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.Idly, she trailed her forefinger down Rannulf’s cheek where the scar marked him.It was time, she decided, to let him know she spoke his native language.“Beaufour did this to you, then?” she asked, in her halting French.“Aye.” Rannulf’s response was muffled, drowsy.“But Judith, I beg you, don’t sour this night with thinking of him.”Judith frowned.He was half asleep and had replied automatically in his own tongue.But he had not realised she’d been speaking French, too.She tried again.“Was it good, our loving?”He ruffled her hair, and kissed a smooth shoulder.“Wretch, you know it was,” he said.To rouse him, Judith thumped him crossly on the chest.“Wake up, Rannulf.Your devoted slave wants some attention.”The lean body next to hers went rigid, and she watched with satisfaction as the blood drained from his face.At last, she thought, he’s realised I know the truth.Green eyes bored into her.“What…what did you say?”“Aye, my love.I do speak your tongue.” She had to grin.Rannulf looked as though he’d been cast adrift on a wide ocean in a small boat without any oars.“Then you heard? You know?”“Aye.I know you own me.”“And you don’t mind?” he asked, wonderingly.She dropped a light kiss on his nose.“It would seem not.”Rannulf hugged her to him.“Oh, God, Judith,” he groaned.“I do love you.But I was afraid to tell you all of it, in case—”“I know.Tell me now,” she said.She was so full of happiness that she could scarcely think.At last he had admitted he loved her.“You want chapter and verse?” he asked.“Aye.”“Very well.When we first met, you took me to be a Saxon.And when you discovered me to be Norman, that drove a wedge between us.We overcame it.But then you found me to be kin to the man your brothers had sworn to hate.Another wedge.” Rannulf’s arms tightened round her.“We overcame that.But—” Rannulf grimaced “—you were such an independent creature, your freedom seemed all important to you.I thought that if you found out I’d bought you…that would be the end of it.”“I think we have always belonged to each other,” Judith confessed softly.“Ever since you saved me four years ago.”Rannulf put her at arm’s length and swung from the bed.“If that’s how you feel, I have something for you.” He rummaged through the coffer by the wall and brought out a small scroll.“Here.” He tossed it over to her.“’Tis yours to burn.”Curiously, Judith turned it over.The inked lettering meant nothing to her.“I cannot read, Rannulf,” she said.“’Tis a deed of sale for one female slave of English origin,” Rannulf told her, coming to sit on the edge of the bed.“Burn it.”She held it out to him, smiling.“My thanks, Rannulf.You burn it for me.”His hand paused halfway to the parchment.“Only on one condition…”“What condition?”“That you consent to become my wife,” he said.Judith bit her lip, and tried to look serious.“And if I don’t agree…?”Rannulf grinned, and snatched the paper from her hand.“Why, then I keep this, and am forced to command you.You see, there are conditions to your freedom, love.” He put his hand on his heart.“I cannot risk losing you, I fear it would kill me—”“So you offer me my freedom on condition I surrender it to you,” she said quietly.“Do I have it right?”“Aye.”“You make no sense that I can see, Rannulf.But I love you.I agree.”She leaned up on one elbow to watch him cross to the fire and flick the parchment on to the dull embers.A brief yellow flare of light filled the chamber as the scroll shrivelled to nothing.Her gaze wandered over his well-muscled body, and came to rest on the neat bandage on his arm.Eadwold’s grey eyes flickered for an instant into her mind, leaving her cold inside.Judith pulled the bed-clothes tight around her body.It seemed almost wrong to be so happy when her brother’s eyes would never see daylight again.Firmly, she thrust Eadwold from her mind.“Rannulf?”Rannulf dropped down beside her, put an arm round her waist, and buried his face in her hair.“Mmm?”“What would you have done if I had not agreed?” she wondered.“Would you really have ordered me?”“We’ll never know that now, will we?” he murmured, nibbling her ear.“Rannulf, stop.I want to know.It worries me.”His hand slid to caress her breast, and the familiar weakness invaded Judith’s limbs.“Rannulf—” she protested, trying not to respond.“Don’t worry about it,” he recommended.“Put your arms about me instead, and kiss me.”“Promise you’ll love me forever?”He gave her a straight look.“You’re greedy!”“For you, yes,” she confessed.Rannulf sighed.“I fear I cannot oblige you,” he said.Judith’s heart stopped.“Why…why not?” His lips twitched.His green eyes were shimmering with laughter.“Why you vindictive, unfeeling brute!” she exclaimed, trying unsuccessfully to escape his hold, and hitting out instead.Rannulf captured her hands and pinned her down.“As I was saying—” he was deliberately baiting her “—I cannot love you forever.Nothing lasts forever.I can only promise to love you till the day I die.”A radiant smile transformed her face.“Will that suffice, princess?” He released her hands, and took hold of her chin.“Or are you greedier still?”“I fear I must be insatiable, Rannulf,” Judith whispered, running her hands over his back.Her palms warmed to the feel of his skin beneath them.“For I want yet more from you.”“How about this?” Rannulf’s breath warmed her cheeks.His lips covered hers.“Is that what you had in mind?”“Aye, Rannulf, that it was
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