Page 73 of Anice’s Bargain

24

Finally, Anice knew James truly did find her lovely. And yet it had hit her with an empty pang.

He left the room after delivering such a stunning piece of flattery, and it haunted her as she set upon her tasks in order to leave him. The work had consumed her thoughts, for which she was grateful. Food was smuggled from the kitchen, a large sling was fashioned for Drake to wear across his chest to help secure Piquette in his lap as he rode the horse, and they’d planned how best to ease the horses from the stalls without arousing suspicion.

Throughout it all, James’s words had come back to her again and again.

Ye’re so verra lovely.

She tried to push the compliment away, but it was a stubborn thing that refused to be set aside. Instead, it curled around her heart like a thorny vine, squeezing and pricking deep.

Initially she had thought to beg off from a night of intimacy with her husband. She could cite an aching head, or her monthly courses. Doing so might arouse suspicion. But there was more to it. After dawn, she might never see James again. She would certainly never be held by him again, or loved by him again, never have him whisper “mo leannan” in her ear again.

A knot of emotion lodged in her throat, as it had throughout the day.

Nay, she wanted this last night with him. To pretend he was still the man she had thought him to be and make her peace with her decision to leave.

Ingrith kept Piquette for the first part of the night, as was usual. Not only did it allow Anice and James time alone, but Ingrith told Anice having the large beast at her side helped her feel safe enough to sleep.

When James came to her chamber later that night, it was only the two of them. Anice’s heart pounded at the sight of him, racing with too many emotions to name.

He drew her into his strong arms and surrounded her with his clean, cedar scent. “Are ye better?”

She was not but could not trust herself to say so. Instead, she simply nodded against his chest. He drew back slightly and held her face in his hands. “I know ye miss yer family. I think mayhap I havena told ye enough how verra much I care for ye.”

Nay. Not this. Not now.

Anice opened her mouth to protest, but James lowered his head and kissed away her words. His lips moved over hers with such tenderness that her knees seemed to melt away from her legs.

“I never told ye how lovely ye are.” He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting her face upward. His gaze swept over her features like a savoring caress.

“You were the one person I wanted to find me beautiful,” she whispered. “I’ve been trying—”

“I hope I still am that one person,” he said playfully.

Her insides shrank in horror at her slip.

“I havena ever said it on purpose.” He brushed his thumb over her lower lip and left a slow, pleasant burn in its wake. His fingers slid down her neck, grazed over the swell of her breasts and gently pulled at the ties of her gown. “Everyone tells ye ye’re bonny.”

One by one, he slipped free the binding of her kirtle.

“It isn’t their opinions I seek,” Anice replied.

“Nay, but ye hear them nonetheless.” He pushed the loosened garment from her shoulders, so she stood only in her shift. “Ye know ye’re lovely.” He drew the feather light fabric off her and let it float to the ground.

She was naked, bared for his viewing. James gazed at her, slowly up and then back down. “Ye’re so verra beautiful,” he murmured. “But ye’re more than yer appearance, Anice. It’s why I never said it to ye.”

Her breath caught. “What do you mean?”

His fingers moved to his doublet, working free the toggles as he spoke. “Ye once told me no one has ever truly known ye.”

Her cheeks went hot at the memory. She had been so dramatic, so hungry, so ready to offer anything for food. “It was a foolish thing to say.”

The doublet slipped off and he tugged his leine over his head. It was her turn to allow her gaze to feast upon him with appreciation. God’s teeth, he was a powerful man. Solid muscle and strength. Her core pulsed with desire for the weight of him between her thighs and the stroke of his length inside her.

“It was an honest thing to say.” Next came his trews, tugged slowly from his muscular thighs. “But I dinna think even ye truly knew yerself.”

Fully naked, fully aroused, he came to her. He stroked a hand down her arm and then let it lazily sweep back up from hip to waist to breast. Anice drew in a shaky breath. “Of course I know myself.”