“Oh, I fear I will be gorging myself like some wee starving piglet,” she said as she sat down and smiled across the table at Artan as he sat down.
“Gorge away,” he said. “I made certain the man sent us a feast.”
Looking at all the food set out before her, she nodded, “’Tis indeed a feast.” As she filled her plate, she said, “I must apologize, Artan. I should have believed ye.”
“So, Sir Fergus confessed all, did he?” he asked as he began to eat.
Between mouthfuls of food, Cecily related what Sir Fergus had told her. “I did point out to him that Edmund and Anabel could weel be planning the same fate for him as he is planning for them.”
“Without doubt.” He filled her tankard with wine. “He isnae worried about that?”
“Nay, not at all. I cannae believe Anabel and Edmund murdered three people, three kinsmen and one of them only a child, and all for greed. I think that is what shocked me the most. That and the fact that I lived with the murderers of my family. Nay, not only lived with them, but struggled daily to please them.”
“Ah, lass, ye were but a child. Ye cannae blame yourself.”
She nodded and had a deep drink of wine to calm herself. “I do understand that, and yet there is a part of me that feels I betrayed the memory of my dear ones in some way.”
“Weel, ye didnae. It just may take ye a while to accept that. Aye, and accept that ye survived.”
Cecily stared at him for a moment, then smiled. “How did ye ken that that troubles me at times?”
“’Tis a common enough feeling. Men leaving loved ones behind on a battlefield whilst they walk away can suffer from the same feeling. The mon gets to thinking he was chosen by God to live and wonders why, especially when he feels unworthy of the honor. It passes.”
“My father and brother were murdered twelve years ago.”
“True, but I think ye have done your best to forget about it and them e’er since that day.”
She sighed and nodded. Artan might be rough of speech and nature, but he had a true understanding of people. One could even call it a sympathetic nature, she mused, but was very certain he would not appreciate anyone saying so. Sometimes she got the distinct feeling that Artan liked people to think he was a barbarian whose wits were as thick as his muscles. It was rather nice to know something about him that others did not. Watching as he peeled, cored, and sliced an apple for her, she thought about how those nimble hands had worked their magic on her body and quickly turned her thoughts elsewhere.
“I am nay sure what to do about Anabel and Edmund,” she said, then popped a slice of apple into her mouth.
“Make them pay for their crimes.” He ate his apple and wondered if it was too soon to take her to bed. How slowly did one have to move with a virgin?
“Of course. I but wonder how. Sir Fergus kens the truth, but I dinnae think he will help me.”
Looking at the bruise upon her cheek, Artan said, “Nay, for he will soon be dead.”
She grimaced. “Although he had naught to do with the deaths of my family, I do think he has crimes aplenty he needs to pay for. The ones he has already committed and the ones he plans to commit.”
Unable to wait any longer, Artan rose, took her by the hand, and pulled her to her feet. “I dinnae wish to speak about that swine any longer. Or about your murderous, thieving guardians. Or about the fate of Dunburn.”
Although she was suddenly feeling very nervous, Cecily had to smile. “Nay? What do ye wish to speak about?”
“How sweet ye taste,” he said as he removed her robe and carried her to the bed. “How soft your skin is. How the heat of your mouth flows straight into my veins. How I am like to curl up and die if I cannae make ye mine verra, verra quickly.”
Cecily welcomed him into her arms when he joined her on the bed and said very quietly, “Oh, nay too quickly I pray.”
Artan grinned. Mayhap bedding this particular virgin would not be so difficult. There was a deep well of passion in Cecily and it appeared that he was the lucky man who could set it free. He kissed her and began to undo her nightgown.
Cecily felt embarrassment and shyness start to cool her desire and ruthlessly banished them. This was her wedding night, and although she doubted she would soon be skipping naked about the room in the full light of day, she should not be flinching because her husband wishes to help her disrobe. After the lovemaking they had indulged in by the burn, there was not much Artan had not seen or touched anyway.
Despite the stern lecture she had given herself, she tensed when he drew off her nightgown and tossed it aside. He crouched over her, staring at her body, and she began to feel all too aware of what she lacked. It was one thing to be naked; it was quite another to be naked and stared at. Slowly, she began to lift her hands from where she had kept them clenched at her sides, intending to cover herself as best she could.
“Nay, lass, dinnae cover yourself,” Artan said as he threw off his plaid, revealing that he had nothing else on. “Dinnae hide all that soft beauty from your husband’s eyes.”
If there was beauty to be seen in this bedchamber tonight, it was his, she thought. She doubted she would ever cease to be awed by the sight of his chest, but the sight of his strong body completely unclothed left her breathless. He was perfection with nothing too long, too short, too misshaped with muscle, or too soft. His legs were long and well shaped, his firm backside had a lovely curve to it, and his back was a pure delight for the eyes.
The only thing she was not sure of was the rather large protrusion at the front of his body. It was not that it was unattractive; she did, in fact, rather like the look of the thing. It was just that it was large. Cecily had not pictured it as being that impressive when Artan was pressing it against her leg.
