Page 96 of Lionheart

Lionheart'sexpression turned grim. "What else?"

"Youhave a sennight to comply with his request. If your lady does not arrive withinthe allotted time, he will"—he swallowed convulsively— "kill SirGiles and his bride."

"Iwill go to him," Vanora said firmly.

"Nay!"Lionheart roared. "You will not!"

"Imust if we are to save Giles and his bride. Daffid will listen to me. Mayhap Ican talk some sense into him."

"Iwill think of something that does not involve you," Lionheart said."How defendable is Daffid's keep?"

"'Twould not be difficult to scale the walls, but I fear his army wouldoverwhelm yours ere you breached the keep. Besides, Daffid would kill Sir Gilesand Deirdre before you could get to them."

"Iknow what you are thinking, Vanora, and I will not allow it. Stay with youngPeter until Mair arrives." Turning on his heel, Lionheart strode off,motioning for Sir Brandon and Sir Ren to follow.

Mairarrived moments later with her chest of herbs, ointments and simples. Sheclucked over Peter's wound and led him to the kitchen in search of hot water.Vanora hurried up to the solar, where she could think without being disturbed.

She knewthat any action Lionheart took to rescue Giles and his lady was bound to fail.Even if he fought his way past a force twice, nay, three times the size of hisown, which was highly unlikely, he would not find Giles and Deirdre alive.Daffid would slay them in retribution.

Vanoraracked her brain for an answer. She knew she could not allow Daffid to kill twoinnocent people. And the thought of Lionheart dying was too painful tocontemplate. Nay, it was up to her to find a way to save Giles and his bride .. . and Lionheart. But to do so meant breaking her word. She had promisedLionheart she would never don armor again, but desperate times called fordesperate measures.

Lionheartwas distracted when they retired to the solar later that evening. As he prowledthe chamber, she felt his anguish as if it were her own. She said naught as shewaited for him to speak, her gaze running over his broad, strong body, asmooth-muscled fighting machine that could give pleasure as well as exactpunishment.

Finally hestopped in front of her, his hands clenched into fists, his silver eyes hardwith purpose. "You know Daffid better than I. Think you he will killthem?"

"Iwish I could give you assurances, but I cannot. What I know of Daffid I cannotlike."

"Hewas your betrothed," Lionheart charged.

"Hewas my father's choice. I did not object to a verbal betrothal, for I thoughtDaffid would make a good husband."

He senther a sharp look. "Do you still feel that way?"

"Nay.Daffid is not the man I thought he was. There is an ugly streak in him thatdisgusts me."

"'Tis as I feared. A man such as Daffid will not hesitate to kill if he isthwarted. He is mad with jealousy. I have what he wants."

"Daffidwants Cragdon."

"Daffidwants you, but as long as there is a breath in me he shall not haveyou."

"Daffidwill kill if forced to it," Vanora said softly. "Let me go to him,Lionheart. I am willing to trade myself for Giles and his wife. I am clever.Once they are free, I know I can find a way to return to Cragdon."

"Areyou mad? You are a woman. I am perfectly capable of rescuing my vassals. Ifthere is no other way, I shall storm the castle."

"'Tis what Daffid wants, Lionheart. You cannot win. Daffid's forces outnumberyours. Granted, his men are ill trained, but they have might on their side.Once Daffid lures you to Draymere, your small army will be cut down, leavinghim free to claim Cragdon."

"Andyou," Lionheart added.

Ignoringhis last remark, Vanora tried one last time to convince Lionheart of the logicof her plan. " 'Tis suicide, Lionheart, and will not save Giles andDeirdre."

"Atleast we shall die with honor, Vanora." He held out his hand. "Cometo bed."

Realizingthere was naught she could say to change Lionheart's mind, Vanora placed herhand in his and allowed him to undress her. He loved her roughly, frantically,their coupling taking her beyond herself, beyond mere pleasure. She knew hisardor was partly due to battle lust, but hers was fueled by the love she borehim.

When itwas over, they rested, and then he loved her again, this time with sweetlanguor and tenderness. Later, after Lionheart had fallen asleep, Vanora shedtears of remorse for what she had to do to save the lives of those she caredabout. Lightly she touched her stomach, where she had reason to believeLionheart's child grew. She was glad she had not yet told him.

A shiverof fear for that fragile life within her slid down her spine, but she quicklybanished it. Deep down she knew she and her babe would return to Lionheartunharmed.