feel the rapid, strong beating of his heart beneath the armor digging into her cheek.
Rhian knew that her success or failure would be determined by her next few sentences. After summoning all of her courage, she leaned her head back and captured his overbright gaze. “Faucon, let me escape. None need know.”
He closed his eyes tightly as if in pain and shook his head. “I cannot. I must fulfill my orders.” When he opened his eyes, he looked down at her with a small smile curving his lips. “My future depends on this mission.”
It was now or never. She had to decide her course of action in a heartbeat.
Rhian slid a hand up his chest, reached up and traced his half smile with a fingertip. “I will make you a deal, Faucon.”
He grasped her finger gently between his teeth and teased it with his tongue before stating, “I am near afraid to ask what this deal might be.”
She swallowed, seeking the courage to continue with her lie, before finally finding the words. “I will not try to run away again if you will…” She sucked in a quick breath. “If you will take me.”
A frown marred his forehead. “Take you?” Realization widened his eyes. “You cannot mean—”
“Yes, I do. Take me with your body, Faucon.” She glanced away, then back before continuing, “Teach me the ways of lovers.”
His heavy groan gave her hope. “Do you know what you ask?”
“I would not ask if I did not know.”
“But you are to be—”
She cut off his words by placing her finger over his lips. “Married. Yes, I know that. I will be married to a man I do not know. A man whose kiss I may not like. A man my unknown family has chosen.” She traced his suddenly tight lips with her fingertip. “Do I not deserve to enjoy being kissed? Do I not deserve a few nights of shared passion?”
Rhian knew she was rambling, but she hoped her lengthy plea would keep him from detecting her true motivation—escape from her fate. “Do I not deserve to hold a memory to my heart? Something to remember when the nights get cold and the days are too long?”
She was unable to read his stare. He did not appear shocked. But neither did he appear to be thrilled with her offer.
Rhian stepped away from him and looked at the floor. “I am—”
The sound of men coming down the hall leading to her chamber cut off her apology.
Gareth gritted his teeth at their approach. With an effort he didn’t realize he possessed, he brought his wildly thudding heart under control before his captain entered the room with two other men.
“Milord, we will have this door fixed in but a few moments.” At Gareth’s silence, Edgar prompted, “Milord? You do want us to fix the door, yes?”
Gareth waved for the men to continue. “Yes.”
He wondered if his voice sounded as hoarse to his captain as it did to him.
While the men worked on the door, Edgar offered, “I will relieve you, so you can go below and eat.”
Gareth cleared his throat. “Perhaps later.”
He wanted to kick himself. He knew his clipped responses would make his man aware something was not quite right.
Rhian turned back to the window, leaning her forehead against the wall.
Finally in control of his racing desire, Gareth faced his captain and motioned the man to join him outside of the chamber.
“Have all of Browan’s men been accounted for?”
“Aye, milord. Three dead, six with minor injuries and one who was worse off. They found him crawling out of one of the storage sheds. He is hurt, but will recover.”
“Good. Were they able to provide any further information?”
Edgar shook his head. “No. But nobody has truly questioned them in detail. Would you like me to bring them to you for interrogating?”
“No.” That was the last thing Gareth wanted at the moment. “Let them rest and I will talk to them on the morrow.”
“Aye, sir.” Edgar peered around Gareth. “They are almost done with the door. Are you certain you do not wish me to relieve you?”
It was all Gareth could do to hold back his laugh. “I am fine, Edgar. See that the others get some food and a place to sleep for the night.”
Edgar frowned before saying, “You need sleep more than the rest of us. I can—”
“No.”
The captain stepped back from Gareth’s near shout. “No need to tear my head off, milord.” He peered at his lord from beneath bushy eyebrows for a moment before a smile crossed his face. “Oh, I see. You have plans for the evening.”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. I plan to spend the night guarding my charge.”
Edgar’s eyes widened. His mouth dropped open. After blinking a few times, he frowned, then asked, “Alone? In her chamber? Milord, do you think—”
Gareth cut his man off with a raised hand. “I try not to think of anything other than the successful completion of my mission for the King.” To reassure Edgar, he added, “I will sleep on the floor, by the door, not in her bed.”
Edgar waggled his eyebrows. “Excellent idea, milord. I will see to the men. Then I will return to guard the door from any who would seek to disturb you…or the lady.”
Gareth bit the inside of his cheek to keep from responding to his captain’s obvious opinion. The less said, the better. “That is fine, Edgar. I will see you on the morn.”
After Edgar went below stairs, Gareth waited until the men were done with the door before reentering the chamber. He closed the door behind him and dropped the locking bar into place.
Rhian hadn’t moved. Her slumped shoulders spoke volumes to him. He imagined that she was embarrassed, perhaps now even regretted her boldness.
What fanciful ideas had she been concocting with her brazen offer? There was little doubt that the lady was up to something. Most likely she was seeking yet another way to escape her fate.
She’d admitted to being a virgin, but she seemed more seductress than virgin. So her outrageous offer seemed even more absurd. Was she truly that desperate to ruin her future? Or had she lied?
Did it matter to him? Shamefully, he had to admit that no, at this moment it did not matter in the least. Her offer appealed to him more than he could explain.
On one hand the mere idea felt right. As if it was meant to be. On the other hand, he was intrigued by her attempted manipulation and wanted to see how far she’d go. Would she complete the act? Would he? This was not a way to regain honor. It was more like another test to see if he truly had any honor left.
He leaned against
