THIRTY-THREE
"I wish you both well. You may...you may use my house for the consummation. I shall return in the morning," Father Fintan said, ducking out the door and into the rain before Rudolf could stop him.
Rudolf and Portia stared at each other for a moment. His heart sank at the fear in her expression. He'd dreamed of this night for half his life, but never had he imagined his first night with her would be in a tiny, cold cottage with a straw pallet so thin and narrow they may as well be making love on the floor like animals. He'd imagined a roaring fire, a room so warm she'd want to take her clothes off, and a big, carved bed like the one he'd slept in in Viken.
"We don't have to do this if you do not wish to," Rudolf said.
She tossed her head. "We do. My father, Mason and thi
