Page 47 of The Knight’s Reward

He’d planned to tell Bryce more. He’d wanted to unburden himself about his feelings for Kathryn and the vow he’d made to help her. But something stopped him.

“What do you plan to do about Bothwell?” Bryce asked, standing once again. “And more importantly, do you care to have a quick session before we break our fast?”

It had been a tradition when they were lads, and Neill looked forward to having another go at his brother. But first he had to speak to Kathryn.

“Aye. I will meet you in the training yard.”

As Neill left the room, he felt a certain heaviness bear down on his shoulders. Although he wasn’t sure what he’d hoped for, part of him had wanted his brother to solve the problem for him. To convince him, perhaps, that the queen’s condition was not as important as he knew it to be. No matter. Surely he could help Kathryn while also ushering in a new initiative of peace at the border.

The only cause he could not afford to advance?

His own.

As he walked back to his chamber, Neill chided himself for the thoughts that had stirred within him.

She is not your lady.

As natural as it seemed to offer her comfort, to touch and hold her, he could not afford to do so again.

Certainly, he must refrain from kissing her.

He opened the door, nearly groaning from the memory of her lips, so very hesitant, pressing against his with raw enthusiasm. Though obviously inexperienced, she’d learned quickly, the touch of her tongue so pleasurable it had infiltrated his dreams.

Neill entered the chamber and froze.

His good intentions evaporated in an instant.

* * *

Scrambling over to the bed, Kathryn grabbed the undertunic and attempted to pull it over her head. She’d never dreamed Neill would return so soon, and so she’d thought nothing of standing around his bedchamber in her shift. When she’d awoken to find him gone, she’d assumed he’d left for the day.

The shift was the only item of clothing she’d kept from her past life, reasoning no one would actually see it. The fine, sheer cotton was the only luxury that she allowed herself.

And now it was on full display, her attempts to hurriedly don the undertunic failing miserably. Of course, she definitely never attempted to clothe herself in front of a man. And certainly not one as compelling as Neill Waryn.

When she did finally manage to get it over her head, she smiled at her gallant knight. His back was now to her.

Clearing her throat, Kathryn reached next for her kirtle. Though at least now she was somewhat properly dressed.

Neill turned. “Pardon, Kathryn.”

“’Tis your chamber. I am the intruder here.”

They stared at each other, light just beginning to stream in from beyond the shutters she’d opened. Kathryn’s chest rose and fell, her heart beating faster than was its custom, driven by an aching awareness of him.

“You’re thinking of it too.” Kathryn could not believe her own boldness. Something about this man made her not want to hide. Her feelings. Her past.

“I’ve thought of little else since we met.”

The admission, not what she’d been expecting, prompted her to share the thoughts she’d been having as well.

“I swore never to tell anyone my true identity, unsure who to trust. But then I met you . . .” She smiled. “You are a good man, Neill Waryn.” She knew the truth of it in her heart.

“If you knew my thoughts at this very moment, you’d take back your words.”

A thrill of excitement shot through her. She could not back down now.

“I doubt that I would.”