her. She had to tip her head back to meet his eyes. What she found there startled her, but not in a fearful manner. He was displeased, there was no missing that. But what drew her attention was the flare of determination that looked very similar to what she had witnessed during the thunderstorm.
Keir didn’t give her time to ponder her thoughts. He swept her off her feet in a fluid motion that wrung another gasp from her lips. She grabbed at his doublet out of reflex but there was no hint of weakness in his embrace. He cradled her easily, striding through the dining room and toward the stairs without a single pause.
The cook stood near the table. Her apron was newly pressed and her linen cap starched so that the box-pleated edge stood straight. There were candles in the silver holders and in the wall brackets. All were lit and filling the room with a yellow glow. Fine dishes were laid on the table and the long cupboard set against the wall already held several platters awaiting the master’s dining pleasure.
Her husband only swept the table with a quick glance before carrying her through the doorframe and into the back hallway. She heard the scamper of steps on the stone floor behind them and the unmistakable snap of the cook’s fingers as she commanded the staff.
Her face colored because it was perfectly clear what her husband was in a hurry to do. For all that everyone expected newlyweds to spend time sharing intimacies, she did not appreciate her husband carrying her through the house like a captive.
But you enjoyed it earlier today…
Her thoughts annoyed her. She twisted in his embrace, pushing on the wide chest.
“Have done, husband. I can walk very well.” She might have been mute for all the good her actions gained her. His embrace never changed. It remained solid and steady while he climbed the stairs.
“Aye, ye can, but I’m no’ in the mood for rehearsed niceties.”
He pushed the door to their chamber open with a shove from his shoulder. The hallway had been dim, with only the flicker of the lamps burning on the first floor to cut through the darkness. The chamber was very different. The staff were doing their best to make sure their new master didn’t find any reason to begin replacing them. Candles were set into every holder on the tables and costly glass lanterns hung from hooks set into the walls. The colored glass filled the chamber with a surreal, reddish light.
“So now you are displeased with me because I show you good manners?” She hit his shoulder, completely exhausted with attempting to understand him. She struggled again, this time twisting her body and bucking without any care for how ungentle she appeared.
He released her but growled. It was a low sound filled with frustration. Helena tossed her head, refusing to lower her chin meekly. She didn’t feel meek, not in the least.
“I do not understand you, husband.”
But she moved away from his imposing body—not because he was stronger but because she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about how good he felt against her. Maybe it was the fact that they were alone in the chamber, but her thoughts were alight with flashes of memory from that afternoon. Her skin grew warm and she had to shake her head to dispel the excitement that was beginning to swirl through her mind.
Keir stood with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked as imposing as he had outside the queen’s chambers, but here she found it attractive, too. In the back of her mind all she could think of was the large bed waiting for them with turned-down covers.
He’d take her there—she had no doubt about it.
“I am nae yer brother.”
Her mouth fell open in surprise. “Good God! I should hope not, considering how we passed the after—”
One dark eyebrow arched in a mocking display. “The afternoon? Aye. I suppose that would nae be something a brother and sister should be about.”
It was sickening. Disgust travel through her. “Then what is your discontent with me? I made no mention of Edmund.”
He raised a single finger. “But you did, my sweet bride. Ye stood there greeting me as he would have expected. All the staff lined up.”
And he didn’t care for it. Helena stared at the discontent in his eyes, confused by his mood. “Your men offer you respect.”
“’Tis different. I earned that from them by proving myself with a sword