Loyal Heart (The Von Wolfenberg Dynasty #1) by Anna Markland Page A

her hands together, twirling her thumbs as she watched him sip the tea.
    He should insist she leave. Drogo could take care of his needs, though admittedly there was one need his squire couldn’t fulfill. Everything about Sophia aroused him. He craved her. It was as if her presence was helping his body heal.  
    Perhaps the Saxons had kicked him in the head.
    The tea had the same nutty taste as the tincture Wendelin had administered earlier. He sipped it willingly, almost enjoying Sophia’s obvious discomfort. It came as a relief that he hadn’t imagined the spark ignited between them at the waterfall. She was blushing prettily, swaying from side to side, fidgeting with the lace at her cuffs then the crucifix at her neck. Her green eyes betrayed her excitement, and he knew she’d be mortified if she was aware her nipples were straining at the fabric of her satin gown.
    He pictured her dancing at the banquet. The enticing aroma of a healthy female tickled his nostrils and sent more blood rushing to his groin.
    She’d kept her gaze averted, but he worried she might look up and notice the linen tenting. Though he was certain of her innocence, she had three older brothers.  
    Painful as it was, he slowly drew up his knees and held out the bowl to Drogo. “Give Fräulein von Wolfenberg the trencher, then you can go back to sleep. She’ll take care of me.”
    Drogo narrowed his eyes, and it occurred to Brandt too late that he’d offered an insult to Sophia. “I apologise,” he said. “I didn’t mean to infer you’re a servant.”
    It was a relief to see her smile when she took the trencher from Drogo. “I’m not offended,” she assured him. “I want to take care of you.”
    ~~~
    Sophia kept her eyes averted, unsure whether to tell Brandt she understood the significance of the bulge at the apex of his thighs. There was no need for him to bend his knees. She longed to touch him there, to reassure him all was well, that she was falling in love with him and was elated he found her attractive.
    However, she was aware most girls her age didn’t have mothers who had explained natural sexual desires in detail.
    Brandt would deem her a wanton. She’d likely already given the wrong impression by telling him she wanted to take care of him in a sultry voice even she didn’t recognise.
    The trencher provided a welcome distraction. “Can you manage this, or would you like me to help?”
    There was that voice again. She was transforming into a flirtatious nitwit. Next she’d be fluttering her eyelashes at him.
    “I’d appreciate your help,” he replied.
    Something had happened to his voice too. Perhaps the tea had made it huskier. And speaking of eyelashes, his were the longest she’d ever seen, inky black like the hair on his head and chest. She recalled wisps of the same on his fingers. She absently wondered if the narrow line that wandered down his belly went all the way to…
    “Sit,” he said softly, patting the bed beside him. “It will be easier for you to feed me.”
    No wonder his blue eyes sparkled with amusement. She was leaning over with the spoonful of mashed carrots half way to his mouth, lost in daydreams of attempting some of the attentions her mother had told her men loved. She perched on the edge of the mattress and put the spoon to his mouth, fascinated by the movement of his sensuous lips as he savored the food.
    “Tastes good,” he said. “You can relax. I won’t bite.”
    Mama says biting can be very arousing.
    She shook her head, afraid her mouth and her heart might get the better of her wits. “I don’t wish to hurt you,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t be here.”
    He lay his head back against the pillows and inhaled deeply. “I want you to stay, Sophia. You make me feel better. Your reputation is safe. Drogo is here.”
    She laughed out loud. “I’m not worried about my reputation,” she admitted, putting another spoonful to his lips. “It’s hardly likely you’ll make advances