Page 42 of Lionheart

"Andmay your marriage prove fruitful," another knight shouted.

One byone, each of Lionheart's knights stood, raised his cup and drank to thecouple's health and prosperity.

"Thankyou," Lionheart said. "My bride and I would like you to join ustonight at a feast to celebrate our nuptials."

"I donot feel like celebrating," Vanora hissed. "This marriage is a farce,and well you know it."

The warmthleft his eyes. " "Tis a legal marriage, signed, sealed andconsummated. 'Twas contracted in a moment of madness, but now we must live withthe consequences. You will not have to put up with me overlong, for soon Edwardwill have need of me elsewhere."

Vanorabroke off a crust of bread and popped it into her mouth. She chewedthoughtfully, swallowed, then asked, "Are you sure you will never returnto Cragdon once Edward orders you elsewhere? Do you promise?"

"Sofar as it is within my power to promise such a thing. I am Edward's vassal. Igo where he wills for however long he deems necessary."

"Aslong as you leave me in peace, I care not where you go."

"Doyou not?" Lionheart said, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "You likedme well enough last night."

"Canyou not forget what happened last night?" Vanora beseeched. " 'Tisembarrassing to be reminded of my wanton behavior."

"Forgetit? Never. I hope to have that wanton in my bed again tonight. Even as wespeak, your belongings are being moved into the solar."

Vanora'sspoon dropped from her fingers. "You have no right."

"FatherCaddoc gave me the right when he married us. You belong to me, Vanora, body andsoul. Never doubt it," he said coolly. Then he looked away, as if alreadydistancing himself from her.

"Weshall see," Vanora retorted, suppressing a smile.

ThoughLionheart's opinion of a woman's role in marriage did not differ from that ofother men of his ilk, Vanora liked it not. Daffid had expressed the samesentiments, and she had ended their betrothal because of them. She had hoped toretain an identity of her own after marriage, and mayhap maintain a measure ofindependence, but men like Lionheart and Daffid expected unconditionalobedience from a wife.

"Youare smiling. Did I say something to amuse you?" Lionheart asked, regardingher through narrowed lids.

Vanora'sgaze refused to meet his. Her thoughts would most definitely not amusehim. "Nay. I was merely thinking how peaceful my life was before you cameto Cragdon."

Lionheartsearched her face, his expression hard and inflexible. "As was mine. Ithought you might have been remembering the pleasure I gave you last night. Youenjoyed me as much as I enjoyed you."

Vanorawithheld a reply. The unexpected pleasure of their coupling was something shepreferred to keep private. The brief pain was naught compared to the bliss thathad followed. Never had she suspected her body capable of scaling such heightsof intense pleasure. Lionheart's touch, his kisses, had driven her mad withwanting. How could a woman hate the man who took her maidenhead with theunexpected gentleness of a caring lover?

Vanoracast a surreptitious glance at her husband and found she did not recognize theuncompromising warrior sitting beside her; where was the enticing lover who hadseduced her on their wedding night? She could find no trace of charm or warmthin Lionheart's remote, distracted manner. Which man could she expect tonight whenthey were alone in their chamber? Would he become the tender lover again? Orwould he remain the hard man who sat beside her with a scowl on his face?

She almostpreferred the hard, uncompromising warrior, for the tender lover confused her.While the softer side of Lionheart could easily engage her emotions, Vanorapreferred the inflexible warrior, for he was a man she could hate.

"Iintend to ride to the village today," Lionheart said, interrupting herthoughts. "Since my men have found no trace of Llewellyn, I thought toquestion your vassals. Think you they can tell me something of value?"

Vanora'sattention sharpened. "They are simple people, Lionheart. I trust you willnot punish them if they know naught of Llewellyn."

He gaveher a patronizing look. "I am not a monster, Vanora. 'Tis not mynature to hurt innocent people."

Vanora'smouth flattened, but she said naught as Lionheart departed. She had much toaccomplish today before he returned, and trading barbs would only delay hisleaving.

Vanoraleft the hall and hastened to the dungeon as soon as Lionheart departed. Shewanted to be the one to tell Daffid that she and Lionheart were wed. Silentlyshe rehearsed the argument she would use to convince the guard to allow her topass. To her surprise, there was no guard to stop her. Lifting the torch fromthe sconce, she slowly descended the stairs to the lower regions of the castle.

Theguardroom was empty, and so were the cells. Daffid was gone. Vanora returned tothe hall and hailed Sir Brandon.

"Whatcan I do for you, Lady Vanora?"

"Theprisoner. What happened to Daffid ap Deverell?"

"Lionhearthad him removed to the tower," Brandon informed her.