‘Svend?’
Quickly he coiled his good arm around her neck, bringing her mouth down to his, and was caught off guard by the depth and fervour of her response. Her lips surrendered immediately, her mouth soft and sweet and irresistibly delicious, deepening the kiss with every passing moment. If they went on like this...
She pulled back abruptly, squealing in protest. ‘Brute! You tricked me! How long have you been awake?’
‘Not long.’
He tried another groan and she started forward again in alarm.
‘Have I hurt you?’
‘Not yet. Care to try?’
‘Stop teasing me!’ She stamped her foot angrily. ‘It’s not fair.’
He grinned. ‘You are too good to resist.’
She glared at him, perching on the side of the bed just out of arm’s reach. ‘And how do you feel?’
‘Like a wall has fallen on me.’
‘Renard says they were rushing to finish and the mortar wasn’t dry.’
‘Is everyone all right?’
‘One of the masons broke a leg, but everyone else escaped. You must have been the slowest.’
He caught the mischievous glint in her eye. ‘Getting old, perhaps?’
‘Probably. It’s amazing that you didn’t break any bones. Wait!’ She sprang forward as he started to sit up. ‘What are you doing?’
‘The old man wants to get up.’
‘You need to lie still.’
‘I’m not staying in bed like an invalid.’
‘Yes, you are.’ She put her hands on her hips. ‘And you needn’t look at me like that. I’m not afraid of you, Svend du Danemark.’
He lifted an eyebrow. ‘Not at all?’
‘I’ve held a knife to your chest before. Don’t think I won’t do it again.’
He laughed painfully. ‘I believe you.’
‘I haven’t finished yet, anyway.’ She reached for the ointment again. ‘Now, lie down and be still.’
He fell backwards, heaving a sigh. ‘So this is marriage? Very well, then, wife. Do your worst.’
She gave him an arch look, trailing her hands along the sides of his ribcage.
‘Will I live?’
‘You’ll survive.’
‘Somehow I can’t tell if you think that’s a good thing.’
‘It’s bearable.’