Page 38 of The Knight’s Reward

The loud bark of a nearby dog shattered the moment, Kathryn pulling back and looking around them.

Nothing.

She forced herself to step back, her hands falling to the sides, and tried to catch her breath.

“I . . . never.”

I’ve never been kissed that way before.

“That . . .” Neill smiled slowly. “Was a proper kiss.”

“’Tis a wonder people don’t do that more often.”

When he laughed, Kathryn wanted him to kiss her again. The happy sound, from deep within his chest, made her forget everything else in the world.

Including her purpose here.

That, she could not allow.

“I must go,” she said, although her feet did not move.

“To find Bothwell? Tell me why. Let me help you, Kathryn. Bothwell’s reputation is not of an easy man to deal with.”

Although, she’d decided to trust Neill earlier, now Kathryn felt a throb of uncertainty. She’d kept her background a secret for so long . . . was she really going to blurt everything out to a man she hardly knew?

A man who she’d just allowed to take more liberties than any man before him.

She could not allow her interest in him to overcome her sense of reason.

“Come to the hall with me,” he said softly. Gently. “Allow me to introduce you to Lady Juliette.”

“Has Douglas arrived yet?”

Neill seemed taken aback. “The lord warden?”

“Aye.”

“I don’t believe so. Why?”

“Then I suppose I can dine in the hall just this once.”

She knew he didn’t understand, and Kathryn also knew she had no choice but to tell him something. But that kiss had muddled her thinking, and really, she just wanted him to do it again.

Or she would if she did not know what would come of it. Although Kathryn had little left, she did still have her virtue.

“And what will you tell Lady Juliette?”

“That you needed escort. That you are on your way to Dunbar and, fearing a delay, I brought you here first.”

Her eyes widened. “You would lie for me?”

Neill crossed his arms, and Kathryn’s fleeting elation was immediately tempered.

“If you’ll tell me why you wish to speak to Bothwell. Why you avoid Douglas.” He cleared his throat. “And how a lady such as yourself has landed in such a predicament.”

A fair trade, she supposed.

“I will tell you after supper.”