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She had never dreamt that such sensation was possible. It had all been about finding the right man.
Her stomach churned. Neither was there some sudden offer of marriage. She had known that before she gave her body to Brand and it would be useless to pretend otherwise. She had become a fallen lady in truth.
‘There’ll be no need to sneak or hide,’ she said slowly. ‘I will share your bed. It is the person who counts, not the object.’
Chapter Nine
‘There you are, Edith. I’ve been searching everywhere for you.’ Hilda came up to Edith in their now shared bedchamber after she had washed her face and changed from her ride. ‘You are seldom where I want you these days. You always seem to be busy with him.’
‘I went out riding with Brand,’ Edith answered and hoped her colour wasn’t too high. She took one last look at the bed. Did she tell Hilda now or later that she would not be sharing it with her tonight? Her body ached in places that she had not dreamt possible and her lips remained pleasantly swollen. Even now, she fancied she could feel the rasp of his bristled chin against her flesh.
She wanted to hug the time they had shared to her bosom. It was like some time out of mind. She had never dreamt such things were possible. She felt truly connected to Brand as if they had become one person. She knew it was a good thing, no matter what anyone might say. And some day, who knew if they remained compatible, he might decide to make her his life’s companion?
‘Only riding?’
Edith turned to her trunk and lifted the lid. She forced her hands to start rearranging the combs, anything to stop them from covering her cheeks. ‘Brand wanted to visit the outlying farms.’
Hilda stamped her foot. ‘Brand took you riding. I know. Everyone spoke about it. They wagered on you coming off, but I told Starkad that you ride better than most men. Never wager against my cousin, I said. You were gone a long time. It is nearly supper time.’
‘Brand enjoyed it.’ Edith chose her words with care. ‘So we stayed out later than he’d planned. I think we will be repeating it soon.’
Edith moved the combs back to their original place as Hilda started a long litany of why carts were superior to horses and why she never rode, how her day had gone and a variety of complaints. Edith listened with half an ear while her mind started to spin dreams. What if they married? It was the best option. They were compatible and she knew the estate. Their children could inherit. The thought took her breath away. Their children. She pushed the thought away. It was far too soon. She wasn’t even sure how she felt about him except he made her feel alive. She had been dead inside for so long.
Hilda waved a hand in front of Edith’s eyes. ‘Have you listened to a word I’ve been saying? Or are you wool-gathering?’
‘Of course,’ Edith replied, frantically trying to recall Hilda’s last remark. ‘Brand is a different sort of man to my late husband. He sees me as a challenge rather than an affront.’
‘I’m pleased.’ Hilda put her hands on her head. ‘I can’t begin to tell you how much I feared that something had happened to you and that I’d have to cope with this on my own. Pay attention, Edith. This is important, far more important than what happened on your ride.’
‘We are both experienced riders. You should have known that I’d return. The hall hasn’t burnt down,’ Edith explained, trying to work out Hilda’s perplexed expression. What business of hers was it how long she took? It wasn’t as if she’d disappeared for the entire day. They were only gone a few hours. ‘We rode out to Owen the Plough’s and the matter has been satisfactorily resolved. Besides, their women are not supposed to be quiet. He is used to women arguing.’
‘Their women? You belong to him now?’ Hilda regarded her closely. ‘Truly? I had thought...that is...’
‘Everyone has been talking about it. I refuse to be mealy-mouthed. I’m his concubine, Hilda. His woman.’
Edith marvelled that she could call herself his woman. But it seemed natural. And she hated lying. It would get easier. Soon everyone would know that they were sharing a bed. There again, they thought it had already happened on the first night. She had finally done what she declared she would.
Hilda linked her arm with Edith’s. Her face became utterly grave. ‘It could not happen at a better time. You are going to need to have him in a good mood. We all are. You remember we heard that everyone died in the rebellion? They didn’t. Not all of them.’
