He groaned and lifted his head from his thorough assault on her neck, his eyes lit with desire, his mouth ready to brand her flesh again. The sight of him so eager for her nearly made her body spasm. She bit down, trying to calm herself.
“I should have a bath first,” she breathed.
His slow, sexy grin seduced every one of her senses while he shook his head. “A waste of time. We’re going to get very dirty.”
The sensual dip in his voice made her nipples throb beneath her gown. She wanted to tear it off and offer herself up to him in any way he wanted her.
The door burst open, and Cian and Tomas plunged into the cottage, looked around, then slowly, and in unison, turned their heads toward the bed.
Tanon pushed her husband off her with surprising strength and sat up. Her flushed cheeks went pale, then flushed again before she lowered her head to escape their knowing looks. A single black curl slipped over her forehead.
In contrast to Tanon’s mortification, Gareth sat up slowly. His jaw clenched and his glare made Cian and Tomas back up. “You will never enter this house again without knocking first.” He didn’t shout. The warning in his steady voice was daunting enough.
“Apologies, Gareth,” Tomas murmured, keeping his eyes averted from Gareth’s wife.
Cian, on the other hand, couldn’t take his eyes off her. He appeared entranced and then he angled his gaze at Gareth, smiled, then cleared his throat. “The people await their lord who has brought them peace. Though without any discourtesy meant to you, Gareth, the sacrifice made is not a great one.”
Tomas gave his younger brother a shove between the shoulders. Gareth’s hand on Cian’s chest stopped him from falling into Tanon’s lap.
“Adara wanted you to have this.” Tomas held out a folded swath of cloth and handed it to Tanon. “It’s a gown, I think. She says the lord’s wife shouldn’t be dressed in wrinkles. And your nurse, Rebecca is doing well.”
Tanon accepted the offering with a grateful smile that made Cian stifle a sigh.
“All right, off with you both now.” Gareth pushed them toward the door. “We’ll be out shortly.”
When the men were gone, Tanon unfolded the bundle and left the bed. “Oh, Gareth,” she whispered, revealing a gown of feathery soft yellow wool. She held it up to her body. The cut was simple with a low-scooped neckline and short, puffed sleeves. The fabric gathered at her waist, falling in thick flowing folds to her ankles. A beautiful red shawl accompanied the gown, along with a wide waistband of red leather, beaten to buttery softness.
Gareth stared at her, arrested by the look of wonder on her face, and then gathered her into his arms. “You tempt me beyond reason, but my people await us outside.”
She looked up into his dusky gaze. “They await us for what?”
“Celebration. It’s a custom. Come, they’ve prepared the food and the music. We have only to enjoy the night. Our time alone together will come soon enough.”
Not too much longer she hoped, but didn’t speak her wanton thoughts. She could scarcely believe what a trollop she’d become for him. Why, if Cian and Tomas hadn’t arrived when they did, she was certain she would have torn Gareth’s tunic off and sank her teeth into his body.
She patted her flushed cheek and stepped away from him. “I’ll wear Adara’s gift.”
“I’d better wait outside then while you dress,” Gareth said, knowing if he stayed while she stripped, they’d never make it to Celebration. He went to the front door, but stopped and turned to give her a look that darkened his eyes with desire. “You asked about my control. This is the last shred of it.”
Tanon sucked in her lower lip when he closed the door behind him. Heavens, but he certainly knew how to ignite her blood. When she had first seen him, she wondered how untamed he truly was. She was sure tonight she would find out. She hurried into her new gown, wondering how on earth she could have tried to dislike him. She couldn’t wait to be in his arms again.
The gown fit loosely and Tanon was a bit horrified when she realized there was no shift to wear underneath. She thought about wearing her own, but it was too soiled, and none of her other gowns were unpacked yet.Non, this would have to do. Besides, the wool was thick enough to conceal her properly, though her nipples, still erect from Gareth’s touch, pushed up against the fabric. She tied the wide belt to her slender waist, tossed her shawl over her shoulders, and freed her curls from beneath.
She was ready, and how utterly delightful it was not to have three maids pulling and tugging at her for over an hour to make her presentable. Oh,thisshe could get used to.
Smiling, she pulled on the door and stepped outside, and into a twinkling paradise. Hundreds of torches lit the darkening glen like stars sprinkled across velvet. Music filled the cool, night air. The mouth-watering aromas of roasting rabbit and freshly baked bread invaded her senses and made her stomach rumble. She slipped past Gareth waiting beside the door, her vision taking in the view of people gathered around dozens of small bonfires, laughing, drinking, and slowly turning to look at her.
His people weren’t the only ones staring at her. Gareth couldn’t take his eyes off her. His heartbeat accelerated, pounding hard in his chest. When she turned to him, her eyes wide with surprise, her lips parted on a stunned breath, he could barely form a smile, so enthralled was he just looking at her. She may have been raised a stately noble lady, but tonight she looked like she belonged here inCymruwith its wild landscapes and fiery sunsets.
“Do you know how completely breathtaking you are, Tanon?”
Her smile washed over him, making his jaw tighten. “I do as of late, husband.”
He pushed himself off the wall and wove his fingers through hers. He swept his mouth over hers, tantalizing her with the brevity of his kiss. “Come, my people await you.” He walked her through the glen, stopping at different groups of people for more personal introductions.
She met Cadwyn, a cheery, rotund woman who offered her a skein of indigo muslin. Llwyd, Cadwyn’s husband and master blacksmith, greeted Tanon next, presenting her with a deadly looking dagger and a softly spoken prayer that she would never have to use it. Ioan and his wife, Dierdre gave Tanon three freshly killed rabbits along with a promise to teach her how to cook some traditional recipes.
More gifts were given as Tanon and Gareth made their way around the large glen. They received food, linens dyed in various colors, beads, and cooking ware. Tanon accepted each offering with sincere gratitude and even embraced some of the women, causing their polite smiles to widen into more friendly ones as Gareth led her away. Cian was happy to keep two steps behind them, gathering what gifts he could carry in his arms. Alwyn and Hereward took those that he couldn’t carry directly to Gareth’s cottage.