Chapter 11

Snow was an excellent host, asking all the right questions, being her usual charming self. River couldn't take his eyes form her, his gaze often turning to her.

I smile at Lily, whispering in her ear. "I think River finds our queen very appealing."

Lily looks over to Eric, his attention turn to his daughter. Hope sits in her father's lap, her laughter infectious.

Hunter was playing in the corner with Duke Edwards's son Seth, while Iris sits quietly next to me. She looks up, her hazel eyes looking so tired. I stroke her soft cheek, her grin beaming. "Do you want to go play with Hope?" She shakes her head, her curls bouncing.

Iris takes my hand, her fingers wrapping around my fingers. "I'm sleepy Father, can I go now?"

Lily smiles at me, taking Iris by the hand. "I'll go put her and Hunter down and I'll be back my love." She kisses me softly, her hand lingering on my neck. I glance over the table to see Rain running her fingers through her hair, biting at her bottom lip.

I turn my eyes, Lily glaring over her shoulder. "When I return I am going to have a word with her." I watch the cool blue of her eyes get darker. Eric walks over with Hope, the tiny girl yawning.

"Lily, do you care to take Hope to Rose, she has had enough excited for one evening." Lily takes Hope's hand, Iris holding the other. Seth collects Hunter for Lily and they all walk out together.

Lily had barely left the room when Rain makes her way to me. I stand, greeting her. "Are you enjoying yourself Miss Bassett?" She throws her hair over her should, showing the hint of breast peeking throw the dress.

"Not yet but I hope to." She runs her hand over my shoulder, trailing down my back. I shift away from her, my entire body tingling. I knew this was wrong but she was beautiful and alluring.

Eric clears his throat from behind me, making Rain glance over to him. I turn to him, all thoughts of Rain erased. "Eric, would you like to move this to the council room. I believe you wanted to sign an accord with the Romani people."

Eric takes Rain by the elbow pulling her closer to him. "I have watched you all evening." She smiles, her face beaming. "You have tried to use your feminine wiles all night toward my friend here. I think Duke Hammond has made it clear he is married, happily so and loves his children. I have not seen him make one advance or movement to lead you otherwise. I'd suggest you drop this or take it to a tavern where it will work. Romani women seem to have the right charm for such establishments. This is my Queen's castle and not some brothel."

Rain jerks her arm from Eric's grip and storms out of the dining hall. River kisses Snow's hand, following his sister out. Eric rubs his jaw, smirking at me. "Was it something I said?"

I clasp my hand on his shoulder as we both laugh. Snow wrinkles her face joining us. "Eric I told you to set her straight not start a war." Eric bends kissing her cheek.

Snow says goodnight to the Dukes and their wives, Sirra hugging Snow as she leaves.

Eric and I walk to the council room, Snow walking ahead of us. I watch Eric, his eyes moving with the sway of Snow's hips. "Does the King like what he sees?"

He doesn't move his gaze, his smirk growing. "Yes the King does and he plans to see more of it later." I roll my eyes; he would always be Eric the Huntsman underneath all that royal garb.

We find Rain and River in the council room, Rain wearing River's long coat. River takes Snow's hand, kissing her knuckles. "My Queen, let me say it would be an honor to sign this accord. We will live in the river town and live under your rule while there. Once spring arrives we will move on, this is not our kingdom. We hope to make it back to our homeland before the next winter. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated. My sister and I will be leaving now, thank you my Queen, my King."

Eric and Snow escort them to the main gate, leaving me to face my wife.

When I open the door Lily is setting by the fire, her white night shift showing her form. Hunter and Iris are fast asleep in their room, their angelic faces so peaceful.

I take off my coat and boots, sitting down next to Lily. "Why did you not return my love?"

"I am too tired and too great with child to deal with Rain Bassett any more tonight." I turn her face to me, her cheeks streamed with tears.

Taking her in my arms, I hold her tight. I loosen her hair, watching it fall all around her. "I love you Lily and that woman is nothing to me. I'm sorry if she upset you my love."

She crushes her lips to mine, her hands winding in my hair. I kiss her back, my hands sliding down her back. She pulls me closer, her lips moving feverishly upon mine.

I pick her up in my arms, placing her in the bed. She pulls my shirt off, working quickly on my pant laces. She grins at me, her blue eyes full of desire. "I want you William."
"Then you shall have me wife." I kick my pants to the corner, crawling in the bed toward her. She lifts her shift off, her body so beautiful and mine.

Lily's eyes twinkle as she pushes me to the bed, resting her body over mine. Straddling me, she runs her hands over my chest making my need for her grow.

She lowers herself on me, washing all thoughts but her out of my mind.

The morning finds me satisfied and content, my wife in my arms. I had my way with her last night, repeatedly. It had been some time since last we were together, Lily making up for that.

She opens her sapphire blue eyes, her smile slowly creeping across her lips. "Good morning my love." I kiss her forehead watching her reach out to her belly.

"The baby is awake and kicking. Hello little one." I run my hand over her roundness, the baby kicking back at me.

"I wonder if we have a son or a daughter, either is fine with me." She laces her fingers through mine.

"Like you said my love, healthy is all we can really hope for." She kisses my chest, the lustful look from last night returning.

As I take her lips we are interrupted by two rambunctious children. Lily throws the sheet around herself, waving for Clara to stop them.

Quickly, I slide my pants on, taking Iris in my arms. "Father, can I go riding today?" She loved to ride, her brown pony a present from Snow and Eric.

"I will take you and Hunter riding later, I need to go out with Uncle Eric today." She smiles, always a reasonable child.

Hunter jumps on the bed, Lily heading for her dressing screen. "Mum, when will I have a new baby brother?"

I scoop him up in my arms. "What makes you think you'll get a baby brother, you could have a sister?"

Hunter crinkles his face. "I want a brother, please."

Lily laughs from behind the dress screen, my laughter joining hers. "I'll do my best Hunter to give you a brother."

"Go play with your sister, then we'll head down for breakfast." Hunter looks at me, not sure why we're laughing.

At breakfast Eric reminds me we are riding out to the river town this morning, Lily not liking that at all. "William, I do not like you spending time around that woman."

"You have nothing to worry about Lily. Rain could prance around in the nude and I wouldn't care." Her face goes from pale to flush.

"Eric, will you kindly keep that woman away from William." Eric chews his sausage, staring at her.

"There is nothing like a jealous wife with child. Of course I will Lily." He winks at me.

Snow agrees to take the children riding, Rose and Seth going with her. Snow whispers to Lily that Rose fancies Seth and hoped the two would begin courting.

On the ride to the river town Eric seems too quiet. "Eric, do you think the Romani people would want to us the old mill. They could restore it and make some coin before they leave."

"Aye, I was hoping to talk to River about that today. William, you have to promise me to stay away from Rain. I don't trust her and I don't like the way she looks at you. I've had a tangle with a Romani woman before, they will bewitch you. I managed to leave her with some coin and my life. They have no morels William and if a Romani woman decides she wants you, then she will. You are like a brother to me and I adore Lily, please do this for all of us." Eric grips the horse's reigns tighter.

"You really think Rain means me harm. Very well then, I will keep my distances." I felt a cold chill roll over me. Perhaps there was more to Rain Bassett than meets the eyes.