“It would give me great pleasure, wife, to do the same with the tip of my tongue,” he whispered.
Eadyth’s breasts swelled and ached, and an odd fullness lodged in the secret place at the joining of her thighs. Her lips parted involuntarily.
No one had ever said such a thing to her.
“I am old and uncomely,” she protested weakly.
Eirik shrugged dismissively. “I had a woman twice my age in Frankland onct.” He laughed appreciatively at the memory. “Rather, she had me—for a full sennight. I will ne’er forget that experience as long as I live. I cannot remember thinking then that her age made much difference to the marvelous things she could do in a bed. And on the floor. And on a horse.”
Eirik looked at her, and his lips twitched with amusement. “Close your mouth, Eadyth.”
Her jaw snapped shut with a click. “On a horse?” she choked out. “You jest.”
Eirik smiled disarmingly.
Oh, what a nice smile! Eadyth thought. So dangerously nice.
“Wouldst like to try it sometime?” he suggested in a whisper.
“Nay! You are loathsome, speaking of such… perversions to a lady.”
“To my wife,” he corrected with a grin, not the least bit apologetic.
“Did I hear someone mention making love atop a horse?” Tykir interjected behind them with a gloating smile.
Eadyth shuddered with humiliation and finally pulled her hand out of Eirik’s grasp.
Eirik just continued to grin.
“Hah! ‘Tis too jolting a love ride, to my thinking,” Tykir went on, ignoring her embarrassment. “Now, I had a woman onct on the prow of my ship, in the midst of a storm, and the swell of the waves, up and down, up and down, well, I tell you ’twas remarkable to—”
Enough was enough! Eadyth stood abruptly and glared at them both before stomping off the dais, muttering, “Men! They are lecherous dolts with all their senses lodged betwixt their legs.”
Eirik and Tykir’s laughter followed in her wake, and she thought she heard Eirik say something to Tykir that sounded like, “Mayhap you were right about the swaying.” She looked back and was horrified to see them staring at her hips.
Later, Eadyth was in the kitchen with Girta giving orders for the clean-up of the dinner and replenishing of drinks when she heard a loud commotion in the hall. When she emerged, she saw a number of men wearing the Golden Dragon crest of the House of Wessex on their shields.
Oh, not more guests! Eadyth thought, moving toward the entrance to the hall where they spoke to Eirik with great animation and seriousness. Earl Orm, Archbishop Wulfstan and Anlaf, even Tykir, watched intently from the dais.
“My lord?” Eadyth asked questioningly as she approached her new husband. “Shall I set places at the table for your guests?”
Eirik motioned her closer with a jerk of his hand and introduced her to the three well-dressed men standing at his side. “My lady wife, I would have you meet Earl Robert of Leicester, Earl Oswald of Hereford and Father Aelfhead, one of the chaplains to our good king.”
“Greetings, my lords, and you, as well, Father Aelfhead,” Eadyth murmured, bowing her head courteously. She turned and told Girta and Britta to prepare food and drink for the dozen heavily armed retainers who stood in the background, their weary faces and dust-covered armor bespeaking a long and hasty journey to reach Ravenshire. Why? Eadyth wondered uncomfortably.
The knowing glances exchanged by Eirik and the king’s men told her that they did not wish to speak in her presence. She put her curiosity aside and asked Eirik if she should prepare bedchambers for the highborn guests.
“Nay,” Father Aelfhead interjected quickly, “we must needs return to Gloucester as soon as possible.” He cast a questioning look at Eirik as his bald head jerked nervously back and forth, scanning the assembly. Then he grunted with disgust as he saw Archbishop Wulfstan standing on the dais, obviously preparing to move toward them.
Noticing the Archbishop’s intent, Eirik told Eadyth, “We will be in the private chamber off the great hall. Tell Wilfrid to make sure we are not disturbed.” When Eadyth nodded without questioning his intent, she saw a look of grudging approval flash over Eirik’s face before he added, “Dost think you could send us some food and drink? Especially the drink.” He turned to the three new guests and said with seeming pride, “My wife brews the best mead in all Northumbria.”