“That we have,” Talonsaid.“Wolf caught us the bird while Issy taught me to milk a goatand how to change her changing cloth, which is quite disgusting bythe way.”
Lara laughed at his screwed-up nose,the first time she’d laughed out loud in a long time.She felt thegrit in her unkempt hair and smoothed the milk-stained front of hertunic.“Do I have time to bathe in the river beforesupper?”
Talon grinned.“You, we, have all thetime we want.”
Lara returned from the river in aclean tunic and skirt, feeling more refreshed than she had inmonths.And hungry.They feasted on the pheasant and a bowl offreshly picked greens along with what was left of the bread andcheese from Berta until they were both groaning with full bellies.After supper, Lara nursed Isabeau, and woke up some time later toTalon curled around both of them.With a contented sigh, she gaveherself up to blessed sleep.
When next she woke, the sun was highin the noon sky and her breasts were only slightly full.Shedressed and went outside to find Isabeau sleeping in her basket onthe porch while Talon chopped firewood, shirtless.
“You let me sleep inagain.”She admired the play of his muscles as he swung the axedown and split a log.
“You needed it.The wayour little leech of a daughter nurses, it’s not surprising you’reso thin and worn out.”
Tears sprang to Lara’s eyes.“Is thatwhy you haven’t done more than kiss me since you’ve been here?Whyyou don’t want me now?Because you think me too haggard andskinny?”
Talon buried the axe in the log andwalked over to Lara.He ran his hand back through her hair andcupped her chin, the scent of his sweat stirring urges that hadlaid dormant in her for months now.
“I think you worn out andhalf-starved from lack of sleep and proper food.”His voice, hisgaze, were both gentle.“I think you’ve given everything ofyourself to keep this demanding child of ours alive and thriving.I’ve only been tending her for two days, without having carried herin my womb for nine months prior, or nursing her from my own bodythese three and a half months past, and I’m near worn out.I thinkyou deserve all the rest and nourishment and time you need torecover enough so that I can show you how much I want you, youbeautiful, nurturing woman.And the fact that you’ve come so easilyto tears tells me you’re not there yet.”He tilted her chin up andplaced a tender kiss on her lips.“I’ve waited eleven months foryou, I can wait a few more days.”
***
Lara laid a sleeping Isabeau on thebed and cocooned her in the soft woolen blanket Talon bought forher in Tours.She turned to Talon with a hungry smile, thoughthey’d just finished feasting on venison steaks from the buck he’dshot two days ago.The day after he’d told her he could wait untilshe was rested up enough for him.
As grateful and thankful and somehownot at all surprised that he’d dove right in to taking care ofIsabeau and the livestock and property while she rested, she waseven more eager to resume relations with him.She was ready to beLara and Talon again, not just mama and papa to Isabeau.By thegleam in Talon’s eyes, he was ready too.
She pulled off her tunic, dipped acloth in the warm water left in the basin from Isabeau’s bath, andwashed any trace of her daughter’s nursing from her breasts underTalon’s intent gaze.
“I have something foryou,” he said.
Lara dropped her gaze to his breeches.“Yes.You surely do.”
He chuckled.“I have something else Iwant to give you first.”He went to his pack and pulled out aparcel wrapped in green linen.“I was waiting for the, ah, rightmoment to do so.”
Lara unwrapped a folded length ofiridescent green cloth that slipped lightly through her fingers.She rubbed her cheek against the sleek softness.“Is itsilk?”
Talon grinned.“It is.I saw it in themarketplace at Tours and thought of you.”
“Oh Talon.I love it.”Lara let the silk unfurl over her arm.“It’s so light and sheer.”She pulled it up over her shoulder and the silk fluttered in thefire’s light.“It’s like having wings of gossamer.”
“It’s to make you a gownof gossamer.”He hooked a finger between her shoulder and the silk,then ran his knuckle along her skin.“I’ve dreamed of you wearingsuch a gown for so many nights now.”
He unfolded the cloth and wrapped itover both her shoulders, groaning as it fell over her breasts.Lara’s nipples pebbled at the featherlight touch of the silk andwent rock hard as Talon ran the callus of his thumb over one, hisgroan deepening.
Lara leaned into his touch until hecupped her breast.“I’ve missed this, missed you.”She sighed.“Somuch.”
“I know, love.”He pressedher to him and took her mouth with his.“Me too.”
The next thing Lara knew, they werestripping each other’s remaining clothes off and tossing them tothe floor.Lara took in the sight of Talon’s naked body greedily,the sight of his broad shoulders tapering down to his trim waistridged with muscles and the dark trail of hair leading to hishalf-hard cock stoking the ache growing between her legs.Shereached out and touched the telltale weal of a newly healed scarthat slashed across his right hip.
“It looks worse than itwas,” Talon told her.“Nor was the king’s healer half as comely asmy west-end witch.”
She ran her finger along the scar.“Are there any more scars newly added to yourcollection?”
He shook his head and laid his handover hers.“None any worse than the nick from yourarrow.”
Lara touched the light scab that hadalready formed over the scratch on his arm.“I am sorry I shot atyou.”
“It’s of nomatter.”