Page 28 of Lionheart

"Aye,"Mair answered. "In a mood as black as sin."

"Did Llewellynescape?"

"Aye."

BeforeMair could tell her about Daffid, Vanora said, "We will speak furtherafter I have bathed and dressed."

"Aye,I already ordered your bath."

* * *

Restingher head against the rim, Vanora soaked in the hot tub while she considered hernext course of action. Torn by indecision, she did not know whether she shouldleave and find Daffid or remain at Cragdon until Llewellyn reorganized hisarmy. Daffid had been angry with her and had unjustly accused her of beddingLionheart. Furthermore, he had refused to acknowledge her timely interventionwhen he and Llewellyn were desperate to escape Edward's army, and he seemedresentful of her warrior skills.

Suddenlyaware that the water was growing cold, Vanora reached for the drying cloth Mairhad draped over a nearby bench and rose. She had just stepped from the tub whenher chamber door opened and Lionheart stepped inside. Vanora froze, the clothdangling in her fingers as Lionheart's glittering gaze traveled slowly over hernude form. A rosy flush started at her toes and climbed up her body to herhairline.

"Getout!" she cried, wrapping the skimpy cloth around her body. It barelycovered her, baring her incredibly long legs and the upper swells of herbreasts.

"Ithink not," Lionheart replied in a voice suddenly taut with desire."I am pleased to see you have recovered from your illness." He kickedthe door shut with his heel and stalked toward her. "I knew you would beexceptionally lovely, but I had no idea how well made you were. Never have Iseen such long legs on a woman."

Vanorabacked away. "Do not stare at me like that. I am no different from anyother woman."

"Ibeg to differ. I have seen my share of naked women, and without exception theyare soft-fleshed and weak-willed. You are neither."

"Itpleases me that I am too masculine for your tastes," Vanora retorted."Turn your head while I don my chamber robe."

Lionheartlaughed. "Masculine? Hardly. You are sleek and lithe like a cat butfleshed out in places that proclaim your womanhood." He stared at her barearms. "Are those muscles I spy, my lady? How come you by muscles?"His gaze slid down her torso. "Have you thigh muscles to match those inyour arms?" His eyes darkened from silver to smoky gray. "Or musclesin places that the eye cannot see? I look forward to discovering them formyself."

Vanora wasnot stupid. She knew precisely what he meant. When she turned to flee,Lionheart grasped the drying cloth and yanked it from her fingers. Caught likea rabbit in a trap, Vanora tried to cover herself with her hands. Laughing, Lionheartpulled her against him, his hands roving freely over the soft skin of her backand buttocks. A slow heat coursed through her veins as Lionheart groaned hername and sought her lips.

Whereverhe touched, she burned. Sweet Lord, what was he doing to her? An all-consumingneed spiraled through her as his hands sought her breasts and his tongueexplored her mouth with slow deliberation. He kissed her until her head wasreeling and her knees threatened to buckle beneath her. With an effort born ofdesperation, she broke free and shoved against his chest.

"Stop!I will not let you dishonor me."

"Methinksyou protest too much. You want me, Vanora. I felt your lips quivering beneathmine and tasted your excitement."

"Nay,I want you not."

"YetI shall have you, my lady."

Seeking todivert Lionheart's attention as well as her own, Vanora said, "Mair saidyou rode out to meet Llewellyn. Did you capture him?"

"Nay."Her words succeeded in easing the tension as Lionheart moved away and began topace. Taking advantage of his distraction, Vanora snatched her chamber robefrom the bed and pulled it on.

"Theman is wily as a fox," Lionheart complained. "His luck cannot holdout forever."

"Ipray it does."

Lionheartregarded her through shuttered eyes. "No matter what you pray, I came awayfrom the battle victorious. Llewellyn has fled and his army scattered to thewinds. 'Twill be a long time, if ever, before his ragtag army becomes a viableforce again. I doubt he will pose a threat to England in the future."

"Youare wrong!" Vanora hotly denied. "Llewellyn will not rest until theEnglish leave us in peace."

Frustratedby her stubbornness and his own lustful need to possess her, Lionheart suddenlythought of a way to punish her and at the same time gain what he desired most.. . her body.

"Aye,Llewellyn escaped but I did return with a prisoner. Someone close to the BlackWolf."

Vanora'sheart constricted. "Anyone I know?"

Secretlygloating, Lionheart said, "Daffid ap Deverell."