when in high spirits is
to talk non-stop. Gavin especially loved this one; because it allowed him to
see that her beauty ran clear down to her soul.
His little wife is
quite opinionated as well, and not in the least bit concerned with voicing her
beliefs or concerns. Her gaze never wavered, as did other women and most men,
even when they debated a topic. Gavin believed that people express their
strength and honesty through their eyes. People who lowered their gaze display
only weakness and dishonesty.
Being a confident,
intelligent woman, she never capitulated without a fight. If he happened to
prove her wrong, she graciously conceded defeat, something most people of
nobility rarely did. He following her lead when she proved him wrong and he
learned that surrendering a point is much easier than he assumed.
Their debates usually
centered on women’s clothing, horses, proper nutrition for warriors, weapons,
castle improvements, village improvements, in addition to philosophy and
history. Gavin had never spent so much time talking and debating with a woman,
but he found both highly enjoyable with Ella.
Ella, too, felt
exultant with the turn in their relationship, even though she loathed admitting
it. Her husband made her laugh just as easily as he made her think. The mental
challenge that surrounded their conversations intrigued her. However, it is the
way he looks at her, which holds her breathless and completely spellbound.
She could feel the
sexual magnetism that made him so confident, and with every seductive gaze, her
heart turned in response. Whether it is his tender and patient manner or the
maddening hint of arrogance he often used to tease her, she knew her heart
would soon belong to him.
With these
thoughts clouding her mind, Ella almost forgot the new mare she rode, one of
the many Uncle James willed to her. She returned her attention to Gavin, who
allowed her a reprieve from their normal banter.
When they had set
off this morning, after her conversation with the cooks, Ella’s mood had been
anything but jovial. Even though she did not fully confessed her sin from eight
years ago, the memory left her despondent..
Acute and
perceptive, Gavin gave her the space she needed. When she finally slowed the
sable mare to a walk, he complied by doing the same, and then patiently waited
for her to break the silence.
“Do you believe boldness
breeds strength?”
Her innocent
question sent bolts of fire to Gavin’s loins, as images of breeding ignited his
imagination. The perfection of her face and form left him hard with desire day
in and day out, yet not so much as a kiss passed between them since they wed.
Now, she talks of breeding. Lord, does she have any idea the effect she
has on me.
At night Gavin
dreamed of her naked in his bed, with arms stretched out, welcoming him to her
body. He would caress the delicate flare of her slender hips, the mercilessly
tight and narrow waist, and then lower to the silken thighs firm from years of
wild rides on horseback. Perspiring and randy as a goat, he would awaken with
intense need for the female in the next chamber. Swimming in the frigid loch at
dawn became a daily ritual. After cooling his ardor in the frigid water, he
would return and often watch her sleep for a moment or an hour.
Trying to clear
his mind and focus on her question, Gavin failed. “Can ye repeat that?”
“Aye, do you think
boldness breeds strength? I am toying with the idea of breeding this fine,
spirited mare with Apollo.”
She toys with much
more than that, he thought. Thinking on her question, he responded dryly, “Aye,
‘tis a fine idea.”
Hearing his
impassive tone, a wave of guilt washed over her. His patience wears thin
because their marriage is without intimacy. Unable to find words, she meekly
followed him to a small nearby loch.
With the saddles
removed and the horses brushed down, Ella moved to sit under a tree while he
stripped down for a swim. With nary a cloud in sight to
Jonathan Wilson
S A Monk
Maree Anderson
Melanie Rawn
Doris Davidson
V.E. Avance
Riley Adams
Lisa Renée Jones
Shen Hart
JL Bryan