Passion in the Blood by Anna Markland

eyes flew open as his mouth claimed her. She tasted sweet and salty at the same time.
    “Robert.” Her plea was more strident now.
    “Hush, Dorianne, hush,” he whispered as his tongue flicked over her most intimate part.
    She cried out her release, clutching the linens, never taking her eyes from his. He wanted to rip off the rest of his clothes and plunge his rock hard erection into her. It took every shred of control he had to lay her quivering body back down on the linens. He left her to find a cloth to wipe the excess oil from her body. She had the sated look of a woman who’d experienced her first orgasmic experience and his heart soared he’d been the one to initiate her. “Wait until we’re married my love. Then we’ll experience paradise together.”
    He rolled her over and smoothed his hands over the healing welts. “I hope I didn’t hurt your scars.”
    She shrugged. “I didn’t give them a thought,” she admitted with a languid sigh.
    He kissed her bottom, then brought her a nightgown, tugged it over her head, and covered her with the bed linens. She curled up and dozed off immediately, the potion having its desired effect. He retrieved his clothing, tiptoed out of the room, closed the door, and leaned his head against it. Now he had a problem. What to do with the raging ache at his groin?
    ***
    He turned and bumped into his brother.
    “How is Dorianne?” Baudoin asked with a smile, nodding knowingly at Robert’s obvious discomfort.
    Robert adjusted his leggings, and finished fastening his shirt and doublet. “She’s getting better, brother. I’m helping make sure of it!”
    Baudoin snorted. “No doubt! Listen, Robert—I need to speak with you—you’re probably the only person who will understand a predicament I find myself in.”
    “It’s Carys, isn’t it?”
    Baudoin chuckled, and ran his hand over his forehead. “Is it so obvious? I thought we’d been careful. But I love her, Robert. I’ve been drawn to her from the moment I first met her years ago when she was fifteen. She was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. Her smile was dazzling. She had a dark Celtic mystery that intrigued me.”
    Robert laughed. “What you mean is your lance saluted as soon as you saw her!”
    Baudoin looked sheepish. “Well, oui , but she was attracted to me, too. I could tell.”
    “But she was fifteen, Baudoin, too young to understand what happens between men and women.”
    Baudoin shook his head. “Maybe, but don’t forget she’s the daughter of a healer who’s very open on such topics. Anyway, she’s not fifteen now. If you can marry a Giroux, why can’t I marry Rhodri’s daughter? Her father is the Prince of Powwydd, even if he’s our father’s sworn enemy.”
    Robert nodded. “But Papa is aware, as we all are, that Rhodri has not attacked any of our lands since he married Rhonwen, out of respect for our mother.”
    Baudoin snickered. “Rhonwen would have something to say if he did attack Ellesmere. She’s visited here frequently over the years. We’re the closest thing she has to family.”
    “And Papa is the one who has tacitly allowed safe passage for the Welshmen who’ve accompanied her and her children.”
    They walked along the corridor as Baudoin continued. “Rhodri kidnapped the two of us, and I hold no rancour towards him, nor do you. Let’s admit it—we liked him.”
    They paused when they reached Baudoin’s chamber. Robert turned to his brother. “You managed to manipulate our mother into asking Papa to let Carys stay at the castle permanently as one of the resident healers.”
    Baudoin smiled. “Rhonwen has passed on many of her skills to her daughter, and I convinced them that surely the castle folk would benefit. She’s inherited her mother’s mystical abilities to heal. Eventually Papa conceded. I’m sure Maman had her suspicions about my motivation. I don’t know if our parents are aware of it, but Carys and I often meet each other secretly here at