“Food and drink, my bedchambers,” Bhric called out to Marta after entering the Great Hall and not stopping.
He deposited his wife gently on her feet once in his bedchamber and he barely had her cloak off when Marta entered with servants carrying a tray of food and drink.
“I will not be disturbed tonight, Marta,” Bhric ordered.
“Aye, my lord,” Marta said and hurried the servants out.
Tavia was surprised by her hunger but then she had no time to think on it. Her only thought had been on making sure Lath’s leg could be saved.
Bhric poured her wine only to refill it, she drank it so fast.
“I would tell you how things went, but I am too tired,” she said in between bites of food. “If you have questions for me, I would appreciate it if they could wait until morning, and I will gladly answer them then.”
Bhric could see she would not last long, her eyes too heavy with sleep. “You need say nothing tonight. We will talk tomorrow.”
Tavia was grateful and continued to eat until she looked to the bed. She took a few more mouthfuls and that was it. Exhaustion had taken hold as well as relief that all had gone well and, God willing, Lath would survive along with his leg. Right now, all she wanted was to sleep.
Tavia went to stand and found her strength had completely waned. Her husband was at her side before she could reach out to him for help.
“You need to sleep,” he said and warned himself to leave her to undress on her own, not strip her completely naked or himself for that matter. He did not heed his warning. He stripped off his garments then hers, without protest from her. Then he scooped her up, enjoying the feel of her soft skin against his, the way her full breasts tucked firm against his chest and the way her round bottom warmed against his arm.
Bloody hell if he did not find his naked wife appealing.
He placed her in bed, slipping in beside her, intending to take her in his arms, aching to press the length of her against him. He was surprised and pleased that she turned and buried herself tight against him as if she could not get close enough. She settled comfortably when his arm went around her to hold her snug there. And the next moment, her breathing fell into a steady rhythm… she was asleep.
He feared sleep would not come to him tonight, an overpowering desire to couple with his wife jabbing at him endlessly, and his shaft swelling considerably to prove it.
If he were not careful, he would give his wife a good poke before he discovered any lies she may have told him. And what of Greta’s words and tears? Did she warn him away from Tavia or had she discovered something that would prove Tavia a good wife?
He had a lot to learn about his wife and he intended to start tomorrow.
CHAPTER 11
Bhric woke with a smile, his hand roaming over a soft backside and giving it a tender squeeze. He turned slightly, just enough for the leg draped over his to slip between his two and settle against his aroused shaft. He tried to recall what woman he had taken to his bed last night before opening his eyes, so her name could spill from his lips before he kissed her.
Tavia… his wife!
His eyes sprang open to see her lovely, sleepy face warm with a smile. He did not hesitate, he jumped out of bed and rushed to don his garments.
“I will see you downstairs for the morning meal,” he said, running his fingers through his hair after he finished dressing and racing out of the room once his boots were on.
Tavia sat up staring at the closed door that trembled, her husband had closed it so hard and fast. Why did he rush away from her? He had shown no objection when she had cuddled against him last night looking for warmth. Yet this morning he seemed to evade her closeness. She smiled, believing she understood. He desired her more than he cared to admit. Or cared to allow himself to, preventing him from doing what he desired when he had sworn not to touch her until he knew if she carried another man’s child?
That thought grew her a soft smile. He had seen to her care last night after she had tended Lath, seeing that she ate then rested… in his bed.
What had made him keep her in his bed when she could have easily slept in her own?
She would have liked to linger in thought on it, but she shook her head. She had no time to waste. She needed to see how Lath was doing. She hoped her effort and his suffering had not been in vain and that he was doing well.
Tavia grabbed her garments and hurried to her bedchamber to give her long, dark hair a good combing after scenting it with dried mint, then plaited it into a single braid before she scooped up a handful of chilled water from a bucket to clean the sleep from her face. The splash of cold water served her well, brightening her skin and mind. A quick donning of her garments and boots, rather than her shoes since she would be outside, and a snatch of her cloak off the wall peg, and she rushed out the door.
Her husband was engaged in a conversation with Sven, and Ingrid was busy talking with Marta. With everyone occupied, Tavia draped her cloak over her shoulders and headed to the door.
“TAVIA!”
Her husband’s powerful voice felt as if it shook the rafters in the Great Hall and it brought her to an abrupt stop.
She turned, knowing why he stopped her. “I go to see how Lath does.”