Page 35 of Lionheart

"Youare the worst kind of hypocrite, Daffid," Vanora bit out. " 'Tis mylands you want; you care naught for me. You want me to sacrifice myself foryour worthless life."

"'Tis your duty. A woman's life is naught compared to a man's. Were we wed, youwould be required to obey me in all things. I could send you to a nunnery orkill you if it pleased me."

She staredat him coldly. "Mayhap I would kill you first. I have been taught awarrior's skills and willallow no man to abuse me. I hereby set the betrothal aside. Good-bye,Daffid."

"Vanora,wait! Forgive me. I am a man condemned to death and beset by devils. I did notmean what I said. I would honor you as my wife no matter what you were forcedto do to save my life. I am merely suggesting that you take advantage ofLionheart's desire for you to gain my freedom. My life is important to thefuture of Wales. Can you not find it in your heart to help me?"

"Iwill do what I can," Vanora said, turning away.

With aheavy heart, Vanora slowly made her way to Lionheart. She had always admiredDaffid and felt that he would make a good husband, but he had shattered herdreams with a few carelessly spoken words. Mayhap he was overwroughtwith anxiety, but that did not give him the right to speak to her in adisrespectful fashion, or hold her in low regard because she was a woman.

Daffid wasnot even grateful for her warrior skills. She had sacrificed her own warriorsfor his and Llewellyn’s lives and placed herself in peril. Daffid thought ofher as a woman who would become his chattel once they were wed. She had hopedhe would see her as being different from other women and respect thosedifferences.

He shouldappreciate her ability to defend herself and protect her lands, but he did not.

"Iheard loud voices. Did your visit with Daffid not go well?"

Vanoragasped in surprise; she had been so deep in thought, she had nearly bumped intoLionheart.

Sherefused to look at him. "All is well. I found Daffid in surprising goodhealth. Is that your doing?"

"Irarely torture my prisoners."

She turnedaway and started up the stairs. Lionheart grasped her shoulders and spun heraround to face him. "You have not changed your mind, have you? Restassured that I intend to hold you to your promise."

Vanora nolonger felt that Daffid's life was worth any sacrifice on her part, but she hadgiven Lionheart a promise and saw no way to avoid honoring her word. Had shespoken to Daffid first, she would not have been so quick to agree toLionheart's terms. But deep down she knew she would still have done whatever ittook to save the life of a fellow Welshman.

"Ihave not changed my mind," she assured him.

Shepreceded him up the stairs. "Shall we get this over with?"

Lionheart'sbrows flew upward. "Your enthusiasm overwhelms me, my lady. You may notshare my excitement, but can you not summon any eagerness for ourcoupling?"

"Youare not the man I pictured when I imagined making love for the firsttime."

"Daffidis not the man for you," Lionheart said harshly.

Privately,Vanora agreed, but she was not about to admit as much to Lionheart. The man waspuffed up enough as it was. "And I suppose you are," she challenged.

His eyesglittered like polished silver. "I will let you decide after I make loveto you."

"Youoffer me naught but fleeting pleasure. What will happen to me when you aregone? Everyone will know I was your whore, and I will spend the rest of my lifewithout a husband. I want a man who will be my partner in life, one who will treatme as an equal, and I want children. All those things will be denied me if youmake me your whore."

Aftergiving her words considerable thought, Lionheart said, "I shall ask Edwardto find you an appropriate husband."

Althoughit seemed like a perfectly sound solution, it did not sit well with Lionheart.The thought of Vanora in another man's bed was not something he cared tocontemplate.

"Donot bother," Vanora retorted. "Edward would surely choose anEnglishman for me to wed, and I cannot bear the thought." Whirling, shestalked off.

Lionheartcaught up with her in two long strides. A hush fell over the men gathered inthe hall. A stern look from Lionheart was all it took for conversation toresume.

"Paythem no heed," he said when he noted Vanora's flushed face and stiffshoulders. "Should anyone speak ill of you for what we are about to do, heor she will be severely reprimanded. I shall make it clear that you had nochoice in the matter."

Her shockwas palpable. "You would do that?"

"Aye.Does that surprise you?"

Sheshrugged. "It does not take much to surprise me where you areconcerned."