GABRIELLE HAD NOT KNOWN SUCH EXQUISITE PLEASURE was possible.

Content to stay in his arms, her hand still rested on his chest over his heart as she stared across the room at the dying embers. She thought he was asleep and tried to pull the covers up, but Colm tightened his hold on her. She snuggled closer, sighed, and closed her eyes.

“Colm?”

He yawned. “Yes?”

“Why did you hit Liam? Do you remember hitting him?”

“I remember. He couldn’t walk any farther, and he would have felt disgraced if he were carried.”

“Knocking your poor brother senseless was an act of kindness then.”

“You could think so.”

Her mind floated from one thought to another. She was quiet for several minutes and then asked, “Did you love Joan when you were betrothed to her?”

“No.”

He obviously didn’t feel any further explanation was necessary.

Another minute passed and then she whispered, “More salt is coming. I forgot to tell you, but you will have enough to fill your storeroom when the last trunks are brought.”

“It is a good gift,” he said. “Salt has more value than gold here.”

She jumped to another question almost immediately. “Those two men who were caught sneaking into the abbey to kill Liam…were they also sent by MacKenna?”

“Yes. Evidently they were new recruits. MacKenna appears to have hired every degenerate character he came across.”

“I am not sorry my guards killed them.”

He smiled in the darkness. She sounded fierce. “Go to sleep, Gabrielle. You need your rest.”

“Will you tell me what happened to the men who beat Liam?”

“No.”

“Just one last question, if you please. My mother’s statue of St. Biel will be moved from the courtyard at Wellingshire and brought here. It’s a tradition. Will you mind? It’s quite large.”

“I will not mind unless you plan to put a statue in our bed. Now sleep.”

“Shouldn’t I kiss you good night?” she teased.

“Do you realize how you tempt me? You are tender now. You should sleep.”

Even as he was telling her what she should do, he was rolling her onto her back and kissing the side of her neck. He was not gentle with her this second time. Already discovering what she liked, his lovemaking was less restrained. She wrapped her legs around him as he drove deep inside her. He groaned, and when he began to move his hips, she cried out in blissful rapture. She found fulfillment first and his release followed. It was even better this second time.

Exhausted and sated, she closed her eyes. Colm lifted up on his elbows and looked down at her. “Now you will sleep,” he commanded. He rolled onto his side and pulled her up against him so that her back was pressed against his chest.

She was of a mind to obey.