Unspoken by Francine Rivers Page A

I’m—”
    “The most beautiful woman in the kingdom.” David searched her eyes. “You said you wanted to talk to me that morning. I told you to go home.” He tucked his finger into her shawl and drew it down from her face. “Talk to me now, Bathsheba.” He stepped closer and lifted the shawl from her hair. “Say whatever is on your mind.” The shawl slipped down from her shoulders and pooled around her feet.
    “Why do you call for me now? ” Her voice was thick with tears. All the years she had dreamed and hoped. She had never wanted to come to him like this. Summoned in the middle of the night . . .
    “You know.” He breathed against her neck.
    Her skin tingled. “It’s too late.”
    “You’re here with me now.”
    She drew back and lifted her chin, scarcely able to see his face through her tears. “Summoned like a harlot and brought to you through the servants’ gate!” She shook her head and bowed her head again. “And I’ve no one else to blame, considering the way I behaved this afternoon. I’m sorry. I—”
    “You took my breath away.”
    “I did?” Her child’s heart trembled and swelled with pride. “Oh, David. Send me back.”
    “Not yet.” He tipped her chin firmly. “You aren’t happy, are you?”
    Tears trickled down her cheeks. “How can you ask such a question?”
    “I want you to be happy.” He searched her eyes and his expression changed. He looked troubled. “Do you remember your wedding feast? When I looked into your eyes in Hebron, my stomach dropped to my feet. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
    “Is that why you left so quickly?”
    “Why else?” He put his arms around her.
    She put her hands against his chest. She knew she should say something to stop him. She should be like Abigail and make him aware of the sin he was about to commit. But her resolve weakened when she felt his heart pounding faster and harder than her own. He wanted her. I’ll let him kiss me once, just once, and then I’ll say something to stop him. I’ll have his kiss to remember. Just one.
    When his mouth took hers, Bathsheba felt herself being pulled down with him into a vortex of desire. His fingers raked through her hair. He moaned her name, and the words of warning died in her throat. As her body caught fire, she clung to him and didn’t say a word.
    She knew that if she did, David would remember himself and send her home where she belonged.

    Hours later, David stood beside his bed watching Bathsheba sleep. She was so beautiful she made his heart ache. But it would be dawn soon. He had to get her out of the palace before anyone knew she’d been here. When he’d awakened and seen her lying beside him, he thought of Ahithophel, Eliam, and Uriah, and what they would make of this clandestine affair. What was I thinking! They could turn the army against me!
    Putting his knee on the bed, he leaned down and kissed her. Her eyes opened slowly, still clouded with sleep. She smiled. “David,” she sighed.
    His pulse quickened. Shaken by his feelings, he straightened. “It’s almost daylight, Bathsheba. You have to go.”
    Her smile died.
    David’s stomach squeezed tight at the wounded look in her eyes. Turning quickly away, she dragged a blanket up and covered herself. Shame hadn’t been in attendance last night, only unbridled passion. But now, morning had come and light streamed in upon the true situation.
    “My guards will see you safely back to your house.” Why should he feel guilty? They had a right to some happiness, didn’t they?
    She sat up quickly. “I know my way home.” When he heard the soft sound she made as she groped for her discarded robe, he went down on his knees on the bed and reached for her.
    “Bathsheba,” he said, his voice hoarse with pent-up emotion. She jerked from his touch. He caught hold of her shoulders and pulled her back against him. She struggled to be free. He locked his arms around her. “Bathsheba,” he said raggedly and buried his face