“You’re tired,” Tarass said, leaning down from where he sat in the chair beside her on the dais to plant his face close to hers.

“A little,” she said, trying to make light of it.

“I’m tired,” Willow said, a huge yawn confirming it. “It’s been a good day and since we’ll be staying for at least three days, there’s plenty of time for us to spend together.”

“Your sister is not only reasonable but wise as well,” Tarass said.

“Actually, she’s not being completely truthful,” Slatter whispered not that softly and with a wicked smile. “She really can’t wait to get me in bed and ravish me.”

“Slatter!” Willow said, her cheeks burning red as she jabbed him in the arm.

Snow chuckled along with her husband.

Slatter wrapped his arms around his wife, hugging her as he laughed. “Deny it, wife, go ahead, and deny it if you can.”

“You’re incorrigible,” she chastised.

Slatter snuggled his cheek against hers. “I’m not incorrigible, I’m loveable and that’s why you can’t keep your hands off me.”

“Slatter, so help me!” Willow scolded, her cheeks flaming.

“Aye, wife, I’ll help you straight to bed where you can have your way with me,” he teased and stood, then scooped his wife out of her seat into his arms. “A pleasant night to you all!”

Snow laughed, hearing her sister scold Slatter as he carried her off. She turned to her husband and placed her hand on his chest, about to be as honest with him as Slatter had been with Willow.

“It’s been a busy day, you’re tired, and lovemaking can wait,” Tarass said before she could get a word out. When she turned a wicked little smile on him, he knew he was in trouble, but he intended to be obeyed on this. “You will do as I say, Snow.”

“Of course I will,” she agreed her eyes wide with feigned innocence. “Though, I must admit that I’m pleased to know I’m right.”

Tarass eyed her skeptically. “What are you right about?”

“That I would be too much of a demanding wife when it came to coupling and you wouldn’t be able to keep up with my passion.”

Tarass stood so abruptly that his chair almost toppled over and just as suddenly he snatched Snow up into his arms. “You shouldn’t challenge me, wife.”

He took the stairs two at a time, Thaw following behind him, and once in their bedchamber placed his wife on her feet, stripped her naked, and carried her to bed. After laying her on the bed, he stripped off his garments and got in bed with her, pulling the blanket over them.

Thaw was already curled in a ball by the hearth, his eyes closed.