Bride For A Knight Page 0,24

the knowledge of how beautiful I find you."

Holding her gaze, he brought his hand to his mouth and licked his fingers. He returned them to her breast, toying so lightly with her still-puckered nipple that the sensations stirred by his touch almost made her swoon. Her knees were certainly weakening.

But she was so small. Her breasts nothing at all like the swelling globes her sisters flaunted so proudly. Or the even larger, great-nippled teats she'd seen on a few of the kitchen wenches.

She knew how often the garrison knights begged those kitchen bawds to pull down their bodices. And she knew, too, the kind of slack-jawed, glazed-eyed letch that always overcame the men in the hall when, with a bold wink and a smile, the kitchen maids complied.

Men favored large breasts.

Big, well-fleshed women. Curvaceous and buxom.

Hot-eyed, robust creatures whose hips swayed when they walked, their bosoms all a-jiggle, and who were wont to throw back their heads and laugh heartily. Brazens who drew manly eyes, inspired lust, and were everything she was not. Imagining those women now, Aveline swallowed, her pulse racing. But Jamie only smiled at her, so much appreciation shining in his twinkling blue eyes that for a moment she would've sworn he stood not in the fire-lit solar, but in the midst of a grassy summer meadow with bright sunlight glancing off his coppery-red hair.

A stiff breeze coming in the windows riffled that hair, lifting the red-gold strands about his brow and Aveline moistened her lips as she looked at him, certain she'd never seen a man who appealed to her more.

With surety she couldn't imagine anyone rivaling his great height. And the width of his shoulders stole her breath. But it was his warmth and natural exuberance that undid her. The irresistible sparkle of humor that lit his whole face when he smiled.

Even so, she flushed, knew intense relief when he eased up her bodice, smoothing the cloth over her breast until her decency was fully restored.

"You do not believe me," he said, his smile fading. "You doubt me when I say how beautiful you are."

"I am - "

"You are lovely," Jamie declared, seeking to soothe her. He may not have been blessed with sisters, but he'd spent enough years squiring beneath Duncan MacKenzie's roof to observe that puissant laird's two daughters at their best and at their worst.

If his wee sweet bride hadn't been about to bemoan the smallness of her breasts, he'd eat a brick of peat.

Jamie leaned down, dropping a light kiss to the top of her head. "You have enchanted me and I've meant every word I've said to you. I do want you."

But she continued to look unconvinced. "You have ties to the MacKenzies," she argued, her chin lifting. "They have broad connections and influence. You could have had a maid of higher blood. The Black Stag of Kintail would have done you proud."

"Done me proud?" Jamie could only gape at her.

Her hair alone would be the pride of any husband. Adorned with silver ribbons and reaching to her hips, her thick braid could well be plaited of moonbeams, so fair and bright were the strands.

The privilege of being the man allowed to undo such fine tresses, then run his fingers through the rippling, silken mass, swelled his heart with a feeling so close to wonder, he'd almost believe she really did possess a touch of the Sithe .

"Sweet lass, you do me proud," he vowed, lifting her braid to his lips. "If you do not believe me, then I must ask if you have ne'er peered into a looking glass?"

Her blush deepened, but she held his gaze. "Considering how I was foisted on you, I am pleased if you are content."

Frowning, Jamie scooped her up into his arms and carried her across the room, lowering her onto the settle by the door.

"Precious lass," he began, pulling up a stool for himself, "I am more than content - I am ensorcelled, and I have been since I first set eyes on you. And I dinna mean belowstairs in your father's hall."

She considered. "You mean when you saw me in the wood."

Jamie nodded. "I thought you were a faery. And I lost my heart to you there and then, thought you were the most beautiful creature I'd e'er seen."

"But you were frowning." She leaned back and looked at him. "I could see your face in the moonlight."

Jamie grinned. "Lady, I can see I shall not be able to hide much from you!"

Leaning