Page 60 of The Saxon Lord's Unwanted Bride
Eloise removed her hand. “Do you want me to fetch Mistress Roswyn, my Lord? It’s time for your meal.”
“No!” he cried. “I want you to stay.”
Eloise summoned Torfin to fetch Harald’s meal. Shortly after, the manservant arrived with a tray of stew and flagon of wine. Harald wrinkled his nose at the rich odor. Each night Roswyn had insisted he try the fare, citing his wife’s attempts to poison him with Norman witchery. But try as he might, the globs of meat and hunks of bread overwhelmed his senses and his stomach had expelled almost every mouthful. Tonight would be no exception.
“Take it away, Torfin,” Eloise said. “Fetch a dish of my broth, and some water.”
Sometime, later a hand touched his arm and he opened his eyes again. His wife sat on the bed, holding a small bowl. Trails of steam rose up, dissipating in the air, followed by a delicate aroma of herbs.
She lifted a spoonful to his lips. “Might you try this? It’s a recipe from my home. I made it for you.”
He eyed the bowl with suspicion. She blinked and he caught a flash of sorrow in her eyes. Then she lifted the spoon to her own lips and drank.
What had Roswyn said?Norman poison. Surely Eloise didn’t think he believed her capable of an act so foul?
“It’s quite tasty and not too hot, see?” She sipped it again then offered him a spoonful.
He opened his mouth and let her feed him. The broth was delicious—tempting enough to eat, but light enough not to overwhelm—and, spoonful by spoonful, his appetite returned. Roswyn would never tend to him herself, instead insisting the servants perform such a menial task. Yet his wife, despite avoiding him during his recovery, gladly administered to him.
The bowl empty at last, Eloise set it aside and held a cup of water to his lips. He drained the cup, spilling a little on his chin.
He caught her hand as she wiped his chin and pulled her to him.
“You’ve taken the greatest care of me, Eloise. You have my thanks.”
“It’s my duty, my Lord.”
Duty be damned!
“Is that all I am to you?” he asked. “A duty?”
She shook her head.
He caressed her wrist with his thumb. “If I considered it your duty to remain here with me tonight would you honor it?”
Her eyes widened, but she nodded. “Aye.”
He drew her to him until she lay across his body, their faces almost touching. He caressed the back of her head and pulled her close until their mouths almost met. Her lips trembled and her heartbeat raced with anticipation against his chest.
“If I considered it your duty to kiss me, would you honor me?” he asked.
“Aye.”
“I would have you do your duty.”
She pressed her mouth against his, and remained still while she kissed him, sighing inwardly as she flicked her tongue tentatively across his mouth. He parted his lips to let her in. She touched his own tongue and gasped as he curled his tongue round hers in a seductive dance, and his body came to life at her sweet taste.
How he’d missed her!
Emboldened, she responded with her own tongue, leading their dance, swirling around in a sensual motion. Pools of heat spiraled through his body. She took his head in her hands and kissed him deeply, passionately, her sighs of pleasure magnifying his own arousal.
Sweet heaven, he wanted her like none other! His cock stirred at the thought of burying himself inside her, and he yelped as a needle of red hot agony shot down his leg.
Eloise withdrew.
“Forgive me!” she cried, “I have pained you.”
He took her hand. “There’s nothing to forgive, Eloise. Come—lie with me.”
