I would help him to hear the water splashing across the stones, the birds calling, the wind whistling through the trees and it would ease him until he...could sleep.This morning, when I closed my eyes, I willed myself to accept your sensual call, breathing deeply until I could imagine catching your masculine scent as you entered the room. I could feel your weight as you came to lie beside me and the warmth of your skin as you drew me close to you. Shivers ran through me as I felt your breath. " Now it is time to deal with the traitor," the King said. "Send a guardto the tower to bring him here." If we might, your highness," Ruth suggested. "The Earl and I would liketo be part of that guard."The King smiled. "Excellent. Let those who he offended most bring himback. With a guard of eight."In the tower the door opened into the most sumptuous jail cell Ruthcould imagine. Carpets covered the floors, and tapestries the walls. Thefurnishings were suitable for a noble detainee. Lounging on. Even in his absence she could still dream, still have some forbidden thoughts. And, after all, that new satin gown and matching thong was still in the closet. She put them on and admired herself for a while. Not bad for thirty-six, she thought. Turning slowly from side to side, the soft curves of her breasts showed through the thin cloth and reflected from the mirror. For some reason, she couldn’t seem to move away. It was if the lady in the mirror was hypnotized by her own reflection. After a. You’re so fantastic, but you keep on shooting yourself in the foot, and I can’t take that anymore. I can’t make you change.’ ‘And I can’t make you change either, can I?’ She shook her head sadly. Three crows flew by overhead, dodging their way through the heavy snow. They both watched them as the birds settled in the branches of a leafless oak, cawed at each other, and were still. ‘Do you love him?’ ‘Yes,’ she said. She stared straight at him and opened her eyes wide. ‘Of course I love him. I.