Perhaps double of it, just to be sure that both Royce and his Captain of the Guard dreamed sweetly this afternoon.
*
Bartholomew could not evade his obligation. The sunlight filled the opening to the cavern with a radiance that could not be ignored. The fresh snow glittered in the forest, inviting him to keep his vow. He wanted to linger with Anna but this task must be behind him. She was awake, nestled against him, her fingertips tracing circles around the mark upon his chest.
How would he keep his word to Marie without sullying them both with an adulterous act? It was a riddle, and consideration had not revealed a solution.
Perhaps there was not one.
He rose from the bed with a heavy heart and began to dress. Anna was watching him, her expression wary, and he knew she would not be silent for long.
That she was so forthright was part of what he loved most about her. He wanted her to be happy, even in his absence, but wondered whether he had erred in being honest. Had he destroyed her future happiness by confessing his love to her? All the same, he could not regret the sweetness they had found in each other’s touch.
It seemed he could do naught right since coming to Haynesdale.
“Will you assist me with the aketon?” Bartholomew asked, marveling that she had not spoken so far. Anna rose and came to him, splendid in her nudity, and as bold now in intimacy as she was in all other matters.
Perhaps he had achieved something.
“Why do you smile?”
“Because you are beautiful.” He caught her nape in his hand and kissed her, lifting his lips from hers with such reluctance that she smiled in her turn.
“Turn around,” she murmured, bending to pick up the aketon. He did not immediately follow her instruction, but savored the sight of her instead. Her hair fell over her shoulder in a dark curtain, and he yearned to kiss her fair skin again and conjure her passion once more.
But there was no time.
Bartholomew donned the aketon, turning his back upon her. Anna laced it with care, and he guessed that she lingered over the task to delay his departure. Her hands landed on the back of his shoulders and he wondered why she stopped.
“What if,” she began softly and he glanced over his shoulder to find her frowning. “What if Royce died?”
“I told you…”
“Nay, I know you will not kill him outright, but what if he died in a battle of honor?”
“I do not understand.”
Anna knotted the lace. “If Royce died and you wed Marie, would the king look more favorably upon your request to hold Haynesdale’s seal?”
Bartholomew did not wish to think about wedding a woman like Marie. He imagined her charm would flee quickly once nuptial vows were exchanged, but Anna was so intent that he considered the question. “He might.” He shrugged. “It might be seen as continuity in the administration of the holding. It is difficult to say.”
Anna nodded. “But the treasury of Haynesdale would become your possession then, as Baron of Haynesdale by her, so you would then be able to pay the escheat.”
“But Royce would still have to die.” Bartholomew frowned. “Plus the problem remains that I must keep my word, but would prefer not to commit an indiscretion with another man’s wife.”
She met his gaze. “So meet her, but be discovered before any such indiscretion is committed. Be challenged by Royce and fight him, man to man.”
Bartholomew lifted his hauberk, considering this. He tugged it over his head and Anna laced the back for him, then helped him to don his tabard.
“It might work,” he mused.
She brushed off his tabard and granted him a smile. “Only if you win.”
Bartholomew suspected victory would not be readily won. “He will cheat,” he said with a smile.
Anna laughed and caught his face in her hands. “Finally, you learn some distrust of others,” she said, then kissed him.
It was a sweet yet fiery kiss, one that sent both heat and purpose through his veins, and one that ended all too soon.
