Page 38 of The Saxon Lord's Unwanted Bride
“Ah, Edwin,” she said. “There’sa man who knows how to satisfy a woman. Twice.”
“Don’t speak of him,” Harald grumbled.
Edwin had returned from seeing Eloise. She’d rejected his advances, recognizing their attempt to entrap her. In doing so she’d acquired a champion in Edwin, and Harald had acquired a stern critic. Edwin’s disgust at Harald’s suspicions only intensified when Harald related the conversation he’d overheard between Eloise and the king when she had bathed him. The brothers had argued—something they’d not done since boyhood—before Edwin left to visit Marlin.
“Your brother had much to say of you,” Marlin said. “He says you value your wife too little and she values you too much. You valueme, do you not?”
“Only as much as you can serve me.” Harald held up a coin. Marlin took it and dropped it in a jar.
“What will it be, my Lord?”
“My wife still takes no pleasure.”
“Perhaps you should refrain from sending your brother to seduce her.”
“Edwin has a loose tongue.”
“And he has a fool for a brother. Others can see the virtue in your wife, my Lord. You think her a whore but ‘tis plain to see she has yet to learn the language of her body. ‘Tis up to you to learn it yourself. Then you must teach her.”
She held out her hand to him “Let me show you.”
* * *
As Harald leftMarlin’s hut, her farewell surprised him.
“Don’t visit me again.”
“I’ll visit you whenever I please,” he said. “You cannot issue orders to your lord.”
She took his hand. “I say this not for myself, but for you, my Lord. A woman who spurns your brother—who denies the king under threat of punishment—all to honor her vow of fidelity toward you. That’s a woman worth winning.”
“She’s already mine, Marlin.”
“Her body and worldly possessions, aye, but as for her heart—that is hers to give, not yours to take.”
“What nonsense you speak,” he said. “A whore knows nothing of hearts.”
“But we know much of bodies. From all I’ve taught you, you have the ability to make her body sing with pleasure at your touch. Then you’ll understand my words.”
“How will I know, Marlin? How will I know that she does not sing a false song as you do?”
“Watch her eyes, my lord,” Marlin said. “It starts with the eyes—their color will deepen. Watch her face as it flushes, her breast as it rises and falls. When she desires you, her body will hum with life. Listen to her song, my lord, the song of her pleasure—see it, hear it, feel it. Smell the aroma—and finally, when the moment is right, taste it.”
* * *
During the evening meal,Harald found himself as anxious as a young squire on his first bedding. Edwin sat beside him, his body vibrating with disapproval. On the other side, sat Eloise. Her silent attentiveness as she saw to Harald’s food and wine only intensified the guilt gnawing at him.
Whatever she’d done before he married her, Eloise was a virtuous woman—kind, thoughtful, and strong enough to withstand temptation. A good wife. The time had come to show her he could be a good husband.
He stood and held out his hand.
“Come wife, let us retire.”
Pained by the flash of fear in her eyes he lifted her hand to his lips. His manhood twitched at her smile, but something else stirred in him—not merely the need for pleasure. Had this small yet strong woman, who carried out her duties and weathered his temper uncomplainingly, secured a place in his heart?
He led her to his bedchamber. Torfin had lit a fire which radiated heat throughout the room. He recalled Marlin’s instructions.
First you must have a fire burning, my Lord. You have no need to rush towards pleasure. Ensure she is warm—and take your time.
