The Tempest: A Guy of Gisborne Story Read online

  After his valet helped him remove his boots, he dismissed the help. It had been a long day, and he wanted no company besides his wife. He moved about the room and blew out the candles, leaving only the light of the fire. Going to the bed, he sat down to remove his clothes, tossing them over a chair. He slipped under the sheet, moving against his wife’s side. Putting his arm around her, he put his head on his pillow and closed his eyes.

  “Working your magic on our children once again, are you?”

  The sudden sound of her voice brought his eyes open. He looked down at her and smirked.

  “I thought you were sleeping?”

  She shook her head. “I am not in need of sleep.”

  For a moment he studied her, noting the inflection in her voice. Then, underneath the covers, he felt the sensation of her foot against his leg.

  “Your feet are cold,” he said.

  She smirked up at him. “That is why I put them there. They are in need of warmth.”

  The way she was looking at him, he suddenly realized what was on her mind. She was amorous…he could see it in her eyes. And it thrilled him along every nerve he possessed. But it seemed too good to be true. The very last thing he had wanted was to hurt her in any way, and for the sake of her health, they’d refrained from full marital relations for a little over two months. She’d found ways to please him without resuming the deepest intimacy, and while it satisfied his basic needs, he missed the great emotional and spiritual bonding they’d had before.

  But now, here they were together. She was looking at him with such clear intentions…and he prayed that it wasn’t just his imagination.

  She slinked her arms around him, moving herself so that her body lay pressed against his. They were breast to breast, nose to nose. Her voice was soft and warm.

  “I was thinking, my love, that we are mother and father. But we must not forget that we are also husband and wife.”

  His breath quickened as he spoke. “Are you certain?”

  Her answer was a seductive, loving smile. “Quite certain.”

  He was thrilled for a moment. But then his expression fell. “What if I should harm you in some way?”

  Her smile became one of amusement.

  “There is no danger. It has been nearly ten weeks since the children were born. I have been walking daily, regaining my strength and energy. I feel fully restored to my previous state of health. And I have missed you very much.”

  He smiled, his eyes shining with love. “As I have missed you.”

  She kissed him then, and as he kissed her back, he gave a silent plea of thanks that his beloved was returned to him…returned to him, body and soul.

  *****

  “Would you suppose it indecent if we were to go on a picnic tomorrow?”

  He smiled at her proposal. They lay blissfully content and entwined, as they had been so many times before. Her head rested against him, her fingers gently stroking his skin. When they were together in this way, he knew the very nature of her thoughts. A picnic, indeed. He could not help teasing her.

  “Why on earth would you want to go on a picnic? Tomorrow is the Sabbath.”

  “Yes, I know. What of it?”

  “Would you rather not spend your day in holy worship?”

  She lifted her head and gave him an indignant look…to which he smirked. And in response she gave him a fist to the shoulder.

  “Worship indeed,” she replied. “I shall find quite enough of that in church. But after that, I want to be with you, and you alone. Are you aware of how long it has been since we’ve been absolutely without company?”

  “Too long,” he replied. “In all honesty, I cannot recall the last time.”

  “Not since our honeymoon trip. That is how long it has been. And much as I adore our children and our family, I feel a great need to have my husband all to myself, even if it is only for a little while.”

  When she was being this way, so eager for him, he adored her more than ever. He threaded his fingers through her hair, gntly cradling her head in his hands as he gazed at her. The corner of his mouth rose up…and a wicked gleam shown in his eyes.

  “You shall have me to yourself. And perhaps we will spend more than an afternoon together.”

  She smirked, her own eyes starting to shine with mischief. “More than an afternoon, hmm?”

  He brought her lips to his, kissing her repeatedly between the words he spoke.

  “Perhaps we will slip away early in the morn, before anyone has the chance to encounter us.”

  “We shall cause a scandal with such behavior.”

  Gently he rolled her to her back. His kisses traveled a path downwards.

  “Yes, I am certain we will.”

  “People shall talk, you know.”

  “Let them, then. I have been the ill subject of many discussions. It is of little consequence to me.”

  She giggled, her hands ruffling softly in his hair. “Wicked man. I thank the maker that you are not so decent as some. What a dull existence that would be.”

  He chuckled, continuing to worship her with his lips, his touch, and all the love he had in his heart.

  Once, a long time ago, wickedness had held a truly evil connotation when attached to his name. But now he took it as the best of endearments, because he knew it was born of pure love. Her passionate kisses, her sweet embraces…each adoring look and loving word were a reminder to him of how very fortunate he was. He was deeply loved, and for the first time in his life, he felt deserving of that love.

  At long last, Guy of Gisborne had found peace.

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