"I don't know what game you've been playing allday, my love, but I will not have my wife sleeping on the floor like somebeggar."
Her guise of sleep discovered, Leila wriggled againsthis bare chest, her heart racing. "I play no game!"
"No?" he asked, depositing her on the bed.The pillows and velvet spread quickly followed, then Guy climbed in beside her,hauling the covers to his waist. She attempted to slide away from him but heeasily caught her, gathering her close.
"Then what do you call wearing veils in the mannerof eastern women? After you left the feast tonight, Matilda was beside herselfas she told me how you ruined one of your new gowns to make a head scarf, andLady Blanche expounded upon your rudeness. You refused me a token during thetournament, called people gluttons at supper, and lectured them to partake of amore moderate diet. Then you demanded that the servants bring you pillows tosit upon and olives, dates, and yogurt" —Guy raised himself on his elbow— "noneof which would they likely find in the king's kitchens. And now I find yousleeping on the floor. Need I remind you,Leila, thatyou are not in Damascus anymore?"
"No, you do not need to remind me!" Leilasnapped, overwhelmed by the heat of his body pressed against her.
"Then what are you trying to prove? I would almostswear you are purposely seeking to humiliate me—" He stopped when Leilagasped. "That's it, isn't it?" he demanded softly.
"I don't know what you're talking about," shecountered, astounded that he would so easily read her intentions. "I amonly being myself. I may have English blood in my veins, but I will not playthe part of a proper English lady."
"Nor do I want you to," Guy said, running hisfinger along her stubborn jaw. "You cannot humiliate me, Leila, for I loveeverything about you that is different. And you may have shocked the courttoday, but most people realize that you come from a foreign land. Nevertheless,I can see that I have forced our customs and clothing upon you too rapidly. Intime, I believe you'll grow to accept them, but if it pleases you now to wearyour veils, then do so."
His words took Leila completely by surprise. She wouldnever have expected such understanding from him. No wonder her attempts toembarrass him had only amused him. That is why she had finally feigned aheadache and left the feast early, her frustration at the failure of her planbecoming so great that she was afraid she would lose her temper and giveherself away.
And to think she had believed her actions would hastenher return to Damascus and thus free herself from her perplexing emotions! Shecouldn't have been more wrong. Now she would have to think of another plan.
"Perhaps one night I might even try your custom ofsleeping upon cushions," he continued, curling his arm around her waist. "Butnot tonight. We must rise before dawn, only a few hours away, and it isimportant that we get a good rest, something I don't think sleeping on thefloor will allow, at least not for me."
"Why must I alsoriseatdawn, my lord?" she asked, confused. "I know you must prepare for thetournament—"
"I won't be riding in the tournament tomorrow, norwill any Marcher lords. Edward has ordered us back to Wales. There is troubleamong the Welshmen that must be subdued."
Leila's relief was immediate, and she breathed a silentprayer of thanks. But in the next instant she thought of Wales, and how muchfarther she would have to go to escape this man whose love threatened tocapture her heart. Even his simple embrace was almost too much for her reelingsenses.
"I'm sorry I became so angry with you today, mylove," Guy said. "I fear my rage at your brother together with losingthe jousting match spilled over—"
"Don't let it trouble you," Leilainterrupted, surprised by the gentleness in her voice. In truth, she was deeplytouched by his apology, but she didn't want to talk any more about a day thathad proved more disconcerting than she would have imagined. "Aftereverything you told me about Roger, I can imagine how you must have felt."She quickly changed the subject. "How far is it toWarenneCastle?"
Guy hugged her more closely, wondering from her tone ifperhaps he had been wrong after all about her seeming lack of concern for him.Maybe she did care about him, if only a little.
Now that he thought about it, their exchange on thejousting field reminded him of the times when Leila had hotly denied shedesired him on the galley to Marseilles. That had proved to be untrue. Maybeshe had done the same thing today, claiming she had run onto the field with aphysician's intention to heal when in fact she had been concerned for hiswell-being. It was possible. Then could he dare to hope she was eager tojourney with him to Wales?
"It will probably take us three days, maybe longerif the weather turns bad," Guy murmured against her silky hair. "Ihad hoped to visit my estate in Surrey first, but that will have to wait foranother time. Edward has commanded that we make all haste." He kissed hernape tenderly, an intense hunger flaring in his loins at the sweet taste of herskin. "I've already sent Henry Langton and two other knights on their wayto alert Philip that we'll arrive before the week is out," he addedsoftly. "I want everything to be perfect for you."
"Philip?"
Guy suddenly realized he had never mentioned him toLeila.
"Philip D'Arcy, my half brother. An only son frommy mother's first marriage. He's a priest. I left him in charge of my estate inWales and gave him guardianship over my son while I went on crusade." Guysmiled, imagining Philip's expression when he discovered his wayward youngerbrother had taken a wife, something Philip had strongly encouraged for a longtime. "Philip can be a bit staid, but I think you'll like him. You havesomething in common. He's also a healer."
Leila found it difficult to absorb this news when Guy washugging her so tightly. A shiver rocked her from her scalp to her toes when hekissed that same sensitive spot on her nape.
"Three days is a long journey, my lord. We shouldget some sleep. As you said, dawn will arrive soon." She bit her lower lipto hold back her acute regret. Try as she might, she could not suppress thedesire ripping through her body.
"Yes, we should get some sleep. Good night, mylove."
Leila said nothing, her blood pounding in her veins.The sensual tension in the air was so palpable she swore she could almost tasteit.
The next thing she knew she was flat on her back andgasping aloud. She could not see Guy in the dark, but she knew his face wasvery close, hisbreath likea hot flame upon her lips.
"To hell with sleeping," he growled huskily,his mouth seizing hers.
***
Five long days after leaving Westminster, theyapproachedWarenneCastle in County Gwent just as thelate afternoon sun was beginning to settle behind the rugged mountains soaringto the west.
