God help her, she felt she would die if he did. But how could he? Could he? Nay, he could not.
She remained silent, her eyes filling with a mixture of stubborn pride and desire. He groaned, seeing his defeat. But it was only a minor thing in comparison to what he felt as he plunged into her, taking her with him on another wild crescendo of bliss.
When Kristen returned to reality this time, Royce was cutting her loose from her bonds. He wrapped his arms around her when he finished, and lay back with her nestled against his chest. She was done with fighting for now and he knew it, and took advantage of it.
“You knew I would not leave you.” There was an accusatory note in his voice.
“Aye, I knew.”
He grunted. “Stubborn wench.”
Kristen grinned sleepily.
Chapter Twenty-four
The sweetest kiss woke Kristen. She sighed and stretched, but did not open her eyes yet. The dream she had been having of home seemed so real. She hated to give it up, yet the pressure on her lips was a mighty inducement.
“Has the fight gone out of you, vixen?”
Kristen smiled, knowing that Royce sat beside her on the bed. “Nay, milord.”
“Then I look forward to another challenge.”
“Oh!”
Her eyes flew open and she grabbed her pillow to throw at him. He was already backing away toward the door.
“Nay, Kristen—truce! There is much to do this morn, and little time. I have already sent Eda to fetch you clothes and—” He paused as Eda appeared at the door. “Ah, good. You can explain to her, Eda.” And then he was gone.
Kristen sat up to stare at the old woman with a disgusted look. “What was that all about? He said there is much to do this morn.”
“Aye, Alfred comes today.”
“Your King comes here?” Kristen gasped.
Eda nodded as she came forward. “Advance riders brought the news. We have only a few hours to prepare.”
“But why does he come?”
“’Tis an honor.”
“If you do not know, just say so.”
Eda chuckled. “Aye, you have me. How would I know why he comes? But it has been his habit since the treaty to visit his lords often to inspect their defenses, discern their readiness, and remind them that this time of peace will not last. He also gives praise and encouragement to their men so they will train with more earnestness. This will be the third time he has come to Wyndhurst since the Year of Battles.”
“You see. You knew more than you thought you did.” Kristen grinned.
“Nay, there are other possible reasons. He has also been known to visit those lords he favors, simply to forget for a few hours or days the menace of the Danes. And Lord Royce is one who has always been in favor.”
“How nice,” Kristen replied with a degree of sarcasm. She was not so pleased with Royce in the clear light of morning, with him not near to confuse her thoughts and senses. “So what have you for me there? More clothes that do not fit?”
“Nay, these were ordered made for you, so they should be of an agreeable length.”
Kristen raised a questioning brow, and then frowned as Eda held the gown and chainse up for her inspection, for they were made of the same coarse materials as those that Royce’s dagger had removed from her yestereve.
“Ordered by Royce?”
“Nay, Lady Darrelle,” Eda replied. “She thought it indecent, the amount of bare skin that was exposed below your chainse. She was heard to remark that such exposure might prove to be a temptation to the less pious of our men.”
