Page 63 of Lionheart

She threwback her cloak, baring her nearly nude body to him. Her thin shift concealednaught. Her coral nipples glowed as if rouged, and the thatch betwixt her legsglittered like pure gold. Compared to Vanora's lean length and firm breasts,Althea's legs were too short and her body too soft, almost flabby.

"Thewoman you just called a bitch is my wife, Althea," Lionheart said.

Althearecoiled as if struck. "You are wed? When did this happen? Does Edwardapprove?"

"'Tis not for Edward to approve or disapprove. What is done is done."

She sidledclose and pushed her pillowy breasts against him. The musky smell of herarousal, combined with an exotic perfume she wore, teased his senses. He inuredhimself to her seduction and tried to back away, but she clung to him like avine, pushing her soft mound against him.

Heretreated. She followed. "I have a wife, Althea, and no need of aleman," Lionheart maintained.

She cuppedhis cock and smiled up at him. "You are growing hard in my hand,Lionheart."

Shesqueezed; he groaned. "You take unfair advantage of me." He slappedher hand away and set her apart from him. "Go find your bed, Althea. Ihave no need of a leman tonight or any night."

"Iwill change your mind," Althea purred as he pushed past her.

"Idoubt it," Lionheart said.

Taking adeep breath, he opened the door and entered the solar. His gaze found Vanoraand he nearly lost the ability to speak. She was sitting on a bench, running acomb through her long hair and gazing absently into the flames. Her shift hadslipped off one creamy shoulder, exposing a firm, round breast.

She turnedtoward him, her face composed but her eyes as turbulent as a storm-tossed sea."Have you finished with your leman already?"

"Iwas with Edward."

Disbeliefdarkened her violet eyes. "So you say."

He crossedthe room and lowered himself to the bench beside her. " Tis the truth. Whydo I need a leman when I have you?"

Vanorasniffed the air, then leapt to her feet and backed away. "Liar! You reekof sex and her." She glanced downward, her gaze lingering on hisloins. "Did she not satisfy you?"

Lionheartcursed. " 'Tis not what you think. Althea accosted me on the gallery and .. . and ..."

"...made you hard," she finished.

Lionheartcursed. "I want her not, Vanora. I was with Edward for a time, thenstopped to speak with Giles and Father Caddoc. I will hear no more aboutit."

"Itmatters not to me whom you bed, Lionheart," Vanora stated. "Just makesure you take your leman with you when you leave."

"Vanora..."

She senthim a hard look. "How much longer must I put up with you? Will you leavetomorrow, or the next day, or the next? I hope 'tis soon."

"Asmuch as you wish it, sweeting, 'tis not to be. I shall remain at Cragdonindefinitely. Edward wants me to become lord of Cragdon, though I never aspiredto the title."

"Nay,it cannot be true! How am I to bear it?"

ChapterTwelve

Vanoragrappled with Lionheart's words, struggling to make sense of them. She couldnot imagine Lionheart remaining at Cragdon under any circumstances. Why didEdward want him to remain? The one thing Vanora did understand now, however,was Edward's reason for bringing Althea to Wales. She was here for Lionheart'spleasure. Obviously, it was Edward's way of indulging Lionheart for leaving himbehind at Cragdon.

"Whyis Edward leaving you behind?" Vanora asked, her voice quivering with anunexplained emotion.

"He wantsme here to protect his property," Lionheart answered. "Not justCragdon, but all his property in Wales. Think you I like it? I prefer to fightalongside Edward."

"Fight?Is England at war?"

"Civilwar. King Henry is at odds with his barons. Simon de Montfort leads theopposing forces."