Page 45 of A Knight for Gwenllian

“I would be grateful if you two rode back with Lady Gwenllian to Sheridan Manor. She was about to leave, and I need to speak to my steward on an urgent matter.”

There was no such urgency, and judging from the look Gwenllian threw him, she was well aware of it. That look pierced him all the way to the heart. It was clear that she knew he was lying, but she’d also understood why he preferred not to go with her, and she didn’t resent him, even if it pained her. Something in his chest tightened at her understanding. He was not used to having his emotions and decisions acknowledged and accepted so easily. Many lovers would have taken offence at being dismissed so bluntly, and rightly so.

Of course, there was another possible explanation for her lack of reaction.

Perhaps she did not feel for him as much as he’d first thought, and she didn’t mind being dismissed.

“My lady,” William said, bowing to her. “We can leave when you’re ready.”

“Thank you, I am ready now. I will ride Gwlithyn,” she told him, her attempt at breeziness commendable. No one would have suspected that only a moment ago she had asked him to escort her—or that shortly before that she had been crying his name in pleasure. “See, my horse has been restored to me. If one of you could lead Honeycomb back to Sheridan Manor, I would be grateful.”

“I will do that,” Alasdair instantly offered.

“Thank you.” She turned to Alexander next. “Goodbye, Sir Alexander,” she said in a low voice.

He hated to hear her address him so formally, but there was no other alternative. They were not alone. He nodded and took a step backward, already regretting his decision not to ride with her.

As he watched the little group ride down the hill, Alexander understood that he would be unable to stay away from her. Just like that, his decision was made. Gwenllian had told him she would stay for a week. During the day, he would let her enjoy time with her family.

But the nights…

The nights would be his.

Chapter Fourteen

A year later

“Ithink ’tis time we went back to Throckmorton Castle.”

Though her attention had been wholly focused on the embroidered shirtsleeve her niece, Ellie, was showing her, Gwenllian’s ears perked up at this announcement from Christopher. Throckmorton Castle, his English seat, was only a few miles away from Sheridan Manor—and therefore, from Audley. This was the opportunity she had been waiting for, her chance to see Alexander.

She smiled to herself. How propitious that she should have chosen this day to visit her sister in her cottage and so was able to hear the announcement. Because she already knew that she would ask to go with them. It had been a year since she had last seen the dashing knight who still haunted her thoughts by day and her dreams at night, and she didn’t think she could wait a moment longer.

Unbeknownst to everyone at Sheridan Manor, the two of them had spent a few fiery nights together the previous summer. The secrecy had only added piquancy to the encounters and enhanced their pleasure.

Then, all too soon, she had left with Bethan, Cameron and the rest of the retinue, heading back to Castell Esgyrn and her old life. As she had spotted the familiar shape of the castle in the distance, it had dawned on her.

The adventure she had dreamed of was over.

After that, it had not taken her long to see that her plan had a flaw. She would never be satisfied with mere memories. She was burning for Alexander’s touch—and company— aching to create new memories with him. She could have gone and found another man, of course, and another adventure, but the problem was, as she had already started to suspect, she was not interested.

She wanted none other than Alexander and the adventures he could give her. Because he was nothing if not an adventurous lover. He’d made love to her tied up in a bed, up against a tree, and even once on the riverbank after a scandalous naked swim together. Where would he take her next, she wondered? In the stables, in the spiral staircase?

“What do you think of the holly bush?”

“A holly bush? Oh no, far too prickly.”

Gwenllian chided herself when Ellie’s face fell. What was she thinking? Of course, the little girl was not offering suggestions as to where Alexander should next possess her; she was asking for her opinion on her embroidery!

“Forgive me, sweetheart. The holly bush is very realistic; it looks just as spiky as a real one, is what I mean. Look.” She pretended to prick her finger and, to her relief, Ellie laughed. “Yes. Very spiky.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, while you carry on, I have something to tell your father.”

With one last smile at her niece, she walked over to Christopher and Siân, who were establishing the list of all the things they would have to do at Throckmorton.

“Can I come with you?” she asked Christopher, doing her best to appear only mildly interested in the answer. “I haven’t been to England for a year. This is as good an opportunity as any.”

“Of course. The more the merrier,” Christopher said, nodding at his wife, who nodded back, looking delighted at the suggestion. “We’ll leave in a couple of days. Be ready; we’ll come get you at dawn.”