Page 53 of To Honor

She nodded. “Aye, I’ve heard as much.”

With hope, it would not hurt much, as she was more than ready for him. When he found her maiden’s barrier, Gareth stopped.

“Are you prepared?”

“Aye.”

Grasping her hips, hating that he’d cause her pain, Gareth thrust into his wife and cursed as she made a sound of displeasure. He didn’t move. Evie stared down at him, a beautiful water nymph who was no longer a maid.

She is mine. This night and for all time.

“Does it still pain you?” he asked as her features softened.

“Nay,” she said. “Though it feels tight.”

That it did.

He began to move. Slowly at first, allowing Evie to become accustomed to him. In and out, he reveled in the sounds of pleasure she made. He nearly had to look away, so enticing was her expression. Gareth wanted to draw this out as long as possible, Evie’s first time.

His first time making love to his wife.

Gareth reached between them, circling his thumb and watching her face closely. He would learn what she enjoyed. They would learn each other. For now, it seemed Evie was no longer in pain as she met every thrust, crying out as he increased the pressure with his thumb.

“Please, Gareth.”

He knew what she wanted. And gave it.

“Go ahead, love. Let go, and I’ll spill my seed deep within you as we’re one.”

That was all it took. With a final cry, Evie tensed. Her thighs tightened around him; her body froze. He thrust into her one last time and did exactly as he’d promised. When she collapsed against his chest, water everywhere, Gareth held his wife tightly against him.

“I love you,” he said into her ear. “You have made me the happiest man in all of England this night. I am honored to be your husband.”

“And I love you,” she said. “I’d be nowhere but here, in this tub, making love to you.”

He pulled her head up, wanting to see her face. There were no words that could describe how he felt in that moment. Knowing their path ahead would not be an easy one, Gareth attempted to simply relish this. To remember his wife’s expression moments after they made love for the first time.

Something told him he would need this memory very soon.

26

Each day was the same.

Glorious. A life Evelina could gladly endure. Waking up in Gareth’s arms, breaking their fast, strolling about town, another meal. They talked and laughed and tried to forget this was only a temporary life. A placeholder life until their future could begin.

So far, there had been no word from Eamon. Since they were little more than a half day’s ride away, she and Gareth agreed it was surprising to have received no word.

“Try this?”

“Nay,” Evelina said. They sat at a table belowstairs at the same inn where they stayed. It was late for a meal. They’d been to the blacksmith, and Gareth had not wanted to leave his sword while it was cleaned and sharpened. “You know I dislike cabbage.”

“Try it anyway. Maybe this is the first cabbage you’ll enjoy.”

She did not think it would be so, but she did try it. And swallowed, against her better judgment.

Gareth laughed. “I’ve never met a maid who disliked so many varieties of foods.”

That made her think. “How many maids have you known?”