Warwolfe (de Wolfe Pack Book 0)(101)

“You did not. I am no worse off than I was before.”

“You really should rest. And I should see to my men.”

Ghislaine sighed faintly. “I do not like the thought of you leaving me now.”

He kissed her ear one last time before propping himself up so he could look at her. “Nor do I,” he said, “but unless you wish to announce to the world that you bedded me, I should leave for propriety’s sake. But I do intend to tell my men tonight that you have consented to be my bride. That way, when I tell them we want privacy, they will understand.”

His eyes were twinkling as he said it, bringing a grin to her lips. But that smile soon faded. “What will you tell Aramis?”

Gaetan’s humor quickly left him. “We had an understanding, he and I,” he said. “He would permit me to express my feelings to you first. If you did not return my feelings, then I gave him permission to pursue you. I suppose now he shall simply have to accept defeat gracefully.”

“And if he does not?”

“You will leave that to me.”

Ghislaine simply nodded. It would be more his business than hers if Aramis was not a gracious loser because the conflict would be between them and them alone. She reached up, touching his rough cheek.

“He is a nice man,” she said. “I do not wish to hurt him.”

He leaned down and kissed her on the tip of her nose. “I realize that, but there are things in life we cannot control and this is one of them,” he said as he pushed himself up to sit. “Now, you will stay here and rest that leg. I shall return shortly to see how you are faring.”

“Promise?”

He took her hand, bringing it to his lips for a sweet kiss. “I will never leave your side if I can help it, Mousie. You must remember that. And even if I do have to leave you for a time, you will not come chasing after me. I will always return to you.”

The words comforted Ghislaine deeply. She stroked his cheek, feeling like she was still living a dream. Would she wake up from this only to realize there was no spoken feelings between them? God, she hoped not. She would be shattered. At this moment, this stolen and golden moment, she was happier and more content than she had ever been in her life. She had Gaetan.

She had everything.

But any further words were cut off by a knock at the heavy oaken door. Startled, Gaetan immediately rose to his knees, pulling his trousers up and securing them in a hurry.

“Who goes?” he demanded.

There was a slight hesitation. “It is Lygia, my lord,” she said nervously. “We have come to help the lady.”

Gaetan wriggled his eyebrows at Ghislaine, a comical gesture, as he quickly helped her pull the skirt of her cote down. He also helped her smooth her hair and right her bodice, anything to remove the remnants of their carnal activities. When she was covered and straightened, he rose to his feet and went to the door, opening it.

Three lovely young women were standing in the entry, looking at Gaetan with some nervousness. It was Lygia who spoke again.

“I have come to take the lady to a cottage where she can rest and recover in peace,” she said. “It is not far from here.”

Gaetan glanced over at Ghislaine, who was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall and trying to look quite innocent. Who, me? Having seduced a man? Never! He almost grinned, nearly able to read her thoughts.

“This cottage is fine for her needs,” he said, letting no smile break forth at Ghislaine’s attempts to play the innocent maiden. “You do not need to trouble yourselves by moving her.”

“Forgive me, my lord, but this hut belongs to old Pullum,” Lygia said. “It would be quite crowded for the lady, not to mention the fact that Pullum would not be the friendliest person to live with. The cottage we have prepared will be much better for her.”

Gaetan looked at Ghislaine to see what her reaction was to all of this. Meeting Gaetan’s eye, Ghislaine nodded somewhat eagerly at him before addressing the young women.

“It is very kind of you to do this,” she said. “I will come.”

Lygia moved in to help her stand but Gaetan was already there, sweeping her up into his big arms and carrying her from the cramped cottage. As Camulos trotted out on Gaetan’s heels, Lygia indicated for him to follow her as Verity and Atia followed behind, taking the opportunity to inspect every inch of the massive, very handsome warrior.

Lygia could see what her sisters were doing and she was embarrassed by it. Fearful Gaetan would become wise to what her sisters were doing, she hastened to keep his attention.

“I do hope your leg is not paining you too terribly,” she said to Ghislaine. “My father said that you had a battle wound.”

Cradled in Gaetan’s arms, Ghislaine replied. “We were ambushed while traveling,” she said. “It is an arrow wound and I have managed to tear the stitches, unfortunately. Your healer was very kind to stitch the wound up again.”

Lygia looked at her, greatly concerned. “What terrible fortune,” she said. “Are you feeling any better now?”

Ghislaine looked right at Gaetan, struggling not to grin. “Much, much better.”

Lygia didn’t miss the expressions of warmth that passed between the lady and the enormous warrior. In fact, it tugged at her heart because, once, she had looked at her husband with the same expression. Feeling sad, and perhaps even a little jealous, she turned away.