Hellion by Bertrice Small Page A

remember having been so toasty within the keep, whose gray stone walls seemed to husband the damp and cold. In summer it was an advantage, but in the winter it was not.
    “Come, Belle, and sit with me,” Hugh called to her.
    She started, unaware that he had been in the room, but then she saw him in the straight-backed chair by the fire. “There is no place for me to sit, my lord,” she answered him.
    She saw him hold out his hand in the light of the fire. “We will share the seat,” he replied. “Come.”
    He was a big man, and she no petite maiden. She did not see how they could share the narrow wooden chair, but she moved to his side. Reaching up, he drew her down into his lap. She stiffened with shock, then attempted to arise, but he held her firmly.
    “Is this not nice?” he said to her. “Put your head upon my shoulder, ma Belle. You will be more comfortable that way.”
    She sat rigidly, hardly breathing. “What are you doing, my lord?” she demanded nervously of him. Why on earth was he holding her like this?
    “I am attempting to have a cuddle with my pretty wife,” Hugh said.
    She didn’t know what to answer him, and so she remained silent.
    “Are you afraid, ma Belle?” he asked her gently.
    “ Afraid ?” Her young voice was tremulous, yet she attempted to sound scornful. “Afraid of what, my lord?”
    “Of the intimacy between a man and his wife, perhaps?” His voice was kind, even understanding. It irritated her. He was treating her like a child, and she was not a child.
    “I know nothing of such intimacy, my lord!” she snapped at him.
    “As a wellborn virgin, you should not,” he told her. “That is why I am attempting to educate you in such matters as tenderly as I can. What transpires between a husband and wife regarding bed sport can be most pleasurable for them both. I know that I will gain great pleasure from your sweet body, ma Belle; but I would that you receive equal pleasure from me as well.”
    “I have seen the animals mating,” she mumbled low to him.
    “We are not animals,” he replied, drawing her head down to his shoulder, “You are a brave girl, ma Belle, but all maidens are a little fearful of the unknown. Trust me, chérie. ” His hand smoothed her head. “Let me lead you. I will be gentle, I promise.”
    She didn’t know how she should respond to him. She felt a trifle foolish, which angered her, but then he began skillfully to unlace her chemise. She caught at his hands, struggling with herself not to cry out.
    “ Non, non, chérie ,” he softly chided her, brushing her hands away as if they were two moths. Successfully completing his task, he pushed the soft linen fabric from her shoulders, baring her to the waist.
    Unable to help herself, Isabelle cried out low, but his response was to press his lips against hers, stifling the outburst. Pulling away, she pressed her palms into his chest. “ Oh, please don’t! ” she half whispered. To her intense mortification, her eyes filled, a single tear escaping to rush headlong down her pale cheek.
    Leaning over, he caught the tear with the tip of his tongue. His eyes never left hers.
    Isabelle shivered violently, almost overwhelmed by the intensity of the emotions his act aroused in her.
    Hugh saw the fear in her eyes. He drew her back into the comfort of his embrace. “Do not be afraid of me, chérie ,” he pleaded with her. “You are my bride, and you are so fair. I cannot help but desire you.”
    “Until you kissed me last night,” she answered him, “I had never been approached by any man. I thought kissing foolish, but then you showed me it could be pleasurable. What is it you wish to do to me now, my lord? And is it pleasurable as well?”
    He sighed deeply. “I would teach you, ma Belle,” he told her. “I would join my body with yours in sweet communion.” Mother of God! Had he ever even had a virgin before? He did not think so. It was more complicated than he thought it would be. Should he