Read My Lady's Pleasure for Free Online Page A

terror. He took her hands in his to steady her.
    Just then, the minstrel Trey strummed his lyre. He played a lilting melody, rhythmic and soothing. After a moment, Josalyn’s shoulders lowered, and her lips curled into a smile.
    The spell that had swirled around him encompassed them both. Whether magic from the troubadour’s lyre or the simple reality that they’d been joined by a mutual vow, the fear lifted from her brow.
    Now he could approach her with no fear she’d retreat. He could kiss her and seal their marriage before the people of her castle. He would, but first, he reached around to the nape of her neck and pulled her braid over her shoulder. He untied the ribbon that held the plait together and then worked his fingers through it. The strands warmed his palms as he untangled them. Her curls made the same aura around her face as they had the first moment he’d laid eyes on her. Shimmering and changing colors, today following the strains of Trey’s music. Impossible, and yet undeniable.
    He placed his hands against the sides of her face, one thumb beneath her chin to tip her mouth upward to his. Her lips parted and trembled as he bent to kiss her. This first taste would begin the gentling of her. Too much force and she’d dart away from him like an untamed colt. He paused with a fraction of an inch between them and let her come to him.
    She did, closing her eyes before she pressed her mouth to his. Sweet, oh, sweet. She melted like honey into him, her lips fitting against his as if created for this moment. He held himself back, but the effort threatened to snap his connection to reality. He’d come to her already hungry, had felt her small hands on his body, had thought of nothing but bedding her while he’d waited for this day. Still, he couldn’t plunder her the way his body had craved for what felt like eternity.
    She sighed and stepped closer to him, inviting his embrace. Never breaking off the kiss, he pulled her into his arms and savored her more deeply. She yielded, soft under his hands, as he drank deeply of her sweetness. He sucked her lower lip between both of his and then stroked it with the tip of his tongue. The gods be praised, she answered with her own tongue, a quick fluttering into his mouth.
    A bolt shot through him, like lightning. It blinded him to everything but the woman whose body rested against his. He pulled her against him and ravished her mouth the way he’d dreamed of for days.
    Finally, sound penetrated his fevered mind. Laughter. The music had stopped, and the assembled guests chuckled. Some even clapped.
    He put Josalyn away from him but bent to whisper into her ear. “We’d best stop ere I embarrass myself.”
    She nodded but didn’t speak as her breath came fast and hard against his cheek. Finally, he took her hand and turned to face the crowd. After a moment, a group of chattering women flocked around his new wife and led her away from him. They laughed and even squealed as they left. If English females were anything like the ones from his home, they’d be taking her to prepare her for the wedding bed. He could wait a bit longer for their first joining. If she enjoyed the ritual, so much the better.
    Trey approached him with his instrument tucked under one arm. “If I know women, they’ll keep your bride busy for a while before you can go to her.”
    “You know about wedding nights, minstrel?”
    “I know something about love, and waiting, and when you think you’ll never breathe until you can have your woman.”
    “I breathe well enough,” Ulric said.
    “Still, you could no doubt use some wine to help you pass the time.”
    He glanced around the empty chapel. The other men and the priest would be toasting the marriage. He might as well join them.
    “Come along,” Trey said. “I need to talk to you.”
    “You don’t command me.”
    “Fine, then.” Trey bowed. “May I please speak with you, my lord? I think you’ll be interested in what I have to