Dance of Desire (34 page)

She worried about far more deadly matters than
gossip. Yet, as she stared at Fane, a grin warmed her lips. He had just given her a way to divert his suspicions.

Nodding, she said, "Garmonn will not speak well of us to his peers."

Fane laughed. The vibrant sound rolled across the meadow, borne on the breeze. "We can thwart the tongue-wagging, love. We will prove Garmonn's words are false. He may tell his friends that I forced myself upon you, but 'twill be clear to all who see us that we are in love."

"Milord, I am not in love."

He grinned. "That, too, is only a matter of time."

Fane shifted in his saddle
to ease a cramp in his scarred thigh. He looked at Tangston Keep, directly ahead on the pitted dirt road. The sun's rays had begun to lengthen, casting parts of the mortared wall and watchtowers in shadow. Intriguing, the contrast of light and dark. His relationship with Rexana was the same — moments of brilliance, as well as moments of uncertainty.

She rode several yards behind, followed by the guards. He imagined her as he had seen her moments ago, when he dared glance over his shoulder. Her hands clutched the leather reins. She sat stiff and proud upon the mare, looking elegant despite her creased, water stained gown. Her hair fell over her shoulders in an unkempt mass. Her chin jutted at a stubborn angle. Her eyes flashed with warning, before she turned her head to stare across the fields of wheat and barley.

Earlier, he had attempted polite conversation, yet she had discouraged him with a frosty stare that could have tempered newly forged steel.

She did not like his assertion she would come to love him.

She did not care to admit the truth.

Warmth lightened Fane's heart. Her passions ran strong and deep. One day, she would care as much for him as she did for her brother.

Fane smiled. He could woo her stubborn pride. He could woo her tender heart and passionate soul. He had successfully wooed her body. He remembered her gasped cries, her lips' welcoming urgency, the way she had trembled when he flexed his body against hers.

In a matter of days, she would be completely his.

Mayhap he would have her tonight.

The destrier clopped down the final approach to the keep. The drawbridge was already lowered, the wood and iron portcullis raised. A different sort of excitement stirred within him. He wondered if Kester and the men-at-arms had finished their mission, and what they had discovered about Rudd Villeaux.

Fane hailed the sentries standing guard in front of the drawbridge. The men bowed, then stepped aside to let him pass.

"Have Kester and the patrol returned?" he asked.

"Not long ago, milord," one replied.

The destrier's hooves thudded on the drawbridge. Fane spurred his mount under the gatehouse and into the bailey. Dogs scampered out of the way. He guided the horse around a pile of wine barrels, remnants of last eve's celebration, then headed for the stables.

Five horses, lathered from a long ride, drank at the water troughs.

A dirty-faced young lad hurried out of the stable, dumped his armload of straw onto the ground, and caught the destrier's reins.

Fane dismounted. "Where's Kester?"

"In the great hall, milord." The boy lowered his gaze. " 'E went
ta
parch his thirst afore ye returned."

Fane ruffled the boy's hair. "Good lad." He heard horses behind him and turned.

Rexana halted the mare. Frowning, she looked at the drinking horses.

As a boy hurried over to her horse with a mounting block, Fane followed. He set a hand on Rexana's leg, covered by yards of stained silk. Did she start at his touch, or had he imagined her reaction?

He stretched his arm up to her. "Place your hand in mine, love."

She refused to look down at him. "Thank you, but I can dismount on my own."

He bit his tongue, resisting a laugh. Anger would not keep them apart. She misjudged his determination, if she believed 'twas so.

He rubbed her leg. "Can I not be chivalrous?" He infused his tone with a teasing lilt. "I must assist my lady wife. '
Tis
my husbandly duty."

She huffed a breath. After a pause, she curled her hand into his. More to quell the inquisitive glances of the servants around them, he vowed, than to please him.

As their flesh connected, a sigh rippled through him. She must have felt the physical connection too, for her gaze shot to his. Tightening her grasp on his hand, she slid down off the mare's back to the mounting block.

