Page 85 of Lionheart

"I amglad you finally came to your senses," Althea purred. "I knew yourinfatuation with Vanora would not last. Tis not your nature to remain faithfulto a wife." She leaned close. "What happened? Did you find her withanother man?"

"ForgetVanora," Lionheart said. "How is your ankle? Does it pain you?"

"Mairsaid I should not put weight on it." She gave him a coy smile. "Ihope you do not mind carrying me about."

"Itwill be my pleasure," Lionheart said, placing his hand over hers.

Though hesmiled and gave the impression he was enamored with his leman, his thoughtswere with Vanora and the way she had deceived him and lied to him and made afool of him. Were he inclined toward violence against women, Vanora would beblack and blue. Never had he been so angry at another human being.

He couldnot forgive Vanora. He would prove to her that she meant naught to him. Whatmade it difficult, however, was the fact that he had finally acknowledged tohimself his feelings for Vanora. It would be a stretch to imagine himself inlove, but he had begun to care.

"Whatare you thinking, Lionheart?" Althea asked. "You seem sodistant."

"Ithas been a long day and you must be exhausted. If you are finished eating, Iwill carry you to your chamber."

She heldout her arms and smiled up at him. "I am ready. I have been waiting forthis night since I arrived at Cragdon."

Lionheart'sanswering smile turned grim as he swept Althea into his arms and carried herfrom the hall.

* * *

Vanora'slower lip trembled as Lionheart left the hall with Althea in his arms, but sheremained amazingly calm despite the gloating smile Althea directed at her overLionheart's shoulder. Rising on unsteady legs, she excused herself and ascendedthe stairs to the solar. After Lionheart's open attentiveness to his leman,everyone in the keep probably knew that Lionheart had turned from his wife. Hispublic display of affection for Althea was humiliating. How could she bear it?

WhenVanora reached the solar, she found Alan collecting Lionheart's belongings. Heflushed a deep red when hesaw her and stammered an apology.

"I...I am sorry, my lady, but Lord Lionheart

directedme to fetch his belongings."

"‘Tis all right, Alan, do what you must. I will not interfere." She walkedto the window and stared out until Alan finished and quietly left.

Lionhearthad truly turned away from her, she thought despondently. With a heavy heartshe prepared for bed. Before she crawled beneath the furs, she spiedLionheart's sword lying where she had dropped it. With almost loving care, shepicked it up and rested it against the hearth, refusing to cry over the man whohad disdained her love. She climbed into bed and closed her eyes, but sleep wasan elusive goal that dangled just out of reach.

* * *

Lionheartsettled Althea on her bed and would have left had she not grasped his arm andpulled him down beside her.

"Whereare you going?"

"Tofind my bed. I am as tired as you are. It has been an eventful day."

"ButI thought. . . You led me to believe ..."

"Youare injured. It would be cruel of me to impose upon you tonight. I will send aservant to help you prepare for bed. Sleep well, Althea."

What inthe hell was wrong with him? Lionheart wondered. Althea was willing; why did hewalk away from her? Cursing himself for a fool, Lionheart stomped off to thechamber that had been prepared for him. It was not as comfortable as the solar,but at least Vanora would not be there to tempt him with her provocative smileand seductive body. How could she have made sweet love with him while living alie?

Whatbothered him was not so much the fact that Vanora was the White Knight, but theknowledge that she had kept the truth from him. The realization that he hadcome close to killing her nearly brought him to his knees. Killing his own wifewould have destroyed him, and for her deception he could not forgive her.

Withoutvolition, Lionheart's steps took him to the solar. It was not where he wantedto be, but something stronger than his own will had led him there. His handworked independently of his mind as he opened the door and stepped inside. Thefire in the hearth had burned low, casting the room in shadows. His gaze wentimmediately to the bed.

Vanoramust have sensed his presence, for she raised herself on her elbow and peeredat him through the dancing shadows.

"DidAlan forget something?"

Lionheartwent still. What was he doing here? As he searched his mind for an answer toVanora's question, his wandering gaze found his sword propped up beside the hearth.

"Aye.I came for my sword."