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smiled and reached toward her, fingering the edge of her cloak. “Oh, I think we do. It’s a husband’s right to pick his wife’s lovers or the man she’ll wed after his death.”
    Alice blushed at his words, remembering the never-ending string of passionate young men Lord Geoffrey had paraded before her during their marriage. He had urged her to take a lover who could fill the void in her life. She had refused. She would also refuse his wishes this time, she vowed silently.
    “A man needs a wife in this wild country,” Gunn told her, his voice turning as smooth and rich as aged brandy. “It’s a cold, hard life for those of us who are alone. It takes a woman’s gentling hand to keep us from turning heathen out here in the forest. Look at me, Alice.” Gunn stood and spread his arms wide before her. “Would you believe, seeing me like this, that I used to be quite the dandy back in England? But who’s to shave and bathe for, to wear fine clothes for in this place?” He moved closer, bending down to look directly into her eyes, his own a deep, smoldering green. “Who’s to court and woo?” He touched her chin with one finger. “Who’s to cuddle and kiss?”
    Alice wasn’t sure how it happened, but the next moment she was locked in his embrace. His mouth came down on hers, kissing her firmly, but gently. Still holding her with one arm, he slipped the cloak from her shoulders. His hands moved up her arms to the bare flesh of her throat. His stroking sent little quivers down her spine. Bright lights seemed to glow behind her closed lids. She wanted to struggle against him, but the pressure of his big, hard body against hers and his strong arms around her made Alice feel safe for the first time in so long.
    Finally he released her. “There,” he said quietly, “you see what I mean. There’s something about a kiss that a man—or a woman—can’t live without. It’s a sort of magic that makes everything right. If you’ve no one to share it with”—he shook his head sadly—“then life’s just not the same.”
    Alice wiped the back of her hand across her mouth gently. “Is that the way you savages treat ladies?”
    He laughed. “If you mean Indian savages, no. It takes a proper Scottish savage to do it right. The Abenaki never kiss their women.”
    “You shouldn’t have kissed me.” Her voice trembled as she spoke.
    Gunn reached for her once more. “Oh, I think I should have. In fact, I think I will again.”
    Alice’s protest died on her lips as Gunn’s mouth came down the second time. This kiss was more demanding. His tongue smoothed over her puffy lips. Surprised by the intimate contact, she opened her mouth to protest—exactly what he wanted her to do. An instant later she felt his penetration. She stiffened at first, but soon her defenses melted away. Her blood warmed and her heart raced. Her breasts ached and her thighs felt hot. What was this great heathen doing to her? she wondered. She’d never felt this way before in her life. But then, her husband had never kissed her this way.
    “Oh, mum, I beg your pardon!” Pegeen’s voice, shrill with surprise, broke the spell.
    Alice twisted her head away and pushed out of Gunn’s arms. She felt her face flame. “This isn’t what you think, Peg.”
    Pegeen grinned broadly at her mistress. “Oh, serving girls don’t think, mum. That’s the beauty of us.”
    Alice turned back just in time to see Gunn wink at the girl. Her fury raged again. “I think you’d best leave now, Mr. Gunn.”
    He leaned down and gave Alice a quick peck on the cheek. “You can call me Chris now that we’re going to be married.”
    As he ducked out the door, Alice picked up a tin cup from the table and threw it at him, but it hit the wall and clattered harmlessly to the dirt floor.
    Once he was gone, Pegeen threw herself on her mistress with a strangling hug. “Oh, mum, I’m so happy for you! Being in love must be right wonderful.”
    Alice pulled the girl