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headboard nearly as tall as
she and carved with a simple design void of any ornamentation. Fine
Egyptian silk sheets had been placed on a down mattress and covered
with soft furs.
    Dominick moved to the hearth to stare into
the flames. For the first time that night she was able to look at
her husband without her distorted perception. He was certainly the
tallest man she’d ever seen, but not the ten-foot giant he had
seemed to be in the meadow. His fine garments expressed wealth and
status. Rich black leather boots adorned with silver buckles laced
up to his knees. He wore deerskin britches and a tunic of the
whitest wool she’d ever seen. It accentuated his raven hair.
    Caught up in her observations, she jumped at
the sound of her name.
    “Eleanor,” he said softly, still staring into
the fire. “I have never taken a woman against her will. And even
though we are married, I will not take you until you’re ready.”
    She couldn’t grasp his words, and her
confusion must have shown on her face, because he drew his sword
and laid it in the center of the bed.
    “This sword,” he said with conviction, “will
remain here between us until you’re ready for me. And only by your
hand will it be removed.”
    “Is this some game you play?”
    “No, it’s no game.”
    “If not a game,” she snapped, “what is it you
expect of me?”
    His face looked weary. “Nothing this night,
Eleanor.”
    He began to undress, removing his tunic
first.
    Eleanor moved to the hearth and stood with
her arms crossed over her chest as though to protect herself. “If
you don’t plan to bed me, why do you remove your clothing?”
    “Unless I’m on campaign, I’m not accustomed
to wearing garments while I sleep.” He sighed. “And I feel it’s
important that you grow accustomed to the sight of your husband’s
body.”
    He turned and sat on the bed to remove his
boots.
    The scars that webbed across his back brought
a spontaneous reaction.
    “God’s blood! Who could have done such a
thing?” Who could have whipped him like an animal?
    He straightened, eyes focused on some distant
place. “We have both seen men’s evil, Eleanor. In that we are not
so different.”
    Then he finished removing his boots and
britches. As he stood before her naked, she turned away feeling
mortified.
    “Do I repulse you?”
    It took a moment to find her voice. “N . . .
no. But I, I have never seen a man naked before. If men needed
tending, Martha usually took care of them.”
    “Before long, the sight of my body will no
longer make you ill at ease.” He walked toward her. “Let me help
you with your gown.”
    She ran to the other side of the room.
“No.”
    “You have had a long day and need your rest
for tomorrow. You will be more comfortable in your chemise.”
    “I said no.”
    “You will strangle yourself in the middle of
the night with all the layers of clothing you wear.” He sighed
loudly. “I have vowed not to take you without your consent. Now
please, make yourself comfortable and let me help you with your
gown.
    Eleanor studied his face for any trickery.
She saw none. Her mind made up, she turned her back to him and
braced herself to keep from trembling. “Very well.”
    Tenderly, he moved her hair over her shoulder
then gently
    unlaced her dress and slipped it down her
shoulders. He offered his hand as she stepped out of her gown.
    Scurrying to the bed, she slid between the
sheets and pulled them up to her chin. Her heart leapt into her
throat when Dominick’s hand reached over and tucked the furs around
her.
    “Sleep well, my bride. You’re safe.” Dominick
blew out the candle and rolled over, giving her his back.
    Safe. Can I truly believe it?
     

Chapter
Six
    “I t’s done, my lord.
The king’s general, Wolfingham, has married Lady Eleanor. Godwin
now belongs to him.”
    Dominick the Immortal! McPhearson’s
heart grew dark at the thought of William’s henchman, and he glared
at the messenger.
    Godwin and the fair