“Yes, very. We took three deer, one with a sixteen-point spread. A wolf, and of course, the boar.”
“Of course. Am I to assume ’twas your lance that slew it?”
“Yes,” he said.
She finished with a sigh and looked up. For the first time his stark nakedness struck her, as she glimpsed his groin, its member flaccid now, the soft curve of his belly as he sat, the narrowness of his hips and the breadth of his chest. Flushed, she put aside the needle, preparing a poultice. “However did you manage to get gored?”
“It happens easily, the boar is mean and unpredictable.”
“They are too deadly to be hunted,” she replied, placing the herbs packed in linen upon his thigh.
“’Tis foolish for men to seek such sport.” She was careful to look only at what she was doing, but now she was keenly aware of his hard leg beneath her fingers.
“’Tis the danger that draws us,” he said.
She could feel his gaze on the top of her bent head. “’Tis a boyish need to prove a tardy manhood,” Ceidre retorted with feeling.
“You cannot accuse my manhood of being tardy,” he said softly.
His sensual tone brought a hot blush and she swiftly raised her gaze to his—only to glimpse the swelling of his organ. She faltered completely, at a loss. He smiled slightly, a smug, satisfied look in his bold gaze. “You are clearly not suffering,” she managed. She rose and turned, but he grabbed her hand.
“Do not leave me.”
“I am finished.” She was forced to meet his regard.
“Do not leave,” he repeated. “I am in pain.”
“The pain you are in is quite clear,” she retorted, angry now.
“You can ease it—if you would.”
“Your wife can ease it!”
“You think so?” He cocked a brow. “She cannot, only you can.”
“Do not say such things,” she hissed. “Let me go.”
“Only if you promise to return. I will allow no one else to tend me. The poultice must be changed, must it not?”
“Yes, but anyone—”
“You must tend me.”
“All right.” She surrendered.
“When will you come again?”
She hesitated. “Tomorrow.”
“Tonight. You will come tonight. Mayhap I will catch a fever.” He smiled.
There was, of course, that possibility, although Ceidre though it was indistinct. “I will come when I have finished my duties at the manor,” she said.
His face grew suddenly dark, blue eyes stormy. “Yes, of course, your duties. To your husband? Does he command your presence every night?” His tone raised. “Does he? Have you missed him these past two nights? Have you?”
She was stunned by his anger.
“Tonight,” he said through gritted teeth, “you have duty to me, your overlord. Do not,” he purred, “forget who I am. I gave you to Guy,” he warned, “and I can take you away.”
