He had missed Remington terribly these past two days, but he felt strongly that she needed the company of her sisters. They had slept together at night, not making love but merely holding each other. When dawn would break, they would eat together silently and Gaston would go about his duties. She was sad and distant, but her soft body and caressing hands told him how glad she was that he was with her.
With all of his concerns, he still had a keep to run and training grounds to oversee. Dane and Trenton were becoming used to their role in the scheme of Mt. Holyoak and the boys were becoming inseparable. Dane still slept with Arik’s sword, feeling very badly at the deaths of his aunt and mentor. But he was a brave boy, wise beyond his years, and he found the inner strength to carry on when others around him were preparing to give up. Gaston knew, one day, he would have an excellent knight in Dane Stoneley.
On the third morning after the funeral, Remington awoke in Gaston’s arms and knew this would be the day she left for London. He had not so much as said a word, but in her heart she knew still.
She was sad to leave her sisters and son after what had happened, but she was eager to face what she must. She was eager to gain her annulment so that she and Gaston could return to Mt. Holyoak and await the birth of their child. She did so want the child to be born at her home, not the cold, impersonal rooms of Windsor.
She raised herself, gazing at Gaston’s closed eyes. Delicately, she began to trace his sensual face, delighting in his masculine beauty. It was the first time in days she felt like focusing on something other than herself and her grief.
“If you keep that up, you are going to put me back to sleep,” he mumbled.
She smiled as he opened his eyes. “I do not believe that you sleep at all. You are awake when I drift off at night, and then you are awake when I rise in the morning.”
He sighed wearily, scratching his scalp. “I sleep as a soldier sleeps; aware of every sound and every movement. I do not think I have slept deeply since I was a child.”
She flopped back down, snuggling next to him in the morning chill. “I sleep like the dead,” she felt his hands caressing her, relishing the last few moments of peace before the day began. “When do we leave for London this day?”
He stirred slightly. “When will you be ready?”
“As soon as I bathe and dress, and gather the few things that Eudora did not pack,” she replied. Then she was quiet a moment.
“Might I say good-bye to Dane?”
“Of course, Remi. I’d not be so cruel as to not allow you to bid farewell to your son.”
“I simply did not want to break protocol,” she sat up with a bit of irritation, the coverlet clutched to her breast. “God only knows I would not want to disrupt your military formalities.”
“And you were correct to ask permission,” he saw her annoyance and his lips twitched. “Being most gracious, I granted your request.”
She pursed her lips wryly and he smiled, reaching out to stroke her beautiful hair. “I am sorry we have to leave for London so soon after the funeral. Are you up to this?”
“Do I have a choice?” she shrugged. “I can face this. As long as we are together, I can face anything.”
He sat up beside her, kissing her head quickly as he vaulted from the bed. “That’s my girl,” he found his breeches and pulled them over his massive legs. Remington’s delicious view of histaut buttocks was abruptly cut short as he pulled the trousers to his waist and secured them.
Clad only in his breeches, he moved to the door and summoned a serving wench to bring food and a bath. Remington sighed contentedly, watching his half-nude body parade about. There were few more pleasurable sights in this world.
The tub was brought in by three hearty soldiers and quickly filled. Gaston stood silent watch as the task was completed, his massive arms folded across his chest. Remington simply pulled the covers over her head until the duty was complete and the soldiers vacated the room.
“’Tis safe to reveal yourself,” he told her, reaching for his shirt tossed carelessly over a chair. “I have duties to attend to this morn, but I shall return shortly.”
She bound out of the bed, her sweetly curved body catching the early morning light as she rounded the bed. He eyed her as he tucked his shirt in, thinking her to be most perfect. He fought off the urge to grab her as she passed close to him en route to the tub, but he allowed himself the weakness of a distended groan.
His boots went on as she sunk into the tub and he paused, putting his hands on his hips and scrutinizing her closely.
“Madam, if I had any less control, I would join you in your bath,” he said.
She grinned and submerged herself completely, coming up like Venus rising. She wiped water from her eyes, eyes that glittered at him. “Coward.”
His control slipping, he backed away from the tub and strapped on his sword. “Aye, I confess. I am.”
She giggled, splashing water at him and laughing with delight when he scowled threateningly. It was the first time he had seen her laugh in days and he was relieved.
“Any more of that and I take you over my knee,” he said sternly, but they both knew he wasn’t serious.
Gaston moved to the door, passing a lingering glance at Remington. “I shall send Eudora to you.”
“Thank you, my lord Coward,” she said flippantly. “My lord Coward Dark Knight.”
