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Page 7
‘You truly mean that?’ She looked up at him.
He was silent so long her chest tightened as she held her breath.
‘Aye,’ he said finally. ‘I should have told you that I love you before I left.’ His voice grew gruff. ‘I was afraid.’
‘Afraid?’ Her brows furrowed in disbelief. ‘You were afraid?’
‘Aye. Afraid. Once you give your heart, you can’t get it back. My happiness is tied to your happiness forever. Before, it didn’t matter if I lived or died. Now, death will mean that I’ll never get to see you again. From now on, I’ll have to worry about your safety, and that of our children, for the rest of my days. Love loads a man with new wants and needs.’
Doubt settled like a heavy weight over her. She searched his face. ‘But love also brings you joy, does it not, and someone to belong to? A reason to stay alive, you said.’
His trailing finger brushed over her mouth. ‘Love has brought me pleasures greater than I could have imagined.’ He withdrew his hand and sat up on the low pallet, his black hair, now a little too long, tangling about his shoulders, his powerful body silhouetted against the bright light. ‘Do you know that I’ve never truly seen you?’ he asked, his attention now bold and hungry on her.
‘You’ve seen me,’ Morag replied, confused. ‘For weeks, you saw me.’
‘Candlelight.’ He nodded toward the uncovered window that let in a cool breeze. ‘Not the same. I’ve never seen you in the bright outdoor light.’ His eyes glittered with determination. ‘Are you sure you are warm enough?’
Her gaze darted to the closed door.
‘It’s bolted,’ Navarro told her. His hands caught the sheet and began to tug.
Morag curled her fingers over the edge of the linen and clung. The tug-of-war only lasted a few seconds. His greater strength slowly stripped her bare. A square of sunlight fell across her middle, like a halo over her rounded belly.
‘The Lord be praised,’ Navarro said in a reverent whisper. ‘My son.’
‘Or daughter,’ Morag corrected him.
‘Or daughter.’ He bent down and ran his hand over the slight rise in her belly, the way he had done a hundred times already, while they waited for the repast to be brought up to the solar. ‘Lie on your back,’ he ordered, his voice rough and urgent.
Morag obeyed. Excitement soared inside her. It had been more than a month since they last joined their bodies. She ached for Navarro to make love to her, but worried about protecting the new life inside her. She had not had time to consult a midwife, to find out what kind of intimacy was safe for a woman in her condition.
Settled on the pallet, she watched her husband. He crouched down by her feet, curled his hands around her ankles and pulled her legs apart. Wild sensations filled her as he edged closer, moving between her legs. He kissed the inside of her thigh, sending shivers of anticipation rippling all over her. Then he bent down and studied her in silence, using both hands to part her feminine shield.
He truly looked at her, as he had said he wanted to, inspecting the essence of what made her a woman. She had never tried to take a peek with a looking glass, and she had no idea what he would see.
‘You are beautiful.’ He raised his gaze to her.
‘And you are brave and true. And you are my husband.’
‘That first night I slept beside you...I wondered if you understood?’
Baffled, she contemplated him. ‘Understood what?’
‘What I might have done. I’ll show you.’ A sense of mischief lurked beneath Navarro’s softly spoken words. Excitement spiraled inside Morag. He wouldn’t waste the few hours he had with her, if he knew a way to put them to good use.
He stretched out beside her and rolled her over, pulling her close, her back to his chest. ‘Do you remember,’ he murmured into her ear. ‘I moved your leg like this.’ He folded up her knee, exposing her intimate areas.
‘I remember.’ Her breath hitched. ‘And then you touched me.’
His fingers crept around to her front, finding her sensitive spot. She bit her lips to suppress a moan of delight. The walls were thick in the castle, but you never knew who was listening behind the doors, and it was in the middle of the day. She had no idea of the protocol in the king’s court and did not want to be seen as an uncouth country wife who took a tumble at all hours.
‘I wondered then if you understood that I could do this.’ He adjusted himself behind her and thrust into her from behind.
All thoughts of someone listening outside the door scattered from her mind. She cried out, once, and again as Navarro pulled out and repeated the motion. She tilted her hips to take him deeper. Somehow, it felt different this way. Deeper. Bolder. His hands cupped her breasts as he pulled out and surged back in. Again and again, he advanced and recoiled, his body strong behind hers, the force of his strokes measured to protect the new life inside her.
All too soon, she felt the magical tightening.
With a hoarse growl, Navarro thrust once more into her, and then they pulsed together in a perfectly timed release.
‘Why did you never...show this to me before?’ she asked between panting breaths.
‘I wanted to see your face while I was making love to you,’ he replied. ‘Always, I wanted to see the woman who was my wife, the woman who I hoped would choose me over all others, if she had the choice.’ Navarro pressed his face to the curve of neck.
‘Aye,’ Morag said. ‘I would choose you over all others, no matter who you are, no matter what you own, no matter what your future may bring.’
