Annis laughed and forced herself to relax. By the time they had gone back and forth to the trees three times she was feeling more confident, and Emrys praised her.
“Good, I think that’s enough for one day. I don’t want you getting too sore. At least not from riding a horse!” he said with a growly leer.
Annis laughed, blushing faintly, and let him lift her down from her placid mount. Set gently on her feet, she looked up at her husband, and the kind light in his eyes made her heart melt. Ignoring the stable hands who were collecting the horses, she slid her arms round his neck and kissed him. “Thank you. You’re very patient. And so is Inigo. Don’t you need to take him for a proper run?”
His hands tightened on her waist. “I do, but I’ll do it later. Come on.” He tugged her away, and they set off across the field once more to that stand of trees.
“Where are we going?” she puffed to catch up with his lengthened strides.
He shortened his stride a bit and said gruffly, “I want to kiss you properly and not with an audience.”
“Oh. Well, you did warn me. But there are no curtains out here,” she said, trying to make light of it. Her body was twitching at the notion of more of his attention.Really this was ridiculous. Surely, I had enough this morning?
“No, we’ll have to make do with trees instead.”Trees? Good heavens, anyone could see us.But the idea was wickedly arousing.
“Emrys, wasn’t this morning enough?” she teased.
“Apparently not.”
She smiled at the ground, pleased she wasn’t alone in her wanton desire.
They reached the trees, and he pulled her into the shelter of one, pressing her up against the trunk and kissing her.
“You don’t need to thank me, you know, for a riding lesson or for anything else,” he said, husky voiced. “This ledger is by no means unbalanced. In fact, if anything, I feel it is tipped the other way. You’re giving me so much, Annis.”
“I am?” She stroked his cheek, pushing a stray hank of hair out of the way. Love billowed up in her heart. She just adored him.
“You are. Apart from being an irresistible delight between the sheets, there is the way you are with the small fry, and you’re putting up with me. I’m a wreck you know.”
“Emrys, there is nothing to put up with,” she protested. She felt so tempted to blurt out how she really felt, but his still-evident attachment to Caroline stayed her tongue. He neededtime to sort out his own feelings, and having hers dumped on him at this point would likely be a burden. She feared she would drive him away, if he knew how deeply and hopelessly she had fallen in love with him.
“Let me make you feel good,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck and reaching for her skirts.
Chapter Twenty
Lawrence clung tothe saddle by instinct, barely conscious. Fortunately, his horse knew where to go. The pain under his ribs was a constant, nagging scream along his nerves. Blood seeped out and soaked his clothing. He was cold... so cold...
Hot . . . so hot . . .
Disembodied voices . . . “It will be a miracle if he survives . . .” Sobbing . . .
Who would cry for me? My family are all dead...
Chapter Twenty-One
Emrys rolled overin bed and groped around.She is gone!He sat up and bellowed, “Annis!”
“Yes, Emrys?”
He blinked, bringing her into focus. She was sitting at the writing table under the window in her robe.
“What are you doing over there?”
“Writing to the girls,” she said composedly.
“Well stop it and come back to bed,” he said grumpily.
She cocked her head at him, and he added, “I want my morning cuddle.”I sound like Ewen. What is wrong with me?
