Page 93 of Lionheart

Graspingher shoulders, he swung her around to face him. "Do not turn your back onme. Listen very carefully to what I am about to say. I did not rut with Althea.Not once in all the time she was here."

"Am Isupposed to believe you?"

"Iam not a liar, Vanora."

Vanoraflushed and looked away; his insinuation stung. But could she believe him?"Are you really going to send Althea away?"

"Ijust said so, did I not? 'Tis not Althea I want."

Joyswelled Vanora's heart. She wanted to hear him say he needed her, and that hecared for her and no other. Swallowing her pride, she asked, "Do youintend for us to share a bed again?"

"Ithought I made that clear. Aye, I want you in my bed. You are my wife; 'tisyour duty to lie with me."

That washardly what Vanora wanted to hear. Duty had naught to do with a lovingrelationship. "Do you love me?"

A longsilence ensued. "If you are referring to sentimental love, it does not exist. I enjoy your body. Iadmire your intelligence, your courage, your pride. Is that not enough uponwhich to build a life?"

Nay. "I had hoped for more. When I said Iloved you, what did you think I meant?"

Anotherlong silence stretched between them. Finally he said, "Women aresentimental creatures. You probably meant that you enjoy my body as much as Ienjoy yours. Somewhere in our relationship we found common ground, and youinterpreted that as love."

"Whohardened your heart?" Vanora asked. " 'Tis obvious you have noperception of how women feel or how they think. Did you not love your mother?Love for one's mother is a child's first experience of tenderness. 'Tis thebest and truest form of love one can know."

His stonyexpression and stiff shoulders were the first indication that she was treadingin dangerous waters.

"Donot mention my mother to me. She has been banished from my memory and does notexist."

Vanorastared at him. " 'Tis always difficult to lose a dear one. I lost mybeloved mother five years ago and miss her every minute of every day."

"Youare wrong if you think I miss my mother," Lionheart said with cooldisdain. "To my knowledge she is very much alive, but I have had nocontact with her since I was too young to recall I even had a mother. Sheabandoned me."

"I donot understand."

"Nordo I. The very mention of her offends me. I do not wish to discuss her."

Lionheart'sstartling admission gave Vanora insight into his dealings with women. He couldnot

e becauseno one had taught him how. He had barricaded his heart and refused to allowtender sentiments inside because his mother had disappointed him. His ownmother had abandoned him. bid the woman have no feelings? 'Twas no wonderLionheart put no faith in marriage.

"Iwill not leave you like your mother did," Vanora said quietly."Though you would have walked away from me and our marriage if Edward hadnot ordered you to remain at Cragdon, I would have honored our vows. Why didyour mother leave you?"

Heshrugged. "Father said she took a lover and left me behind when she fled.He may have lied, but it no longer matters. He was not much of a father anyway.I have made my own way in life."

"'Twas a life without love," Vanora whispered.

"Therehas been no shortage of women in my life."

Vanorawinced. "Did any of them love you?"

"Allof them loved me for what I could give them."

"Allwomen are not the same. The kind of women you have known love with theirbodies, not their hearts."

"'Tis simpler that way. There is no room for disappointment when the heart isnot engaged."

"Ilove you with my heart, Lionheart. But even if you neither want my love norreturn it, I shall take what you offer."

Lionheartfrowned. "And what is that, wife?"