He might as well have struck her. “You put her wants above mine?” She waited for him to speak, to promise to send Amelia away. She waited, and when he did not speak, she said, “Then all you will have from me, Rolfe d’Ambert, is my contempt.”
“I will have more than that, madame.” He dragged her to him, his mouth coming down hard on hers, his kiss leaving her weak and shaken. She could not lethim overpower her again, not let him bring forth those impossible feelings.
“I hate you,” Leonie whispered, the words sounding less than convincing even to herself.
“Then I will love you despite your hatred.”
He kissed her again, and the traitorous flame leaped within her, drawing her to him despite everything. She fought and fought, and what she was fighting against wasn’t him, but her own desire.
Chapter 36
AMANGY hound sniffing at their feet woke Leonie and Rolfe. Rolfe rose with a roar, pretending to charge the animal. The dog simply stared at him. Leonie giggled, and Rolfe turned on her with an indignant look.
“Perhaps you could justaskhim to leave?” she suggested, laughter in her eyes.
“You are welcome to try that,” he said.
She did. The dog simply stared at her. “I think we should let him stay,” she allowed.
Rolfe chuckled. “I think he will do just that.”
He bent down and drew her head up for a light kiss, his eyes smiling warmly into hers. Then he left her to relieve himself, and Leonie lay back on his mantle with a lighthearted sigh. They had spent the night wedged between fallen rocks and what remained of a tower wall. She had slept contented and secure in Rolfe’s arms, all of her anger and hurt washed away by his desire for her.
That was the one thing she could not discount. No matter what else stood between them, Rolfe did want her. His own anger couldn’t even withstand his desire. And knowing that was a sweet balm to Leonie’s pain.
For a while last night he made her believe that he loved her. She gloried in that feeling and all the other feelings he ignited in her. She blushed, recalling Rolfe’simpatience. He undressed with her help, and she with his, and they made love slowly, savoring every moment, and each gentle caress. Never could she have imagined such a terrible day to end the way it had.
“Your blushes give your thoughts away, dearling.”
Leonie turned redder and Rolfe laughed, delighted. He helped her to her feet and patted her backside in a blatantly possessive way.
“Go and do what you have to,” he told her with a grin. “We have delayed here longer than anticipated.”
She hurried off, still flustered. When she returned, Rolfe was readying his horse. His back was to her, so he did not hear her approach. She paused, hesitating. Anxiety was returning. It was inconceivable that Rolfe was going to dismiss the matter of her drugging him. She hated to think of his anger returning.
She took the few steps that brought her to Rolfe’s back. Still he did not turn around, and she clutched her hands uncertainly.
“How did you find me so soon?” She tried desperately to sound casual.
“Inquiries produced results. You were seen leaving the main road. Your direction was clear, so it was not difficult to find your camp, even after dark. I did not expect to find you missing from it, however.”
He turned around slowly and eyed her.
“I—I am most grateful, my lord, that you found me when you did.”
“Do you know where they were taking you?”
“To a castle nearby. To a lord who practices extortion by using torture.” She shuddered. “I am certain you saved my life.”
“They wouldn’t have killed you, Leonie. Hurt you, but you are too valuable to kill.”
“They didn’t care who I was, or know my value. I’m sure of that.”
“They would have known your value once you told them your name.”
He said that so matter-of-factly, but what did he mean? Hers was not a name to be reckoned with. Then she recalled the reactions of the men when they realized who Rolfe was. Even the overconfident Derek had lost his courage when he realized he had taken the wife of the Black Wolf.
Leonie said reflectively, “I see now I was too isolated all those years at Pershwick. I had no idea such things could happen.”
