The Deed by Lynsay Sands Read Free Book Online Page A

He supposed it was nice to know his wife had known no other, but Amaury had
     never taken a virgin. Being a bastard and knowing the trials of a bastards life, he had
     been determined not to produce one himself, and had therefore lavished his attentions on
     camp followers and wenches, never virgins. Now, however, he found himself in a quandary.
     Never having bedded a virgin, he really had no idea how to proceed.
    His gaze slid to his wifes face. She looked completely unperturbed by what was coming, but
     he had to wonder how long he could hope for that to last. Probably right up until the
     bedroom door closed, he decided. Then she would no doubt burst into rivers of tears and
     fears and look at him like he was an animal.
    Sighing inwardly, he tried to remember all he had ever heard of bedding virgins from
     others. They were a fearful lot from all accounts. That much was certain. And the first
     time would hurt too, hed been told. It was the maidens veil, of course. A man had to ram
     through it. There was said to be blood sometimes, sometimes a great deal of it.
    Swallowing once more, he felt a fine film of sweat begin on his forehead. How was he to
     approach this frail and petite lady with all of this? It was impossible. He would crush
     her with his very weight. Might crack her in half with his passion. He simply could not
     give her the tenderness she deserved, especially not when he had thought of little else
     but the consummation since their wedding. At least he had since he had lifted the veil and
     seen how comely a wench she was. Lady, he corrected himself. His wife was a lady and an
     untried one at that.
    My lord? Amaury glanced at her with a start to find her smiling at him ever so gently.
     This is myour room, she informed him quietly.
    Ah. Clearing his throat, he reached for the door and opened it for her, then hesitated
     about entering. It had suddenly occurred to him to wonder if it would not be more seemly
     to allow her a few moments alone in their room to do whatever it was women did to prepare
     for bed.
    Emma was halfway across the room when she realized that her new husband had not followed
     her. Turning back, she found he still stood in the doorway of the room. Neither all the
     way in yet, nor all the way out, he seemed deep in thought, his face pinched in
     concentration as he pondered whatever was concerning him. My lord?
    Her new husband looked at her then, and Emma was amazed to see uncertainty on his face.
     Then understanding came to her. This was his first time, she realized, and felt her heart
     melt with understanding. Up until that moment she had been working herself into a fine
     lather, silently fretting over having to share her bed again. Despite knowing what to
     expect, it was still nerve-wracking being abed with a man for the first time. But now that
     she saw how fearful he was, she found herself feeling much better. After all, if he had
     never been abed with a woman before, she was the more experienced one. That being the
     case, she immediately found herself taking control of the situation.
    Come. Smiling gently, she held a hand out toward him. All will be well. Realizing that his
     virgin wife was trying to comfort him, Amaury shook his head in bewilderment and
    entered the room, pulling the door shut behind him.
    As he closed the door, Emma turned to peer around the room, her gaze landing on the screen
     Rolfe had brought back to her from one of his travels. Would you like to use the screen to
     disrobe? she asked when he turned to peer at her.
    Nay, Ill wear naught to bed.
    Oh! She flushed slightly, disconcerted at that, then regained her composure and moved to
     the screen. Then I shall use it and you may use the room itself, she decided, moving out
     of sight behind the screen.
    Amaury stared at the screen his young bride was hidden behind, then turned to survey the
     room. It was a dark and gloomy room. The large bed was the first