CHAPTER 5
A slight hammering in his head stirred Bhric awake, though he did not open his eyes. He had drunk himself into oblivion once years ago—never again. He had learned his lesson, having almost lost his life on the battlefield the next day. After that, he never did it again. He drank but never to the point he was not in control. He always wanted to be prepared to fight, to protect those he loved and his home.
So why did he feel as if he had drunk too much?
He let himself drift, enjoying the naked warmth snuggled against him. His hand explored, silky soft, toasty warm, and a slender curve.
His eyes shot open, and a pain stung his head for a moment. It was nothing to the jab he felt in his chest when he saw his wife planted snug against him… and she was as naked as was he.
“Bloody hell!” he said and jumped out of bed just as a knock sounded at the door and it opened.
“Lady Tavia—” The servant lass froze at the imposing sight of Bhric naked.
Tavia held the blanket to her chest when she sat up, at first confused, having woken with a fright when her husband yelled, until she realized her plan had worked.
“GET OUT!” Bhric yelled at the servant, and she almost fell in her haste to obey him.
“What did you do?” Bhric demanded, fighting his rising fury as soon as the door closed behind the fleeing servant.
“We must have drunk too much,” Tavia said, knowing full well he would never believe her.
“You deceive me, woman,” Bhric accused, his hand going to his mouth, his memory of last night returning some. He had kissed her, touched her, and he had enjoyed it.
“We both drank,” she said, as if it was explanation enough.
“Get out of bed NOW!” he ordered harshly.
Tavia kept the blanket covering her chest as she moved to do as he commanded.
“Leave the blanket. You should have no qualms about being naked in front of me if we were intimate enough for you to sleep naked next to me,” he demanded.
Tavia did her best not to tremble, not to show her fear, but it was difficult with him standing there naked. His powerful strength was on full display. His one arm alone, the muscles so thick, could squash her like a pesty bug. And the fury in his eyes made her fear that he just might do that.
She could not stop the tremble that ran through her body as he walked over to her and almost sighed with relief when a knock sounded at the door before he could speak.
“LEAVE NOW!” Bhric shouted.
A quivering voice called out, “I am sorry to disturb you, my lord, but Chieftain Newlin requires your immediate presence. Lord Ivan has arrived and is causing a problem.”
Bhric leaned down and whispered harshly, “You have much to answer for, wife.” He stepped away from her as he shouted, “Tell Newlin I will be there shortly.
“Aye, my lord,” the servant lass said with relief.
Bhric snatched his garments up off the floor. “Get dressed. You are coming with me.”
Tavia hurried to fetch her garments, feeling far too vulnerable naked in his presence.
As soon as Bhric finished dressing, he went to the goblets and sniffed both, but could detect no different scent in them. He turned and that was when he caught a spot of blood on the bed. He went and threw the covers back and when he saw the blood stain, he strained his memory to recall if he had coupled with her. If he could remember the kiss, the feel of her——the weight of her breast in his hand returning to him—surely he would remember coupling with his wife… unless it was unmemorable.
Tavia knew what his question would be as soon as he saw the bloodstain and already feeling guilty over the mounting lies, she said, “You did not hurt me.”
Not sure what happened between them last night left him with little choice then to keep her as his wife.
He went to her and grabbed her chin. “Never would I have hurt you knowing it was your first time. I would have been gentle with you. Now I no longer have to worry about that. From this point on I can pound you as hard as I want.” He released her chin and turned away from her, annoyed she had trapped him.
What was there for Tavia to say? She could not admit the truth. She would suffer for her lies, but at least the children would be safe and so would her clan. She was not sorry she did what she had done, especially with Lord Ivan’s unexpected appearance. His presence did not, nor had it ever, bode well for her clan, but with her marriage to Lord Bhric solidified there was no worries. He would defend the clan.
She went to plait her hair and Bhric ordered, “Leave it. Let all see that we were disturbed while in the throes of coupling, since by now the servant will have spread the news that our vows have been consummated and once the blood on the bedding is seen…” He glared at her. “How then can it be denied?”