The Saxon Bride (The Norman Conquest Series) by Ashley York Page B

man make her feel so light headed? She stepped away when she realized why, the chainmail slipping forward off his arms. His hooded eyes told her that he knew what she was feeling.
    "Is there a problem?" His deep voice seemed to reverberate through her body.
    Quickly putting the heavy material down, she headed to the door. "I will order a bath for you."
    "Wait."
    Rowena froze with her hand on the latch and heard him coming closer to her. He stood close behind her, his breath soft against her cheek.
    "Yes?" Be done with this . Her body yearned for his arms to pull her against him, to feel his kiss again. She licked her lips.
    "Why are you leaving in such a hurry?" His hand lightly touched the side of her head as he spoke, pushing her hair away from her face. He leaned in closer to her exposed ear. A responding shiver ran down her body. "Are you afraid of me?"
    She backed up to the door with a thud and faced him. Her pulse was racing as she lied. "No, my lord. Methinks you have a rather strong odor about you and I would have you take a bath before the evening meal."
    John backed away quickly, his eyes flying open. "I am sorry if I offend you. Please see to the bath."
    Rowena felt only slightly guilty when he turned away from her, standing like a lost little boy in the middle of the room.
    §
    John rubbed his scalp with his hand then realized that too was dirty. He'd been offending her with his smell? He could have sworn there was desire in her eyes. Damn. Would he get nowhere with this woman?
    Dropping down on the stool in disgust, he grabbed at the mud covered boot. Another reason to see him as dirty. He flung it across the room. It hit the wall with a satisfactory thud and the second one followed suit. Standing up to remove his breeches, he pulled at the belt viciously. Perhaps he was just wrong about her. Maybe there was no deep-seated passion for him. Perhaps she's already had many lovers and doesn't want to be saddled with a husband. This was just insane. His breeches fell to his feet and he heard the gasp behind him.
    Turning toward the sound, Rowena's eyes seemed glued to his nakedness. Her gaze traveled the length of his legs and stopped a bit short of his navel. Perhaps being near him had done nothing for her, but he was clearly aroused. She appeared to be in shock at the sight. Not exactly what he would have expected from a tried woman.
    For a split second, John had thought of covering himself to ease her consternation then thought better of it. Slowly, he pulled his feet from the cloth puddled around his legs. His gaze stayed on Rowena's face as she stared at him. He stood akimbo. It was time she face his desire for her.
    "Rowena?"
    She dragged her eyes up to his face and he saw her embarrassment in the crimson red of her cheeks.
    "Is there something else you needed?" The color suffused her face as she mutely shook her head and started to back away. "No. Wait."
    John got to the door just short of grabbing her and she was gone. The women in the hall giggled at his nakedness when he stopped in the doorway. He pushed the door shut and sat again on the stool. Damn. She looked so frightened. Why did he have to embarrass her? Shoving his legs back into his pants, he grabbed the rest of his clothes and huffed out of the door, slamming it behind him.

Chapter Ten
    Rowena tossed and turned through the night. Just as she dozed off, virile men would prance through her exhausted mind, all looking like John. Finally throwing back the covers, she sat up and stared at the metal tub that still sat in front of the fire, its water cold.
    Where had John gone when he left the room? She had acted like an idiot. She'd never seen a man so…aroused before. She could not help her reaction. It was menacing to say the least.
    She wrapped herself in her woolen blanket and hobbled to the window. The cloudy night gave off no light at all and even the normal sound of crickets and frogs was missing.
    Leaning her forehead against the cold stone wall,