Page 99 of A Knight’s Vengeance

“Ah, damsel. What you do to me.” His lips crushed hers in a kiss so intense, Elizabeth’s knees buckled.

“I must go back,” she whispered, even as she kissed him with equal fervor.

“Nay.” Geoffrey lifted her into his arms and took the stairs to the solar two at a time. Striding to the bed, he sat her on the edge, yanked off her slippers, and slid her bliaut over her head in one fluid motion. He kissed her until her she gasped and quivered.

His hand slid beneath her chemise.

“Geoffrey,” she whispered, “we cannot.”

“You belong to me.” With gentle hands, he pressed her back on the coverlet.

She shook her head. “Impossible.”

“If you do not believe me, let me show you.” He coaxed her with his mouth, his fingers, and tender words whispered over her flushed skin.

When the tempest consumed her, Elizabeth cried out. She soared with such joy, she wished she could hold Geoffrey in her heart forever.

She wondered when the dream would shatter around her.

Arthur stood in the tent’s entrance and watched Veronique secure a clinking leather sack to the front of her horse’s saddle. He had given her half of the silver in the chest. The remainder she would receive at Branton, providing she kept her end of the bargain. She had not liked his stipulation, but with a furious nod, had agreed.

Veronique turned to him. “Till the morrow, milord.”

“You are a lady of your word?”

She tittered. “Lady, nay. But I will not fail you. The portcullis and drawbridge shall not bar your way if you arrive at Branton Keep as arranged.”

“Do not betray me, Veronique.”

Her eyes flashed in the twilight. “You question my trustworthiness after parting with your coin?”

Viscon laughed and heaved his body up onto his horse, a roan as ugly as its master.

“I paid a great deal for your help, Veronique,” Arthur said and started toward her, his surcoat flapping in the breeze. “You, in turn, offer me no guarantees but your word. You must agree ’tis not much to weigh against a sack of silver.” As her gaze hardened, he forced a genial smile. “You will understand, then, why I am sending men to accompany you, to ensure our agreement is met.”

Her mouth tautened with anger, and he thought he heard her mask of rouge and powder crack. “You will draw attention to me. Do you think ’twill be easy for me to bribe the guards without de Lanceau finding out?”

“That is why I paid you well. If you cannot fulfill our arrangement, I will take the coin back.”

“Nay!” Veronique gripped the bag. She looked prepared to gouge out his eyes if he tried to wrest the coin from her. “You may send your escort. Two men, no more.”

“Four,” Arthur said. He would not underestimate Viscon. If he and Veronique decided to flee with the coin, ’twould take four able knights to subdue the brute.

“Four,” she agreed with a sneer, “but I work alone.”

“As long as the deed is done.”

“Christ’s blood! ’Twill be.”

Arthur signaled to the armed soldiers who stood nearby. He picked four of his trusted knights and ordered them to their horses.

“Milord.” Aldwin strode over from the fire, buckling on his broadsword. “I beg you to let me ride escort as well.”

Arthur shook his head. “There is much to do here before the morrow.”

“I must go! Milord, I cannot sit idle when Eliz—milady—is being violated by that whoreson.”

“I like it no more than you,” Arthur said with a growl, “but a rash challenge from you will not free her. You will remain with the rest of the soldiers. Go. Check my sword is sharpened and my horse is rubbed down.”