Page 66 of Lionheart

"Whatare you thinking?" Vanora asked.

He glancedover at her. She was lying on her side, staring at him. He shrugged, unwillingto share his private thoughts, especially now, when his thoughts were of her."We should get some sleep. Edward is an early riser, so I thought to takehim hunting in the morning."

She placeda hand on his chest. He flinched and swore under his breath. The compulsiveneed to love her again surged like a tidal wave over him. What was wrong withhim? He was thoroughly, remarkably sated, and yet he wanted her again. Would heever tire of her? He seriously doubted it. Looking at her, seeing the quizzicalexpression on her face, Lionheart felt something in his chest shift. Thefeelings and emotions that poured through him were confusing. They rattled himand left him feeling vulnerable. It was not a comfortable feeling.

"Goto sleep," he growled, and was instantly sorry that he had spoken soharshly. The sudden intake of her breath told him that he had hurt her. Shedeserved better from him.

"Goto sleep," he repeated, gentling his voice.

* * *

Lionheartwas gone when Vanora awoke the following morning. Rising, she washed, dressedand hurried down to chapel just as the bells tolled Prime. Kneeling quietly ina pew, she lowered her head to pray as Father Caddoc began the Mass. Chapel waslightly attended this morning, and Vanora supposed that everyone had gonehunting with Lionheart and Edward.

Though theMass had ended and Father Caddoc had left the altar, Vanora remained on herknees to pray. She was rudely interrupted when someone behind her spoke hername. She recognized the voice immediately and turned to confront Daffid apDeverell.

"Daffid!You are free."

"Aye.Your husband," he said, spitting the word out like a curse,"released me from the tower. He said Wales and England are at peace, andthat Llewellyn is to wed Simon de Montfort's daughter. I do not put much faithin this peace Llewellyn has wrought, but it served to free me."

"Thinkyou Llewellyn will break the peace treaty?"

"Waris inevitable. When Edward becomes king, he will not be satisfied until bothWales and Scotland are under his rule. He has ambitions beyond his years."

"Whatare you going to do now?"

"Returnto Draymere, I suppose. I wanted to see you before I left. Come with me,Vanora. Your marriage to Lionheart is a sham. You were betrothed to me."

"Iended the betrothal, if you recall. You are not the man I thought you were. Iliked not what you asked of me. Nor do I like being treated like chattel."

He graspedher wrist in a bruising grip. "You are an Englishman's chattel now. Howcan you bear the shame?"

Vanorarecalled the delicious pleasure Lionheart had given her last night and did notregret for a minute casting Daffid aside. Nor was she shamed. She had not wantedto wed Lionheart, but her heart now recognized him as the only man for her."Release me," Vanora hissed. "Nay, you are mine. Cragdon ismine. Think you I like living at Draymere? 'Tis naught compared to Cragdon.Your father promised me your lands and your hand in marriage. When Lionheartleaves, I shall take back that which is rightfully mine."

Hegrasped her other wrist and pulled heragainst him, his thick chest pressing against her breasts. Then his mouthslammed down on hers, hard, ruthless, defiant. Vanora choked back the bilerising in her throat and tore her mouth free. "I am wed. You have no rightto kiss me." "What do you think Lionheart will do when he learns theidentity of the White Knight he is so eager to find?" he taunted.

"Youwould not dare!"

"WouldI not?"

"My,my, who is this?" a feminine voice said from behind them. "Does yourhusband know what is going on behind his back?"

Movingaway from Daffid, Vanora glared at Althea. "You know not what you aresaying. Naught is going on behind Lionheart's back. Daffid was merely biddingme good-bye."

"Daffid,"Althea repeated. "The name is Welsh, is it not? Introduce us, LadyVanora."

Sighingresignedly, Vanora introduced Althea to Daffid.

"Whatbrings you to Cragdon, Althea?" Daffid asked.

"I camewith Prince Edward. I am Lionheart's leman."

Daffid'sbrows shot upward, but before he could comment on that startling bit of news,Vanora said, "Unless you wish to return to the tower, you had best leave,Daffid."

Daffidglared at her. "I will leave, but do not forget what I said. Cragdon ismine." Whirling on his heel, he stormed off.

Althearegarded Vanora with suspicion. "What did he mean? Why does he thinkCragdon belongs to him?"

Vanora sawno help for it. If she did not tell Althea, someone else would. "Daffidwas my betrothed. I decided we did not suit and broke the betrothal before Iwed Lionheart."