Claire Delacroix (66 page)

Alys lifted her chin. “I would walk.”

“Sadly, that is not among your options.”

And Alys smiled unexpectedly up at Burke. “You are most stubborn.”

Burke felt his brow arch high. “And you would know naught of such a trait, of course.”

Alys laughed aloud, her eyes sparkling merrily, and Burke felt a surge of victory beyond anything he had known. “I choose the steed, then, for you are most unpredictable.”

“On the contrary, there is none more predictable than I.”

The lady’s smile faded, though whether ’twas at his words or the prospect of riding Moonshadow, Burke could not say. He fitted his hands around Alys’s waist, deliberately ignoring his urge to taste her sweet lips first, and lifted her to sit side-saddle.

When he set her down, Alys’s eyes widened in shock and she clutched the saddle in obvious fear. “ ’Tis so high! I shall fall.”

“You will not fall. Moonshadow will not permit it.”

“He will have naught to say about it when I lose my balance and plummet from his back.”

’Twas true enough that his saddle was not wrought for a lady and that Burke’s stirrup dangled far beneath Alys’s toe. Her perch would be solid enough, though, for the destrier moved at a leisurely rolling gait.

“You have only to grip the saddle.” Burke took the reins and urged the beast forward, not missing his lady’s gasp of
terror. He looked back to find her complexion ashen and her knuckles white as she bumped awkwardly on Moonshadow’s back.

And Burke immediately understood the problem. “Have you ever ridden before?”

Alys made a choking laugh. “And where would I ride a destrier, if even there was one to be found at Kiltorren?”

Aye, she had said she had never left the estate.

Burke slowed his pace to walk beside her, the stallion perfectly content to stroll without direction. “You must be one with the horse, Alys, and let yourself be carried with his rhythm.”

“I cannot!”

“ ’Twould happen of its own accord, if you were not so frightened.”

She shot him a dark look. “ ’Tis only sensible to be frightened when you are about to fall as far as I. I shall break every bone within my body for your stubborn insistence.”

Burke could not help but chuckle at that.

“ ’Tis not amusing!” the lady charged, her own lips curving in an unwilling smile.

“Nay, ’twill not be amusing on the morrow. You will be sore indeed, if you do not heed my advice.”

“This is impossible! I shall walk instead.”

“ ’Tis the steed or I who will bear you.”

Alys fired a mutinous look Burke’s way that was far from flattering. “Then I shall take the bruises.”

“You shall have no bruise if you heed my advice.” Burke laid one hand on the back of her waist to emphasize his point. He pushed her with the rhythm of the steed’s walk. “Roll with his gait, Alys. ’Tis simple enough. Do not fight the rhythm.”

She frowned and clearly tried to do his bidding, though still she was stiff with fear. Burke realized that Alys was almost
within the circle of his arms, her buttocks beneath his hand and her legs nearly against his chest. He could have plucked her from the saddle and held her close, the very knowledge making his heart pound.

The lady’s delicate feet hung bare before him, tormenting him with their perfect femininity. They were tanned on their tops and dirtied on the bottom, so achingly fragile that Burke longed to spend the rest of the day tickling her toes.

Alys shook her head, apparently oblivious to the direction of her companion’s thoughts. “Yet you insist this will do less damage to my hide than a leisurely walk. Burke, you would torment me!”

’Twas naught compared to how she tormented him.

Burke glanced up, intending to make some quick remark, but was snared by the laughter in the lady’s eyes. The dimple that so fascinated him flashed in her cheek and she looked young and mischievous once more.

Burke could not help but stare. Alys held his gaze for an endless moment and it seemed he could not breathe. Her gaze fell to his lips, her own lips parted, and Burke could resist her allure no longer.

Before he could question the wisdom of his intent, he pulled Moonshadow to a halt, cast the reins over the steed’s neck, and put his foot in the stirrup.

“What is this you do?” Alys asked breathlessly, even as he swung into the saddle behind her. Burke clamped one hand around her waist and pulled her back against him, not caring if she felt the evidence of his own torment.

“You must forget your fears,” he said softly, then raised one hand to Alys’s jaw. When he turned her face to his, he saw anticipation lighting her eyes and knew he was not the only one longing for a kiss.

’Twas the only encouragement he needed to continue.

“ ’Tis my duty, Alys, to ensure you are injured no further,” Burke murmured, then lifted one brow. “I must do my best to distract you.”

Alys gasped as if she guessed his intention, but she did not pull away. Burke captured her lips with his, his eyes closing when she trembled, then leaned back against him. She parted her lips and he fanned his fingers wide, spanning the slenderness of her waist, even as his kiss deepened.

Alys murmured something against his lips, then arched against him. She abandoned her clutch upon the saddle to turn more fully into his embrace, her hands landing on his shoulders. Moonshadow continued undeterred as Burke kissed his lady thoroughly.

’Twas a long time before he lifted his head, and when he did they both were breathing quickly. The shadow of Kiltorren’s keep was surprisingly near, though Burke did not want to surrender Alys’s company as yet. The lady dropped her gaze, even as Burke noted that they both moved now with the rhythm of the steed.

“You see, Alys,” he said with amusement, “you had only to forget yourself to ride with ease.”

The words made Alys straighten with a vengeance. “Aye, I have forgotten myself in truth,” she declared with unexpected heat, then turned a tearful glance upon Burke. “No doubt you and Malvina shall amuse yourselves well this night with the tale.”

