His countenance was calm, even gentle as he reached for her face again, this time to caress her cheek with his knuckles. She was small and delicate, but she was fair, and she had fire in her. She was like an untempered sword, waiting for fire and ice to make her unbreakable...

"Whatever you will allow me to." he offered softly. "I would consider it no chore to show you the joys of the marriage bed...nor to show you how greatly it can please a man to watch his woman come undone with sheer ecstasy."