The De Burgh Bride by Deborah Simmons

Author:Deborah Simmons [Simmons, Deborah]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781460863756
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Published: 2013-11-13T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Geoffrey stirred in his seat in a comer of the hall, watching idly as his brother held court. He bad often joined his father during such days of justice at Campion, but this was his first opportunity to watch Dunstan, and he was surprised at his brother's fairness. Too often he had thought of the Wolf as a warrior only, but age—or Marion, Geoffrey thought with a slight smile—was tempering his strength with wisdom.

He glanced up as Elene walked into the hall and blanched at the sight of him. For a moment, he thought she might turn tail and flee from him, and he stiffened in surprise. Surely not Elene? He rose to his feet and went to greet her. For the past few days, she had been looking at him strangely, or rather even more strangely than usual, and Geoffrey was at a loss to explain this new behavior. He had done nothing differently, yet he had caught her staring more than once, with such intense interest that his heart pounded warily. Then she would turn away, as if embarrassed. Elene, embarrassed? Geoffrey shook his head. She was ashamed of nothing.

And yet, he couldn't help remembering the other day, when he had come upon her in her shift, and she had blushed, a maiden's pink flush that suffused him with heat. Then she had seemed a different woman, lithe and lovely, with all that hair wet and gleaming, her breasts high and firm beneath a worn layer of linen, and that dark patch visible between her thighs. Geoffrey sucked in a breath as his body tightened at the memory of her, half-naked and tall and strong.

Was that why she avoided him, because he had seen her thus? Was it the lack of clothing that had distressed her, or that she had appeared more approachable, more human, more starkly female? Willing both his thoughts and body to his control, Geoffrey stepped forward to greet her civilly. Although she looked as if she would veer off into the kitchens, he moved swiftly, cutting off her exit. He had wanted to speak to her privately, but had had no chance, for she seemed to be avoiding him lately. And he dared not approach her in their chamber, for fear of what might happen...bloodshed or—

Abruptly he cleared his throat. "Good day, wife," he said, his voice coming out oddly hoarse. Elene ducked her head in the now familiar gesture, but Geoffrey thought he glimpsed a blush beneath her veil of hair. What had brought that on? Was she thinking of the other day, as he had been? His mind threatened to wander again down that path, and he forced it back to attention. I would speak to you," he said.

"I am on an errand and have no time for idle chatter," Elene answered. She walked past him, but Geoffrey caught her wrist, halting her passage. He rarely touched her, certainly never to hold her prisoner, and yet he was piqued by her rejection of him, especially when she would so welcome his news.

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