Helena moved away from him. Her dress was lying over a table but the stays only laced up the back, leaving her helpless to dress alone.
“The king enjoys harmony amidst his nobles.”
“Aye, well, ye willnae have to answer to him.”
No, she would be in Scotland….
It wasn’t that she disliked the country; part of her was curious. But she couldn’t shake the loneliness from her heart. Every effort had been focused on installing her at court. Now that she was leaving it, she was at a loss as to how to move forward.
The door opened and the maid reentered. Two of Keir’s retainers carried a trunk into the chamber. Helena recognized it instantly. She smiled just because it was something familiar.
“Edmund gave you my things?”
She reached out and ran a hand over the wooden lid. One of the men tugged on his cap before offering her a mocking grin.
“His housekeeper did. Dinnae know what yer brother thinks o’ it. We didna ask.”
A soft sound drew her attention to Keir. He sent his men from the room with a jerk of his head. They nodded to her before leaving, and the maid went along with them, leaving her alone with her husband.
“I hope it pleases ye to have yer things, but I’ll be happy to buy ye whatever else ye deem necessary.” Uncertainty flickered in his eyes. She stared at it, wanting to see someone she might not call a stranger. The trunk was an offering, and one that she needed to meet with her own attempt at forging some sort of friendly relationship.
Tilting her head to the side, she sighed. “Well, I was eying some of those very large hair rolls. Many of the ladies at court wear them.”
He scowled at her. But mischief lit his dark eyes. “Upon further consideration, I believe I like ye as ye are. In naught but that chemise.”
“You want me to wear my chemise hunting with the king?” Helena opened her eyes wide. “I suppose I am expected to obey you as my husband, but…”
His expression darkened. He hadn’t removed his whiskers yet and his chin was coated in a dark shadow, making him appear harder. He curled his fingers into the loose fabric of her chemise and tugged her forward. She tumbled into his body, her hands landing on his chest. Excitement surged through her as her senses filled with the scent of his warm skin. Everything about him was strong and male. It made her aware of the fact that she was female and fashioned to take him within her. It was a carnal thought, but one that sent heat racing through her veins.
“I’ll be interested in seeing just how much obeying ye are willing to do when we are alone.”
“I thought you enjoyed my boldness. Not submission.” She moved her hands over his chest, teasing the ridges of his muscles and forcing her body to press up against his. She quivered, her bottom wanting to curl away from him, but she ordered her body to remain in place.
He threaded his hands through her unbound hair. “’Tis a fact that ye are learning very quickly who I am.” He placed his lips on top of hers. The kiss was hard and full of need. He pressed her lips apart, holding her head between his hands.
She kissed him back, eagerly allowing his tongue to tease her into a deeper kiss. But his whiskers scraped across her skin, drawing a quiver from her.
“I’m going to have to start shaving before dawn.”
Confusion swept through her, and he chuckled before releasing her.
“Do ye think that the only time a couple may lie in bed is at night?”
“Well…I suppose…” She didn’t care for the amusement sparkling in his eyes. “I simply have not thought all that much about being with a man. I avoided them to maintain my reputation, even if it is grossly unfair to expect purity from a bride but not a groom.”
She was being too daring. Men never took kindly to women who didn’t accept their authority. Or pointed out that they expected higher standards from their wives than they held themselves to. More than one bride had felt the weight of her husband’s hand for daring to voice such facts. Keir might have treated her kindly but that did not mean the man would be any different from the rest of his sex. He’d won her in a game of cards, after all.