“The other knights weren’t practicing. Most were breaking their fast.”
He paused, causing her to stop and face him. His lip turned up in a half-smile. “That’s why I’ll be victorious.” His gaze swept over her soft cheeks to her full lips and back up to her sparkling eyes. He stepped closer, almost touching her. “Do you doubt me?”
She bowed her head shyly. A lock of her hair fell forward from the hooded darkness.
He caught it in his palm. It curled like a strand of gold.
“There are many talented, experienced knights here,” she said softly, breathlessly. She lifted her stare to his face, her eyes lingering on his lips.
“Not nearly as talented as me.” He tucked the strand behind her ear, and his fingers trailed along her soft curved jaw, lifting her chin. She was so lovely.
She opened her mouth to respond. Or simply to inhale.
He leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers. Just a quick, simple taste. That was all he wanted. He intended to pull back, to release her. But she gasped, parting her lips. He couldn’t resist. His hand slid to her curved back to draw her closer against him, deepening the kiss. Her hands moved around him and up his back. He heard her groan softly and answered by touching her lips with the very tip of his tongue, urging them to part.
She sighed, and her lips opened slightly.
He swept his tongue against hers, stroking and caressing it. She answered with a tentative curl of hers against his. Innocent! He pulled back to look at her lidded eyes. Heat flared through his body.
She was innocent. The thought thrilled and excited him. No man had kissed her but him.
Just one passionate kiss. That had been all Elora wanted. After receiving that, she could move forward and find a husband.
At least, that was what she had told herself.
She moved through the castle corridors quietly, following Sarah. Sarah watched her with a knowing grin. The hallways bustled with servants rushing by them, but since they wore the traveling cloaks, no one acknowledged them. A male servant with a brown tunic hurried past them. A black-haired woman carrying a basket of clothing dodged by. Elora saw none of them. She was too lost in the feel and recollection of her first kiss. Her lips still tingled with the memory of Julian’s caress. Her body still hummed with the feel of his touch, his hard body pressed so firmly against her own.
Sarah opened the door to Elora’s chambers and allowed her entrance.
Elora rushed by, very aware of Sarah’s intense gaze. As soon as the door closed, Elora pulled off the traveling cloak and handed it to Sarah, avoiding her stare.
“Well?” Sarah asked.
Like a dam breaking, joy burst from Elora. She clasped Sarah’s hands. “Oh, Sarah! It was wonderful. So full of life and… heat!” She twirled around. “I’ve never felt anything like this before.” She quickly took stock of her body. “I feel like… I’ve been living in darkness, and his kiss awakened the sun. Oh, how foolish. I sound like a poet!” She giggled. “It’s just wonderful and—”
Sarah rushed forward and took Elora’s face into her hands. “Careful. You asked for just one kiss. Don’t let this become more. You are destined to marry someone else.”
Elora nodded, urging her feelings behind the wall of propriety. She clenched her fists. “I know.” She took deep breaths, forcing herself to calm, forcing herself back into her dutiful place, back into the darkness. She nodded again. “I know.”
Silence engulfed the room as Elora tried to hide her feelings of pleasure. They simmered just below sadness.
Sarah stepped back with a sigh. “We shall change into your red dress.”
Elora acquiesced. Edward was jousting later in the day. She couldn’t miss that.
Elora stood at the railing of the joust, not really watching the knights as they made passes at each other and battled on the field of honor with swords. She should have told Julian the truth about who she was, instead of allowing Sarah to introduce her as Ellie. She should have admitted to him that she probably wouldn’t see him again. She clutched her hands in her lap.
If he knew who she really was, would he have looked at her differently? Would he see her as wealthy and treat her differently? Would he have kissed her? Probably not. And because of that wonderful kiss, she would never be sorry for not telling him the truth. For only a moment, she’d enjoyed being someone else. She’d enjoyed the way he had invited her to stay at his camp with him. How he had kissed her. He would never have done either if he realized she was Lady Elora of Kingston.
Her shoulders sagged. Lady Elora of Kingston, who must find a husband.
Julian distracted her from the goal. It could only benefit both of them if he discovered the truth about her identity. Then, he would understand he could not see her again. Then, she would be forced to think of a future husband instead of a handsome knight with blue eyes that twinkled in the sun.
She sighed softly. Edward would never allow Julian to court her. Julian was not a titled lord, nor did he have the wealth Edward required.
Still, everything in her wanted to spend each moment with Julian. She wanted to laugh and hear his stories and learn all about him. She wanted to kiss him again. Heat suffused her cheeks, and she bowed her head so others would not see. Oh yes, she wanted to kiss him again. The thrill and excitement of his kiss were addictive. And forbidden.
Edward stood beside her, watching the jousts with keen interest. He had won his first joust, of course.
