Because he was handsome? Because he had been courteous to her when it suited him to win her approval? Because she still felt a curious glow of warmth when she recalled what they had done together – and she wished to do as much again? He had awakened something in her with his touch, a love of sensation that she had not known she possessed.
True enough, her pride was pricked that he chose his brothers’ company over their nuptial bed, but ithadbeen years since he had seen them. If there had been fondness between herself and her brother, would she not have wished to talk to Denis after years abroad?
Aye, if all went awry in her new marriage, Isabella had a measure of responsibility in that. Denis always said she talked too much. She, of all people, should have known to hold her tongue, rather than express her view in full detail – knowing full well it was not what her new husband wished most to hear.
Wed less than a day, and already she tainted the future with her choices.
Perhaps she was as doomed to unhappiness as her father insisted.
Isabella sighed and rolled over, telling herself to sleep, then froze when the tent flap opened. There was a stillness, as if whoever had entered the tent was watching her, then she heard a tinder struck.
“You breathe too quickly to be asleep, my lady,” Amaury said quietly. “I would not disturb you but I wish we might talk.”
Isabella rolled over to face him, bracing herself on her elbows to survey him. The lantern flickered, casting a golden light over his features. He was solemn, his gaze fixed upon her. “About your surety that I am mistaken?” she asked and he almost smiled.
“About my error in failing to immediately heed your advice,” he said softly and she almost gasped aloud in her surprise. “I am sorry, Isabella. I have not conferred with many people in recent years and never with women, but in matters of Marnis and perhaps even of Montvieux, you are more informed than I.” His gaze clung to hers with such intensity that her heart skipped. “I erred and I entreat your forgiveness.”
Goodness. When he made an appeal thus, Isabella felt her very breath stolen away. She tried to make a jest to cover how affected she was. “No doubt you merely wish for aid with your hauberk,” she said, her tone grumpy, and Amaury laughed.
The merriment transformed his features, making him look young and carefree, and once again she was snared by the sight of him.
“You expect me to scheme more readily than I do, my lady,” he said. “Though again, you speak aright. I have slept in my hauberk more than once out of necessity and do not recommend it. I would welcome your aid that I might join you abed again.”
Isabella found herself flushing at the import of that, but Amaury raised a hand. “It must be too soon for another union, but I would speak with you, and do as much quietly that none could overhear.”
Isabella nodded understanding and agreement. “I am sorry, too,” she said quietly. “I should not have insisted on sharing my view.”
“On the contrary,” Amaury replied. “When you share the knowledge only you possess for the good of the company, you might speak, even if others do not wish to hear.” He inclined his head slightly. “I thank you for telling me what to expect. I know little of Denis’ nature, while you know him best of all of us.”
Isabella could scarce believe his words, but he was clearly sincere. She rose then and he shrugged out of his tabard, leaving his hair tousled after the garment was removed. He turned his back to her and she admired his powerful build again, and the ease with which he bore the weight of the heavy hauberk. She unlaced the back, secretly thrilled that she stood only in her chemise with her hair unbound, nearly naked, and so close behind him that she could feel the warmth of him. Her skin was alive as it had not been before he caressed her and she suspected that would never change.
The hauberk was removed and then the aketon, and once again, she watched the muscles in Amaury’s back flex as he stretched in relief that the weight was gone. She swallowed,denying this newfound urge to touch him, to explore the contours of his body, to find pleasure together once again.
“It is a heavy burden to bear every day,” she managed to say.
“And yet one that has saved my life many times.” He bent over the mailed garment, his hand falling unerringly to an area where the rings were bent. It would be on his shoulder when he wore the armor, though she had not noticed it. “This was a blow from a Saracen’s sword. Without the hauberk, his blade would have sliced me open and you should not have had to endure me as your spouse.”
Isabella swallowed even though he spoke lightly, watching as he ran his fingertips over the damage. “What was it like?” she asked quietly and Amaury looked up, snaring her gaze with his own.
He did not ask what she meant, merely replied.
“Thrilling, terrifying, uncertain and unfamiliar.” He sobered and frowned a little. “Beautiful, on occasion. We were in Nazareth on Christmas Eve one year.”
“Following a star?”
She was relieved by the twinkle that lit his eyes at that. “It was overcast, alas.” He sighed. “Mostly, it was dusty and hot, and the battles were savage. Treachery was legion, and yet, there was such valor.” He shook his head, marvelling at some memory. “Every town, every river, every well, is connected with a tale from the Bible, it seems. You cannot forget that you walk the same place that Christ and his fellows lived and knew.” Amaury sighed again. “And yet, andyet, there is war and strife, hardship and such cruelty. I am glad that I went, but gladder yet to be home again.”
“You looked forward to telling your father of it all,” she guessed.
“I did. He had a lively curiosity and would have been intrigued. He would have asked me questions that compelled meto see more in my memories, perhaps to find some conviction that my contribution was of merit.”
“You cannot doubt as much.”
His smile was rueful. “It all seems an exercise in futility, and an expensive one.” He turned to set his armor aside, folding it with all the care a squire would show it.
“You could tell me,” Isabella offered on impulse and Amaury glanced over his shoulder with surprise.
“Would such tales interest you?”
