“Well, ofcourseI am,” he said as if it were the simplest thing in the world. “Surely it is of no surprise to you. True, I have not exactly told you, but….”
“It is a surprise,” she insisted. “I knew you were fond of me, but I did not believe that you loved me. Love is a silly, feminine emotion, Gaston. I have never known a knight to succumb to it.”
“Madam, I have not only succumbed, I have been mortally marked,” he said. “What do you think all of this talk of annulment had been about? I would not do that for anyone, but for you, I would do anything. Anything at all.”
Her smile faded and her face fairly glowed with love and admiration. “I love you, Gaston. I have never loved anyone in my life.”
“Nor have I,” his voice was soft. “Until I met you.”
They gazed at each other, wanting to hold and caress one another until they were both senseless. It was a tremendous act of willpower for Gaston not to even touch her cheek, but he had to be careful with his son about. Yet as he gazed downinto the sea-crystal eyes, he found his desire burning holes in his determination and he tore his gaze away before he broke completely.
“Kiss me, Gaston,” she whispered.
He closed his eyes briefly, fighting for strength. “Nay, angel, not here in front of the boys.”
“Then take me into the trees and ravish me until I faint.” Her breath was a seductive whisper.
He stood up rapidly and strode away from her, toward the lake, and she sat up with a smile. It was a pleasure to know he had such a difficult time resisting her and she was happier than she had ever been in her life to know he loved her. The Dark Knight was in love with the daughter of a simple baron.
She watched him as he stood next to Trenton, saying something to Dane she couldn’t quite hear. Dane splashed stubbornly at the water, listening to Gaston but obviously not liking what he was hearing. Finally, Trenton ventured timidly into the water and picked up the bladder ball that was floating on the surface. Gaston turned and left them.
He approached her with a raised eyebrow. “I will turn on my heel and return to the castle if you mention anything more about ravishing you. Do you understand?”
She smiled coyly, lowering her lashes. “As you say, my lord. Heaven only knows I would not want to tempt you.”
“You tempt me simply by living,” he said, kneeling next to the basket and rummaging inside.
Remington looked over with interest. “Is there any cheese? I am starved.”
He drew forth a large wedge of white cheese and handed it to her. She chewed slowly, watching every move he made with nothing but lust on her mind. He put a large slab of mutton between two huge pieces of bread and ate with a good deal of satisfaction.
“I am expecting more troops from Henry in the next few days,” he said, looking out at the lake where Trenton and Dane were playing dutifully with the ball. “When they arrive I want you to make sure that you do not travel outside the castle without an escort.”
“I travel with an escort now,” she glanced over at the two soldiers on the rise overlooking the lake.
“Aye, but it will be far more important in the future that you are never without protection,” Gaston looked down at her. “And that goes for your sisters, as well. I shall have nearly a thousand soldiers walking the grounds, men with little discipline or self-control.”
She nodded, returning to her cheese with a bit of rising apprehension. It also sounded as if she and her family were to be made prisoners upon the arrival of Henry’s troops.
“Your intention is to turn Mt. Holyoak into a training ground?” she asked.
“The largest training ground outside of London,” he said. “And it shall be, too.”
She finished the cheese thoughtfully. “Mayhap, then, it would not be wise for my sisters and I to stay here,” she said after a moment. “Halsey Manor is not far from here and sitting vacant. Mayhap we would be safer there.”
He looked at her, hearing Arik’s own words and wondering if she and Arik had been talking. He did not want her away from him, not even for a moment.
“I do not believe that will be necessary,” he said steadily. “You will be safe enough here, as long as you adhere to the rules.”
She did not reply, turning to the wine bladder and taking a dainty sip. Secretly, she was glad he had not agreed with her. She did not want to leave him, soldiers or no soldiers.
Her sisters appeared on the crest of the hill opposite the lake, descending noisily into the little valley. Gaston finished the last of his meal, eyeing the trio.
“Here come the gaggle,” he mumbled.
Remington smiled at him. “Be of good cheer, my love. They are not so bad.”
He snorted and dug into the basket once more, this time for a large green apple. “I will be related to them one day, so I suppose I had better become accustomed to them,” he said. “Hopefully my knights will marry them soon and I will not be burdened with the baggage.”
