Page 56 of Lionheart

"Howkind of you to say so." The hard edge to her voice should have warned him."But since a child is merely speculation at this point, mayhap you shouldforget I mentioned it. Once you leave Cragdon, you need never look back. ForgetI ever existed."

Never lookback? Forget Vanora? Somehow that thought produced a hollow feeling in the pitof his stomach. He wished it were a simple matter of erasing these weeks atCragdon from his mind. Unfortunately, that was impossible. Vanora had given himsomething no other woman had. He had no idea what it was, could not evendescribe it, but he knew it existed.

Suddenlyit came to him. No one had ever cared what happened to him. Whether sheacknowledged it or not, Vanora cared. Lionheart was astute enough to know whena woman's feelings were engaged.

What abouthis own feelings? He could not afford to have feelings, he decided. He wasEdward's man and would follow him to the ends of the earth if need be. He hadno room in his life for a wife and even less for a child.

"Regardlessof what you think, Vanora, I am not completely devoid of feeling. I willacknowledge any child we make during our brief marriage. And I will entreatEdward to allow you to remain at Cragdon. I own no land or keep where you maylive, so taking you to England is out of the question."

"Irefuse to live in England, so it matters not. If I am forced to leave Cragdon,I shall find my own way, but it will be in my own country."

"Youmust do what is best for you. Know, however, that I will return to learnwhether I have a child. No matter where you go, I shall find you."

It surprised Lionheart to realize he spoke the truth. He wanted, nay,needed to know if a child resulted from their coupling. He would not abandonhis son or daughter. He had no idea how he intended to keep track of Vanora andhis offspring while campaigning with Edward, but it never occurred to him toshirk his duty.

* * *

Thefollowing days sped by with impossible haste. Vanora tried to keep her handsbusy and her mind occupiedwith thoughts other than those of her future. She and Lionheart had not hadanother serious discussion, and she supposed that was the way he wanted it.Unfortunately, it was not so easy for her. She had come to the painfulrealization that Lionheart had engaged her emotions, though she had desperatelytried to avoid that kind of entanglement. When had it happened? How had herenemy managed to make her care for him?

What wouldhe do to her if he learned she was the White Knight?

She shuddered. The thought was a frightening one, and she prayedthat Lionheart would never learn her secret.

* * *

A vanguardfrom Edward's party arrived to announce the prince's imminent arrival. Theprogression from London had taken less time than expected, and the prince wasbut two days' journey from Cragdon. Lionheart decided to ride out the nextmorning to meet him and advised Sir Giles to have a dozen men ready to ridewith him at dawn.

That nighthe made love to Vanora until exhaustion claimed them both. Then he awakened herin the middle of the night, teasing another response from her. Then, as thechurch bells tolled prime, she turned into his arms and he made love to heragain, as if it might be the last time. And it might be. Edward could leave theday after he arrived, taking Lionheart with him.

He leftVanora sleeping soundly, worn out from vigorous lovemaking. He found Alanwaiting in the hall for him. After he broke his fast with bread, cheese andale, he and Alan descended the stairs to the armory, where his squire helpedhim don his chain mail. Sir Giles arrived a few minutes later.

"Themen are ready to ride," Giles said.

Lionheartturned to Alan. "Have you seen to my provisions?"

"Aye,Lionheart. All is in readiness."

Lionheartnodded approval. "I am anxious to see Edward. Doubtless much has happenedin England in our absence."

"Thinkyou we will leave Cragdon?" Giles asked.

"Aye,'tis inevitable."

"I,for one, am glad," Giles admitted. "And I am sure I speak for all themen. We are growing bored with inactivity. The Welshmen are no threat toEngland without Llewellyn. We are warriors, eager to go where Edwardleads."

The cadreof knights and their squires rode out from Cragdon just as the sun poked outfrom a bank of clouds, promising a fair day. They camped that night on a rockyhillside, dined from their rations and bedded down. They rolled out of theirblankets before dawn and continued on their way. The sun had just risen whenLionheart spied Edward's party, with Edward himself in the lead, sitting proudand tall in the saddle.

Spurringhis steed, Lionheart rode out to meet his prince. Edward saw him and waved.

"'Tis about time you returned, Lord Edward," Lionheart said as he reined inbeside Edward. "We are moldering at Cragdon."

Edwardremoved his helm; the sun reflected off his golden hair, creating a halo aroundhis head. Lionheart thought he had never looked more kingly.

"'Tis good to see you looking fit and healthy," Edward replied.

"What news of Simon de Montfort? Have you decided to cast your lotwith him?"

"Nay. I have changed my allegiance from de Montfort to Henry. Shouldde Montfort prove victorious, he will name himself king and deny me mybirthright. I cannot let him do that. The crown is mine by divine right. No oneshall take it from me."