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of stone; she was a woman in a world that was still
new and intriguing to her, and Dominick was the
most fascinating- man she'd ever known. He was, a
rare and heady combination of irreproachable
honor and earthy passion, of practical common
sense and breathtaking romance. He was also the
one man she had ever been able to trust for more
than a single hour.
Dominick caressed her breasts as he claimed her mouth, touching her as if he could not get
enough of her, as if she was everything he wanted or needed, and as if he was determined to
imprint himself on all her senses.
Gina was well past the time when she was shy of him. She returned every caress and handled
his masculinity with tender firmness. It was wonderful to hear Dominick's moans of pleasure as
she stroked and fondled him, and it was wildly exciting to her to watch him grow larger and
harder. His unashamed desire for her stirred a warmth deep within her, a yearning that left her
weak and trembling. He knew it; he was attuned to her every wish, and he did not make her wait
much past the moment when she began to fear she would go mad with wanting.
"Come here." He placed his hands on her hips and sat her down on top of him, impaling her,
holding her there when she cried out in surprise as his hardened length filled her. She knew what
he was doing, but she had never experienced it before, never sat astride a man who wanted her
and who had made her desire him. Like everything else about Dominick's lovemaking, the
sensation
was glorious, and the freedom he granted her to move as she wished only intensified her
response. The sole complaint she could possibly have
quickly. Ah, but with Dominick to touch her in secret places, to rear upward and kiss her with
laughter on his lips, the incredible peak of pleasure continued on and on, until Gina was limp and
damp with perspiration. She fell across Dominick's chest, weeping and gasping. He held her that
way until she was completely recovered.
She wanted to say she loved him. Only a last, lingering hint of insecurity left over from her
previous life prevented her from speaking the words. In the course of that long and dangerous
night she had been called courageous, and foolishly brave, and she did trust him, yet still she
lacked the courage to open her heart completely.
At mid morning, while Gina and Dominick were breaking their fast, Ella rushed into the hall,
breathless with excitement.
"I was at the market," Ella said, "when I noticed a boat tying up at one of the docks, and who do
you think was aboard? Pepin and Father Guntram. It certainly took them long enough to get here,
didn't it?"
"I'm going to the palace. Pepin will need a friend," Dominick said, rising from the table. He gave
Gina a serious look and spoke with great firmness. "You are to remain at home today."
With that he was gone, calling to Harulf to come with him, shouting at Benet to saddle two horses.
"Hal" Gina said, setting her mug of watered
wine down with a thud. "If Dominick imagines I am going to remain here and miss the next act of
this drama while he is at the palace, right in the middle of things, then he is sadly mistaken."
"He didn't even wait long enough for me to tell him the rest of the news," Ella said.
"You mean there's more?" Gina grinned. "Sit down and tell me. Here, have some wine and bread."
"Just a little wine, thank you. I ate earlier, with Harulf." Ella gulped down a mouthful of wine, then
began talking. "A plot against the king's life has been uncovered. They are saying in the
marketplace that more than a dozen nobles have fled Regensburg, and that Charles has sent
troops to find them and bring them back for trial." She paused, looking at Gina as if expecting a
comment.
"Oh, my," Gina said as innocently as she could manage. "Word does travel quickly, doesn't it?"
"A man I spoke to told me the queen is involved," Ella said.
"I doubt that," Gina responded. "Why would Fastrada want Charles murdered, when her position
depends on keeping him alive?" She could understand how such a rumor would start, though. A
lot of people hated Fastrada enough to try to link her to the plot. Fastrada must know it, too, which
meant she would be busy trying to direct suspicion away from herself and onto anyone she
considered an enemy.
"Dominick," Gina said. "She won't miss this chance to do him harm."
"What?" Ella gave her a puzzled look.
"I am beginning to think like a Frankish noble-woman," Gina said. "Finish your wine, Ella. We
are going to the palace." "But Dominick said for you to stay here." "Where I come from, women
don't obey men,"
Gina said. "I will wear my red dress this morning."
Chapter Fifteen
"Ansa," Gina said, stopping the young woman in the center of the great hall, "have you seen Count
Dominick?"
"Always you ask the same question," Ansa responded. She looked around the hall, where the
Frankish nobles and their ladies stood about in groups, heads together, talking in low voices.
"Never have I heard so much gossip, or so many wild rumors, either. No, I have not seen
Dominick. Could he be with the men Charles has sent to round up the traitors? That is where my
betrothed, Fulrad, has gone."
"I don't think Dominick is with Fulrad," Gina said. "Perhaps he is with Charles."
"Fastrada is with Charles," Ansa told her. "Here
comes Lady Adalhaid. She may have news, though if she has, it's surely bad. How serious she
looks."
Having noticed Gina, Lady Adalhaid made her way across the hall. Her face was pale, and her
mouth was set in a hard line.
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