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Her bed would fit two people, and a chest rested at the foot of the bed, a green wool blanket folded neatly on top. The two pegs on the one wall held a few meager garments, which would soon be replaced by new garments he was having made for her against her objections. She had no choice though; she was in his service and would dress accordingly.
He watched her hurry to gather her things, and he marveled at her graceful motions. It was as though her body movement was a constant dance, precise and fluid, like the strokes of her quill.
His thoughts instantly took flight, and he imagined how her fluid motion would enhance lovemaking. The easy bend and sway of her hips, the graceful arching of her back, the full thrust of her breasts, the softness of her lips—he shut his eyes.
Their lovemaking would be like creating a work of art, each movement a precise stroke, delicate at times, fast and furious strokes at other times, yet all blending and creating and—
He jumped at her touch, his eyes opening in a flash.
Her hand lay on his arm. “Are you all right?”
He felt the warmth of her hand through his shirt, and her simple touch stirred his blood all the more, making him ache to return the touch, but not in kind. His touch would be intimate, much too intimate.
He reluctantly stepped away from her. “I am fine, lost in my thoughts.”
“I often get lost in my thoughts, though I must admit I like where I get lost.”
He grinned. “Aye, I like where I get lost as well.”
“Perhaps one day we can get lost together and see where it takes us.”
Her smile spoke of innocence; his smile spoke of sin, and they left the room both lost in opposite thoughts.
The wind had picked up and the sky had darkened considerably by the time they reached the battlements. Reena knew she had little time to sketch, but if she could hurry and do a few rough views with detailed notes, she would at least have something to transfer to a map. And with this weather change, the mapping would keep her occupied.
She anxiously set to work while Magnus gave the battlements a quick survey.
“Several of the crenel shutters need replacing; I want to make certain my men are well protected during a siege.”
She sketched as he spoke and felt the first faint snowflake touch her face. It brought a smile of happiness to her, for the winter would not be one of struggle to survive. Everyone would be warm, and food would be plentiful. Life would be good again.
Reena hurried her sketching and took in all she could with quick glances and mental notes, while the snowflakes swirled around her.
With a sweeping glance Magnus surveyed his land. He was finally here; he had waited and planned, and he was here. He felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, though there was more yet to be done, and he would not rest until all his plans saw fruition.
The snow had grown heavy, the snowflakes fat and beginning to cover the battlement. It would not be long before the land was covered with the fresh white snow.
“This will have to wait,” Magnus said and joined Reena.
She had thought the same herself and hastily saw to the safety of her drawings by tucking them away in the inside pocket of her cloak.
Magnus took her arm. “The snow will completely cover the land by nightfall.”
“Aye,” she said and smiled. “But look at how the snow touches the land with beauty. Nothing stirs in the woods. The sky is still of birds and no footprints mar the freshly fallen snow. Everything is at peace.”
She looked up at him. “Do you feel the peace?”
A warmth filled him, a gentleness touched him, and contentment filled his soul, though it was not the snow—it was Reena being there beside him. And he did not stop himself from raising his hand to stroke her cheek and run a finger across her lips.
“You shiver.”
“I am cold.” Though a lie, she could not admit that his touch filled her with a strange sense of pleasure.
His hand trailed down her arm to slip over her hand, and he laced his fingers with hers. “Let us go seek the heat of the hearth.”
“Aye.” A single word was all she could manage, the warmth that flooded her having turned to a deeper heat that tingled her senses.
They entered the keep. The stairs being too narrow for two to walk, he released her hand slowly, his fingers whispering across her palm and sending a series of shivers through her that set her legs to trembling.
