Annavieve wiped at her face, quickly, and set the reins aside. Dropping to her knees on the footrest of the wagon bench, she was eye-level with him. She reached for Kevin at the same moment he reached for her and they came together in their first true and genuine embrace. It was powerful and warm and full of untapped promises of pleasure, both emotional and physical. It was the most satisfying embrace either of them had ever known.
“I told you that I have never loved anyone save Magda,” she whispered, squeezing him so tightly that she was nearly strangling him. “I was wrong. I love you, too.”
He buried his face in her neck, smelling the faint scent of the woodsy soap he had loaned her. He’d never noticed the scent much until this moment; now, it smelled just like heaven to him. Gently, he kissed her neck.
“You have my heart as well,” he whispered, pulling back so he could kiss her cheek and her forehead. “But no one must know, Annavieve. If de Ferrers were to find out that my duty has become more than simply following his orders, it could cause great problems for us both.”
Her brow furrowed. “But why?” she wanted to know. “He does not want me. Why should he care?”
Kevin cocked an eyebrow, cupping her lovely face in his big hands. “Because no one is to know that it is I who consummatedyour marriage,” he said. “It is all in secret. How do you think it will look if the new duchess is in love with her husband’s knight? It will reflect badly on us all, so no one must know anything. Is that clear?”
Annavieve nodded solemnly. “Not a word,” she said. “I swear it.”
He smiled at her, his eyes glimmering warmly. “Good lass,” he said. Then he reached over her and picked up the reins, handing them to her. “Come along, now. We must reach Longcross by sunset.”
Kissing her hand one last time, he made his way back over to his horse, gathering up the animal’s reins and mounting. Instead of riding ahead of the wagon, this time he rode beside it.
The berg of Longcross came into view far too soon as far as he was concerned. He could have traveled this road, riding beside Annavieve, forever and a day.
For the first time in over six years, Kevin realized that he was truly and deeply happy.
He was also truly and deeply in trouble. God help him, he knew it.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Hage!”
Victor was waving somewhat enthusiastically as Kevin and Annavieve rode up to the outskirts of a great tent city just outside of the village of Longcross.
Under a vast blue sky, there were dozens of tents of different colors and Kevin had been directed to Salisbury’s tents when he came upon some Dorset soldiers who had been milling on the perimeter of the tent city. Victor had been standing outside of one of the tents with a tall, gray-haired man and he had spied Kevin even at a distance. Now, Victor was moving towards him, waving his hands.
“You have finally arrived,” he said, noticing that Annavieve was driving a small wagon just behind Kevin. He pointed at her. “What’s this?”
Annavieve didn’t answer; she looked straight to Kevin because she knew Victor wasn’t addressing her. He’d not addressed her personally since they had been introduced. Kevin glanced at her before answering.
“We have had a marvelous stroke of luck in Staines, my lord,” he said, dismounting his horse and wincing when his sore leg hit the ground. He gestured to the wagon where Annavieve sat.“The priest in Staines had been sitting on top of a treasure trove, possessions bequeathed to the church after the passing of a rich lady who died without heirs. We were able to purchase her fine wardrobe and some jewels for the duchess. See how elegantly she is dressed?”
Victor peered at Annavieve. “Stand up,” he told her. “Stand up so that I may see you.”
With a faint sigh, Annavieve set the reins down and went to climb off the wagon. Kevin made his way over to her and politely helped her down, knowing that Victor would make no move to do so. As soon as her feet hit the ground, he let go of her arm so that she could approach Victor and show him her yellow lamb’s wool gown.
Victor took a surprising amount of time to inspect not only the garment, but also the fine cloak she wore and the golden necklace. After looking her over as one would a prize mare, he finally nodded in approval.
“Fine, indeed,” he said. “How much did it cost?”
Kevin was trying not to look at Annavieve as she smoothed down the bodice of her garment. Her breasts were round and full in the clinging dress, drawing his attention.
“It was quite a fine hoard, my lord,” he said. “I paid an excellent price for it. I did not spend all of the money you gave me if that is what you are asking.”
Victor wriggled his eyebrows, his gaze lingering on Annavieve. “She does look rather fine,” he admitted, but that was as far as he went. He motioned to Kevin. “Bring the duchess and come with me. There is someone I wish for you to meet.”
And that was the end of the compliments. Wriggling his eyebrows in resignation, Kevin took Annavieve by the arm, catching sight of Adonis and Thomas as he did so. He gave his comrades a half-grin in greeting as the men approached on theother side of the wagon. They were both dressed in their armor this day, sans helmets, and Adonis lifted a hand.
“You have arrived,” Adonis called to Kevin. “I will make sure the field marshals know!”
Kevin paused, Annavieve in hand. “So there is a tournament, after all?”
Thomas pointed to the tent city. “Can you not tell?” he said. “Many fine houses, Kevin. The competition is fierce.”
