“Do you have any plans other than that?”
“None. I will solve the problem of what to do to live when I know where that will be.” Lilybet smiled. “I am not worried.”
“Because you would know if there was trouble ahead.”
“Not always when it concerns myself. I only see things that change what steps I take when I am involved in another’s problems. Such as happened this time. I have been wanting to meet others of my mother’s family for years but the sight I had concerning your brother was the first time I was shown a way to do that.”
“Well, that seems mightily unfair.” She smiled when Lilybet laughed. “Just let me know when you wish a little more salve. Those cane marks may not be open wounds but they are painful and badly hurt the skin.”
“I will be sure to let you know. Although it pains me to admit it, your salve is much better than mine as it heals faster and eases that pain better. You might ask your brother if he wants some. He took a battering before and as he escaped that woman.”
“If you wish it, I can write the receipt for the salve so you can make your own.”
“I would like that. Thank you. And, if you could ask Lord Morris to come and tell me something of the Wherlockes, that would be wonderful.”
Primrose sent Morris over to Lilybet and noticed her brother frowned when he saw the two of them talking so easily, Morris sitting next to Lilybet. Then she took Boudicca for a walk. She was just turning around to return to their camp when Bened appeared. She smiled in greeting but discovered she suddenly felt cautious. He had been paying her very little attention since they had rescued him and she was not sure why.
“You have finally found your brother, so what are your plans now?” he asked as he slowly backed her up against a tree.
“We go to my uncle’s. Now it will be more for advice than for protection, though.”
“Your aunt is still out there. Her plans are still in her head and heart. Do you not think she is a danger now?”
“She will always be a danger. Even if she decides she cannot win the game she will turn her mind to making us pay for that. In her eyes it will be all our fault. Yes, she is still a danger and I think even Simeon understands that. She is forcing us to see her dead.”
“I would not fret over that too much. It truly is a matter of her or you and Simeon, and she already has a lot of blood on her hands.”
“That is true. I also know I do not share in her shame. I did not make her do this. It is her own greed that pushes her. Yet, she is family and by being such, she shames us all.”
“No, how you deal with her is where the shame could be but I know you will stop her.”
He bent down and kissed her, savoring the sweet taste of her on his mouth. Primrose wrapped herself around his as best she could and let the desire he could stir with his kiss sweep over her. She wanted him and knew some of that fierce need had been bred by her deep fear of losing him to her aunt’s murderous plans. When he ended the kiss she gave him what she prayed was a smile of invitation. If the way his eyes narrowed were any indication, it had worked.
“This could be risky,” he murmured as he undid the back of her gown and tugged the top down far enough to give him access to her beautiful breasts.
“How odd. That actually made me want it more.”
“Naughty, Rose.” He bent his head to kiss and suckle at her breasts, enjoying her soft cries of delight as he did.
“I am feeling a bit naughty.” She slid her hands down his back and caressed his backside, loving the way that made him rub up against her.
Bened began to tug up her skirts until he could slide his hand between her legs. They both murmured with pleasure when he found what he was seeking. To his delight, Primrose slid one of her hands around to the front of his breeches and undid them. When she slid her small soft hand inside and wrapped her long fingers around him, he knew he would not be able to enjoy this play for long. He was too hungry for her.