“Aye, were I not, then I would be now. You were inside of me, Severin, inside my body, touching my womb. It is a feeling that makes me want to hold you even now and stroke you with my hands and bring you into me again. I am truly sorry that you have no time.”
“By Saint Eggbert’s nose, you will kill me with your thoughts. Nay, continue to think, it will not harm me, but perhaps it isn’t wise for you to speak your thoughts aloud. What did you say you wanted me to do to you?”
“It’s what I want to do to you. Let me touch you with my mouth again just as you touched me last night. Remember when I held you in my hand and wouldn’t let you go?”
He actually shook as she spoke. “Aye, I remember. I would have laughed had I not hurt so much. I remember that first time you took me
into your mouth. It”-he swallowed, feeling awash with lust-“pleased me.”
She rose slowly, gently laying the primrose against his chest. She pressed herself against him. She slipped her hand between them and found him. He was already hard as the wooden stake that held up her irises.
She outlined him with her fingers. “I should like to do that again, Severin. Soon now, very soon.”
He shifted his weight from one leg to the other. He thought he’d die.
“Do what exactly?”
ê J
<*t "My hands on you, my mouth on you, everything." He grabbed her wrist. He pulled her hand away, but he didn't want to. By Saint Elbert's toes, he didn't want to. "Many of our people are doubtless watching." She leaned up on her tiptoes, whispering into his mouth, her hands clasped behind his neck, "Take me into the forest and punish me as you will there." His dark blue eyes dilated. Lady Moraine and Alice stood on the narrow ramparts, watching Hastings and Lord Severin ride from the castle. Alice laughed. "They are riding so hard their mounts must believe they are going into battle." "Aye, a battle of sorts. They are going to the forest, just as we'd hoped. Hastings asked us why our strategy is always the same-well, a bit more skill we are requiring of her now-but still the end is always the same." Lady Moraine just shook her head. "She is very young, but she is learning. I liked what you told her, Alice." "Aye," Alice said, looking quite smug. "It is true. Men are simple in their needs and wants. Coming into a woman is the first thought in their heads in the morning and the last thought in their heads at night. Once Hastings has mastered that, she will seldom have another frown from your son." "That is true," Lady Moraine said. "And I am pleased that she loves Severin. Oh aye, Alice, she loves him very much. She would not be able to employ the strategy if she did not love him. As for him, well, we'll see. A man is very different from us. Love doesn't come to him all of a moment. He must exercise his lust, ruminate upon all facets of his situation. He must be made comfortable in what he has before he can come to appreciate it with his heart as well as his head. Now, watch your step, Alice. The wind is heavy and could blow you off." Alice gripped the wooden railing on the inside of the ramparts' walk. "Saint Peter's bones, I know Hastings will succeed. She will also enjoy herself immensely." "It pleases me that she agreed to our plan even when she was certain that Severin was bedding Marjorie. She is very hardheaded, my daughterin-law." "As you said, she loves your son. Doubtless, when they are not shrieking at each other, she also enjoys his man's body. I also believe that the Healer made a mistake. That potion didn't blind Severin to all save Marjorie. I vow he doesn't have a thought for her." "Thank the Lord for that. I wonder how he will punish Hastings." Alice laughed so loud, Auric, one of the men-at-arms on guard at the corner tower, stared over at them. Alice raised her hand and waved at him. He gave her a wide grin, showing his remaining six teeth.