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