Something cool touched her skin, and she realized his face was wet with tears.
‘Always,’ she said. ‘You over all others.’
* * *
Someone was banging on the door. Morag came awake with a dismaying rush, accepting it was time for Navarro to leave and knowing that she had wasted some of the precious minutes in sleep. She squinted into the light, saw that Navarro had already pulled on his clothes and was striding toward the door. She hauled the covers over her naked body, just in case the visitors lacked the courtesy to stay out in the corridor.
Panic flared through her mind.
What if something had gone wrong at court and they had come to arrest her? Would they haul her away naked, for all to see, to be jeered at by the crowds? Like a flash, she jumped up from beneath the covers and pulled on her gown, frantically tugging the thick velvet over her head, ignoring the undergarments.
She listened to Navarro talking through the door and watched him release the bolts. Creeping closer, peering past his side, she recognized the tall, gaunt man who had presided over the court. ‘The king sent instructions for the court. Unfortunately, they only arrived when the hearing was over.’ She saw the sour expression on the man’s face and knew that he resented having his decision interfered with.
The Lord President of the Court raised a sheet of parchment in the air, flapping it about with an air of importance. ‘On the day Navarro laid siege to Stenholm Castle, King James stripped Stenholm of his land and titles, declaring the laird a traitor. The Stenholm lands have reverted to the Crown. If the king had been speedier in delivering his message, we would have saved the cost of a court hearing.’
Morag glanced up at Navarro. He smirked at her, and she understood. The king had only sent his message after the hearing, based on what he thought of the outcome.
‘The king regrets not being here in person to convey the news,’ the tall man continue
d, his tone pompous. ‘Our sovereign lord, with the advice of the three estates of his realm, ratifies and approves, and perpetually confirms the charter to Stefan Navarro of the lands...’
Dazed, Morag listened to the long speech that granted her husband the ownership of the Stenholm lands and an adjoining barony, now erected to an earldom. The Charter of Confirmation was already on its way to be recorded in the Register of the Great Seal.
‘Earl of Greyfield, the king has allowed you a week before he requires you to rejoin him in his preparation for the battle against the English. You are free to go and inspect your estates.’
Navarro clutched Morag to his side and smiled down at her. ‘I don’t care so much about the estates, but I appreciate the week. I’d like to take my countess and my son home...or my daughter,’ he added when Morag poked him in the ribs.
The Lord President of the Court retreated.
‘Is it really true?’ Morag said. ‘You’ve got the lands back, and you are an earl, and I am a countess?’
‘Aye,’ Navarro said. ‘It’s true. I’m a man of wealth again.’
‘Do you want to go and inspect your new lands?’
‘No.’ He gave her a gentle shove. ‘The lands will keep. What I want is for you to strip out of that gown that is on you all twisted anyway and get back into bed.’
* * * * *
About the Author
Tatiana March is a novelist who writes both historical and contemporary romance.
She studied economics and enjoyed a successful career as a finance director in several international corporations. Now a full time writer, Tatiana lives in the UK near the river Thames with her boyfriend of more than two decades. No kids, no pets, apart from spiders and other forms of wildlife seeking temporary shelter.
When Tatiana is not reading or writing, she enjoys going to the gym, hiking, camping, and travelling around the world.
You can read more about Tatiana and her books on www.tatianamarch.com
Tatiana loves to hear from readers. You can contact her at tatiana.march@yahoo.com
Don’t miss The Virgin’s Debt, Tatiana March’s Harlequin Historical Undone debut and first in her Hot Scottish Knights series, available now!
Scotland, 1540
Katrina McLeod fled an arranged marriage, decreed by King James of Scotland, to a man with a fearful reputation, only to find herself on trial for her life! Accused of witchcraft, her salvation lies in the hands of brooding nobleman Duncan Rothmore….
When Duncan saves Katrina from a grisly fate in exchange for warming his bed, he has no idea she is really an untouched, high-born lady. He knows only that she stirs something in his wounded heart and afflicted body that no other woman ever has. But if he wishes to make Katrina his bride, Duncan must betray his king.
Enjoy more passion through the ages with the sensual Harlequin Historical UNDONE titles on sale now:
His Wild West Wife by Lauri Robinson
The Virgin’s Debt by Tatiana March
An Improper Duchess by Amanda McCabe
Maid Until Midnight by Joanne Rock
The Tantalizing Miss Coale by Sarah Mallory
Some Like It Scandalous by Carole Mortimer
To Undo a Lady by Christine Merrill
The Pirate’s Reckless Touch by Linda Skye
His Wicked Christmas Wager by Annie Burrows
Craving something a little longer? Find more historical romantic adventure from Harlequin Historical at
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Interested in writing for Harlequin Historical UNDONE? Send your submission to undone@harlequin.ca.
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ISBN: 978-14592-3117-7
Submit to the Warrior
Copyright © 2012 by Tatiana March
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