by Amber Dane
On her other side, Alexa responded. ‘He will survive. He looks better now than he did days ago. ’Tis a wonder we did not have to bind him to the horse for he looked for every trick, every opening he could to gallop off on our way here. Naught did much to calm him save for the sound of Emily’s sweet voice, even if he did not realize it.’
The rain Caroline had worried about came after the beautiful ceremony, but it did not dampen the spirits and gaiety indoors. The feast was splendid. Entertainment, dancing, singing and more for the newly wedded couple warmed the gatherers more than the heat from the fires blazing in the hearths. And Goran could not tear himself from his bride’s side for too long.
Later, all Caroline’s planning fell apart when she sat on the edge of the bed. Bone-weary she thought to close her eyes a moment before Darc came to their chamber. She had lingered as long as the other wives till the bride and groom had bid good eventide to all.
She had taken the cue to rush up to their chamber and immerse herself in the nice tepid bath Laur had ordered for her. Quickly she’d scrubbed her flesh till it glowed and rushed through the bathing and appreciated Laur’s assistance. After Caroline had finished Audri’s feeding, she had hoped to surprise Darc in bed. Just a moment, a few quick seconds to rest her eyes and she’d be refreshed. Just a few moments.
Darc enjoyed the evening and the company of his friends immensely but his eyes had followed his wife’s tired form all night. When she’d risen and left the room after Goran and Emily, he excused himself from the others as quickly as he could.
He was worried. She’d refused his assistance over the weeks following their daughter’s birth and he had watched in frustration her brave front cracking under her weariness. God’s Thunder! He would put an end to this madness tonight. She was a strong woman, had been through a lot and could withstand much but he needed her to rest. Darc bade all a good eve. He would see them at dawn for the morning hunt.
Darc pulled the blanket up over his naked wife’s form. She’d not stayed awake long enough to remove the towel. He cradled her naked body and his heart swelled with concern. What her eyes had promised all week could wait. .
He’d known the exhaustion would catch up to her stubborn hide sooner or later.
Not once did she wake or move as he settled her in his embrace. He kissed the dark circles under each eye. He drew the blanket up but not before taking in the beautiful sight of her perfectly formed body. Her soft belly, the paunch that he loved, red-marked and stretched from childbirth drew a sigh of pride from him. His hands covered her warm belly. He loved the scars this woman carried. She never looked more beautiful to him. Her battle wounds showed what she had gone through to bring their child into the world.
Darc kissed her lightly on her lips and smiled when her lips twitched and turned up into a smile. He wondered what she dreamt about. He turned his head to listen to their daughter’s breathing. He had all he desired and when the day came when he was called away again, he was not worried.
He pulled the coverlet up over his wife curves and rested his chin above the top of her head as he whispered hotly in her ear. ‘I love you.’
A mist lingered over the marshes near the river but the sky was a powder blue with not one dark cloud in the distance. The grounds were still wet, but Darc and his friends still had broken their fast with bread, fruits and cheese in the woods. The hunt had been successful and Rourke gutted the kill into several chunks, giving the servants standing by to carry back the choicest meats back to the castle. Another day of open roasting pits, games and more to celebrate the bride and groom.
Darc talked with his friends as their horses walked back toward the castle. He would miss them all when their visit ended. The camaraderie among them he enjoyed and knew they would continue to do so until they were old and barely able to lift their swords.
When he had left for the hunt before dawn broke through, sweet Audri had been sleeping as soundly as his wife. Cal and Kelbie had greeted him and wished him a good hunt when he’d came below stairs.
Now, looking toward the great doors he could see the others greeting their waiting wives. An odd sensation filled Darc’s chest when Caroline stepped out.
The well-trained Gray slowed as they drew nearer and came to a stop a few feet from her. Darc reached down, caught her raised arm and pulled her up onto the saddle across his lap. He muffled her breathless yelp of surprise with a passionate kiss.
When he released her, he pressed his lips against the sensitive skin beneath her earlobe. She leaned back, her honey-colored eyes, the dark circles gone were sparkling and wet as she gazed up at him. Her fingertips caressed his short beard before she cupped his cheek.
Caroline’s heart bloomed with added warmth from Darc’s wide smile as he tried to calm his rapid breaths. ‘I will hold you to that later tonight, husband.’ She vowed with a wink.
“Aye. I shall make sure you keep your promise to me, demoiselle. My heart is bursting with the love I feel for you.”
“As is mine for you, Darc. Have I told you of late how much I love to be kissed so breathless.”
“May my kisses always leave you thus.”
“Aye.” Caroline told him with her heart aglow in her eyes and a beaming smile upon her lips as she pulled him down to meet her lips again.
About the Author:
~All things Medieval~
Amber Dane resides on the east coast with her family and loves to pen historical medieval romance and romantic suspense. Visit her at her website/blog:
http://dain54.wordpress.com/about/