She flung off Burke’s grip and jumped for the ground.

“Alys! Nay!” Burke snatched at her but missed. To his relief, Alys landed without injury, for she was quick to flee toward the hall.

But Burke did not intend to let her escape so quickly as that. “Alys!” he roared, giving Moonshadow his heels.

lys ran, certain that she would not be fast enough to evade Burke. She scrambled over the low wall, knowing he would have to ride all the way to the gate, yet doubting ’twould be time enough to give her much advantage.

Hearing Moonshadow’s hoofbeats as the beast rounded the wall, she raced to reach the kitchen portal without looking back. Burke swore and Alys glanced back to see him leap from his saddle. She lunged for the door and was snatched up just as her foot brushed the threshold, a strong arm locked around her waist.

“Put me down!” Alys wriggled and found herself deposited with her back against the wall. Burke glared, then leaned closer. “Do not even think of kissing me!” she insisted wildly, and the knight stiffened, then retreated slightly.

“What is this?”

“Do not kiss me, do not lay a hand upon me, do not so much as touch me again!”

Burke exhaled as if regaining his even temper. “But whyever not?” He smiled with all his usual charm and his voice dropped low. “You savor my kisses as much as I savor yours, my Alys.”

’Twas not comforting how readily his smile melted her
defenses, and her own weakness made Alys more angry. “I do not!” she retorted. “Your touch addles my wits.”

“There is no need to think overmuch when all proceeds well between us,” he said, and eased closer.

Alys planted her hand in the middle of Burke’s chest to halt his advance and fought to ignore the thunder of his heart. Oh, he was far too experienced at seduction! “Kisses make me forget that you are not the man for me.”

Now Burke frowned. “Of course I am.”

“Of course you are
not.
” Alys folded her arms across her chest and struggled to catch her breath.

Burke leaned his weight against the hand he braced over Alys’s shoulder, clearly intent on not letting her escape, but not touching her either. She refused to feel satisfied that he ceded to her request.

He propped his other hand upon his hip and considered her. “Your heart belongs to another?” The very idea clearly displeased him. “Who is this man?”

Alys straightened proudly. “I do not know.”

Burke chuckled and shook his head. “Alys, you would spurn me for a man you have yet to find?”

“I know you are not the man for me, because you do not care for me in truth.”

His eyes flashed anew. “What is
that
to mean?”

“Oh, you desire me, that much cannot be misconstrued.” Alys spoke quickly, before she could consider the wisdom of what she did. “You cloud my thinking with kisses and compliments fall so readily from your lips that I know you have used them oft before. Your intent to seduce is more than clear.”

Alys looked into Burke’s eyes, her heart stirring at how avidly he listened. “But I would have more than desire between myself and the man of my dreams.”

“But …”

“But naught! You pursue me in every corner of this hall …”

“I seek to persuade you of my sincerity.”

“You intend to compromise me.”

“Never!” Burke looked grim. “Determination yields results, Alys, as I have seen over and over again. Determination won you before and ’twill win you again.”

“I am not a gate to be besieged,” Alys retorted. “And my desire is of import in this. You are concerned to see
your
desire fulfilled and naught more than that.”

“That is not true! I would treat you with honor, and you know it well.”

“I know no such thing. Indeed, your pursuit has won me naught but trouble from my aunt and no doubt prompted endless gossip in the hall.”

Burke growled something under his breath. “Only because you are too cursed stubborn to leave this place!”

“Why should I leave?”

Burke flung out his hand. “Why should you stay?”

“Kiltorren is no paradise, that much is true, but at least I am fed.” Alys folded her arms across her chest, refusing to meet the knight’s perceptive gaze. “And there are those who rely upon me.”

Burke’s brow darkened dangerously. “Surely you imagine I would offer you more than a regular meal.”

“Aye, pleasure abed, as long as it suited you.”

“My affections would not fade!”

“How can you know?” Alys challenged. “You are much concerned with chivalry, Burke, and that is telling.” She shook a finger beneath his nose, certain she had hold of the truth. “Indeed, if I were not in such dire circumstance, would I attract your eye?”

The knight scowled. “Of course! You are my lady fair!”

“
Why,
Burke? I have naught to offer a man like yourself.
I have no dowry, no inheritance, not even an influential but penniless family. There is no reason for you to court my affections.”

Burke visibly gritted his teeth. “Save that I love you.”

The words made Alys’s heart skip a beat but she knew better than to believe him. “How can you love me?” She spread her hands in appeal. “What truly do you know about me, save that you desire me?” Burke paused and Alys knew she had named it aright.

“Nonetheless I do,” he insisted.

“Aye?” Alys lifted her chin. “Then tell me three things you love about me. And not a one of them some compliment that could be granted to any woman hungering for your attention.”

Burke looked completely flummoxed. His gaze fell to her lips, then swept over her figure, lingering oddly upon her bare feet. He frowned, then met her gaze again.

Quite uncharacteristically and most tellingly, this man with his quick praise seemed at a complete loss for words.

Alys would not consider how disappointed that left her.

Instead, she
tapped
Burke on the chest. “One day a man will come to this hall as Aucassin came for Nicolette—he will love me, he will court me, and he will wed me. I will leave with him, secure in the certainty that he will not abandon me when his desire wanes, but love me for all his days and nights.” She met Burke’s gaze steadily. “No less than that will do.”

And Alys ducked beneath the astonished knight’s arm, leaving Burke de Montvieux to ponder that.