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have been moved to that chest. I shall meet you in the chapel. And we
shall go on the hunt together.”
    He captured
her hand in his and pressed a quick kiss to it. He dressed and left the room,
heading straight to the kitchens.
    He found
Cook, already busy with preparations for the day. He gave her a hug and pressed
a quick kiss to her cheek. The old woman blushed as red as Merryn could.
    “I must
thank you for the wonderful wedding feast you prepared. Every dish surpassed
the previous one.”
    “I thank
ye, me lord. Nuttin’s too good for you and Lady Merryn, I say.”
    “I have a
favor to ask, Cook.”
    “Name it,
me lord. I’ll do me best to please ye.”
    Geoffrey
explained how he wanted to steal his wife away during the hunt.
    “Just the
two of us, you see. Simple fare is all we need. A small round of cheese. Some
bread.”
    “I’ll take
care of it meself. Come back ‘fore the hunt begins. There’ll be a sack awaiting
which ye can attach to yer horse.”
    He gave her
a hug. “Thank you, Cook. I appreciate your kindness.”
    “’Tis a
pleasure, me lord.”
    Geoffrey
hoped the day would be as sunny and cool as yesterday’s had been. He’d thought
it the best of weather for a November wedding. Now he needed two days of flawless
skies in a row. He made his way from the kitchens and through the Great Hall.
Several people greeted him with a sly smile, knowing what he’d been up to last
night.
    He stepped
outside and found the day cold but clear. By the time the hunt began, it might
even warm up some.
    And if it
didn’t? ‘Twould be a perfect excuse to hold his wife extra close.
    Geoffrey
headed to the chapel, a grin breaking out across his face.
    His first
mass as a married man. He couldn’t wait to sit next to his wife.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER 7
     
    Geoffrey
sat stone still next to Merryn, his shoulder touching hers. He longed to take
her hand, but he knew that would be frowned upon.
    He couldn’t
fool himself. He wanted more than to take his wife’s hand. He fought the urge
to put his hands all over her. And his mouth. Especially in the most intimate
of places.
    Fighting
the carnal urges, he truly tried his best to focus on good and pure thoughts.
Time and again, though, all he wanted to worship was Merryn’s body. He planned
to do plenty of that later today.
    He gave up
trying to push aside such wicked thoughts. An all-knowing God would understand.
He made such a beautiful creature—especially for Geoffrey—so He would forgive
him the sin of daydreaming about being in the arms of his wife. After all, God
forgave a sinner his sins. Surely, it couldn’t be a huge one to want to love
one’s wife.
     Mass
ended. They left the chapel and made their way to the Great Hall. He noted his
mother already had fresh rushes placed on the floor after last night’s feast.
He imagined more than a few spilled cups of wine and ale had graced the floor.
    He shared a
trencher with Merryn. She seemed quiet this morning. He didn’t know if it came
from last night’s bouts of lovemaking that tired her or if she truly were upset
about accompanying him on the hunt.
    Still, he
wanted to surprise her. He said nothing of his plans. They finished the small
meal. His father announced the hunt would begin shortly. Cheers went up, and a ripple
of excitement passed through the room.
    “I think I
shall go beg Cook for an apple each for Destiny and Mystery. I’m sure they’d
like a treat along the way. Would you see both horses are saddled? I shall meet
you at the stables.”
    Merryn gave
him a small curtsy. “Of course, my lord husband. Your wish is my command.” She
gave him a saucy smile.
    She might
not be eager to hunt, but he saw her eagerness to please him. He was happy he
had this surprise planned for her.
    He was also
pleased that she had affixed the sapphire brooch to her clothing. He’d taken it
out and stared at it every day after he purchased it. The blue stones reminded
him of her eyes and how