Page 41 of Moon Craving

"Frightened. I know nothing of the ways of men."

"That is to be expected."

"You do not understand. My mother, my maid, no one has told me anything." And

clearly, the unknown scared her out of her wits.

"Do you want me to tell you what is going to happen?"

Her dark eyes widened with surprise, but they glowed with hope. "Would you?"

Again her words came out silently, but he had no trouble reading her meaning.

"Aye."

Though her skin was the color of a dark rose in bloom, she nodded and swallowed.

"Please."

"I will. Please you, I mean." It was a matter of pride for both him and the wolf that

lived in him. "I will begin by kissing you. Have you ever been kissed, Abigail?"

He doubted it and might have to kill someone if she had, but he needed to ask.

She shook her head.

"That is good. I do not want to have to go hunting in England."

Her eyes widened farther and stayed that way as he described in minute detail how

he would touch her before, during and after her deflowering. He left nothing out of how it

would feel for her or how he expected to feel.

He laced their fingers while he spoke and was in no way surprised when her hold

on him grew so tight he would almost think she had the strength of the Chrechte in her.

But she never balked at his description or turned away from the words he spoke, her gaze

fixed on him with desperate intensity.

When he finished, she stared at him for several seconds.

"Truly?" she finally asked in a whisper. "You will do all that?" Her cheeks were so

crimson, the bruise from her mother's slap was almost hidden.

"I will."

"You will be careful."

"I told you I would. It may hurt, but I will prevent as much pain as possible. It is my

duty as your husband."

"Are English husbands so considerate?"