Married to Her Enemy

He smiled. ‘Surely you can’t deny me a small walk around the chamber?’

‘No! Look what happened the last time I let you out of bed.’

‘In that case you’d better join me. I won’t make the same mistake twice.’

He heard her breathing quicken, before she shook her head emphatically. ‘It’s definitely too soon for that.’

‘Aediva...’ He gave a low growl. Despite the pain, he could feel himself getting aroused. ‘Either let me out of this bed or get in.’

She hesitated for another moment before climbing up and nestling down by his side.

‘You scared me. Don’t do it again.’

He twisted towards her, surprised by the quiver in her voice. Up close, he could see that her eyes and cheeks were swollen, as if she’d been crying.

‘I promise never to be crushed by a wall again.’

‘Stop making light of it! You could have been killed!’

‘It’ll take more than that.’ He reached out, stroking the side of her face with his fingertips. ‘I’m not so easy to get rid of.’

‘So I’m learning.’

‘I’m sorry you were scared. So was I, if it helps. One night with you is nowhere near enough. The thought of not having another was terrifying.’ He pressed his lips into her hair. ‘Speaking of which...that position I showed you would be perfect for a situation like this.’

She batted a hand at him. ‘I’m not being held responsible for you relapsing.’

‘I’ll take my chances.’

‘You need to rest.’

‘I can’t think of a better way to help me sleep.’

‘Svend!’

He laughed at her ferocious expression. ‘All right. But soon...’

‘Soon,’ she agreed. ‘Very soon.’

* * *

Aediva looked up from the be

d, pressing a finger to her lips and smiling as Bertrand bent his head under the doorframe. A month ago she would have felt uncomfortable in the presence of such an alarmingly large, archetypal Norman, but now she was genuinely pleased to see him.

‘Lady Aediva...’

He looked embarrassed to find her on the bed and she took pity on him, wriggling away from her sleeping husband and onto her feet. It wasn’t her fault that Svend insisted on her lying beside him all the time. His men probably thought she was some kind of wanton.

‘What is it?’ She smiled encouragingly.

Bertrand lowered his voice. ‘I have some questions about tomorrow, my lady, but I’ll come back later.’

‘Tomorrow?’

‘We’re taking the prisoners to the Earl for sentencing.’ He saw the look on her face and cleared his throat awkwardly. ‘I’m sorry, my lady, I thought you knew.’

‘No.’ She tried to keep her voice from shaking. ‘I didn’t.’