After his father had departed his chamber, Thomas’s thoughts shifted to Alesone. Her taste still teased him, that innate sweetness that lured him to go to her and complete what they’d begun. With how she’d responded to his touch, along with the urgency of her kisses, assured him if he went to her now, they could make love.
Except when he’d asked, she hadna given him her trust. Frustrated, he began to pace to smother thoughts of her, but however much he tried, the image of her naked in his arms remained all too clear.
With a curse, Thomas lay on his bed, tugged the blanket up, and closed his eyes. If his father hadna interrupted them, he would have taken her innocence. He stilled. What if she’d become pregnant?
Blast it, so caught up in the moment, he hadna considered the ramifications of his actions. With her born a bastard, she’d endured a cold life, even shunned by those of her blood. Though fortunate that the healer had raised her with love, many an unwanted babe didna share the same fate. Nor would he allow such. If she grew round with child, he wouldna avoid his responsibility.
He shifted to his side, frowned. Though he was drawn to her, he wasna seeking marriage. ’Twas best if he kept his distance, returned to the role of her protector, nae more. More, regardless of how much he cared for her, of how her body felt beneath his, she deserved a man without emotional scars.
Thomas turned over, grimaced at the shot of pain, and forced his eyes closed. Except with thoughts of her tangling his mind, he doubted that he would find sleep.
* * *
Early morning sunlight streamed through the window, glistening on the ice clinging to the glass as Thomas pushed the tray of food aside. He swung his legs over the edge of his bed. After two days with naught but a few walks down the corridor, by God he wouldna spend another moment cloistered inside.
Grimacing at his stiffness, he dragged on his garb, then glanced toward the closed door. The woman who’d brought him his meals had explained that Alesone was feeling poorly, but he knew the truth.
Since the night they’d almost made love, she had avoided him. Mayhap he hadna planned on their intimacy, but neither would he apologize. She’d wanted him as well. He could still feel her hands caressing him, the softness of her mouth, and her hungry demands. His exhaustion had lowered his shields, otherwise he never would have touched her.
Thomas muttered a curse. As if thinking about her and what they’d done helped this convoluted situation? Nor could he allow her avoidance to continue. When he explained naught could ever exist between them, then they could step back and continue as before. After he delivered her to Avalon, then he would leave.
Except he’d miss her.
With his fealty sworn to King Robert, and Scotland embroiled in civil war, however much his thoughts strayed to the unbidden, a relationship wasna a wise option to consider.
Once Scotland was united, with his father having reinstated his title of Earl of Kincaid, then he could consider the idea of a woman in his life. As well, he would need a son to pass down Conchar Castle and title Earl of Kincaid.
The image of Alesone round with his child whispered through his mind. He shoved to his feet. The lass deserved more than a man who in his youth had torn his family apart, and whose life as a warrior had let him see little but blood and carnage.
However much he was drawn to her, she didna need a man emotionally damaged, but one who understood love.
Love.
Thomas grunted. Look at him mulling over such foolishness when ’twas duty he should focus on. The sooner he spoke with her and put this matter behind them the better.
Damming his soreness and wishing they were en route to Avalon Castle, he walked to the door. The writ he’d sent to Bruce would explain their delay. Nor would the king be pleased to learn that the Duke of Westwyck had exposed his true allegiance.
King Robert would understand that once Comyn received the news of the duke’s betrayal he would attack Dair Castle. The noble wouldna allow his daughter to escape. Without King Philip’s support, the Scot would fail in his attempt to defeat Bruce. Before her father and his troops reached Thomas’s home, Alesone needed to be far away. With the rate he was improving each day, he should be able to ride within a fortnight.
After they reached Avalon and he explained the situation to Stephan MacQuistan, fellow Templar and now the Earl of Dunsmore, his friend would ensure she remained safe. Thomas held little doubt that with Stephan’s wife, Katherine, being woman of strong will, Alesone would find more than a safe haven at the island fortress, but an alley, and if she chose to accept their offer, friendship.
Weary, he rubbed the back of his neck. ’Twas long past time for him to rejoin the Templars whom he’d traveled with to his sovereign’s encampment, knights who knew him, men he trusted, a life he understood.
With his focus clear, Thomas exited his room and crossed to Alesone’s. He knocked.
“Who is it?”
At her lyrical voice, unwanted images of her naked body stormed his mind. Bedamned, he wasna here to seduce her. “Thomas.”
Silence.
God’s teeth! He shoved the door open, stepped inside, and shoved the door shut, refusing to allow his gaze to linger upon her curves. “We need to talk.”
Nervous eyes held his as she stood paces away. “You must leave. ’Tis indecent for you to be alone with me in my chamber.”
“Since you decided ’tis prudent to avoid me, I took matters into my own hands.” Thomas stepped closer.
On a gasp she stumbled back. “What are you doing?”
