Agnes tossed and turned for much of the night until she finally found slumber. In it, her dreams were as troubling as when she was awake.
She was chased through Stirling Castle by an unknown threat and voices just around corners only to find no one there. A voice behind her told her he was sorry as he placed his hand on her shoulder. When she turned, he was gone. Back and forth the dream tormented her as fear warred with desire.
She woke with a start to a light knocking on her door. Flinging back the covers she stood by the door to see if it was real or part of her dream.
“Lady Agnes, are you unwell?” His voice was soft and full of concern.
“I—I am well, my lord,” she said. “I had a bad dream.”
“Do you wish me to watch over you?”
Och, that wasn’t a good idea considering the turn of her thoughts earlier. Yet she found herself turning the latch to allow him entry. The sight of him quickened her pulse. He was bare chested with his trews not fully buttoned. His hair which was usually neatly tied at his nape was down around his shoulders and his eyes, those damned eyes trailed the length of her. It was then she realized the state of her own undress.
She should have slammed the door and locked it immediately. So why didn’t she? Because she didn’t want to. She reveled in the sensations flowing through her body just by looking at him. She was aware of the happenings between a husband and wife but didn’t know those feelings could be invoked so easily without a single touch.
“Do you?”
Did she what? Want him to caress her like her silk shift? Aye, very much so, but she was not about to tell him that.
“Lady Agnes you must say something or—” his voice broke off in a whisper.
Or what she was gleaning and understanding. His body was tense as his hands grasped the door frame drawing attention to his thickly muscled chest. She’d never seen a man in such a state of undress, and she couldn’t help but let her eyes wander the length of him. A light dusting of hair splayed across his chest and trailed down across his rigid belly to disappear inside his trews. In the dark she could not see anything more, but his breathing changed.
“Lady Agnes, you cannot look at me like that,” he whispered.
Still, she could not stop herself from doing just that. By the stars, whoever made him had sculpted him from the gods.
Finally, his words sank in and she understood. He felt the same rush she did and the danger of the situation hit home.
“I am well, my lord, and do not require assistance,” she said shutting the door and turning the lock which made a loud click. The sound was enough to bring her fully into the present.
Agnes jumped back into bed, hugging her knees and rocking. Oh aye, she was in more trouble with that man than she had previously thought. She’d have to keep a sensible distance from him lest she find herself in far worse ruin than being banished from the king’s court.
She was sure she would gain no more slumber this night and so pulled a chair over to the dying embers of the hearth. She placed a few more small pieces of wood on the fire and stared into its flames as though it would reveal her future.
To no avail.
Agnes curled up into a ball on the chair and leaned her head back. She would find a way for all to be well. She longed for her parents’ counsel. Until then, she would have to trust her own judgment and keep the irresistible earl at arm’s length.
*
William drew ina shaky breath and made his way back to his room. Once inside he closed the door and crawled into bed. His cock was hard as a rock and his body was filled with a level of desire he’d never encountered. The image of her with the pale moonlight highlighting the silhouette of her curvaceous body nearly drove him mad with need for her. He would never take advantage of a situation or do anything without her full agreement, but by God, he wanted her more than he ever thought possible. He’d been aroused before, plenty of times, and found his release in many pleasing ways. But this woman brought out something new in him. He hungered for her, craved her touch.
Christ’s teeth, how would he survive several more days in her presence without acting like a lad who had never learned the ways between men and women?
William removed his trews and tossed them across the room. He hopped out of bed as though it contained burning embers and stood by the open window, willing the cool night air to still the molten heat flowing through him. He’d recognized her beauty the moment he first saw her, but beauty meant nothing if the woman did not possess a genuine spirit and sense of herself. Agnes had shown herself to be curious and kind with all the noble attributes he’d always desired.
While there was nothing he could do to change the events leading them to this moment, he could ensure he took the steps he needed to protect her going forward. Whether she was meant for him or not, she’d proven herself worthy of her station and loyal to the crown and he would see to it the entirety of the king’s court felt the same way.
For now, he would treat her with the respect her father would expect for her. He’d only met the Earl of Caithness once and upon that meeting had gleaned a favorable impression of the man’s integrity. It appeared he had imparted that good trait upon his daughter.
As William’s logic formed, his body cooled to the point he could stand the sensation of the bedding on his skin. Climbing back into bed, he stared up at the ceiling and formed a plan for the next day. He hoped she liked it.
William woke at daybreak as he always had. For the first few moments, he forgot where he was and thought about what he would do that day with his family and how he could help his tenants, and then he remembered. He wasn’t a long way from his home, but he would likely not see it for a few weeks yet.
Tossing back the covers, he sat up in bed and swiped his hands down across his face. Did the lady even like riding horseback? He didn’t know, but he was about to find out. Something in him was certain she’d approve.
He dressed quickly and descended the stairs two at a time. His mood was light at the thought of doing something pleasing for her.
