Page 29 of The Saxon Lord's Unwanted Bride
* * *
Harald removedhis fingers from the door handle and pressed his forehead against the thick wooden door.
How I envy him!
Hadn’t Edwin spoken those very words when he first laid eyes on Eloise?
Unable to contain his suspicions, Harald had passed by William’s bedchamber, his anger intensifying on hearing the easy conversation between the man and woman on the other side of the door. But his bloodlust had risen on hearing the strain in her voice at William’s insistence on bedding her. Yet she had spoken such gentle words to deny him—the king—a man unlikely to have heard the word ‘no’ since boyhood.
The door handle rattled and he scooted away, just in time to avoid discovery as Eloise slipped out. She shut the door and leaned against it, closing her eyes. Her chest rose and fell as she took deep breaths before the tension in her shoulders disappeared. In a calm voice she called for the servants to remove the bathtub from the king’s chamber.
Harald returned to his chamber to retire. Though he greatly desired his wife at that moment, he didn’t send for her. Her distress was evident, and he had no wish to add to it. His cock twitched in protest at the thought of denying himself the pleasures of her body. What was wrong with him?
The following morning, William took his leave. Harald saw Eloise coolly withdraw her hand after William kissed it.
The king gave a smile of resignation. “I look forward to another visit soon, my Lady, when you may bathe me again.”
Oh Eloise, your touch unmans me…
William’s words from the previous evening resonated in Harald’s mind as he saw the desire returning in the King’s eyes.
“It would be my pleasure,” she replied.
“Lord Harald.” William nodded curtly at Harald before urging his party on.
Watching them depart, Eloise turned to Harald. “Were your visits to the estates successful, my Lord?”
“Aye, the king was most pleased with their show of loyalty.”
“I’m glad. Peace between Norman and Saxon can only be good. The tournament will help secure that fellowship.”
God’s bones! The slight smile on her lips was almost his undoing and on impulse he took her hand. She made no attempt to withdraw.
“I would have you bathe me.”
Her eyes widened, “Now, husband?”
“Aye, this instant. See the bathtub is brought to my chamber.”
“As my Lord wishes.”
Leaving his astonished wife at the main entrance, William’s party not yet having disappeared over the horizon, Harald returned to his chamber to await his bath.
* * *
As Eloise enteredher husband’s chamber, he sat, waiting, by the bathtub while Jeanette sprinkled dried flowerheads onto the water. The steam swirling above the water carried the faint aroma of lavender. Jeanette knew lavender was Eloise’s favorite, its calming effect having soothed her during the darkest period of her life. Despite Harald’s clumsy attempts at kindness, Jeanette clearly feared for her mistress at his hands. Eloise placed a reassuring hand on her maidservant’s arm and dismissed her in a quiet voice.
Harald motioned toward the bath. “What must I do?”
“Whatever you wish, my Lord.”
Uncertainty crossed his expression. “I’ve never been bathed by a—a woman.”
“Husband?”
Sweet heaven, he was blushing! This giant of a man she’d married, now looked as uncomfortable as a young lad.
“I can show you how I’d bathe a guest, husband, if that pleases you?”
