Careful fingertips were tracing patterns on her cheek. ‘Dear God, no wonder you have a mistrust of men—your father sold you into slavery!’ He traced the outline of her lower lip with a finger before ducking his head to give her the softest of kisses.
She gripped the wide shoulders and let her body relax against his. ‘Ashfirth, there is more. Perhaps after your ceremony, I might tell you.’
‘Tell me now.’
‘During the time of my slavery, before the Princess bought me, I was kept in a compound with the other slaves. More than one of them…wanted me.’ Ash caught his breath and she rubbed her cheek against his chest, feeling the slight abrasion of his chest hair. ‘Ash it is all right, I was not raped. It was just that I…I had to give myself to the strongest of the slaves. It was the best way, the only way, to keep the others at bay.’
‘Not rape?’ He spoke through clenched teeth. ‘It sounds very like. Was he your choice?’
‘No, not exactly—’
‘Did you miss him when the Princess bought you? Did you love him?’
‘Love him? Never.’ Raising her eyes to his, she went up on her toes and kissed him. ‘You are the man I love. Ash, I love you.’
He caught her to him, eyes darkening. His lips curved. ‘You do?’
‘With all my heart.’ Inhaling the scent of him, she kissed his chest. He was caressing her cheek, lifting her by the chin to kiss her again.
‘Finally you have told me your story,’ he murmured against her mouth, before drawing back with a scowl. ‘But your father…no wonder it took so long to open up to me! And that slave—his behaviour was shameful, shameful. Katerina, the shame is theirs, not yours. You do see that?’
‘I…I think so.’
‘I know so. Lord, you have suffered so many betrayals…and your lost years as a slave…when we are at leisure, you shall tell me everything.’
Flushing, she looked away. ‘Ash, I am sorry. I hated deceiving you. I wanted to tell you the truth long ago, but much of it was not my truth to tell. I feared your reaction.’
‘The shame is not yours.’ He put his arms on her shoulders to hold her slightly at a distance. ‘You remind me of a warrior I know.’
‘Oh?’
‘His name is Palaiologos, he is a great and honourable man. When his son broke his oath to the Emperor, Palaiologos felt great shame.’
‘But he cannot be responsible for the actions of his son!’
Triumph flared in the turquoise eyes. ‘Just so, and that is exactly what I said to him. Palaiologos need feel no shame for what his son chose to do, any more than you must bear the shame of those who betrayed and used you.’
‘I…see.’
‘Yes. Finally, I think that you do. You are free in the true sense of the word—you may leave your dark past behind.’
‘Yes, I am free.’
His hands slid round her waist, holding her loosely. ‘Free to stay here, I hope, for ever, if you wish.’
Katerina frowned. For ever? ‘I will stay until you tire of me.’
‘Tire of you?’ He laughed, hands squeezing hers. ‘That day will never dawn. Katerina, I want you to have my children, I want you as my wife.’
He is still speaking of marriage? Tears stung the back of her throat. ‘But…but…I am not a court lady.’
‘Thank God for that. Katerina, from the moment I saw you through that convent gate, I have had no peace. No, don’t look away, I like looking at your eyes.’ His voice warmed, his hands were moving up and down her ribcage, gently caressing. Heat pooled in her groin, her breasts tingled. ‘There you stood, a small girl with eyes like those of a doe. A mysterious girl, a girl I desired on sight, but thought I could never have because she turned out to be the Princess Theodora.’
‘Ash, I—’
Firm fingers pressed her lips into silence. ‘Hush.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Allow me to tell you that I love you. Allow me to tell you that when I am with you I am content, with you at my side, I am come home. For the first time in years it no longer matters that England is lost to me. Katerina, you are my home. I need you. I love you. Katerina, marry me.’
‘B-but you cannot want to marry me, you need a noblewoman to bear your children. Your father was an Anglo-Saxon thane, while I…I am nobody.’
His eyes were warm. ‘You are my love.’
‘But, Ash…a potter’s daughter?’
‘So?’ He shrugged. ‘I love a potter’s daughter.’
‘How can you? I was a slave!’
He gave a suggestive grin. ‘Even better—slaves are so biddable.’
He really means to marry me! Dizzy with happiness, Katerina thumped her fist against his chest. ‘Wretch!’
‘In truth, it is I whom you have enslaved. I would give you the world if I could.’ His expression darkened. ‘Except for one thing—never ask me to meet your father, I could not answer for my actions. You are my love. We shall be married as soon as may be arranged, after the General’s enthronement. Agreed?’
Head whirling, Katerina looked mistily up at him.
‘Katerina, you will become my wife? After Easter?’
‘Yes.’ Her voice was thick with emotion. ‘I love you.’
They came together in a clumsy rush and toppled on to the bed. With a smile, Katerina fingered the ties of his chausses. ‘Do you really have to leave?’
His face fell. ‘Hell, the General!’ He eased her away. ‘I am afraid so, my love. We shall have to celebrate our betrothal later.’
His dark hair was tangled and needed combing, he was only half-dressed and he ought to be on his way to meet his new Emperor, but his eyes were dark with desire. The same desire that is turning my limbs to water.
She tugged determinedly at the fastenings at his waist. ‘Why do you have to wear this barbaric clothing?’
He grinned. ‘Because I am a barbarian?’ His hands closed over hers. ‘Love, I am sorry, but there really is not much time before I have to be at that ceremony.’
‘I can be quick.’
His gaze became speculative. ‘Quick? How quick?’
She bent and kissed his chest. ‘Very, very quick. Just this once.’
‘I think—’ Ash whipped off her veil even as she was easing him out of his chausses ‘—we should put this to the test.’
A foot kicked his dress uniform to the floor…
* * * * *
ISBN: 9781459220881
Copyright © 2010 by Carol Townend
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