The Pleasures of Sin (30 page)

She sat up, arranging the pillows beneath her to a more comfortable position. “Already trying to dictate my artwork, I see.”

“Brenna—” he warned.

Taking his face between both of her hands, she kissed him. “I did
not
paint the king’s member on the king.”

“Nay?”

“Nay.”

“You did not see the crowning glory? Then how—”

“I painted yours.”

James gave a bark of laughter that caused the bedropes to creak. The king’s head and his, er, other head.

“It seemed a suitable punishment for the weeks His Royal Vainness kept you locked in a dungeon.”

Her wicked sense of humor pleased him. In fact, much about this woman pleased him. Her humor. Her scent. Her passion. Her willingness to trust him enough to come to London for him.

“My lord, I was terrified to think what might happen to you. This is all my fault. I should never have left with my brother.”

“Nay, you should not have,” he agreed. “You are mine.”

She eyed the spider web of chains coyly. “The way I see it,
you
are
mine
. All mine.”

James took a deep breath. “Brenna, we must discuss this. I had thought when I married that my wife would stay at Montgomery Castle and I would scarcely see her—that it would be an amicable life for two strangers who were not in love but forced to be together. I was selfish in the past to make a wife go with me.

“But I do not want to leave you at Montgomery Castle. My business takes me on long voyages. I have been cooped up too long and had too much of this life on land. I want to feel the sting of salt spray and taste the sea brine. I want to show our son the waves and water and many lands of this world.” He ran a finger down her collarbone. “If you do not wish to go with me, ’tis best you call the king’s guards, clutch the key firmly and leave me chained, because, so help me, wife, if you are anywhere I can get to you, I will recapture you and take you with me. You were all I could think of for the months we’ve been apart.”

Her eyes shimmered. “I want to go with you. My artwork suffered terribly and I could scarcely paint anything worthwhile when I was existing in that dull and listless life in the abbey.”

“So, that’s the true reason you came for me—because our passion inspires you and so you could paint better?”

“Of course no—” she started sharply, then stopped, apparently realizing that he was teasing her. “I love you, my lord. I believe we can create a life together. One better than each of us ever had alone. After experiencing the beauty of the sea, even Italy is too small for me. I have proven I can paint, and paint well, on a ship.”

Her words thrilled him. He spread gentle kisses across her cheek, reveling in the way she shivered at his touch. “You will follow me?”

“Yea, my lord, gladly. When I met you, I was locked in my chamber and you set me free.”

He hugged her, enjoying the unique gesso and tempera scent of her skin. A comfortable silence filled the chamber for a moment as they held each other.

“I have much to tell you about my past,” she whispered. “I have discovered confusing and horrid things about my childhood and about my family.”

“We will work it out together. We have a lifetime to talk through unresolved matters. There is naught in your past that means anything to me—only the future.”

When she still made no motion to use the key, he raised his hand, letting the chain dangle down between them. “Unlock me, wife, ’tis time to begin this future together.”

“Not so hasty, my lord,” she said, her voice taking on a coy tone. “A bargain first.”

“I will pay your fines, if that is what concerns you.”

“Nay, the bargain I am thinking of does not involve the king at all.”

He grinned at her, understanding her game. Their relationship had always been a series of bargains. Some of them most…pleasurable. “And what is it that my lady wants?”

“Hmmm,” she said. “Mayhap I will have to think on this.”

He nuzzled her neck. “Do not think too long or, despite my resolve to give you a choice, I will ravish you and take the key without your consent.”

She laughed and kissed him, running her fingers through his hair. “That sounds very interesting, my lord.”

“I love you, Brenna. You will always be my captive wife.”

Love shone brightly in her eyes. “And you will not set me free?”

“Never.”