“I might have been more persuasive,” Quinn said grimly and she had a moment to wonder what he might have said or done.Then he pointed at her.“You owed me the truth before last evening and you know it well, my lady.”
Melissande did not know what to say.He was right, of course.
Suddenly, Quinn’s eyes narrowed and Melissande did not trust the abrupt change in the direction of his thoughts.He crossed the floor with angry steps to confront her.“What will you do when he comes for you?”he demanded.“Whose side will you choose?”
Melissande was astonished.She had not considered the possibility, though now that Quinn mentioned it, she wondered how likely it might be.Would Arnaud come to her?
Whatwouldshe do?
“I cannot say,” she admitted.“I had not considered the matter.”
“Then you should do as much with all haste, my lady.Word of our match has undoubtedly flown from this keep already.If a woman was sworn to me, I would be quick to take vengeance upon any man who dared to claim what I knew to be my own.”
“He would not,” she protested, although she was not certain.Their gazes locked and held for a moment, long enough to make her conviction fade.
“What is his name?”Quinn asked.There was a quiet precision in his tone that made Melissande shiver.
“Why?”
“Perhaps I am curious about the manner of man who captured your heart.”
Melissande opened her mouth to correct his assumption, then closed it again.Her heart had naught to do with this matter.It was her word alone that stood compromised, though perhaps there was no need for Quinn to know that.
“You wish to be forewarned.”
“Can you blame me?”
She could not.“I would have your pledge in exchange.”
Quinn folded his arms across his chest and Melissande noted the sign of his rising impatience.She realized also that he had not hurt her or raised a hand toward her, no matter how much she had pressed him.
Was it possible that he was not like his father?
Or did he simply bide his time?How she wished she knew!
“What vow?”
“Not to touch me again,” she said.“Our match is consummated.Both you and Tulley have what you desire.Now I would have what I desire.”
Quinn dropped his voice low.“You would have me never touch you as I did last night?You would not feel such pleasure ever again as we shared just hours ago?”
Melissande blushed.“Nay.”
Quinn placed that finger beneath her chin, then tipped her gaze up to hold his.His very touch sent a thrill through Melissande but she dared not let her gaze flicker.Some trace of her weakness must have shown in her expression, though, for suddenly Quinn smiled.
“You lie, my lady,” he whispered.He waited, giving her time to recognize that he spoke the truth, then bent to kiss her.
He was making a point and Melissande knew it.She wanted to defy him to prove his assumption wrong.But Quinn had anticipated her and as before, her body seemed to be on his side.She wanted his kiss and once his lips touched hers, she was lost anew.He was gentle, coaxing and tender.His kiss was beguiling and surrender was inevitable.It was frightening to Melissande how little difference the wine had made in her response.
She wanted him again.
Such weakness could not be borne.She must eradicate it before it became worse.
Melissande broke their kiss with an effort and stepped away from temptation.“Nay!”When Quinn did not retreat but merely stood watching her, eyes ablaze with desire, the very look of him tempting her again, Melissande flushed at her own weakness.
She could only make him retreat with harsh words.
“You will not force me to your bed again,” she said with heat.“I will not become a slave to pleasure and forget all that I was raised to believe.”
