CHAPTER SIX
She awoke to a kiss—a sweet, gentle kiss upon her forehead. Her hand was being held by someone. Opening her one good eye, she gazed up at First Rider who was sitting on her bed and was leaning over her.
She sat up. But then, looking down upon herself, she quickly lay back down and pulled the covers up to her chin.
"Who took off me own clothes?" she asked.
"Your father," he answered.
"And…who else?"
He simply grinned at her.
"Thou did it?"
His smile widened.
"I remember tellin' thee not to undress me."
He shrugged. "Maybe…was only…your father."
"Maybe? Now thou be tellin' me the truth and no lies."
Again he shrugged. "I only know…there is…large cut here." He touched her upper left thigh.
"Thou did it! Thou helped him to unclothe me."
He shrugged, still smiling.
"Be me father here when thou took off me clothin'?"
"He was," First Rider answered, looking away from her, though he was still grinning.
"Then thou admit it was thee who undressed me."
"True, it is," he said. Then he signed, "I would not wish anyone else, besides your father, to look upon your beauty."
She turned her head away from him and closed her eyes. She said, "Thou does flatter me. I be havin' all these bruises upon me body."
"Most…not too bad. They…heal. They not hide…your beauty."
He squeezed her hand, and she turned slightly away from him, saying, "How could thou? Thou be not me own husband and have no right to see me naked."
Again, he squeezed her hand and asked, "How could I not?"
The Lord be praised. There was a devilish twinkle in his eye, and seeing it, she grinned, though she tried to hide it.
She said, "Boys…men! How different ye are from we girls!"
"I have…much respect for…difference," he observed with a cheeky smile.
"I be certain thou do." Sighing, she laid back against the pillow and muttered, "I feel mighty tired, and no mistake. Now, get thou from me bedchamber so I can dress me own self without thee watchin' me."
"I could do…for you."
"I be sure thou could. But, I will not be lettin' thee do it, right enough."
"I stay…assist…you."
