Grinning, he released the last of his fears and contracted his stomach muscles to sit up, drawing her attention.
“Nooo,” she whined. “I need more time with all this deliciousness. I haven’t tasted any of it yet.”
“I have just the place you can start. But after. Right now, I need you. All this teasing and touching is torture, I don’t know how you bear it.”
She mock gasped at his audacity, and he laughed as he tugged her hips toward his. Holding her still with one hand, he skimmed protection on, then released her as she rose to impale herself on him.
Giving himself over to the ride, he had one last thought.
She might just be my soulmate.
****
They walked from the inn to David Hunter’s forge north up Broadway. Beth pointed out Penelope’s favorite pub and a bakery that once sold her experimental pastries.
Hunter’s apprentice worked in a covered area open to customers in the front. Robert stiffened as Beth perused the young man. He was closer to Beth’s age than Robert was and had far less bulk. Instead, his lean muscles were visible where his shirt clung to him as he swung his hammer. His taut buttocks flexed when he leaned over to check something on the piece he held in his tongs. How could Beth find that attractive and then want him?
She turned to him. “Not bad, eh? One day he’ll grow as strong as you,” she said with a fond smile, squeezing his bicep.
Oh. Robert could not find words. He blinked, gratitude and affection burning at the back of his eyes. All he could manage was to reach up to cover her hand with his and return her squeeze.
“Can I help ye?” The young man had turned. A shock of dark hair hung in his eyes, and he flipped it back with a forearm.
“Hullo. We hoped to speak with David Hunter, please.” Beth stepped forward.
As usual, the man’s gaze dropped to her breasts for a second before flicking to Robert’s frown, then back to her face. Robert worried he might not have teeth left if their relationship lasted a year, as he’d grind them to dust at those looks.
“’E’s in the back.” The man nodded at a door in the rear wall. “Ye can go on in.”
They picked their way around the forge area and knocked on the back door. Laughter behind them made them turn.
“Yer from London by the looks of ye. We’re a wee bit more casual here. Go on in.” He shooed at them.
Robert opened the door, calling, “Hunter? Robert Orford and Miss Beth Jenkins to see you.”
David came forward. “Beth! I received Penelope’s letter only yesterday. I am so happy to see you again.” He kissed her on both cheeks. “And Mr. Orford, I remember you as well.”
“Thank you. ’Tis Robert, please. I confess I only have a vague recollection of you, sir.” He gave a shallow bow. “I was very focused on Michael’s happiness that day—and Penelope’s, of course. She was so excited you could make the journey.”
“Ha. Michael would not take no for an answer, even if I had considered declining. Please, call me David. Penelope’s note said you’re looking for a smith?”
“Yes. More, I need this conversation to remain confidential, and any smith I work with must be circumspect about the goods and the relationship.”
“Hmm, so she said in her note. I am intrigued. May I offer you tea in my small home?” At their acceptance, David led them out the back door and a few steps away to a separate small hut. Two rooms, it had a bedroom in the rear and an alcove with a smaller bed in it that Robert assumed was for Penelope’s half-brother Matthew, and a kitchen and living area on either side of the fireplace.
Gesturing to the kitchen table, David put the kettle on and set up the teapot, placing sugar and milk on the table.
Robert began as David moved around. “Before I start, Michael knows what I do, but I’m not sure if Penelope is aware.” He shot a look at Beth, but she shrugged.
“Right, then. Let’s have it. You can talk as I get the tea. We’re an informal lot here.”
Robert and Beth shared a smile at David’s repetition of the apprentice’s sentiment.
“I make leather goods.” Robert said, and David’s head nodded in acknowledgement as he poured the boiling water over the tea leaves in the waiting pot. “Leather apparel.”
“Oh.” The kettle set down with a clank. Apparently, David knew enough of Evan’s reputation to guess what type of apparel Robert meant.
“Yes. And other leather pieces to be used with or in lieu of the leather apparel.”
