Page 43 of Lionheart

Vanora wasstunned. She had never expected Lionheart to keep his word. "I should liketo see him."

"Heis allowed no visitors, my lady. But rest assured he is quite comfortable inhis new quarters."

"Imerely wished to inform him of my marriage. He was my betrothed. I owe him thecourtesy of imparting the news myself."

"If'tis any comfort, I believe the prisoner has already been informed of yourmarriage."

"Whenwas Daffid moved?"

"Justthis morn. Sir Giles saw to it."

"Thankyou, Sir Brandon."

Since Vanora had no further interest in Daffid save preventing hisdeath, she made no more efforts to visit him. Apparently, he was being helduntil Edward decided his fate.

* * *

Thestressful days that followed tested Vanora's nerves to the limit. There wasnaught she could do to escape Lionheart's lovemaking even if she'd wanted to.To her dismay, she was not certain she did want to. Each night, the tenderlover returned when he climbed into bed with her. During the day she tried tothink of ways to avoid his lovemaking, but when night came he overcame herobjections with his tempting kisses and heated caresses.

There wasno help for her. She had become a slave to his passion, and it galled her tothink how easily he had made her into something she swore she would neverbecome. Each day she prayed for a messenger from Edward, ordering Lionheart'sremoval to another post, but she waited in vain, for word never arrived.

Oneafternoon Vanora rode to the village with Mair to attend a woman about to givebirth. The birth was a difficult one, and Vanora decided to sit with the womanuntil her husband returned from the fields. As the day waned, Vanora sent Mairback to the keep for swaddling for the babe and settled down beside thesleeping woman to await Mair's return. She had just started to doze off when acool breeze from the open door wafted over her.

"Mair,is that you?" Vanora called from the tiny bedroom.

"Nay,Vanora, 'tis I."

Vanorawhipped her head around at the sound of Lionheart's voice. "What are youdoing here?"

The womanin the bed stirred, and Vanora held her finger to her lips and herded Lionheartfrom the room, closing the door softly behind her.

"Mairtold me where to find you. I bring swaddling for the infant. How fares themother?"

"Ithink she will be fine, and the babe is healthy. You need not have bothered.Mair could have brought what was needed."

"'Tis growing dark. You should not be out alone." His eyes darkened withdisapproval. "Furthermore, I did not give you permission to leave thekeep."

"Whywould I need permission? I have never needed it before. This is my land. No onewould dare harm me."

"Youare my wife. If danger stalks me, it stalks you. A man like Llewellyn wouldhave no qualms about using you to force my compliance. Do you know what wouldhappen in that instance?"

"Aye,"Vanora retorted. "I know exactly what would happen. You would ignore Llewellyn’sdemands, for you care naught for me."

A growlrumbled from Lionheart's chest. "You sorely try my patience, vixen."He stalked toward her, his eyes suddenly alight with desire. " 'Tis whenyou are defying me that I want you the most. When your great violet eyes mockme, I want to toss up your skirts and thrust myself inside you."

Hisadmission stunned Vanora. Her defiance should anger him, not arouse him. He wasstanding so close, she could almost feel the waves of heat emanating from his body.She could almost taste his arousal. What manner of man was he? Did he nevertire of rutting?

He draggedher against him, and his mouth claimed hers with a mastery that answered herquestion more forcefully than words. He kissed her until her head began tospin, prodding her lips apart and thrusting his tongue inside to taste herthoroughly. Vanora suspected he would have taken her on the dirt floor of thecottage if Bretta's husband had not returned.

Flustered,the poor man stopped just inside the door, his face turning a bright shade ofred. Stuttering with embarrassment, he said, "Forgive me, master,mistress, but I was told Bretta gave birth today. Are my wife and babewell?"

"Theyare fine, Gordy," Vanora said, nearly as disconcerted as the villein."You have a healthy son. Sir Lionheart brought swaddling clothes from thecastle."

"Aye,we shall leave you now to greet your new son. Come along, Vanora."

"LetMair know if Bretta should need further care," Vanora called over hershoulder as Lionheart led her out the door.

"Thankye, my lady," Gordy called after her.