"Shespeaks French."
"Serle,"Drogo repeated, a touch of steel hardening his deep voice. "Cease thistedious game and just say what rests so heavily on your mind."
"Youhave grabbed yourself a high-born maid, Drogo. I ask again that you think wellon what you are planning to do."
"AndI tell you again that reason and thinking carry little weight in this matter. Ihave tried it; but there is a part of me which throbs so badly with wanting, itdrowns out the voice of caution. She is trouble—beautiful, tempting trouble. Iknow this. I simply cannot bring myself to care."
"Thencan you not care for her fate?" Serle asked quietly.
"Ido. Yes, I know many would say that what I plan for her will dishonor her. Yetwhich is worse? The same fate would greet her outside these walls if I set herfree, mayhap even worse. She was trapped within the heart of the enemy. I willat least be kind to her and keep her safe."
"Safe?You intend to take her with you while you battle your way across England toLondon. How can you promise to keep her safe?"
"Whydo you argue with me about this?"
Serleshrugged. "Although I am a man and can understand why you hunger for her,I am also old enough to see her as a child. Something prods me to try and makeyou turn away from what you plan. If you do not, have no fear that I willplague you with each step we march. Once you have made your decision, I willstand by it and aid you in keeping whatever promises you make."
"Ihave made my decision, old friend. I made it the moment I set eyes onher."
Drogosaw May return and silently hurry to Ivo's side. With a nod to his friends, whodid not look certain about his actions, Drogo rose and went to the bedchamberhe had chosen. He had little hope of gaining the prize he ached for tonight,but he still looked forward to simply sharing the bed with her. He prayed thatEada was in the bed where she belonged and would not force him to hunt herdown.
Theroom was dark when he entered. Awkwardly, yet quietly, he found and lit thecandle near the bed. He was relieved to see Eada curled up beneath the covers,for he was weary and had no wish to chase her down. It only disappointed him alittle to see that she was asleep. He would not be able to begin the seductionhe had planned, but he would be saved her anger for a little while. Drogo knewthat the weariness now weighting his body would let him sleep despite the unsatisfieddesire knotting his insides.
Heshed his clothes, letting them lie where they fell, and eased his body beneaththe coverlet. It took only a moment before he decided he had grosslyoverestimated the strength of his weariness. The strength of his desire was fargreater. The mere scent of her was enough to tighten his loins. He waspainfully eager for her and she was much too near to ignore.
Turningonto his side, he reached out to stroke her hair, savoring the soft, silkenfeel of it beneath his fingers. He admired the slim line of her back and foughtagainst the urge to strip the covers away and look his fill. Drogo knew it wasnot only a lengthy celibacy that made his desire for her so strong. That onlymade control a little more difficult to grasp. Eada of Pevensey alone fed hispassion until he felt bloated with it.
Drogoslipped his arm around her tiny waist, grimacing when she murmured in her sleepand cuddled closer to his warmth. His body's reaction was immediate andpowerful. He found himself briefly, but heartily, regretting that he was notthe sort of man who could just take what he ached for without a thought for thewoman's feelings.
Therewas trouble ahead, and Drogo knew it. The war had not yet begun, but it couldnot be averted. He was in England to fight the Saxons; he would undoubtedlykill Saxons, and Eada was a Saxon. Wisdom demanded that he not allow himself totrust her fully, and it told him that what lay ahead could easily cause her tohate him. Every instinct told him it would be for the best if he just took whathe ached for and left her behind when the army moved on.
Hesighed then cursed as she sleepily wriggled even closer. It was going to be along, uncomfortable, and sleepless night. Even more distressing was theknowledge that he would ignore all wisdom, all good sense and instinct, and dohis utmost to keep her as close to him as she was now.
"No,no. Edith! Oh, Edith," Eada muttered as she fought the harsh memory of herfriend's death which disturbed her dreams.
Drogocursed softly as one of her small flailing fists caught him squarely on thechin. He swiftly pinned her thrashing body beneath his and shook her. Shestilled slightly but did not open her eyes, so he shook her again.
Eadablinked then hurriedly wiped away the tears dampening her cheeks beforescowling at the man who had shaken her awake. "What did you wake mefor?"
Hehastily swallowed the first answer that rose to his lips as he stared into hersleep-clouded lavender eyes. "You were having a nightmare. I thought youmight wish to be freed of it."
WhenEada realized she had spoken to him in French not English, she cursed herselffor so quickly forgetting her resolution to treat him coldly and give him onlysilence. Worse than that, she was also forgetting that she was supposed to befurious with him. In fact, all she could seem to think about was how pleasantit felt for their bodies to be so close, the warmth of his large, strong frameinfecting her blood with its heat. Even though her thin night rail lay betweenthem, she was far too concerned with the fact that she could feel hisnakedness. She decided she was not really thinking clearly at all.
Afterall,she mused as she studied the strong lines of his face,what do Iknow of this man who so effortlessly stirs the wantonness in me? He is big,handsome, Norman, and here to conquer my land and my people. He is good to hisbig, slow servant Ivo, when few others would have such patience. He has notraised a hand to me despite the times I have attacked and insulted him. He isobviously quick of wit, for he guessed the game I played when feigningignorance of French, and I know I played the game well until I foolishlyallowed my temper to take control of me. And he has not raped me, yet I amcertain that he wants me. Even now I can see the hunger in his dark eyes. He isalso a man who favors cleanliness as do I.
Inwardlyshe sighed as she thought of Edith, her grief over the woman's death still deepand sharp. Edith had told her that this man was the one she had been born for,had even hinted that he was a man who would appreciate both her spirit and herwit. Talk of destiny was all fine and good, she thought crossly, but it shouldnot mean that she must warm to him after only a day's acquaintance nor spreadfor him as easily as some whore. Despite that admonition, Eada had to admit toherself that she was warming to him, alarmingly so. Her body had alreadysoftened in welcome beneath the weight of his.
Sheclosed her eyes as she fought to gain control of her errant passion by notlooking at him. It did not help. She became even more aware of the tantalizingclean male scent of him, of the feel of him. Her mind's eye revealed images oftheir bodies entwined, sensuous images which were not at all conducive tochilling her rapidly heating blood. Destiny had decided that they weresoulmates and clearly did not see the need to allow her any time to truly knowthe man or to adjust to the turmoil she had suddenly been dragged into.
Drogofelt the softening of her lithe body beneath his. He dropped his gaze to herfull breasts and saw as well as felt the increasing unsteadiness of herbreathing. Gently he pressed more of his body against hers and felt hertremble. That sign that she was not completely cold to him was enough to loosenwhat little control he had kept on his desire since first setting eyes on her.It took all his strength to hold back, to remind himself that they were stilllittle more than strangers. Moving too quickly could put a swift end to thesubtle welcome of her body.Gently, slowly, he told himself over andover again as he began to brush light, tender kisses over her face.
Eadafelt the warm softness of his mouth against her cheek and shivered. Shestruggled to put a halt to the feelings flooding her body but found suchrestraint almost impossible. She wished he would grow rough, even violent, inhis passion, for she knew that affront would give her the strength to fighthim. The gentleness of his seduction made her too willing to succumb to thetempting heat he stirred within her.
"No,"she whispered, turning her head when he touched his lips to hers, but he cuppedher face in his big hands and gently but firmly turned her back to him.
"Yes,"he murmured against her full, shapely mouth as he teased it with soft, nibblingkisses. "Come, you knew from the moment I took you from that old woman'scottage that this was meant to be."
"No,it does not have to be so."
