“That’s it, milk me.”
He snarled as his body thrashed, bearing down on hers, burying his cock with a savage grunt. Pleasure burst through her and it continued while his seed spurted against the mouth of her womb. Time froze, unmoving as she heard only one heartbeat and then waited for the next one.
When it came, she fell back onto the bed, her muscles spent. Satisfaction rippled along her limbs while Brodick rolled off her. He captured her body, pulling her against his chest.
“I’ve a good mind to ride out every day for the rest of our lives just so I can be welcomed back.”
His hand smoothed her hair, gripping the braid she’d secured it into before lying down.
“I dinnae like your hair plaited.”
“Yes, my lord.” Anne drew his title out, fatigue taking away her worries. While the dark hid the rest of the world, she could enjoy being his lover. For now he wanted her.
She didn’t have the will to deny him.
There was no fire in the chamber.
Brodick knelt in front of the fireplace, a hand held over the cold ashes. A deep frown marred his features. Pink colored the horizon, dawn visible through the open curtains.
There hadn’t been one laid in the chamber for at least a week.
He knew it. His gaze cut toward the bed, suspicion darkening his eyes. Anne was still sleeping, curled up in the bedding. Her feet tangled in the fabric to hold it close to her.
He looked at one candelabra and then walked to the next. It held a single inch of remaining candle. Fury filled him as he looked around the chamber to find other tasks that had been left undone while he was away. His temper flared into a full blaze and he did nothing to check it. The slim form of his wife lying in the bed only added more fuel to his anger.
His wife would never go without…not while he drew breath.
She stirred, reaching out for him. A lump formed in his throat as she frowned when her fingers found nothing but cool sheets. Her eyelids fluttered and she looked for him, searching the bed while a worried look took control of her face.
It was the most haunting expression he’d ever seen. That look of longing…for him. The lack of comforts in the chamber became personal as he watched her shake the remains of slumber away to look for him. It was the thing he’d coveted when seeking a wife but the reality was far more precious than he’d imagined.
She was reaching for him.
Gone.
Anne tried to keep a whimper behind her lips but failed. She sat up and looked across the chamber to find Brodick watching her. Relief pulsed through her and there was no hiding the smile that turned her lips up.
Brodick frowned at her.
“Why are there no candles?”
Anne looked away from his keen stare. She didn’t want to sully the name of his household. She’d hoped that he’d leave at dawn giving the servants a chance to right the chamber.
It would seem that no one at Sterling was lucky this morning.
“It is nothing to worry about.”
Stepping from the bed, she hurried into her clothing, fighting off a queasy stomach. Worry was filling her belly with nausea so thick, she had trouble keeping it down. She reached for some of the bread left on the vanity without thinking about it. Moving the cloth she’d wrapped it in aside, she pulled off a piece, desperate to calm her belly.
“Have ye been supping here as well? On naught but stale bread? Little wonder yer face is thin.” He sounded deadly now. “Where’s Helen? I’ve a few questions for her.”
Anne lifted a hand to feel her face. Her cheekbones were more pronounced.
“Aye, madam, you’ve lost a stone if I’m nae mistaken.” He moved toward the door and pulled it open.
“Helen!”
His voice bounced around the lower tower.
“She is not here. Her daughter gave birth the night you left. You mustn’t be cross. Family is very important. I do not begrudge her the time.”
Brodick turned a hard glare on her. “Then where is Ginny? There’s maids a plenty in Sterling. Helen would nae have left without assigning the duty to another. She’s served at Sterling for too many years for such a lapse.”
“I do not need pampering.”
“Pampering?” Anger flickered in his eyes. “Nae even the stable lads endure without warmth and light in this castle. Did ye tell Ginny to leave ye without?”
Brodick didn’t wait for her answer. She was still closing her doublet when he shook his head in disapproval.
“I dinnae care, she should never have listened to ye if ye did command her to do such a foolhardy thing. ’Tis nae warm enough at this time o’ year to be without a fire on the second floor. Ginny knows Sterling better than ye. There be nae reason for such an oversight. Ye were shivering last night.”