Page 77 of A Touch So Wicked

Damian’s words had a devastating effect upon Elissa. Kimbra! How could she forget? Damian had the power of a sorcerer. With a single kiss he had wiped the memory of Kimbra’s parting words from her mind.

She pushed against his chest. “Nay! Let me up. You canna do this.”

Damian reared up, confusion furrowing his brow. “Did I hurt you? Does your head hurt?”

Elissa slid from beneath him, her eyes blazing fury. “How dare you! Donna touch me.”

“What have I done?”

Elissa took a deep, steadying breath. “Your treatment of women is abominable. How could you send Lady Kimbra away? She’s carrying your bairn. I dinna admire Kimbra, but I wouldna like to be treated with such callous disregard were I carrying your bairn.”

“What?”

Damian appeared astounded but Elissa wasn’t so easily fooled.

“I never heard such nonsense. If Kimbra is carrying a child, it bloody well isn’t mine. I never touched the woman.”

Elissa snorted in disbelief. “Liar! Lady Kimbra told me herself that you were her lover. I saw you kissing her. She’s very beautiful, my lord, a virile man’s dream.”

“Not my dream,” Damian retorted. “If there was a remote chance that Kimbra carried my child, I would have wed her. If anyone is carrying my child, ’tis you.”

Uttering a cry of denial, Elissa whirled away, straightening her clothing and hair as she fled.

“Elissa! Wait! I just remembered something Nan said.”

But it was too late. Elissa was gone. Damian followed behind at a slower pace. He needed time to compose himself. His arousal was thick and hard and his need undiminished. He took several deep breaths, trying to make sense out of everything Elissa had said, and the things that were left unsaid.

Damian hadn’t been oblivious to the consequences when he released his seed inside Elissa, but he had deliberately ignored his conscience to appease his own selfish pleasure. And only Elissa could tell him the truth.

Once he gained control of himself, he made his way to the hall. The meal was still in progress but Elissa was nowhere in sight. He forced himself to sit down and eat, tasting little of what went into his mouth. He had plans to make and bring to fruition. He realized he was treading on dangerous ground, and that the king could punish him for disobeying orders, but he was determined to forge ahead, even if Elissa refused him.

“You look like a man with something on his mind,” Sir Richard said as he slid into the seat beside Damian. “Are you worried that Kimbra will renounce you to the king? Pray that your letter reaches His Majesty before Kimbra gets to him. You advised him that you repelled an attack on Misterly, did you not? That should put you in his good graces.”

“One never knows with the king,” Damian grumbled.

“Do you intend to make Elissa your mistress now that Kimbra is gone?”

“Nay, I have other plans for Elissa.”

“Tell me, I’m all ears.”

“You’ll learn soon enough. Do you happen to know if Father Hugh has returned to the village?”

“He left with a wagonload of food from our stores to feed those who have returned to their homes. Shall I fetch him for you?”

“Nay. I’ll see to it myself.”

Dickon sent him a curious look. “What’s going on, Damian?”

“What’s going on with you and Maggie, Dickon?” Damian replied, deftly skirting Dickon’s question. “Have you bedded the wench yet?”

Dickon’s handsome face reddened. “Aye, but I had to promise I’d wed her first.”

“You promised to wed her?” Damian choked out. “And she believed you? Was she an innocent?”

Dickon’s flush deepened. “Aye, I did indeed take her maidenhead.”

“Then you shall marry her, my friend. I suggest you set a date.”