Page 41 of Lionheart

"Isaw her enter the chapel to attend Mass."

His faceset in determined lines, Lionheart set out to find Vanora. He found her in thechapel, deep in prayer. He stood in the doorway and watched her until she sensedhis presence and looked up.

"Wereyou looking for me?"

He stalkedtoward her. "Why did you leave our bed?"

"Ialways attend morning Mass."

"Iwanted to make love to you again," he said in a low voice.

Vanora'sviolet eyes widened. "Again? 'Tis beyond belief that you would want to do... that in the light of day."

Heshrugged. "Night, day, it matters not. 'Tis called making love, Vanora.Can you not say it?"

"Doyou love me,Lionheart?" His stunned expression must have answered her question, forshe said, "I thought not. What we did was rut like two animals in heat. Iremained in the chapel after Mass to pray for forgiveness."

Hiseyebrows shot upward. "For what do you need forgiveness?"

"Ishould not have allowed you to expose my wanton nature. I am praying for thestrength to resist your next assault."

Dismay crossed Lionheart's features. "Assault? Is that whatyou call it? Why would you want to resist that which gives us pleasure? 'Tis nosin, what we did, for your priest said the words that made it right in God'seyes."

"Wereyou not goaded by lust, you would have never wed me."

"True,but 'tis too late for regrets. Get up from your knees, wife. We shall go to thehall to break our fast and receive congratulations on the propitious occasionof our marriage. Both your people and mine need to see us together."

Graspingher arm, he helped her rise. Father Caddoc chose that moment to appear from thesacristy, holding a sheet of parchment in one hand and an inkpot and quill inthe other.

"Ah,'tis good you are both here. I have prepared your marriage document. It butawaits your signatures."

Lionheartlooked at the document with scant enthusiasm. Were he to refuse, would themarriage be invalid? He stared at it so long that Father Caddoc cleared histhroat and thrust the inkpot beneath his nose.

"Yoursignature, Sir Lionheart."

ThoughLionheart wanted to rip the document to shreds, something inside him would notallow it. His love of freedom warred with the need to possess Vanora, body andsoul. Need won out as he dipped the quill in the inkpot and set his signatureto the document. When he handed the quill to Vanora, she refused to take it.

"Signit, child," Father Caddoc encouraged. "You have no choice. The deedwas done, was it not?" he asked, alluding to her wedding night.

She turnedto Lionheart, her face set in stubborn lines. "Do you keep your word, sirknight? Will Daffid live?"

"Aye,he will live."

"Willyou set him free?"

A longpause ensued. "That depends on how well you please me. But never think youcan take Daffid as a lover once I am gone. Father Caddoc will make sureyou remain faithful to your vows." He fixed the priest with a piercinglook. "Will you not, Father?"

Now, whyhad he said that? Once he left Cragdon, it should not matter to him what Vanoradid.

"Fearnot, Lionheart," Vanora spat. "I would not have Daffid were he thelast man walking the earth."

Grasping the quill, she signed her name on the marriage document,returned it to Father Caddoc and stormed from the chapel.

ChapterEight

Lionheartcaught up with Vanora in the courtyard. He grasped her elbow to keep her fromfleeing, then steered her into the hall. He seated her at the high table andleft to speak briefly to Sir Giles. He waited until Giles departed, thenreturned to Vanora's side. 'Twas obvious that everyone knew about their hastymarriage the night before, for Sir Brandon surged to his feet, raised his cupand toasted the couple.

"Felicitationson your marriage," he bellowed.