Although Peter’s words were for her ears only, Tadhg’s unwavering smile caused her already heated face to grow even hotter.
“Well, as long as someone will still be embarrassing her,” Tadhg said.
He turned toward the table of food, leaving Peter and Brighit alone.
“Your emotions are easy to see,” Peter said. He pulled her in for another kiss. “Is it because I am so enthralled by this luscious body?”
“I verily hope so, my lord.”
He offered his arm and they followed Tadhg to the food.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Peter had followed through with his promise of returning her to bed after they broke their fast. It had been the sweetest coupling. Tears had sprung to her eyes as he held her close. She knew he was saying goodbye.
“I’m sorry to be leaving you so soon.” Peter rubbed his lips against the top of her head where she rested against his chest. “I will dream of you being in my arms every night.”
Brighit brushed the tear off her cheek before it fell to his bare chest. “You are a soldier, my lord. Your King has sent orders. You need to obey.”
He tipped his head to look into her face. “So you believe telling me all the things I know will somehow ease my longing to remain here with you?”
“No.” She forced down the lump in her throat. She refused to have him leave with her in tears. “Where has John gone?”
“He returned to the inn to send word to his troops. They will advance to the castle in preparation for the siege.”
“A siege?”
“We will ask to enter the castle. If they do not open their gates to us, we will cut off anyone and everything from entering or leaving. We will bombard their walls with our trebuchets until we either break through their walls or they open their gates.”
Her sadness turned to fear. He could certainly die if battle ensued. She should have realized that. She could lose him just when she found him.
“What will you do when I leave?”
“I am yours now. What would you have me do?”
He kept his eyes on her. “I do not consider you a possession with no thoughts of your own. What is it you would like to do?”
The tears came anyway. He sat up and gathered her more fully against him. “No. No tears. You will break my will in two.Shhh.”
He stroked her hair.
“I will be alone. I know not what I should even want to do.”
His body tensed. His hand ceased its movement. “Would you prefer to return with your brother and his men?”
“No! I do not wish to leave... here.”
His brown eyes searched her face. He pushed a wayward lock of hair from her face. His smile reached his eyes. “I’m happy to hear you say that.”
“Who are these people that will not open their gates to you? Are they not your King’s men?”
He tipped his head, running his thumb along her lip. He kissed her. “The King believed the man inside was loyal. By not opening his gates, he will be showing his defiance of the King’s orders.”
Her whole body wished for the man to just open his gates so that Peter could come back to her. “Is there any hope that the man will open his gates to you?”
“There seems to be no hope at all.”
Peter moved to sit along the side of the bed, pushing the curtain aside. The touch of the cold air against her skin felt like a bad omen. She wrapped the coverings around her. He stood to secure his hose. His tunic was next. She watched until all of his body was covered, hoping to etch him so strongly into her mind that even while he was gone, it might feel as if he were with her still.
