He lifted the iron helm and chain mail coif off her head, and she ventured a tired smile.
“I am now.”
Chapter Fourteen
EwanhelpedHonoradragoff the remaining armor, peeling away the chain mail until she wore nothing but a crumpled bliaud and shift. The fabric clung to her body, dampened with perspiration.
“I’m so tired,” she murmured, letting him hold her. “I was afraid I wouldn’t find you.”
Ewan let her rest against his chest, stroking her hair away from her face. “I’m glad you came.”
He couldn’t believe she was truly here. Though he wanted to know why she had followed him, he was afraid to ask—as if she’d slip through his fingers and disappear.
He tilted her face toward his and kissed her lightly in a kiss of welcome. Though he craved her touch, he didn’t press her for more. “I have food, if you’re hungry.”
Her smile deepened. “Thank goodness for that. I was hoping you would.”
He opened up the provisions and chose a delicate pastry filled with chopped figs and almonds, smeared with honey. Breaking off a piece, he fed it to her.
“Oh, this is so good.” Honora moaned with pleasure. She looked like a woman in the aftermath of lovemaking, and Ewan gritted his teeth to stop the lusty thoughts racing through his mind.
“Wine?” he offered, handing her the flask. Honora drank and then sat down to finish devouring her food. Ewan let her eat her fill, satisfying his own hunger with cheese and fresh bread.
Honora licked at her fingertips after she’d finished. The sun had sunk beneath the horizon, while the orange flames of the fire cast a glowing light amid the darkness.
Her hair stood out against her shoulders, wild and rumpled. She smoothed her wrinkled gown and drew up her knees. Her feet were barefoot after she’d abandoned the boots from the armor.
“I suppose you want to know why I followed you.” Her expression turned embarrassed and she added, “You were the only one I could turn to for help.”
“What happened?”
She turned toward the fire, warming her hands. The flames illuminated her face and the dark bruises encircling her left wrist. “John took me captive and locked me in his chamber. He was planning to force me to return to Ceredys.” She rubbed at her wrist, her voice quiet. “If it weren’t for Sir Ademar’s help, I might not have escaped.”
“Sir Ademar?” Ewan tried to keep his tone neutral, but the knight’s name caused a ripple of jealousy. “He was the one who rescued you?”
Honora nodded. “My sister sent him.”
“What of your father? Did he allow this to happen within his own walls?” Ewan had seen the way Nicholas of Ardennes disregarded his daughter, and it provoked his own sense of justice.
“My father wanted me to leave.” At the confession, Honora drew up her knees. Though she tried to mask it, he saw the fear rising up.
“Why?” He couldn’t keep the outrage from his voice. A father should protect his daughter, not subject her to the dangers of men like John.
She glanced back at the horizon, her face troubled. “Because I betrayed Katherine with you.”
Though she didn’t say it, he was responsible for her exile. Ewan sat down, resting his wrist upon one knee. “I won’t apologize for wanting you. Or for refusing to wed your sister. It would have been wrong.”
Her clear green eyes stared into his, filled with regret and guilt. “What we did was wrong. I should have stayed away from you.”
“It wouldn’t have made a difference.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “Would it?”
Guilt stained her cheeks, and she looked away from him. “I have to decide what to do now. I thought I might go to Normandy, if you’ll escort me. I have kin there, and—“
“Come to Éireann with me,” he interrupted. “You’ll be safe.”
Honora hesitated, risking a glance back at him. Her green eyes were filled with worry. “I could go . . . for a time. But I can’t abandon Ceredys and the people to John’s mercy. I made a vow that one day I would save them.”
He wanted to argue that it wasn’t her responsibility, that she should stay far away from Ceredys. But it would do no good. Honora kept her promises, regardless of the risk to herself.
