people.
Should he go to the men before it was too late and impress them with his status and physique?
Before he could make a decision, Esyllt pressed her palm over his chest. She had read his intentions and was telling him not to move. “They won’t. One of them has pointed out that a man in possession of such a mount is probably an important knight, able to hold his own against untrained opponents. They will not risk his wrath now or retribution later. They know Storm will be too easily recognized when you start looking for him.”
“Good.” The travelers had shown themselves to be sensible and honest. The rest of his fears were allayed. Such men would not hurt Esyllt, even if they saw her. He relaxed again.
A moment later a thunder of hooves was heard. The men were gone.
Chapter Ten
Though it was now safe to move, Esyllt stayed right where she was, wrapped in Connor’s arms. It felt too good to be held against his strong, warm body. She could have remained there until nightfall, with her leg draped over his thighs, her arm curled over his chest, her head in the crook of his neck.
It struck her that if they were discovered in such an intimate position, then they would for sure be taken for two reckless lovers sneaking out for a tryst in the woods, not two respectably married people.
Well, it mattered not. She knew what they were to each other.
She could have told herself that she was too frightened to do anything in case the men came back but she knew it was something other than fear that had her in its grip. Connor was so close to her that with every breath she took she inhaled his spicy leather scent, a scent that sent her back to the night before their wedding when he had teased her and proven to her that she desired him. Suddenly his warmth, his sheer physicality overwhelmed her.
She gulped.
Being close to a man like him, in his prime, was totally different to being close to her late husband had been. She had felt affection for Gwyn, even a sort of tenderness, but his proximity had never made her breath catch in her throat, her heart flutter in her chest, her body go limp with desire. Why was she so affected by Connor, an Englishman she should despise, when Gwyn, the husband she had respected, had never managed to stir any emotions within her?
She tried to move her head so that her lips would not brush against the skin of his neck but he tightened his hold around her, just enough to keep her in place. Apparently, he had no intention of getting up just yet.
On the contrary. He moved slowly, until he was poised over her, caging her under his strong body. Eyes fluttering, she tried to fight the array of sensations assaulting her senses.
“I think they’re gone,” Connor said, speaking in her ear.
She nodded, unable to answer.
He moved slightly, so he could look her in the eye. All the blood drained from Esyllt’s veins. Looking at such a handsome man whilst being so close to him was intoxicating. For a long moment, they remained glued to each other, with their faces only inches apart, breathing in the same air. Somehow, this was even more intimate than when he had entered her flesh, or pleasured her with his mouth. There was nothing scandalous about it, but it was more than the joining of two bodies overcome with lust, it was the union of two souls.
There also was a light in his eyes she could not quite account for. Was he embarrassed? Moved? Aroused? Yes, that might be what it was, he was feeling the same as she did, aroused by her proximity. Was he finally going to kiss her?
“Thank you,” he said eventually.
“W-why are you thanking me?” she stammered.
“You could have called out to your countrymen just now.”
“Why? What would I have said to them?”
He shrugged. “Anything. It would have been impossible for me to understand a word. I would have been unable to defend myself, and disposed of without even knowing what my supposed crime was. The men weren’t to know we are husband and wife, and I am obviously not Welsh. You could have accused me of assaulting you or of having robbed you of your riches or anything else.” A corner of his mouth lifted. “A perfect solution, don’t you think? Then you would have been widowed but your hands would have been clean.”
“Do you think I have so little honor?” she flared up.
The green eyes softened when she had expected them to flare in turn. “I do think that you are a woman of uncommon determination. And you did not desire our union.”
“No.” The word left a strange taste in Esyllt’s mouth. She had not at first, but now things had changed. Could he not see it?
“Need I remind you what you did to Lord Sheridan’s supposed squire to make him break your betrothal?” he purred. “How far you were prepared to go?”
No, he did not. She remembered it all too well. For a long moment she was unable to protest, or even speak. She simply stared at him, fascinated, the way she imagined a vole would stare at the hawk about to trap it into its claws.
