Read Online Infamous by Virginia Henley - Free Book Online Page B

undress me. If I remove a garment, it is only fair play that you do too.” Jory took off her embroidered surcoat, folded it neatly, and set it aside. She watched Warwick shrug from his doublet to reveal a cambric shirt. She could see his black mat of chest hair through the fine material.
    He picked up the wineskin. “Come to me.”
    Without hesitation she accepted his tempting invitation.
    He took her hand and pulled her down so that she sat cradled between his legs. His arms reached around her, and he held the wineskin on a level with her mouth. “When I squeeze, it will spurt up like a fountain. You must open your lips and catch it. Are you ready?”
    She nodded, opened her mouth like a trusting baby bird, and miraculously managed to capture the arc of bloodred wine. She swallowed it quickly and opened her lips again. After the third mouthful she began to laugh at the absurd game they were playing.
    Warwick opened his own mouth and caught a long stream of the potent liquid and managed to swallow it before he too burst out laughing. He fell back into the grass and took her with him. They rolled together, laughing and sharing wine-drenched kisses until they were aflame with desire.
    Jory could feel the heat of his body through the cloth of her finespun underdress. She gazed down into his black eyes, which smoldered with passion, and knew she was madly in love with him.
    Warwick realized the game they played was far too dangerous. He wanted her with every fiber of his being. Yet he knew the price he’d have to pay was high and irrevocable. The price she would have to pay could be even higher. The thought sobered him.
    â€œI believe a little decorum is in order, Lady Marjory. If someone came upon us, your honor would be utterly compromised.”
    â€œBlackened beyond repair.” She sat up, her eyes glittering with mirth. “A fate worse than death.” She picked up a piece of cheese, took a lusty bite, and then held it to his lips. “Will Warwick take the bait?” she teased playfully.
    He saw the snare. He had been fully aware of the danger since the moment he had learned her name. It was a trap of his own making and, alas, the bait was irresistible.
    He took the cheese and bit her fingers in the process. When she pushed him back into the grass with mock ferocity, he growled fiercely and rolled her beneath him, caging her between his powerful thighs. He gazed down at her with intense black eyes, waging a losing battle with himself. Finally, against his better judgment, he spoke. “Jory, I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I have this overpowering urge to court you openly. With my disastrous marital history, I must be mad to even think of wooing another noble, highborn lady, but it seems that I cannot help myself. Even a sinner longs for one last chance at happiness.” He paused, hoping sanity would return. When it did not, he threw caution to the four winds. “If I made an offer for you, would you be willing to take the risk and marry me?”
    When she gasped with delight, he quickly placed his hand over her mouth. “Don’t answer me now. You must think about this long and hard. Your life would be irrevocably altered forever. I am sixteen years older than you and I have a son. Jory, you must be absolutely sure. I will give you all the time you need to make your decision, and whether it be yes or no, I will honor your resolve. Be very cautious before you plunge in over your head. Like crossing the Rubicon, there can be no turning back. The wrong decision could make you hate me with a vengeance someday.”
    Though Jory knew deep in her heart what her answer would be, she did not say it aloud. Instead, she reached up to tenderly touch his face and smiled her secret smile. Jory de Beauchamp, Countess of Warwick!

Chapter 5
    â€œJ ory de Bohun, Countess of Hereford. It has a nice ring to it, Lynx, and de Bohun’s heir will also inherit the post