Yearning tore through Fane. He pressed closer. As her shoes hit the block, he trapped her between his body and the mare. He curled his arm around her waist. Yanked her against him.

They stood almost nose to nose, her breasts squeezed against his chest. She shivered in his hold, while her lips formed a tense smile. "What are you doing?"

He nuzzled her ear. Her hair smelled of sunshine and meadow air, and his blood instantly heated. "Shall we give these lads something to talk about?" he murmured. "Kiss me, Rexana. Kiss me with all the passion ruling your heart."

Her gaze was cool, yet he saw a hint of the wildness he had enjoyed in the meadow. "A deception, milord?" she said, her voice soft.

"Not at all, wife." He nibbled the corner of her mouth. "You may be angry, but you crave my kiss. Show me how much."

Her smile turned sly. "If I refuse?"

Fane grinned. "I will have to devise other, far more wicked ways, to bend you to my will."

Her eyes darkened. He anticipated her hot refusal, but instead, she smiled. Her expression rivaled that of any of
Gazir's
ambitious courtesans.

She pressed a slow, slippery kiss to his cheek. "Let me visit Rudd," she whispered, "and I will kiss you with a passion you will never forget."

He laughed, then caught her mouth in a thorough kiss. The stable lads hooted and clapped. Cheers erupted from across the bailey.

With a groan, Fane released her. He stepped away, forcing his thoughts from the temptations she posed. When he had done his duties, he would have time to play. "I will send Tansy to the solar to tend you. I know you are eager to bathe and change your gown."

She lifted her skirt's hem to step off the mounting block. "Will you not bathe and change your garments?"

He shut his mind to the invitation in her words. Did she realize how seductive her question sounded? Did she realize he had dreamed, more than once, of climbing into the tub with her and exploring, with soap and water, every bit of her luscious body?

Clearing the roughness from his throat, he said, "My garments are dry enough. I have important matters to attend."

She looked at the horses. "You will question the riders?"

He nodded. "I will see you anon. If my duties permit, I will join you at the evening meal. If not, I will see you later in our bed." Turning on his heel, he started toward the keep.

"Do your duties involve Rudd?"

Challenge rang in her voice. She confronted him in front of the stable hands and the rest of the folk working in the bailey. If she hoped to win sympathy for her brother's cause, she trod dangerous territory.

Fane turned, narrowing his gaze. "You know I am responsible for law and order in Warringham. '
Tis
my duty, bestowed upon me by our king, to capture the rebels who threaten peace. As your brother is involved with these traitors, then aye, my duties concern him."

"I will come with you. Rudd —"

"Nay, love." Aware their disagreement had made them the focus of the bailey, Fane softened his tone to a sensual rumble. "You are weary after our long journey. Let Tansy tend and refresh you." He raised one eyebrow. "No man will consume your energies today but me."

Bawdy titters rippled through the bailey. She scowled, then planted her hands upon her hips. '
Twas
clear she prepared to do battle.

"I will come."

"You will not, Rexana. That is my final word." He strode across the bailey, aware of her glare scorching his back, and her most unladylike curse.

As Rexana stared at Fane, annoyance swelled inside her like a bubble about to pop. If she stomped her feet, shrieked, or had an unseemly tantrum, would Fane change his stubborn mind?

Most likely not.

Master of clever words, he would probably convince all who watched that she had caught too much sun, throw her over his shoulder, and carry her straight to the solar.

She kicked at the dirt. Why did Fane keep her from Rudd? Was Fane reluctant to have her accompany him because he had no intentions of proving her brother's innocence, even though he had vowed to help Rudd?

The mare's bridle clinked, and the stable hands' lowered voices reached her. Aware of their stares, she started off across the bailey toward the forebuilding. Her gown, stiff from drying, snapped at her heels.

She would not allow Fane to ignore their agreement. She might not be able to escape the marriage until Rudd was freed, but she could be persistent and determined.

A daring thought took form in her mind. With Fane busy for the rest of the day, 'twas the perfect opportunity to search the solar.