Part 25 (1/2)
She was b.l.o.o.d.y d.a.m.ned smug, he thought, adoring it.
Slowly, Gaelan s.h.i.+fted back, leaving her body in small increments. The separation was almost painful and he smoothed his hands over her from breast to thigh, then looked about for a cloth. Without a word she rose and went to the bowl and pitcher near the hearth, spilling water into the basin, and with a cloth returned to him.
On her knees she bathed him, her strokes gentle and without teasing, and Gaelan savored her touch, her consideration for him. Then he took the cloth, dipped and wrung it, rinsing his seed from her. Her breath hitched when he dragged the cloth between her thighs, and Siobhan lifted her gaze to his, feeling suddenly, ridiculously, defenseless. For weeks she had been on her guard and now so little remained concealed from him, save one thing. Ahh, merciful Lord, do not destroy this, she prayed. I have coveted these feelings, the fragments of hope for so many years. Then he leaned and rubbed his mouth over hers, intimate and now familiar, his dark eyes soft with affection, and her unease, her fears faded to a place she cared not to visit.
She rose and held her hand out to him. ”Come to our bed, my lord.”
His features tightened for an instant, in surprise or pleasure she did not know, yet he accepted, climbing to his feet and walking to the grand creation. When he hesitated, she looked back at him, half on, half off the bed. His gaze was on the mattressing, a frown marking his brow.
”He has never lain with me here, my lord.”
Gaelan's gaze shot to hers. How could she read his thoughts so easily? he wondered.
”Only in the one belowstairs in the solar.”
His gaze glazed her round bottom, the drape of hair as she climbed onto the bed, slipping beneath the covers, then tossing a portion back for him. ”Nor has any man till now.” She patted the s.p.a.ce beside her.
Gaelan all but leapt into the bed.
She laughed softly, snuggling into the curve of his body, feeling sheltered and free. ”Would it matter? For I do not ask of the women.”
”Nay, but I have no women, Siobhan. Only the kind bought with coin.”
She met his gaze and clearly thought this a falsehood of the first water. ”You chose no wife, ever?”
His lips twisted wryly. ”Women do not flock to wed b.a.s.t.a.r.ds.”
”Codswallop.”
He chuckled.
”'Tis English thinking”-she waved airily-”the church and its harsh ways. You are in Ireland now; think like the Irish.”
”G.o.d forbid.”
She elbowed him and he made a great show of folding over. ”Of course,” she conceded, ”a la.s.s would go a'running when she thought of bedding with you.”
He met her gaze, arching a brow.
”You are a rather substantial fellow.” Even as she said it, her hand rode over his shoulder, fingers tracing the sculpture of his thick arms. ”Then again, the name is enough to send the fainthearted to fleeing.”
He hovered over her. ”Oh?”
”Aye, all those strange PenDragons,” she said dramatically. ”A history you have, of betrayal and treachery, incest, wife-stealin', brothers wedding to half sisters.” She tisked, her lips quivering.
He grinned, for 'twas obvious she cared less for his lineage. ”Are you asking after my family. Now?” His gaze swept her body, then ended on his ring banding her finger.
Her teasing faded. ”You do not want to share it?”
”'Tis not pretty.”
”I did not think it would be, for you've been a mercenary for so long,” she said with a sour look and a shove back. ”I want to hear of the child.” When he did not speak, she rose up on her elbow, pulling pillows behind his head and shoulders. ”Your mother; where is she?”
He shrugged, sinking into the down. ”The last I saw of her I was mayhaps eight.” He rubbed his back on the softest of sheets as she snuggled close to his side, tangling her legs with his. ”She left me and my brother to work for Pembroke's army. I did naught but carry water, food. I made myself scarce, for one so small garners a cuff on the head for the slightest indiscretion.”
”Small?” Her gaze slid pointedly over his chest, so wide she felt she looked up a mountain.
He smiled down at her, brus.h.i.+ng her hair off her face with the backs of his knuckles. ”I didn't grow till I was nearly ten and three. By then our mother had returned often enough to see we elevated ourselves to page, then squired for a man she bedded a few times.”
The bitterness in his tone made her wince, and Siobhan realized why he insisted on a Christian marriage and her promise of fidelity. His mother was a wh.o.r.e.
”Your brother?”
”He is dead, killed in battle,” came crisply. ”I was my father's retainer then, though I did not know who he was nor our link until Mother arrived, asking for money. Saroan PenDragon was most pleased to know he had an heir.” His lips twisted with the cruel memory. ”Stephan had another father, and Saroan sent him to the stables. He died squiring for me.”
”'Tis not your fault.”
He reared back. ”How would you know?”
So defensive, she thought. ”You wanted him near you, aye?”
”He should have been left behind. I was newly knighted, only a year or so older than Reese, hardly skilled in so ruthless a battle, and for that reason alone, he is dead.”
Oh Lord above, there was pain in those words, she thought as he closed his eyes, his features taut.
”I could not protect him.”
Siobhan saw beneath the tightly gritted words, understanding his fierce need for the Irishmen to be prepared, for the keep to be adequately defended. ”You cannot be all things, my lord,” she said, turning his face to hers. ”Yet you became the seasoned warrior, cloaking yourself in a reputation of fear and loathing, so oftimes you would not even have to lift your sword, hum?”
Gaelan flopped back onto the pillows, staring at the ceiling, and Siobhan curled over him, half across his chest, her hands folded there, her chin on her fists.
”Aye,” she pressured.
His gaze swept to hers. ”I suppose.”
”You know I am right.”
His lips quirked. ”But you are such a pain in my a.r.s.e when you are.”
She smiled brightly, rising up to kiss his sour mouth.
”Though 'tis a sweet pain,” he growled, his hand smoothing over her behind, then up her naked spine.
”You do not fool me, husband,” she said. ”Here.” She laid her hand over his heart. ”Is a gentle soul trapped in a fierce warrior.” He scoffed and started to turn away, but she held him down, staring deep into his eyes.