Page 55 of Highland Seduction

This marriage could not be annulled. They were more husband and wife now than the day they exchanged vows. And by his expression as Tor lifted his head, he knew it as well as she.

“It appears,” he said, smiling, “we are wed in truth.”

“It appears so,” she replied, wanting to tell him but uncertain if he felt the same. Tor had made love to her, but that did not mean he loved her. They had been made to wed, their proximity to each other something it seemed he could no longer avoid. Tor had desired her from the start, and once she understood, Ainsley felt the same about her husband.

But desire was not love. The second, Ainsley was less sure about than the first. So she kept silent, knowing there was much to discuss. But for now, this was enough.

Although Ainsley was not so foolish as to believe it would be for long.

Chapter 32

Ainsley had worried what they would say to the maid. So Tor simply burned the sheets, ordered a bath, and told the maid they would need new dressings for the bed. Having made her laugh, disbelieving when she’d expressed embarrassment that he truly would put them in the fire, Tor wondered how such a simple thing could bring him so much pleasure.

Yet, as his wife stepped into the tub, it was clear to see how such a thing was possible.

“Ye’re so perfectly formed,” she said, her wide hips disappearing beneath the water. Already, he mourned the loss of seeing them. As she sank deeper beneath the surface, he could see naught any longer. Not the nipples that had hardened as she first stepped inside the tub nor even her shoulders. Only Ainsley’s head was visible, her eyes closed.

“No’ as much so as ye.”

Tor sat on the fresh bed linens with a goblet of the wine he’d asked to be brought along with the tub and meal. He watched her, marveling that this was, for all time, his wife. Earlier, after they’d made love, Tor had nearly told his wife what he knew to be true.

That he loved her.

Tor had fallen in love with his wife.

Yet something had stopped him.

“Tell me,” she said, her eyes opening. “About the bishop.”

He took another sip, wishing he could join her but knowing, after three times already, Ainsley’s body needed to rest. To recover. But the urge to climb into that tub was strong.

“We spoke of Father Godfrey, as I told ye. I explained it was the priest who suggested the audience. After learning of his deceit, I then told the bishop of our marriage. Of the king’s decree and of yer brother and my sister.”

“Was he surprised?” Ainsley picked up the soap beside her. The hell if he’d let her do that alone. Tor stood up from the bed and placed his goblet on the table. “By the king’s actions?”

“Nay.” He moved to the tub, taking Ainsley’s soap from her. She looked at him from beneath her lashes, still hesitant even after making love three times. His wife was still uncertain. This plan, being married to him, was not of her making. “Word has apparently spread already. The bishop knew of the king’s intervention in our clan’s feud.”

“He did?”

Tor knelt beside the tub knowing he could not make love to his wife again this day. But, as he’d told her before, that did not mean he couldn’t bring her pleasure. As his hands ran over the smooth skin of her chest, his wife’s eyes darkened.

“He did.”

“I like when ye touch me,” she said, peeking at him.

Tor laughed. “Then we should get along well. For I enjoy touching ye.” He moved the soap between the valley of her breasts. “Very much.”

Ainsley closed her eyes once again, her head falling back to the side of the tub.

“And then?” she murmured.

“And then I told him that we’d come to ask for permission for our marriage to be annulled.” Her eyes flew open. “But that such a thing was no longer necessary.”

Her chest rose and fell as Ainsley let out a deep breath. “Nay,” she said, “it is no’.”

“I asked, curious, if he’d have given it.” Tor glided the soap down toward her inner thigh, moving his position next to the tub to properly wash her legs.

“And?”