“Many women fear the first time, because of the pain.”
Quinn recalled that tear.If Melissande thought little of his father, she might know of Jerome’s violence.Had she not recoiled as if in fear that he might strike her?Aye, if she knew his father, she might well dread this night.
He might not have Bayard’s skill in such matters of intimacy, but he could see to her pleasure.
“And still you scowl, as I would not if I anticipated the seduction of a beauteous woman after making her my wife.”
“I had no thought of taking wife at this time,” Quinn said.“The timing is inopportune.No woman—let alone this one—would enjoy living at Sayerne before all is right once more.It is not seemly to expect a woman to endure it.”
“And that is your sole objection?”
“Aye.”
“Ha.”
Quinn ignored his friend.He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the rim, considering how he might tempt Melissande’s pleasure.She had softened to his kiss, so perhaps his skills would be sufficient...
“PerhapsIcould coax a response from your bride,” Bayard mused.“Would you like me to try?”
Quinn sat up and glared at his friend.
Bayard appeared to be oblivious to Quinn’s response.“Perhaps we could share her charms...”
Quinn knew Bayard sought to provoke him, and he felt no satisfaction at that man’s success.“You will not touch my wife!”he said, pointing at Bayard with a dripping finger.“If naught else, my sire showed me the results of faithlessness in marriage and I will tolerate none of it in mine!”There was silence in the bathing chamber and Quinn took a steadying breath.“Make no mistake in this, Bayard, should you test me in this matter, it will be you who pays the price.”
With that, Quinn sank into the bathwater again, his mood as foul as when he had arrived.
Bayard splashed in the water, clearly unoffended.“It does seem that this matter concerns you greatly and I take warning.But you are certain that you have no interest in this lady for her own charms?You did say that she was fair to look upon.”
“I never said...”Quinn fell silent when he saw his friend’s grin.
The man was cursedly observant.
“Although she is fair,” Quinn admitted.
“Only fair?”
“Lovely,” Quinn said, his voice husky.“And blessed with the tongue of a viper.”
Bayard laughed aloud.“I cannot wait to meet her.”
“I make this alliance to ensure my inheritance.”
“Ah.And to see her borders defended.”Bayard rose from the bath, and a pair of squires brought him heavy linens to dry himself.“So, it is of no relevance that in all the years we have traveled together and fought together, despite all the foes and trials we have faced, I have never seen you agitated about any detail, save this lady and her disapproval of you as her intended spouse.”He shook a finger at Quinn.“Even when our demise at Acre seemed inevitable, you were calm, but not on this day, when you are to take a lovely heiress as your wife.”He raised his brows, inviting an explanation for a situation that did not seem to require one.
Quinn could not hold his friend’s gaze.“It is the unexpectedness of the situation.”
Bayard smiled and shook his head.“Quinn, you are the most temperate man I have ever known, and the one knight blessed with a serenity that would astound the very angels.”
Quinn did not feel serene.
“It is Sayerne at root,” he insisted.“That place is too close to my heart.It is the possibility of losing my inheritance after waiting so long that unsettles me.”
“Is it?”Bayard asked, his tone indicating that he expected no answer.He wrapped a length of linen about his waist with a flourish.“Then might I assume that you have no interest in what you wear to take your vows?”He picked up Quinn’s tunic, which Quinn realized was looking even more disreputable than he had realized.Bayard held it high, then sniffed at it with disdain.“Your travel garments will do well enough, if this wedding is only a formality to be endured.A man’s merit is not his garb, after all.”He met Quinn’s gaze with all the innocence of a new babe.
Curse the man.
Quinn could not attend his own nuptials in such worn clothing, with his hair untended and his jaw unshaved.The lady already thought him a ruffian and Quinn wanted naught more than to prove her wrong.
