Page 13 of The Mercenary

“And you were to be a nun.” He made a noise in the back of his throat.

“Pardon?”

Was she really so innocent?

Guy spotted her bag next to the bed. Moving past her to take it, his eyes caught the coverlet. Again, he imagined what she’d look like abed. Did she sleep naked or in a shift?

“If God intended for you to be a nun, I am most certainly destined to become the next king of England.”

They really should not tarry, but . . .

Guy reached behind his wife and closed the door.

“What are you about?”

He put the bag back down. Took two steps toward her, and stopped.

“It occurs to me Father Wheeland was remiss during the ceremony.”

She didn’t understand his meaning yet.

“Remiss?”

“In his haste to lead us through the exchange of vows”—he took another step—“he failed to officiate an important part of the ceremony.”

“The kiss,” she said, biting her succulent bottom lip.

“Aye, my lady.”

“We also posted no banns, wear no rings, and do not intend for this arrangement to last.”

“We agreed,” he argued, taking another step toward her, “this marriage would be consummated.”

“You suggested as much. I never agreed to such a thing.”

God, his wife was beautiful. That nun’s garb did little for her visage, but looking at her now, Guy could almost imagine keeping her.

Almost.

If having a wife, falling in love, were for him. He’d decided long ago that such things were for other people.

But in the meantime . . .

“You will.”

He stood as close to her now as he had the eve before, when she’d first blackmailed him. The rose-scented water she must have used to clean drifted between them, a most pleasant scent. Although her expression was quite mutinous, Guy rather liked it. It would make it that much sweeter when she chose to give herself to him. Although he had not lied when he called himself dishonorable, he would never force himself upon a woman. His wife or nay.

Her chest rose and fell in protest. “You would chance a child for a moment of pleasure?”

Guy let his eyes linger on his wife’s lips. And then dip lower. When he finally raised his gaze, he answered without pause.

“I would chance much for a moment of pleasure. With you.”

Her lips parted.

“You are reckless.”

“Aye.”