Page 6 of Lionheart

Outwardlycomposed, Vanora seethed inwardly at Lionheart's arrogance. He might be PrinceEdward's principal knight but to the Welsh he was naught but an unwelcomeintruder who threatened their land and their people. No Welshman worth his saltliked Englishmen, for they were determined to subdue the Welsh and seize theirlands.

WhileLionheart issued orders, Vanora silently observed him. Grudgingly she admittedthat the man was a handsome brute. Dark and dangerous, he was reputed to be aman without compassion, one who demanded complete obedience. He was tall, broadand powerful, and his visage hinted at dark passions and hidden tempests. Whatdrove this knight called Lionheart? she wondered.

Vanorasuffered a moment of anxiety when Lionheart questioned Cragdon's warriors. Muchto her relief, they all denied knowledge of the knight he referred to as theWhite Knight. Nor did they reveal what they knew about Llewellyn’sdisappearance. Lionheart must have realized he had naught to gain fromcontinuing the questioning and ordered her men taken to the tower and confinedunder lock and key. Silently Vanora vowed they would not remain there long.

"Itseems, wench," Lionheart said after the prisoners were led away,"that you are not the only

onedetermined to defy me. All you Welsh dwelling on Prince Edward's lands are arebellious lot."

"Cragdondoes not belong to Edward. Cragdon and the land upon which it was builtbelonged to my father and now to me."

"Onceyou gave sanctuary to Llewellyn, Cragdon became fair game. I claim it forPrince Edward and England, Vanora of Cragdon."

"I amLady Vanora to you," Vanora said calmly but clearly.

"Verywell, my lady, so be it. Escort me to the solar. Since my squire isoccupied elsewhere, you may help me disrobe and bathe."

Vanora'schin rose defiantly. "I am not a servant."

Fixing hissteely gaze on her, Lionheart said, "You will be anything I desire you tobe."

ChapterTwo

"Preparehot water for a bath and food for my men and me," Lionheart ordered anearby servant as he nudged Vanora toward the stone staircase.

Her lovelyface set in defiant lines, Vanora preceded Lionheart up the stairs and alongthe gallery to the solar. She could hear his heavy tread behind her andwondered what he would do to her once they were alone. She had heard thatEnglishmen were brutal beasts who took what they wanted without a care fortheir victims. Although the English brute had shown no sexual interest in her,she thanked God that she was not a helpless female incapable of defendingherself.

Vanoraopened the door to the solar and stepped inside. Lionheart followed close onher heels. She watched him warily as his silver gaze roamed over the largechamber and its furnishings. Everything was just the way her father had left itsix months before. Vanora had not claimed it for herself, for the chamber heldtoo many memories.

"Yourfather lived well," Lionheart said with a hint of sarcasm. "Cragdonwill make an excellent addition to Edward's Welsh holdings."

"Surelyyou do not intend to remain long at Cragdon," Vanora returned, aghast atthe thought.

"Iintend to headquarter here until Llewellyn is brought to heel or I am sentelsewhere by Edward. I am weary. Help me remove my armor."

He held uphis arms, his expression harsh with impatience. Vanora moved cautiously, waryof the Englishman who had just claimed her castle and lands for his prince.Grasping his mail shirt, she tugged it upward, but despite her own height, hewas so tall she had difficulty pulling it over his head.

Growlingin impatience, he pushed her aside and finished the task himself, and as he didso, his hand inadvertently scraped along her rib cage. A jolt of pain shotthrough her and she bit her tongue to keep from crying out. Unaware of herdistress, Lionheart removed his mail shirt and gambeson and tossed them aside.

Then helowered himself to a bench and held out his right foot. "Remove myboot."

Vanorawanted to tell him to go to the devil, but caution prevailed. She fearedLionheart would take revenge on her people if she were belligerent. Graspinghis foot, she tugged with all her strength, but the boot refused to budge. Thensuddenly it gave, and she sprawled on her backside, the boot in her hand andher skirts flying up past her knees.

Vanora wasnot prepared for the onslaught of pain and she doubled over into a fetalposition, clutching her ribs and rocking back and forth.

"God'snightgown!" Lionheart cried. "What is wrong with you? I've neverknown a woman with such a tender backside."

With asnort of disgust, he pulled off his remaining boot himself. Then he stood androlled his chausses down his legs.

"Nay!"Vanora cried, turning her face away.

Lionheartpaused, his chausses halfway down his muscular legs. "What is wrongnow?"

"Youcannot disrobe until I am gone."

"Haveyou never seen an unclothed man before?"

"Nay,never. I am a maiden," Vanora said over the debilitating pain stillgripping her.