In Bed With A Stranger(37)

It was insanity.

“I’ll be waiting for Agnes to let me know what ye decide.” His voice was thick with hunger. He leaned down and pressed a kiss against her lips. It was over almost before it began but the sensation burned all the way to her toes.

“Make no mistake about what I have decided, madam. I will have ye tonight.”

He pushed away from her and strode across the main floor of the tower. The castle folk were watching from the yard, their necks stretching out to see into the tower. The confused looks on their faces told her that no one could tell what was happening inside the wall. Brodick stopped to have words with Agnes. The midwife nodded her head, casting her attention toward Anne.

The earl left on long strides, clearing the front entrance as their audience looked between his wide back and her set face. The curious crowd watched the midwife as she made her way to stand in front of Anne, her face pensive. She said nothing for a long time, inspecting Anne from head to toe with her keen stare. She fingered the silver brooch that held her tartan securely on one shoulder.

“Do you have need of me, my lady?” She spoke softly, each word carefully delivered. “Or may I return home?”

Temptation needled Anne. She was caught so completely in Philipa’s scheme that even the smallest possibility that she might be found lacking was something she could not cast aside. Preserving her modesty could not take precedence.

“I would be grateful for your opinion.”

Agnes frowned but Anne held her head level. “A marriage such as this should never proceed forward if there is any doubt. An earl cannot be so lax in his choice of bride. He needs an heir. If I cannot provide that, it would be best to dissolve our union   now before there is disappointment.”

The midwife lost her disgruntled expression. She nodded in agreement.

“Ye’re a fair woman, to be sure.”

Fair…hah!

Agnes began walking toward the stairs that led to the upper floor, clearly knowing the castle.

“Come along, mistress. Let us attend to this matter. I see yer thinking. More noblewomen should be as astute.” Agnes swept her from head to toe again. “Indeed it would make for a happier world. The lord’s mother was inspected before her wedding night as well. Yer mother was wise to teach ye to respect the tradition. It has its place.”

Anne forced her feet to move. Each step was an effort and she was suddenly very aware of how little clothing she had on. Her surcoat was closed up over a chemise. The only other thing she wore was a pair of slippers. The tapestry footwear was meant for her dressing chamber and felt very thin. Walking allowed the air to brush all the way up her exposed skin.

She was convinced that the flight of stairs took longer to climb than any other she had ever mounted. Helen had built a fire in the chamber and fed it far more wood than normal. It blazed high, filling the chamber with heat. Helen came forward, intent on removing the surcoat.

Anne stood still and straight, refusing to allow her modesty to buckle her resolve. It took mere seconds to bare her body, once the surcoat was removed, yet it felt like hours. There was only her chemise and shoes. Each second swelled into time that felt as though it were standing still.

Agnes was still for a long time, her eyes moving over her body in slow motion. She circled around Anne, lingering behind her. When Agnes returned to stand in front of her, the midwife reached out to cup a breast. She handled it with a knowing hand as Anne bit into her lip to still her protest. Her grip was firm, judging the weight and texture. She finished by pinching the nipple and leaning closer to look at it.

Agnes didn’t make a sound as she left off and moved her hand to the opposite breast. After pinching the nipple, she withdrew her hand.

“Lie down on the bed. I need to see if yer womb is sitting correctly in yer belly.”

“Of…course.” Anne snapped her mouth closed as her voice cracked. What Brodick wanted from her was far more intrusive. She had better adjust to allowing the midwife to make a detailed inspection. That would provide her with all the more opportunity to gain the woman’s disapproval. Getting to her father was the key. He would deal with Philipa.

Agnes pressed her hands against Anne’s belly, moving in an arch from one hip to the other. Anne watched the woman’s practiced manner, the knowledgeable touch something only experience taught. There was something she might admire at least. Agnes continued until she’d felt every inch of Anne’s abdomen with careful hands.

“Ye may dress yer mistress,” Agnes instructed Helen.

The midwife stood back and Helen brought Anne’s chemise forward. Anne held her tongue because Agnes was still contemplating her. Standing up, she helped pull her surcoat on, shivering as it warmed her. The midwife stepped close again.