After considering it for a moment, she smiled, and he knew that, more likely than not, it was the same smile on another face that had tempted Adam to sin in the Garden of Eden. When she began to move and then found her gait, he knew it for certain.
He stroked the fistfuls of hair over her belly as she moved against him, and then up to her breasts. She gasped with every touch, and he knew she would come again. He arched his hips against her, aiding her movements and filling her more with every thrust. Then he felt his seed ready to burst forth and he did not to resist it. The muscles deep within her contracted again and again and pulled every drop from him.
He smiled, satisfied in more ways than just the physical joining. This felt so right. As if he belonged here, he was home. He waited for her to collapse, which she did a moment later. He held her tightly and rubbed his hands over her back.
“I do love you, Sebastien,” she whispered to him. “In spite of the mistakes I’ve made, I truly do love you.”
“Hush, now, Lara. We will both make mistakes along the way. The important thing is that we have found love and it will help us in times of doubt and trouble.”
She did not answer him. He knew there were many secrets she still held, as did he, but together they would find their way. He rolled to his side and gathered her close.
“All will be well.”
It was at that moment that he realized in his haste to bed her, he’d left the doors to their chambers open, as well as on the landing below. Most likely, everyone in the hall had heard every sound between them. Lara would be most grievously embarrassed.
As sorry as he was over that, and he was, it was best if they learned now what life would be like as they accepted their marriage. He would keep her in his arms and in his bed as much as possible once he returned home from the next two battles.
Home.
Aye, he was truly home.
Chapter Eighteen
“No, Philippe.”
“But my lord… ’Tis my place to be at your side.”
Sebastien let out a frustrated breath. “I would rather you be here to help my lady wife while I am away from Dunstaffnage.”
“But, I was there at your side at the Brander Pass. I have trained. I am ready,” Philippe said with all the bravado of one of ten-and-two years. But his mutinous feelings were demonstrated with a quivering lower lip. Malcolm’s influence on the boy, no doubt.
Sebastien turned to Lara for help in this matter. He did not want Philippe at his side, especially if treachery was in the air. Not certain if she or anyone else had known the details of their plans, he would rather not take the chance and put the boy in danger. As commander of this raid, he and his men would be in enough peril without the added complication of a boy.
“Philippe, Malcolm will be devastated if anything happens to you, and he would welcome your company while your master is away,” Lara said to the lad. “And I would be happy for your help while my lord is gone.”
But even her soft tones and lovely smile did not wipe the displeasure off his squire’s face. There was simply no other way to do this.
“Philippe, you are nearing the time when you will train as a knight. If you cannot obey my orders, I cannot accept you into training.” Sebastien crossed his arms over his chest and glared at him. “So, what is your answer?”
Philippe looked at him, then Hugh, Etienne and Lara before replying. “As you command, my lord,” he said, bowing to Sebastien. But his face wore a frown of disappointment that nothing would remove. Sebastien knew; he’d worn one himself enough times to recognize it.
“You are my responsibility, Philippe. I must answer to your father, to the king and to my conscience if I allow harm to befall you.”
“I understand, my lord.”
“Nay, you do not now, but one day, when a boy in your service stands before you with just such a look on his face, you will,” Sebastien said, trying to soften the blow to the youth’s honor. “Now, I must speak with Sir Hugh and my lady. See to your duties.”
Philippe left as he was ordered and Sebastien turned to the truly difficult conversation of the day…or the week…or his life. He had never left behind a wife, a woman he loved, before. He had never tried to prepare anyone for a death that might come at any time. Hell, he never thought on it at all, but now there was so much to worry about.
“Etienne, did you bring the box?” he asked.
“Aye, my lord,” the steward replied, holding out the wooden chest that Sebastien used for all of his private papers. “Would you like me to leave?”
“Nay. I want you and Hugh to know what I have done so there is no question of my wishes.” He took in a deep breath and let it out, not yet meeting Lara’s eyes. “In here is my will,” he began.
“No!” she cried out. “Do not talk of such things, Sebastien. There is no need.” Her eyes filled with tears and his own throat tightened as he continued his explanation.
“Lady, I would know that you are cared for if something should happen to me. Not just this day, but for all days forward from now.”
