Page 71 of Lionheart

Lionhearthad naught to say to that sally. Enamored? Was he enamored of Vanora? 'Twas notacceptable. There were many things he admired about her: her beauty, her spiritand her strength. He even enjoyed their verbal sparring, but he did not likebeing lied to. Vanora's refusal to divulge information about the White Knightangered him.

"Ihave business with Edward, Althea. I will send Giles to entertain you."

Giles washappy to oblige. After a word from Lionheart, he hurried to Althea's side andled her off to a private alcove where they could converse in private. Stiflinga grin, Lionheart wished his friend luck in finding his way into Althea's bed,though he doubted the handsome knight would need it. Althea was ripe forbedding.

DismissingAlthea from his mind, Lionheart went in search of Edward. He found the princeconversing with his squire in the courtyard.

"Wewere just discussing preparations for our departure," Edward said whenLionheart joined him. "We march at dawn."

"Doyou go directly to Westminster?" Lionheart asked.

"Nay.I will join the rest of my army near Lewes to await de Montfort's nextmove."

"Youwill be careful, will you not?"

Edwardclapped Lionheart's back. "Aye. I learned well from you, my friend. Shallwe return to the keep and drink to England?"

One drinkled to another, and by the time Lionheart dragged himself up to the solar, hewas well into his cups. Using the dim light of a single candle to guide him,Lionheart staggered up to the solar. Closing the door quietly behind him, heshuffled toward the bed. Vanora was curled on her side, apparently sound asleepas he cast off his clothing and slid into bed beside her. She gave noindication that she was aware of his presence, and Lionheart scooted closer,molding her body into the curve of his.

Hehardened instantly, pushing his loins against the creamy mounds of her buttocks.She stirred but did not awaken. His hands slid around to her breasts, cuppingthem, toying with her nipples. When his hand slid down her stomach to explorethe moist folds of her sex, Vanora awoke with a start.

"Whatare you doing?"

"Fondlingmy wife."

"I amnot interested, Lionheart."

He slid afinger inside her, chuckling when he felt her muscles clench and moisture floodhis hand. "Are you sure?"

Grittingher teeth in frustration, Vanora cursed her body's response. She wantedLionheart, and he knew it. But she could not afford to love him. All her peopleknew she was the White Knight. Though she did not think they would betray her,she could not be certain. If Lionheart offered coin for information, thetemptation might be too great to resist.

The worstof it was her uncertainty of Lionheart's reaction once he learned the truthabout her. Would he order her death? Or had he grown fond enough of her toallow her to live?

Lionheartturned her on her back and hovered over her. "Kiss me, Vanora."

His slurredwords brought her to a startling realization. "You are drunk!"

"Nottoo drunk to make love to my wife."

The steelyarms that held her, the hard body behind her, were insistent. She knew theircoupling would be heated. The rough eagerness of his voice, the tension of hismuscles, sent excitement racing through her.

Then heproceeded to show her that he was capable of making love under any condition.He did not ask, he simply took. He kissed and caressed her until she was a massof sharp sensation; he left no part of her body untouched. When he finallyentered her, she nearly swooned with ecstasy. What mortal woman could resist avirile man like Lionheart, drunk or not?

He movedin her, thrusting, withdrawing, his strokes becoming frenzied as he neared completion.She made a soft sound deep in her throat and responded with swift intensity,lost in the all-encompassing desire he kindled in her. She heard him call hername. The feeling inside her grew tighter and tighter until she felt as if shewould snap from the strain. Poised on the brink for a breathless eon, sheexploded into a thousand tiny pieces, tumbling into a void of raw sensation.

Clingingto him, half sobbing, she held him as his own shattering orgasm released hisseed into her. With a groan, he rested his forehead against her cheek,breathing raggedly. Then he raised his head and gazed down at her with atroubled look.

"Howdid this happen? When did it happen?"

"Howdid what happen?"

Immediatelya veil slid down over his eyes. "Pay me no heed. I am too drunk to thinkclearly."

He rolledaway but kept his hand on her hip as if loath to release her. "Go tosleep. We will talk tomorrow about the secrets you are harboring."

Her heartnearly stopped. "Secrets? I have no secrets."

No answerwas forthcoming. When Vanora raised her head to look at him, his face wascomposed in sleep.