“But Jocelin is a bishop,” she insisted. “Why did this happen?”
Sean cocked an eyebrow. “When he started swinging his staff at the king’s guard, there was little more to do. Even bishops must know that they cannot take to violence against the king.”
She just sat there, dumbfounded. It seemed as if there was no point in arguing, for she knew what Jocelin was capable of. She’d seen it herself on occasion. When he had left her apartment hours before, he had been angry enough to kill.
“So what now?” she asked softly. “What will become of him?”
Sean pursed his lips thoughtfully, looking down at her hand enclosed within his. He stroked her fingers for a moment. “When the king’s anger cools, he will most likely be released.”
She was still as he rubbed her fingers, half of her thrilled with the newness of the sensation, the other half embroiled in the mayhem that was enveloping her.
“Jocelin gave John a convenient excuse to be rid of him,” she said quietly. “The king knows that Jocelin is one of the leaders of the opposition against his tyranny. He took advantage of Jocelin’s rage and used the excuse to jail him. With Jocelin out of the way, there is one less powerful foe to align against him.”
Sean stopped rubbing her fingers and looked at her. His clear blue eyes were impassive. “I would not know, my lady.”
She gently, but firmly, pulled her fingers from his grasp. “I think that you do,” she murmured. “And perhaps it is best that you leave now.”
“Why?”
“Because I ask it.”
He stood up without another word and went to the door. Sheridan remained seated, staring at the lancet windows across the room, wondering why she felt so utterly horrible at the moment. He was leaving, yet he said he had saved Alys from the king’s lust. Politics came into play and she grew scared. Her mind began whirling with doubt, fear, and finally hope. Abruptly, she stood.
“Sir Sean,” she said.
He paused, his hand on the door latch. “My lady?”
She hated apologizing; it had never been one of her strong suits. “I… I do not mean to be cruel, for if what you say is true, then I owe you my gratitude for saving my sister yet again.” She twisted her fingers as she approached him, confusion on her lovely face. “But there is so much about this world we find ourselves a part of that I do not understand. You, for instance; you are my enemy. Everyone tells me to fear you, yet you have been nothing but kind to me. When you had no reason whatsoever for protecting my sister, it seems that you did so. You have no reason to release Neely, yet you say that you will. And finally, you come to my apartment, kiss my hand and tell me that all will be well as if you and I are fighting for the same cause. I find you tremendously puzzling, Sir Sean. I am unsure how to read you.”
He took his hand off the latch, a faint smile on his lips. He made no move to take her hand again or move closer to her.
“As well you should be,” his voice was a gentle growl. “I can only tell you this; when I look at you, I do not see politics.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “What is it that you see?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “I see the most beautiful woman I have ever had the fortune to witness. And she has wit, charm and grace.”
She was flattered. “So… is it your wish that we should be friends?”
He gave her an expression, gently done, that suggested she was mad. “Oh, no, my lady,” he said softly. “Not friends.”
“Then I do not understand.”
His clear blue eyes gazed steadily at her, never wavering. “More than friends.”
She comprehended his meaning; at least she thought she did. “If you think that our acquaintance should be something clandestine and disgraceful, think again. I’ll have no part in being a… a concubine.”
He laughed at her. “Nothing so scandalous.”
“Is that so? Well, I still do not understand. But, then again, I have not understood anything about you since the day we met.”
“I wouldn’t worry overly. You’ll have the rest of your life to understand me.”
“The rest ofmylife?”
“That is usual when people marry.”
Her mouth popped open. “Marry?”
