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stated that, in the event of Dominick's death without heirs of his body, Vincona would
become Gina's property, to do with as she wished, so she would not be destitute when
Feldbruck was returned to Charles to give to a new count.
After they both agreed to the terms, Dominick slid onto Gina's finger a simple gold band into
which a green stone was deeply set. The top of the stone was rounded, and it shone with a
soft glow. Gina couldn't tell whether it was an emerald or some other kind of gem. It didn't
matter. She touched the ring and looked into Dominick's eyes and blinked away tears of
happiness.
As soon as all the copies of the contract were signed and witnessed, the entire court went to
morning prayers at St. Peter's. Gina was pleased to see Deacon Fardulf, Brother Anselm,
and his two assistants among the attending clergymen. All four of them congratulated
Dominick and Gina after the service and after Father Theodulf had formally blessed the
union.
"All that's left is to say good-bye!" exclaimed Lady Adalhaid, laughing and crying at the
same time as she embraced Dominick. "I will see you again in January," she whispered into
Gina's ear.
"Dominick," Charles said as they all stood on the church steps, waiting for the king to depart so
they could leave without being disrespectful, "my wedding gift to you is temporary remission of
your military service to me. You will require time to recover from your recent wounds and also to
put the estate at Vincona into order. Nor would I deprive a new bride of her husband's company. I
will see you at the Mayfield next spring. You will receive the usual notice of when and where it's to
be held and how many fighting men you are to bring with you. Lady Gina, you are always welcome
to join the other ladies who attend the May-field assembly with their husbands."
Charles clasped Dominick's hand and kissed Gina on both cheeks. Then he was gone, mounted
on his favorite steed and riding out of Regensburg surrounded by his loyal nobles and their ladies.
He was so tall that Gina could easily distinguish him in the crowd.
Dominick latched the bedchamber door and turned toward his new wife, noting the nervousness
she could not conceal. Gina was behaving like a skittish virgin. He couldn't understand it; he was
sure he had banished the last of her qualms about the act of love some time ago, and they had
settled the final differences between them on the previous day. Perhaps there was another
reason.
"I am completely restored to health," he said.
"I know." She backed away from him. "The room looks nice."
"It's lovely." He made a quick assessment of the
clean sheets, neatly turned down and awaiting them, and of the large pitcher crammed full of
flowers that sat atop his clothing chest.
"The servants were considerate to leave us alone," Gina said.
"I suggested it." He took another step forward.
"I didn't know." Gina took another step backward.
"Enough, Gina." He caught her by the shoulders. "I did not come to my own bedchamber to stalk
quarry. What's wrong?"
"Can't a girl be nervous on her wedding night?"
"It's midday, and we have done this before, several times. Though, I grant you, there is a special
solemnity to this occasion." He wished he were capable of understanding a woman's mind. He
knew of no man who could. Gina was a greater mystery than most women. From the first
moment, she had baffled and intrigued him. He was sure she was hiding something from him
now, though he couldn't think what it might be. She had told him everything about her past, and he
knew she was completely honest.
"We have the rest of our lives to learn to know each other," he murmured, as if to convince
himself.
"If we're lucky," she said. Then she rephrased the thought. "If heaven wills it."
"Surely heaven will not take you from me now." Dominick knew he couldn't wait much longer to
possess her. More than a month of abstinence was too long for any man to endure, especially a
man who knew what joys awaited him in Gina's embrace. Fire surged through his veins.
"Wife," he said, "my beloved wife," and he bent to taste her lips.
"There is something I ought to tell you," she said, sounding uncertain.
"I want to know, but later. Let it wait." He silenced her attempt to speak again by claiming
her mouth, and by moving closer, so she could feel his arousal. To his surprise, she actually
resisted for a moment. Then she surrendered, melting against him, and his heart beat
harder in triumph. Her mouth opened to his pressure, and Dominick let his tongue surge into
her, establishing a rhythm he would very soon continue with another eager part of himself
that was already throbbing insistently.
For him, it had been this way since the day Gina fell into his bed at Feldbruck. He
remembered waking, sure that he was being attacked, and tossing her onto her back to
hold her down. Even then, his body had instantaneously reacted to her. Even then, when he'd
thought she was an enemy, a spy for the queen, he couldn't resist her. Now that he knew her
better, Gina's allure was increased tenfold.
She was clinging to him, sighing softly, her green eyes shining with moisture.
"Gina? Why are you crying?"
"Because it hurts to love this much," she whispered. "Whatever happens, wherever I am, I
will always love you. But, Dominick-"
"Hush. You are going to stay with me." He couldn't bear to think she wouldn't.
"I wish I could be so certain," she said.
Dominick kissed her again, to reassure her and himself. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]