Page 84 of Lionheart

"Lionheart!I love you!"

He did notturn, but she could tell by the stiffening of his shoulders that he had heardher. He reached for the door latch.

"Lionheart!Please believe me."

He droppedhis hand from the latch but said naught. His only reaction was an outburst ofbitter laughter as he opened the door and walked out on her.

Vanorastared at the door. She would not cry, nor would she beg. No man, no matter howmuch she loved him, was worth the anguish she was feeling. Keeping her secretidentity from Lionheart had been wrong, but his callous treatment of her nowwas despicable.

The dooropened and Mair slipped inside. "My poor lambie," she wailed, rushingto Vanora's side. Taking Vanora's face between her hands, she searched it forbruises. "Where did he hurt you?"

"Whereit does not show," Vanora choked out.

"Neversay he punched you! Did he crack a rib? Mayhap I should take a look."

"Nay,Mair, he did not lay a hand on me." She placed a hand on her chest. "'Tis my heart that is broken. He will never forgive me."

"Heis a man, lambie. When you, a woman, crossed swords with him, you pricked hispride and compromised his honor. Say what you will about Lionheart, he takesknighthood seriously. He would never knowingly injure a woman. Had he slainyou, he would never have forgiven himself. Give him time to come to grips withthe notion that a woman can wield a sword and defend her country as well as aman."

"'Tis too late, Mair. Lionheart will never forgive me, and even if he does, Iknow not if I can forgive him for his harsh stand against me. He broke myheart, Mair. When I told him I loved him, he laughed at me."

Mair heldout her arms and Vanora rushed into them. Though tears threatened, she did notcry. She had known the consequences when she donned armor and raised her swordagainst Lionheart, and now she must accept them. But oh, it hurt, hurt terriblyto be spurned by the man she loved.

"ShowLionheart your mettle, lambie," Mair advised. "Put on your best gownand come down to the hall to sup. Father Caddoc and I will be there to supportyou."

Vanoraswallowed her refusal and nodded her head instead. She would not let Lionheartknow how badly he had wounded her. His refusal to acknowledge her love hadalmost been too much for her to bear. But Mair was right. She was not going tohide in her chamber and give Lionheart the satisfaction of knowing how deeplyhe had hurt her.

"Noneof this would have happened if Lionheart had not returned to Cragdon before hewas expected," Vanora said. "Was Althea really injured, or was itmerely an excuse to return to Cragdon?"

"Altheatook a nasty fall," Mair replied. "But aside from a few bruises and asprained ankle, she is fine. I did what I could for her, but she should remainoff her feet for another few days."

''Pity,"Vanora murmured. "I shall be ready in a moment, Mair. We can go belowtogether."

Head heldhigh, chin tilted, Vanora entered the hall and walked to her usual place at thehead table. Her steps faltered, then stopped completely when she saw Lionheartenter the hall carrying a whimpering Althea in his arms. He strode directly tothe dais and settled Althea in the chair on his right. Sir Brandon sat onLionheart's left. The remaining chairs had been removed, probably on Lionheart'sorders.

Mairtugged her arm. “Come, lambie, there are two empty places beside FatherCaddoc.”

Her cheeksflaming, Vanora slid onto the bench beside the priest. He patted her hand."Are you all right, child?"

"I amfine, Father. I see Lionheart wasted no time in replacing me."

"Iwill speak to him about keeping his marriage vows."

"Saveyour breath. Does everyone know about me? About who I am, I mean?"

"Nay,and I am sure everyone is wondering what happened between you andLionheart."

"Hasthe entrance behind the altar been sealed?"

"Aye.Lionheart saw to it."

" Tisjust as well."

Vanora hadno appetite. And seeing Althea and Lionheart together, conversing intimately,made her stomach roil with nausea. She wanted to flee but would not giveLionheart the satisfaction.

* * *

Lionheartdid his best to keep his gaze from straying to Vanora. He had thought he wouldfeel pleasure when Vanora saw Althea occupying her chair, but her hurtexpression tugged at a place inside him he thought he had closed off to her.