Between the mead and the music, Saga fell into a comfortable ease during the evening. The platters of rabbit and deer were among the best she’d ever eaten and she was sure there was enough food to feed the entire castle for a sennight. Her husband watched her closely. She appreciated his efforts, but the truth of the matter was she was not so sure she could fit in here. For starters, when would she hunt? Glancing around the table it was easy to discern that none of these delicate ladies had probably ever lifted a broadsword, axe, or bow.
But she would try. For her brother’s sake and for her husband’s sake. He was clearly well respected among his clansmen. And more than one lady cast her eye longingly in his direction only to glare at her. Saga understood that. She’d seen the ways of relationships over the years and was not ignorant to attraction and lust. She’d seen its fury as it waxed and the disappointment as it waned. Which was why divorce happened. She simply could not wrap her mind around why a couple would be forced to stay together if they made one another miserable.
“You seem lost in your thoughts, wife,” Giric said, pulling her from her musings.
“I am taking all of this in.”
“And what are your conclusions?”
“I do like your castle. And this is some of the finest food I have ever eaten.”
“But?”
“But I am different than any other lady at this table.”
“I do not have a problem with that.”
“You cannot turn me into one of them.”
She loved the sound of laughter that erupted from him. “I would never dream of it. I do not wish to change one thing about you, wife.”
“But you expect me to be understanding to them.”
“Aye, and I expect them to be understanding to you.” He cast a glance around the room. Her belly fluttered when his gaze drifted across her breasts and up again to lock with hers. “I will help you adjust, wife. I promise you that.”
“Very well,” she said. “When do we get to go to bed and mate?”
Half choking on the ale he’d just swallowed, he said, “We must stay here for a while yet so that everyone may have an opportunity to offer their congratulations.” He reached behind her hair and stroked the delicate skin there. He leaned in close to her ear. “But when I get you alone, I plan to remove your clothing slowly and taste each and every inch of you.”
Her body shivered in response. By Freya, this man could make her legs wobble with just a few words. In her hall, she would grab him by the tunic and drag him to the nearest corner to have her way with him. But here they had to wait and be polite and she already knew that was going to take a lot of patience.
“I must say, I do like the disappointment in your eyes right now,” he said. “It makes me think you want me as much as I want you.”
“The truth is, if I had my way, we would slip into a dark chamber, bolt the door and pleasure one another then return to the feast. Do you think we would be missed?” she asked as she slid her hand up his thigh and grasped hard.
His resulting gasp made her grin. She could affect him in the same way he could affect her. She too could not wait to strip him and explore his muscular frame.
“Christ’s teeth I do believe you’re going to be the death of me,” he said as he pulled her close and brushed his lips across hers.
At that moment a high-pitched voice cleared her throat. “Cousin, I do believe you are rude to keep your wife all to yourself and not let her mingle with everyone else.”
Saga could feel the shift in him. His whole body stiffened as he leaned back. A brief flash of apology appeared in his gaze and was masked with emptiness. She’d never seen him like this before.
“Cousin Naywin. How do you fare?”
“I am well, my lord as you can see,” she said as she smoothed her breasts and the bodice of her gown. She moved over to Saga and stretched out her hand. “I am Giric’s cousin. We were betrothed at one point. But he would not have me.” Her gaze flicked over Saga’s hair and breasts.
“Now, cousin. You know that is not how it happened.”
“My reputation was at stake—”
“I am so sorry, Giric,” a man said from behind Naywin, grabbing her by the arm. “I promised to keep an eye on her.”
Giric stood and motioned for Saga to stand as well. “Norfolk,” Giric said, “I did not know you had returned to Prestwick. How fares your father?”
“My father is not well,” he said. “The physic says he does not have much time.”
“Then why are you here?”
