Page 45 of Viking in Love

“A bride gift.”

Caedmon and Wulf both grinned at their friend.

“Are you already wed, then?” Caedmon asked.

Geoff shook his head. “A sennight from now. You are all invited.” He looked from Caedmon to her, then back to Caedmon, and arched a brow. “Is it possible you are to be wed again, Caedmon?”

“Huh?” Caedmon said. “What would give you that barmy idea?”

“Weeeellll,” Geoff drawled, his golden brown eyes dancing mischievously, “as I rode in, from a distance I could swear I saw two people atop the roof swiv—”

“That will be enough, Geoff,” Caedmon interrupted.

Breanne’s face heated even more, realizing there had been a witness to her insanity.

“My apologies, m’lady. Uh, didst know that your lips look…ripe?”

“Ripe?” she asked on a groan. When she put her fingertips to her mouth, she realized that her lips were puffy, and no doubt abraded with color.

“Yours look ripe, too, Caedmon. Not to fear. No doubt you have both been eating berries.”

A quick glance at Caedmon showed her that his lips were in the same condition as hers. Instead of groaning with dismay, he winked at her.

The man dared to wink at her.

Geoff’s face turned serious of a sudden. “Did I mention that Sybil has invited Archbishop Dunstan to officiate at our wedding since he is expected in the vicinity? She sent the invitation afore I realized what she was about.”

Breanne’s sisters exchanged looks of horror.

Caedmon appeared equally horrified.

She wondered how soon he would be packing their bags and shooing them off to parts unknown. Belatedly, she recalled that she was supposed to be seducing Caedmon into an extension of their visit.

Releasing a long exhale, she drew her shoulders back with determination and turned to the loathsome lout. “Wouldst care to meet with me after dinner this evening?”

“Why?” the loathsome lout asked.

She fisted her hands behind her back to keep from punching him. “I would like to talk to you in private.”

“Why?” he repeated.

Biting her bottom lip and counting to ten, she glanced up to the roof, then back at him. In as sultry voice as she could muster, she said, “Unfinished business.”

Then she spun on her heels and rushed back to the keep, not wanting to see if he was laughing.

He was not.

“C’mere, baby,” sayeth the cat to the mouse, “wanna see my cheese?…”

“What is this cat-and-mouse game you are playing?” Geoff asked him that evening.

Ah, that is an appropriate name for this insanity. “I do not know what you mean,” Caedmon replied and continued to eat from a shank of wild boar that was covered with the most delicious sauce.

“They have been doing it all day long,” Wulf spoke across him to Geoff.

“Who?” As if I do not know! Caedmon licked his fingers and frowned. “What is this unusual flavor?”

“’Tis garlic and onion mixed with black pepper and a dash of wine,” Geoff told him.