She shook her head. “You must go back immediately.”
“I will, in time.”
It was obvious he had no intention of releasing her any time soon. She pulled from his embrace, grasped his arm, and tried to turn him around. “You will gonow. Please.”
He grinned, allowing her to lead him away from the shadows of the wall. “Aye, captain.”
By the time they were halfway into the winter-dry yard, she had taken her hands from him and they were a respectable distance apart. There could very well be eyes on them now and they were both acutely aware.
“The king will announce a masque to be given in honor of his wife’s birthday sometime next week,” he said, his demeanor having returned to that of a predator as they crossed the compound. His gaze was everywhere, scanning. “You will attend this masque.”
She glanced sidelong at him. “I will?”
“Aye. As will I. In costume, ’twill be a simple thing to steal a dance or a kiss. And I should enjoy the time with you.”
“I will not see you between now and then?”
“I did not say that. You will indeed see me, at some point.”
They walked in silence, nearing the Flint Tower. Finally, she came to a halt. “Sean, I must say something.”
He paused. “What?”
Her face grew serious. “I… I would rather not see you again if the discovery of our association would lead to your execution.As much as it would pain me, I would rather have you alive and untouchable than a dead memory.”
The mood between them grew solemn. His gaze lingered on her a moment, choosing his words carefully before he spoke.
“I told you once that the one trait that ignited my interest in you, other than your beauty, was your kindness. You were kind to me from the very first moment you looked into my eyes. Before you even knew my name, you were gracious, and even after you knew who I was, your civility continued. Even if you had been a plain, unassuming woman, I would have found your depth of character extraordinarily attractive. You, my lady, have a beautiful heart.”
Her lovely cheeks flushed. “Your words humble me, my lord. But you must know that I mean what I say. I cannot even fathom the agony and guilt that your demise would bring me. I would be like Alys, attempting to throw myself from a window simply to rid myself of the anguish.”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “I have no intention of allowing death to claim me any time soon. To not have you in my life, at my side, would be more painful than any death I can imagine.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Have no fear, Lady Sheridan St. James. We will both live long, healthy lives together.”
His kiss brought tears to her eyes. She’d known the man’s affections hardly a few days and already she could not imagine being without him. With a wink, he left her standing there, watching him disappear into one of the doors that lead to the barracks flanking the Flint Tower.
*
“Siege is imminent.We are withdrawing the nobles from the Tower so that they may join their troops.”
“Even Sheridan St. James?”
“Especially Sheridan St. James. God only knows what would happen to her should she be left behind. It is imperative that she get out immediately.”
The bell tower of Winchester Cathedral had been a convenient meeting place time and time again. The king was in the sanctuary at Vespers and Sean, as usual, was prowling the grounds in search of any threat against the monarch. That was usual wherever the king went. Only this time, he had paused in his duties long enough to make a pre-arranged contact. It had been conveniently arranged to coincide with the mass. What he heard so far had him ill to his stomach.
He sighed heavily. “I told her to leave.”
“Did you tell her why?”
“Of course not.”
“Did she agree?”
Sean leaned back against the ceiling truss in the low-ceilinged room. “She did not have the opportunity. We became… sidetracked.”
The figure behind the bell, well off in the shadows, would not have hay on his clothing tonight. The last time they had met, he’d neglected to see the grass until someone had pointed it out to him, hours later. It had been a foolish error. Tonight there would be no such opportunity for one.
“Sean,” the shadow-figure began. “I do not know the extent of your involvement with Lady Sheridan, but if it is what I believe it is, then you must curb yourself. We have reached a critical point in our endeavors and I cannot have you distracted.”
