Page 74 of Lionheart

"Ithought you were Vanora," Lionheart replied. "Where is my wife?"

Altheapulled a face. "You have a drudge for a wife. She has been workingalongside the servants most of the day. Were I an earl's wife, I would haveservants waiting on me hand and foot."

"Mayhap'tis good you are not an earl's wife." Turning, he strode away.

Aye,Lionheart thought, he would have to do something about Althea soon, very soon.

He foundVanora in the solar, mending one of his tunics. She spared him but a briefglance when he entered the chamber.

"I amhome," Lionheart said. His words gave him pause. When had he begun tothink of Cragdon as home?

"So Isee. Did all go well?"

"Edwardis well on his way to meet de Montfort."

"Youwill be bored at Cragdon without an army to command."

"Mayhap.'Tis the first time in my memory that I have had a place to settle. Except whenI was fostered, I have spent my life following Edward. My brief sojourns atDunsford were but respites from battle, a place to heal from my wounds."

Vanoragasped. "How many times were you wounded?"

Hiseyebrows shot upward. "Too many to count. Warriors are wounded in battle,'tis unavoidable. The scars have faded since.

He removedhis cloak and tunic, poured water into a basin and began to wash. Vanoraregarded him for a long moment, then said, "I see a scar on your leftarm."

"Asword slash. I let my shield slip."

She walkedover to him and traced the wound with her fingertip. Lionheart stiffened, thenlet out a groan. "Behave, wife, lest you find yourself on your back."

Vanora'shand stilled. His skin felt hot. She wanted to stroke the hair-roughenedsurface, to feel his muscles tauten and ripple beneath her touch, to find hisscars and place her mouth upon them.

She wantedhim to love her.

Lionheartcovered her hand with his. "Though I am famished, I will happily obligeyou, for I, too, am eager for loving."

Blushing,Vanora whirled away from him. "Nay, feed your stomach; the other canwait."

Lionheartentered the hall and seated himself beside Vanora. Alan immediately poured aleinto his cup. Sensing Lionheart's gaze on her, Vanora glanced at him, flushingwhen she saw that his eyes were dark with desire and that his need for herstill raged. Their gazes met and locked, the invitation in his eyes blatantlysensual. Her heart pounded, and heat poured through her veins. Never had shefelt so consumed by a mere look. Then Althea sauntered into the hall and seatedherself beside Lionheart, shattering the tension between them.

Food wasset on the table and passed around. Vanora made a pretense of eating from thetrencher she shared with Lionheart, but Althea's presence spoiled her appetite.Sharing a meal and home with Lionheart's leman was intolerable. She wasLionheart's wife, and should not have to vie for his attention.

"Howsoon will you send Althea back to England?" she blurted out. "Thewoman does not belong here."

Altheaheard and bristled angrily. " 'Tis not for you to say, Vanora. 'Tis up toLord Lionheart, and he does not appear anxious to part with me."

"'Tis best for everyone that you leave as soon as possible," Lionheartsaid. "You will return to your village well dowered, ensuring your choiceof husbands."

"WillI have an earl?" Althea asked defiantly.

"Youknow better than that. I am sure you will choose wisely, but do not expect toland a title."

"SirGiles will wed me," she said, sending Vanora a triumphant smile. "Heis enamored of me."

"I pitySir Giles," Vanora muttered beneath her breath.

"I cannottell Sir Giles whom to wed," Lionheart replied.

"If Iwed Sir Giles, I can remain at Cragdon," Althea theorized.