Page 78 of Rogue Knight
“He and Artur had gone in search of herbs for you at Sigga’s request. I came upon them when your guards were attacked by Eude and his companion.”
“Eude? He lived through the Danes’ attack?”
“Aye. A coward, he ran to the woods.”
“Does he yet live?”Inga might be dismayed to hear he is in York.
“Nay. When he threatened Ottar and your servant, I managed to kill him. Were it known I killed my fellow knight, in the eyes of some, I would be a traitor. Eude called me as much when I stood against him.”
In his eyes she saw regret. But surely not for killing Eude. She squeezed the hand holding hers. “You are a man of honor. I could not respect you otherwise.”
“Your respect means much.”
She remembered their last encounter and the bitter hatred she had seen in his eyes then. It was not there now. “So, you do not hate me after all?”
“Nay, Emma.” He bent his head to kiss her forehead. “I did try,” he said with a slight smile, “mayhap I even succeeded for a while, but I found such a feeling toward you impossible to sustain. It seems I love you.”
Joy filled her heart such as she had not known since the summer afternoons they had spent together. She smiled up at him glad their love had somehow survived. “I love you, too. And I have missed you so.”
When his lips touched hers, they were gentle. If she had not been so weak, she would have pulled him onto the bed. The irony of it made her chuckle.
He pulled back and gave her a puzzled look. “What is it about my kiss, pray tell, that renders you so merry?”
“When you wished for a bed, we had none. Now that we have one, I am too weak to enjoy it with you.”
A gleam came into his eyes. “There will be other times. You will not always be so weak.”
“Are we safe here?”
“Aye, at least for now. The homes that remain in York have been searched and William’s army is encamped outside the city.”
***
In the days that followed, Geoff cared for Emma, at first despairing she would recover and then, as she improved, finding joy in seeing her gain strength with each day. At first she remained abed but occasionally he would let her up for brief periods. Even then she tired easily.
“Another cup of broth and I will let you sleep.”
“You torture me with your potions and brews,” she teased, but her eyes told him she was pleased he was here. She sat up and drank the broth. “Do you not have some knightly business to attend to?”
He chuckled. It was a familiar exchange. She was not truly annoyed, nor did she wish to see him go, but he knew she felt guilty for taking him from his duties. “I have seen enough of fighting and I need no more time in the practice yard.” Soon she would be able to return to her family, to the cave. What then? He would have to go with William. It pained him to think of leaving her in York but it could not be helped.
She handed him the cup and lay back on the bed, closing her eyes. He leaned over her and kissed her forehead. She had rested well this day.
Without opening her eyes, her hand reached out and wrapped around his neck, pulling him toward her, bringing his lips to hers. “Kiss me, sir knight.”
“With pleasure.” He kissed her and it was summer again with a meadow of fragrant blossoms surrounding them no matter winter swirled outside the house. He tasted her lips and inhaled her woman’s scent, wanting more. His passion for her had not faded with time. To be with her and not be able to touch her had been torture. He wanted to love her again. This time in a bed.
He broke the kiss and looked at her, wanting to know if she was ready. She had been so weak for days he had feared for her life.
“What are you waiting for?” she asked. “We have a bed and we are alone.”
He needed no more invitation than her words and the knowing twinkle in her eyes. He shed his clothes—her eyes following his every move. Already his groin swelled in anticipation. He slipped under the bedcover to lie beside her. Pulling her slim body into his arms, he felt the warmth of her breasts through the thin linen shift as she pressed them into the hard planes of his warrior’s chest.
Passion was not the only thing that rose between them.
“I can feel how you missed me,” she said. “Why did you wait so long?”
He nuzzled her neck and kissed his way back to her lips, his hand sliding under her shift to stroke the silken skin of her thigh.
