Page 94 of A Knight’s Vengeance

She sat near the hearth in the hall and left her chair once, to eat the midday meal. It seemed strange to dine without Geoffrey’s bold presence beside her.

Veronique was absent as well.

As the servants chatted and cleared away the remnants of the meal, Elizabeth returned to her work. The torn silk shifted on her lap, and she straightened it with clammy fingers.

She remembered the shock and loathing in Veronique’s eyes when the courtesan had walked into the solar unannounced. An unspoken rule, that Veronique laid absolute claim to Geoffrey’s attentions, had been broken in that moment. Though Elizabeth had resisted him then, Veronique no doubt still held a grudge. The courtesan would hate Elizabeth even more when she learned Geoffrey had spent the night with her in his bed.

Turning the trapping a fraction, Elizabeth began a row of stitches on the embroidered hawk’s talons. The needle slipped between her fingers. Had Veronique gone with Geoffrey to the fields? The courtesan enjoyed the freedom to roam the keep and its grounds as she pleased. Elizabeth’s mouth pinched. Freedom was denied to her. Now, as she embroidered, she was watched by two guards playing a game of dice.

Mayhap Veronique hoped to win Geoffrey back.

Mayhap at this very moment, she kissed him full on the lips. Pleasured him. Ensnared him again in her lover’s web.

Jealousy uncoiled in Elizabeth like a hissing snake. She should not care at all about Geoffrey’s affairs with Veronique.

Yet, Elizabeth could not bear the thought of him making love to the courtesan. Not after last night.

The thread snapped. Elizabeth groaned. She would have to remove the entire row of stitches and start again. How unfair, that the rogue should be able to rattle her thoughts, when he was not even in the hall.

The servants delayed the evening meal until Geoffrey’s return. As the sun’s rays lengthened on the walls, Elizabeth heard his unmistakable laughter echo in the forebuilding. Her hand stilled. A thrill of joy and then dread washed through her.

When Dominic and Geoffrey strode into hall, discussing the harvest, she did not glance up. She longed to raise her head and catch Geoffrey’s smile, to see his mouth ease into that devastating grin just for her. But she could not bring herself to look him in the eyes. Jealousy chafed like a new wound. How could she look at him, when he had spent the day with Veronique?

As the men’s conversation continued, she blew a sigh. Thank the saints he had not seen her by the fire.

The voices stopped. Her relief fled.

Bold footsteps approached. Halted. A broad, tanned hand curled over the arm of her chair. “Damsel,” Geoffrey murmured near her ear.

His husky voice sent her pulse pounding with delight. How foolish, that her heart beat so. “Milord,” she said, and refused to glance up from inspecting her stitches.

“You have accomplished much today.” He trailed a finger over the silk.

The slow touch triggered the memory of his hands on her skin, exploring and caressing. Fierce passion ignited, and she could think of naught but him and the pleasure he had shown her.

He was still speaking. “—you have done excellent work.”

She shrugged aside her sinful thoughts. “I had no distractions today, milord, to keep me from my work.” Though she tried, she could not keep the venom from her voice.

“You are angry with me?”

Her lashes shot up. A curious smile hovered on his lips. His windswept hair curled over the collar of his moss green tunic flecked with dirt and grain husks. He looked rugged, wild, and very handsome.

His gaze dropped to her mouth, a silent kiss. When he handed her a single, bright blue cornflower, her breath jammed.

Did he think she would not know?

She did not take the flower. She stared at her hands clenched into the trapping. “You must take me for a fool.”

“Did one of the servants offend you?” His tone sharpened. “Did Elena speak amiss when I sent her to you this morning?”

“Nay.”

“Why do you not welcome me with your eyes?” His voice dropped to a purr and he brushed the petals against her cheek. “Did you miss me?”

She answered with an indignant snort.

Geoffrey chuckled. “Ah. You are annoyed because I spent the day away from my bed. And you.”