Page 52 of Lionheart

"Areyou mad!" she gasped. "You should be in bed."

Heattempted an unconvincing smile. "Do not coddle me. Where is SirGiles?"

"I amhere, Lionheart," Giles said, rising from one of the trestle tables set upfor the evening meal. "Have you need of me?"

Lionheartlowered himself onto the nearest bench. "Aye. I want you to take a patrolout at dawn and continue the search for the White Knight and his cohorts. Iwill join you if I am able—"

"Youshall not," Vanora said.

He ignoredher. "I want the White Knight more than I have ever wanted anything in mylife. He is nearby; I can feel it in my bones. Bring him to me, Giles, and Ishall present his head to Edward on a platter."

Sir Giles snapped a salute and strode off. Lionheart felt Vanora'sstillness and glanced up at her. Her face had gone as white as the WhiteKnight's tabard.

ChapterTen

Lionhearthealed quickly, due to the daily applications of salve Mair spread on hiswound. And to Vanora's excellent care of him and his own determination toregain his strength so he could run the White Knight to ground. Being bested bya mere slip of a lad who doubtless had just won his spurs made him look like afool.

A sennightafter he had been wounded, Lionheart returned to the training field, notactually participating but directing his knights and their squires. When he hadvoiced his intention to resume his duties after breaking his fast that morning,Mair threw up her hands and rolled her eyes. Vanora was more vocal.

"Areyou mad? Tis too soon to participate in strenuous activity," Vanorachided.

"Mywarriors must train to retain their skills," Lionheart argued. "Theyare seasoned warriors, unaccustomed to inactivity." He sent her a heatedlook, his voice low and seductive. "My body craves stimulation after lyingabed so long. Too much time has passed since I made love to my wife."

A rosyflush colored Vanora's cheeks. " 'Tis too soon for that, too."

"Youdo not know me well if you think a small wound can stop me from bedding you.Tonight, vixen, you and I will do more than sleep in our bed. Have you notmissed my attention?"

"Nay,not at all. Excuse me," she said, rising abruptly. "I have duties toattend."

A grinlifted Lionheart's sensual lips as he watched Vanora flee. Her lie did not foolhim. When he took her into his arms tonight and sheathed himself inside her,she would be as eager as he to make love. No amount of denial would convincehim that she did not want him. Aye, tonight he would have her, and she wouldbeg him to take her before the night was spent.

His bodybegan to harden at the thought of a naked, writhing Vanora beneath him, hereyes glazed with passion and his name on her lips. A man could die happy withsuch an arousing image imprinted upon his mind.

That imageremained with Lionheart throughout the day. When he began to tire and his ribsreminded him that he was not yet fully healed, he had but to think of his cockinside Vanora's soft body and his exhaustion melted away.

WhenLionheart returned to the keep for the midday meal, Vanora was nowhere about.When he inquired after her, he was told she had accompanied Father Caddoc tothe village to visit a sick child. A frisson of fear slammed through him, untilhe learned that a man-at-arms had accompanied her and the priest.

'Twaswhile he was still enjoying his meal that a messenger arrived from PrinceEdward. Lionheart welcomed him and eagerly perused the missive he carried.'Twas the first he had received from Edward in all the weeks he had been atCragdon. Giles and Brandon crowded around Lionheart, as eager as he for news ofEdward.

"Whatdoes the prince say?" Giles asked. "Is Simon de Montfort causing troublefor Henry?"

"Edwardsays that Henry wriggled out of his promises to the barons by appealing to thePope to absolve him," Lionheart revealed. "Civil war isinevitable."

"Doeshe mention Llewellyn?" Brandon asked.

"Hesays he brings news of Llewellyn and will tell us when he arrives. We are toexpect him at Cragdon within a fortnight."

"Isthat all?" Giles asked.

"Nay,he writes that he has personal news to impart, and that he is bringing asurprise visitor with him."

"Interesting,"Giles mused. "Have you any idea what he is talking about?"

"Nay.Edward loves surprises. It could mean anything."

The newsthat Edward was on his way cheered his army of discontented men. With civil warin the offing, they were eager to join the conflict. But whose side would Edwardtake? Lionheart wondered. On one hand there was de Montfort, Edward's uncle bymarriage and one of the men in line to rule England after Edward, Henry'srightful heir. There were many who thought Simon de Montfort would make abetter ruler than Henry.

On theother hand, Henry, weak though he might be, was still England's king, andLionheart doubted that Edward would abandon his father, for to do so meant thatEdward would lose the throne after Henry's death. Edward was born to rule andwould not willingly relinquish that which was his by divine right.