from the intense exercise, slick with sweat.
William collapsed on top of her and Marianne released a light hearted giggle, a smile on her rosy lips.
He pressed his lips to her shoulder. “I take it you are satisfied?”
“More than satisfied.” She purred, clinging to his chest and snuggling there like a content feline.
“Good. Next I will take you to the same place and show you how much more wonderful it could be.”
Later, he promised himself, later.
Strange, how loving her could cause him to be so clumsy in bed.
His breath caught at the thought.
He had not thought of loving her in the physical sense, but the kind that stirred his silent heart.
Did he love her? ‘Twas the first time he had ever outright asked himself that question. He had not loved in years and nearly forgot what it felt like, along with the consequences of it.
William sighed and settled himself again. He would sort out his thoughts when he was no longer in a pleasure filled haze.
He lifted his head enough to admire Marianne’s still glowing face.
He lazily traced her jaw with his finger. “May I ask what it is that you find so amusing, my dear?”
Her face brightened. “I used to hear women speak of how horrible the physical act of loving a man could be.”
William looked at her, stunned that she would ever hear such talk.
“Gossiping of servants.” She said by way of explanation. “They were trying to console their soon-to-be wed daughters while other, less merciful servants, taunted the poor girl with the pains and chores of the bed.” Her wide smile returned. “Ye have proved them all wrong.”
William’s insides warmed at the admission. “There was no pain?”
She shook her head. “Ye were very gentle. Those girls were silly cowards.” She continued to smile at him. “We will do that again.”
William felt his shaft twitch in response. Amazing. “As you wish, my dear.”
Chapter Eleven
Marianne awoke as though she were being lifted from a soothing bath. A delicious ache touched everywhere on her body. It comforted her with the knowledge of where it came from.
She stretched her legs down and her arms up, savoring the sensation before settling back into her nest of blankets, warm and comfortable despite the lack of a fire.
Yet she could not return to sleep. Her husband’s fingertips tickled up and down her naked arm. Marianne smiled.
As she suggested the night before, she and William stayed where they were to make love again. Only that time their garments had been entirely removed.
She admired his body the night of her bath when he insisted they become better acquainted with each other, but ‘twas completely different the second time. Her eyes took him in again, the sensation of touch accompanying her sight while she removed his under-tunic and hose.
He was no man. He was an angel. His skin had glowed as her fingers travelled along the warm flesh, and Marianne had prayed that he might think her half as beautiful as she did him.
He had satisfied her unasked question with his hurried removal of her clothes, hungry touches and throaty moans of pleasure escaped him as he touched and tasted her. Then her fears were forgotten.
Her skin touching his while he moved sent a stronger buzz though her bones than when they made love the first time. Even her hair came loose from the braid and cascaded plainly down her back as he insisted that everything be undone.
She never would have thought she could spend the better part of an afternoon and night in bed, and now it seemed she would have some difficulty with rising this morning, especially if William insisted on caressing her in that place.
She felt the heat of his face lower to her neck, and she opened her eyes. The press of lips trailed under her jaw and rose to her ear.
Marianne giggled when his kiss reached the sensitive area. She tilted her head to allow him better access, sighing when he moved to place the same treatment below her ear, along her throat and shoulders.
“If we do not present ourselves the servants will wonder where we went.” William said, his eyes meeting hers and lips returning to the sensitive skin below her ear.
She sensed his true meaning. His obvious wish to stay, conflicted with the responsibility that required him to go.
Marianne slid her eyes shut. What did she care for responsibilities? “They can handle themselves for now.”
“Can they?” Despite his words, he did not stop.
She nodded. “Aye, they know that if they do