Leila could restrain herself no longer. Trembling withanger, she whirled on Guy. "Do you mind telling me why you have chosen tohumiliate me in this manner? I cannot believe—"
She was stunned into breathless silence when he strokedher cheek very, very gently with his knuckle and stared into her eyes. For adizzying moment she forgot all else but her inexplicable attraction to him,which was turning her insides into liquid cascades of warmth.
"Not now, Leila. In due time."
As he walked away she could only gape at him, feelingso flustered and furious she did not trust herself to speak. And she had beendoing so well, too, until he had touched her! When he turned his back to herand began to dress, she wheeled around and went in a huff to the open window,clasping her arms tightly over her breasts.
No, you must fight these feelings! You must, you must!shecharged herself. This barbarian means nothing to you.Nothing at all! Remember that!
Though painfully aware of his every movement, his everybreath, she ignored him until she heard a loud ripping sound. She whirled tofind him tearing the offensivebedsheetin threepieces, then folding the bloodied portion and stuffing it into his saddlebag!
"Wh—what are you doing?"
"I take it you are ready to leave?" hequeried, dodging her shrill question. His eyes held a strange, disconcertinglight as he perused her appearance from head to toe in a most intimate fashion,causing her to shiver. "Your saddlebag is packed?"
"Of course it is packed!" Leila blurted, hercheeks burning. "I never had a chance to pull out mynightrail,if you recall, only that . . . that cursed bar of soap!"
He gave no reply, only smiled at her as he strodearound thebedand picked up the saddlebag. "Thenlet us go, my lady. My menawait."
"No!" she cried, her racing emotions makingher reckless. "I won't go until you explain why you are taking thatwretched piece of linen with you. Tell me, Lord deWarenne.Is it merely a barbaric custom among English knights to keep a bloody mementoof each unfortunate maiden they deflower, or is thebedsheetfor some darker purpose known only to your black and treacherous heart?"
"As I said a few moments ago, all will be revealedto you in good time," Guy stated very softly, his smile gone. "Now,my lady, my shoulders can easily bear both the weight of these saddlebags andyou. Make your choice and make it quick. Either walk downstairs or I shallcarry you."
Suddenly fearful, Leila snapped her mouth shut. Hisforbidding expression told her he meant exactly what he said. Without anotherword she whisked her hooded cloak around her shoulders and stormed out thedoor.
Chapter 16
"My lord, may I have leave to speak frankly?"Henry asked,wiping the cold salt spray from hisreddened face as another choppy wave broke against the prow of the Channelbarge.
Guy did not immediately answer, his eyes trained on thedistant cliffs of Dover. Stark and silent, the chalk precipices rose likewelcoming sentinels beneath the cloudy autumn sky.
England. There had been a time while in that Damascusprison when he thought he would never see those familiar cliffs again. NeverseeWarenneCastle or his son Nicholas, or Philip,his half brother and one of his most trusted counselors. Now they were withinan hour of making shore, the worst of the journey behind them. The wild exhilarationhe had experienced upon boarding the barge in Calais with Leila at his side hadbeen indescribable and it lingered still hours later.
"My lord?"
"I heard you, Langton." Guy's exhilarationwas tempered by the somber note in Henry's usually animated voice. He alreadyhad a good idea what was weighing on his loyal knight's mind. "You mayspeak." Guy heard him take a deep breath and he took one as well, fillinghis lungs with the bracing sea air.
"It's about Lady Leila."
Guy tensed but did not look at him. "Go on."
"I do not presume to know your relationship withthe lady, but I can see with my own eyes that it is not a convivial one, mylord. She's barely spoken since we leftProvinstwodays ago and when shedoes,her tongue is as sharp asa razor. I'm just thankful her barbs have been solely directed at you."
"Yes, her temperament doesn't lack for spirit,"Guy agreed dryly.
Henry gave a short laugh, but quickly sobered. "That'sexactly my point, my lord. My mind is drawn not only to whatBurnelland I saw upon the bed linen that morning at thetavern, but to the questionable disarray of your room as well."
"And what of it?" Guy queried sharply,feeling a twinge of irritation. "I already explained that you andBurnellwould both serve as my witness at court thata beddinghad taken place."
"Yes, my lord, witnesses toabedding. But a rape?"
Guy turned on him, his eyes narrowed with anger. "Youknow me well, Langton. It was no rape. I have never preyed upon any woman forcarnal sport. And as far as Leila is concerned, I have every intention ofmarrying her—"
"I believe you, my lord," Henry cut inhastily. "God knows, I never thought I'd ever see you so smitten by anyone wench. I posed that harsh question only because it seems you've overlookedsomething very important."
"Say it then, and have done."
"Very well. What are Lady Leila's feelings in thismatter? She may have willingly shared your bed, but is she as willing to becomeyour wife? From what I have seen, and in all honesty, my lord, from everythingyou have told us about her, I think not. Yet you are clearly determined to wedher. Without the lady's consent, you have nothing upon which to stake yourclaim and it might as well have been a rape, for so it will appear to LordGervais—"
