“Why did you do it? Why did you give me your favor?” Julian asked.
Elora’s gaze swept his face from his square jaw to his straight nose and brilliant blue eyes. Her breath quickened. “You asked for it.”
Julian nodded, but he looked disappointed.
“How could I not?” she admitted.
His eyes alighted on her again. He was more pleased with that answer.
They rounded the corner, and Sarah continued to lead them down a spiral stairway to another corridor. Sarah paused at the hallway opening, glancing in both directions. “Quickly,” she whispered.
Elora heard distant voices as they rushed after Sarah. There was a thrill at the possibility of being discovered. Her heart pounded with excitement.
Julian suddenly grabbed Elora’s hand and pulled her into a sheltered alcove.
Startled, Elora glanced after Sarah. She opened her mouth to call after her.
“Why didn’t you tell me who you were from the beginning?” he asked, staring down at her.
All thought of Sarah vanished from Elora’s mind as his thumb traced the palm of her hand. It distracted her as tremors through her body raced from his touch. “Edward doesn’t know that Sarah and I go into cities to look at the knives and daggers. I was afraid word might reach him.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly. “I am trustworthy.”
“I didn’t know that then.”
“You should have realized after I kept you safe in Gracious Hill.”
She nodded in agreement, bowing her head. “You’re right. But…” Yes. She had had many chances to tell him. In the town. In the camp. “Would you have offered me ale from your flask if you knew I was Sir Edward’s sister? Would you have asked me to stay and hear Sir Baldwin’s tales if you knew I was Lady Elora from Kingston?”
Julian winced. “No. Probably not.”
“For just a moment, I wanted to be someone other than Lady Elora. For just a moment, I wanted to be… a commoner.”
Julian shook his head. “You were always much more than a commoner. Even when I first saw you in the town.”
She eased her hand from his grasp. “You know who I am now. Edward doesn’t want me to see you again.”
Julian reached for her hand again, capturing it and holding it tightly. He pulled her closer to him and dipped his head to gaze into her eyes. His stare was so intense, so heated; she couldn’t breathe for a moment.
“Is that what you want?” he asked.
Her fingers contracted around his. Lord, no! No, it wasn’t what she wanted, but how could she tell him that? “It doesn’t matter what I want. I am supposed to find a husband of equal title. Someone to take care of me and protect me.”
“I can protect you.” Julian straightened, releasing her hand. “Is that what you want?”
“It’s what I have to want,” she whispered. “Edward is my brother. He is my family. He wants what is best for me.”
“But what do you want?”
Elora looked up at him. She wanted to see him every moment of every day. Torchlight played over his handsome face, casting his features in light and dark. Shadow accented his concave cheeks; flickering torchlight illuminated his straight nose and square clean-shaven jaw. Every instinct, every fiber of her being, wanted Julian. Nausea rose inside of her. She opened her mouth, knowing she had to deny him, but the words would not come.
Julian grinned. He pushed a lock of hair from her cheek, and his fingers grazed across her skin to her chin. “Baldwin thinks it would be better if I never saw you again.”
She dropped her gaze to his chest with a sigh of acceptance.
“But I can’t take my eyes off of you.”
Thrilled, she lifted her stare to him.
“I can’t get enough of you, Ellie. I can’t sleep because images of you plague my mind. I can’t concentrate on jousting because I am looking for you in the stands. I need to see you as much as I need to breathe.”
His words sent longing and desire pulsing through her with every beat of her heart. Her gaze drifted slowly over his face, memorizing the planes of his rugged complexion, the smooth skin of his jaw to the sensual slash of his lips to the strong curve of his cheeks. She looked into his confident and tormented deep sapphire-blue eyes, staring at her as though she were his world.
“I can’t stay away from you,” he confessed throatily and bent his lips to hers, brushing them across hers tenderly, hungrily. Then, he pulled her against him, kissing her with all the need and desire he felt.
He coaxed her mouth open with gentle strokes of his lips, and she responded with the same craving. His tongue swept into her mouth, swirling and battling with her own. Her pulse raced; fire danced through her veins. Her world spun, and she clung to him, the only anchor in her tumbling world.
Oh, she was in trouble, but she didn’t care. She only wanted Julian. To feel him, to touch him. To have him want her.
Julian pulled back and looked down the hallway.
In a haze, Elora heard footsteps and quiet laughter approaching. Julian stepped before her, sheltering her presence from the oncoming people. As she stared into Julian’s eyes, she couldn’t help but smile nervously. The risk of discovery, of scandal and shame, was the most thrilling thing she had ever experienced.
Julian held a finger up to his lips.
She placed both of her hands over her mouth to keep a nervous giggle from escaping.
He smiled a full, bright grin.
