“M’lord, before you stone the passage in, please consider this first.” When he lifted an eyebrow, ready to argue she rushed on, “Just consider how convenient another exit is in such a castle as this. It leads out into the woods and would be very useful if one was in need of an escape. Many within these walls cannot swim and they would drown in high moat waters if they were to try and escape during a battle.”
“Yea, but have you considered we may also be attacked by means of such a weakness?” He frowned in thought. “Or do you mean you would be the one in need of an escape? For I hear it is you who cannot swim the moat.”
“Nay.” Della made a small choking noise. “It would be for times of war, which is why I designed it.”
“Who all knows of it?”
“Edwyn and I. Outside builders were contracted and they are all dead or off in faraway lands.” Della looked guiltily away and he wondered if she was lying. Did someone else know? “And now Gunther and you, m’lord.”
“Lord Blackwell. M’lord.” Brant scowled in displeasure. “Must you always be so formal with me? I am your husband, wife.”
“What would you have me call you?” Her body swayed nearer.
“Call me what you wish,” he responded hoarsely. “It was only an observation.”
“Have I done aught to displease you, m’lord?” Della hesitated.
“Besides wandering about the countryside without a proper escort?”
“Yea, I mean before then. Is there a reason why you do not look to me this past sennight? Is there a reason you have not touched me more than in brief passing?” She dropped her hand from him, looking shyly away as a pretty blush spread over her features.
“Nay.” He swallowed hard as he uttered the half-truth. “I have been busy training the men. It takes a lot of my energy and time. There is much I need to accomplish if the knights are to fight well together.”
Della obviously didn’t believe him, but he was glad when she did not question his answer. “Methought, perchance, I did not please you anymore. That you had grown tired of me.”
Brant’s hands turned caressing as he moved them to cup her cheeks. He liked the insecure way she was looking at him, as if weighing his answers very carefully. It meant she cared, at least a little. “Nay, Della. I’m not unhappy with you.”
He dipped his mouth to lightly kiss her. She moaned, instinctively leaning into him, winding her arms around his neck to return the kiss. Della sighed and trembled. The sweetness of her embrace drew over him.
Brant growled and tore his mouth away. “Let us go abovestairs, lady wife. And I will show you how unhappy I am not.”
* * * * *
Della bolted upright in bed. A loud knocking resounded on the chamber door. The early morning light shone through the narrow slit of a window. She tried to pull out of her husband’s arms, squirming in his embrace, but he held her fast in their nakedness. Brant laughed and pulled her tight against him until she was once more along his side. Grabbing the fur coverlet, he pulled it over her.
“But, the door,” Della said, horrified. Her eyes rounded in embarrassment as she motioned weakly to the thick oak. She’d been awaked by her husband’s tender kisses on her neck, only to be jarred to her senses by the knock. Torn between the need to hurry and the feel of his taut length against her, she eyed him and then the door. His hardened arousal pressed suggestively against her thigh. Brant was winning.
“You are my wife and there is naught to be ashamed of.” Brant chuckled as he ran his hand over her hip, lightly rubbing himself suggestively along her leg. “Do you think no one knows what goes on between us?”
A small sound of derision escaped her tight throat. Realizing he was not going to let her go, Della drew in her arms to bury herself in his chest. She turned her head to peek at the door.
“Yea?” Brant yelled when she settled.
The door creaked and Ebba poked her head around the side. Her face paled in shock at the scene on the bed.
Della groaned and hid her face in Brant’s chest. Feeling his soft chuckle, she pinched him obstinately in the stomach. It didn’t affect him. When she glanced up at him, she saw him grinning.
“Yea? What is it?” he inquired.
“Raiders, m’lord,” Ebba stammered. “Along the west this time. Two o’ the cotters just arrived. Gunther said to wake yer lazy arse… He said it is time you awoke and I was to tell you that he would meet you by the gate with yer horse.”
“Thank you, Ebba,” Della dismissed the girl. She pushed lightly at Brant’s chest, trying to be free of his grasp. “His lordship will be right down.”