Page 81 of The Knight’s Reward

“I did not ask a question.”

Faye had moved away, but he could see the small smile on the older woman’s lips. If Faye thought the battle lost, then surely Sara also knew what Kathryn intended. He knew both women well enough to know this would not end as he wished. And so, though he had many more arguments for Kathryn to stay at Kenshire, he kept them to himself.

He looked down at her riding gown and serviceable leather boots. “How did you know I planned to leave this morn?”

“There is no reason to delay.”

Indeed, there was not.

Chapter 26

Neill had arrived in London three days ago, but he had still been unable to gain an audience with the king. The king, he had been told, was indisposed. So he spent his days speaking with court officials at the royal palace, his nights at the inn with his men. And Kathryn, although they feigned a lack of intimacy.

They’d agreed she would not come to court, and although Neill had many contacts throughout the city, Kathryn had insisted on remaining at The Fox and Goose. It was one of the more respectable inns, and he was there with her each night, though in his own room. Still, Neill despised leaving her each morning.

Unlike in Scotland, he and Kathryn were never without a chaperone. Here, in London, there would be repercussions if an unmarried woman were seen alone with a man—even more so if this unmarried woman were seen alone with this man.

And yet, he longed to hold her. It had been too long since they’d had time alone, which was why Neill stood outside her door in the thick of night. Thankfully, she slept alone, without her chaperone. So as not to be discovered, he knocked softly, praying none of the other doors in the dark hallway opened.

When she opened the door, he lost no time stepping inside.

Kathryn was prepared for sleep, her shift covered with a robe that he guessed was borrowed from Sara. Deep crimson, edged with lace, it gave Kathryn a very regal appearance. And a seductive one as well.

“What are you doing here?” she whispered. “If you’re caught in my room—”

“There will be questions, aye.”

He took a step toward her. “Which is why I don’t plan to be caught.”

“We agreed . . .” She stopped. They’d danced around each other all the way to London. Although they were staying at the same inn, they’d avoided interacting any more than need be. At night, Kathryn and her chaperone would sit with Aylmer and another of his men, who did not wear the distinctive colors of Kenshire. The other guests hopefully thought Neill and Kathryn were strangers.

“Do you remember the story you told me,” he said, taking another step toward her, “of how your father chastised you for running through the halls of the French court?”

“Aye.” Kathryn blinked, her hands moving to close the robe that he fully planned to reopen.

“Then, the next day, he caught you doing the same thing?”

“With good cause,” she said, the candle sitting next to the small bed flickering against the wall. Her face was clearly outlined by the dim light, but Neill did not need it to see her. He knew her appearance more and more each day. Could recount every aspect of her face in enough detail for a master to paint her sight unseen.

“I was being chased.”

“By a girl whose ribbon you’d stolen.” He took the last step.

“In jest, after she hid my shoes, making me miss morning mass. For which Father was none too pleased.”

Neill reached out, cupping her neck with one hand, and waited for her response.

“And you said . . .”

“I said if I should be punished for a bit of fun, then I await your punishment.”

His fingers tangled into the hair at the nape of her neck as he prepared for her objection.

“This is different,” she whispered, her voice low. “If you and I are connected . . .”

He pulled her toward him, capturing whatever words she would speak in his mouth. His tongue slashed at her, demanding. Desperate. And she gave back in kind.

Neill slipped her robe from her shoulders, exposing the thin shift beneath. His hands moved quickly, covering each breast, squeezing ever so gently.