She was gathering enough breath to scold him when he shut and latched the door, then turned to look at her. That newly gathered air left her lungs in a rush. Ewan’s storm gray eyes were nearly black with desire. “I am glad we didnae have to suffer through a bedding ceremony,” she said, wondering why she felt so nervous. Ewan moved to stand in front of her and removed the flowers from her hair. “I told my brothers that they would find themselves missing precious parts of their bodies if they e’en considered it.” He combed his fingers through her hair, savoring the rich, silken thickness of it. “Why are ye afraid?” “I am nay afraid,” she replied, silently cursing the slight tremor in her voice. “A wee bit nervous, mayhap.” “Why? Ye arenae a virgin. There will be no pain this time.” He began to unlace her gown. “There wasnae much last time.” She shivered as he tugged off her gown, but did not stop him. “I dinnae ken why I am nervous. Mayhap ’tis because this time it isnae, weel, sudden, but planned.”
