Chapter 22: "He must be in love."
Will and Djaq sat on a narrow plank which served as a bridge between the banks of one of the many streams braiding through the greenwood. It was their favorite spot near camp, a grassy hillock nestled within a group of young trees divided by one of rivulets spawned by the meandering River Trent. The locale, with its lush grasses and beds of clover offered a secluded haven for togetherness. Slipping off their boots, the pair rolled up their pant legs and dangled their feet in the cool water.
"Can you swim, Djaq?" He asked.
"Enough. My father taught my brother and me on a trip to the shore. I was not so fond of the salt water. We Saracens are more familiar with water than you English…in the matter of cleanliness, at least." Djaq laughed; Will looked wounded.
"What do you mean?"
"In my country, it is our custom to bathe every day."
"Every day?" Will was dumbfounded, surely she was teasing him!
"Yes, everyday if it is at all possible."
She spoke so matter-of-factly, Will almost believed her. No, she had to be joking! "Every day…whether it is needed, or not?" Will simply could not believe it...it was unthinkable!
"Every day," Djaq reiterated, smiling and nodding her head dramatically.
"In England so much washing could kill a man…especially in winter."
"It is a strange country, your England. So much clean water, yet you dislike bathing in it so much," she said, thinking out loud.
Will winnowed his strong fingers through her short, black hair and squeezed her neck. Leaning over to whisper in her ear, he said, "I could be convinced to wash every day if you were with me…"
Her eyes were wide with surprise as she turned to look at him, and Will used it to his advantage leaning in to kiss her before she could protest. They embraced and the kiss continued, each one kissing and being kissed. As they separated, Will could almost see her blush of embarrassment in the scant light; she was hanging her head and nervously twisting the corner of her shirt.
Dropping his arm, Will rubbed her back and was relieved he did not feel her body tense as it had so many times before.
"Look at me Djaq, please?" His voice was soft and honey sweet; his words a request not a demand.
Her whispered reply was filled with doubt, "I have disappointed you"
"Look at me." His voice was still soft, but stern.
Her liquid eyes were the color of calligraphy ink; slowly she lifted them to look at him.
"Djaq…" he began, touching her cheek gently, "…please allow me the courtesy of knowing my own mind."
She dropped her eyes again, hating her clumsiness. "I'm sorry…I meant only…this is new, and….
"You think I go around and practice kissing at night when you are asleep?" His rhetorical question held a touch of incredulity.
Djaq snapped her head up suddenly frightened. Had he seen her 'kissing' the webbing between her finger and thumb? She could not bear it….
But, then he said, "You are not the only one who is new at this." He held her face and gently wiped her tears with his thumbs. Will saw a slight grin nudging the corners of her mouth.
"It felt good…" she demurred, "…kissing you." She cast her moist eyes up to meet his.
"Yeah?" He sounded like a little boy receiving unexpected praise, but his kiss was all man.
"Will, I…"
"No words…" Gently he pulled her into his arms and she smiled, reaching up to nip his lower lip then covered his mouth with hers.
If truthful, Djaq had to admit she was beginning to crave the small parcels of time they enjoyed together.
A slight breeze whispered above as billowy, gray clouds obscured the limited moonlight. After they passed the couple had disappeared, fading into the forest they both called home. In a tree above them a bird warbled a sweet song.
"He must be in love," Will thought, and he was not alone.
Chapter 23: "Can we speculate later? "