She was wrong! He was the most thrilling thing she had ever experienced. And she wanted to see him again and again. She would not let Edward separate them. Knowing that they could not be together forever, she wanted this time with Julian. She wanted every moment she could capture.
Finally, the quiet voices moved past them. Elora lowered her hands. His gaze wandered over her face, causing chills of excitement to enflame her body. Sadness at the prospect of what the future held for them wormed its way into her mind. She clutched at his shoulders, never wanting this moment to end. “What are we to do, Julian? We can’t keep meeting like this.”
“I have to see you again. Tomorrow. Will you picnic with me?”
She pulled back, shaking her head. “I can’t. If Edward found out—”
“There is a very private area on the outskirts of the town. Near the wall. By the river. I passed it on my way in. I joust Osmont in the morn. After that, I can take you there. No one will see us.”
She reached up to touch his cheek, running a thumb along his hard jaw. “Please be careful of Osmont. He is furious that you unhorsed him at the last tournament. His pride is injured. He will do anything to win. Anything.”
A darkness passed over his face. “I will,” Julian assured her. “Will you be at the joust?”
Elora grinned, delighted he wanted her to watch his joust. “Of course. And I will root for you.” Then her brow furrowed, and she dropped her hand to his shoulder. “Julian, Osmont is family. He is my cousin. You cannot ask for my favor.”
He nodded, his lips pressing tight as he lowered his head.
Elora stood on the tips of her toes to kiss his lips. “You always have my favor, but I cannot say so publicly. I cannot favor you over my family.”
“For you, anything.” Julian tugged her against him. “Will you join me in a picnic after I win?”
“Is it wise?”
“No one said I was wise.” He brushed her lips with a tender kiss meant to persuade her. “Please, my lady. I would be honored.”
Her body shivered with desire and pleasure. “I will consider it,” she promised.
Satisfied, he nodded.
“Good heavens!” Sarah cried with relief from behind them. “I didn’t know where you had gone.”
Julian sighed softly and offered Elora his arm. When she took it, he stepped into the hallway and began to escort her back to her room.
“That wasn’t very sensible,” Sarah chastised, following them down the corridor. “Someone could have seen you.”
E
lora couldn’t take her stare from Julian. She heard Sarah and knew she was right. But when she was with Julian, and all worry and common sense fell away. He was so handsome. His square jaw, his kind eyes, his strength. She couldn’t look away from him. They moved into the spiral stairway and pulled up when a shadow suddenly appeared before them.
“My apologies…” Julian stopped mid-sentence. His back straightened.
Osmont stood before them.
Chapter Fourteen
Elora froze, dread draining the heat from her body.
The torchlight flicked over Osmont, casting him in flaming hues of red and orange. His stare swept from Julian to Elora and back. His jaw clenched. His eyes hardened. “Get away from my cousin!” He put his hands on Julian’s chest and shoved him.
Elora reached out to stop him, and he seized her arm, yanking her forward away from Julian. Propelled to the floor, her head smacked the rounded stone wall.
Julian lunged for her, but Osmont caught him around the shoulders, pushing him back. He swung his fist into Julian’s cheek, landing with a dull thunk.
Sarah stood in the curved arch entranceway, her fingers covering her mouth, her eyes wide.
“No!” Elora climbed to her feet, holding out her hand in a plea for them to stop. For Osmont to stop.
Julian recovered quickly and ducked Osmont’s next swing.
The tight spiral stairway didn’t leave much room for a fight, but Osmont was determined. “No one here to protect you now,” Osmont threatened, his hands in tight fists.
Julian’s gaze met Elora’s over Osmont’s shoulder, his forehead wrinkled with concern. Then his expression transformed into dangerous rage. He gritted his teeth, and his eyes widened with fury. “I don’t need anyone to protect me from you.” He lunged after Osmont, blocking the next blow with his forearm. Then, he delivered a punch to Osmont’s chin, throwing him up a step into the spiral stairway wall.
Elora quickly moved up the stairs as the fight came toward her. Fear for Julian’s safety shot through her. “Stop!” she cried. “Julian! Osmont!”
When Julian came up a stair, Osmont pushed Julian into the opposite wall. Julian rebounded, grabbing Osmont’s tunic and shoving him against the stone wall. Gripping Julian’s tunic in curved fists, Osmont spun him up the stairs.
Elora gasped, and backed away, moving up the stairs until she was almost to the first floor.
Julian rammed Osmont hard into the stone wall. He pushed him tightly against the wall, snarling at him. Osmont tried to surge forward, but Julian braced himself.
Elora seized Julian’s arm. “Stop!” She shoved her face near his, desperate to get him to stop fighting. “The guards are coming. We have to go. Release him!”
As Osmont struggled to free himself, Julian shoved him hard against the wall, immobilizing him.
“Julian,” Elora begged, knowing they had to escape before the guards arrived.
Grimacing with snarled hatred, Julian stepped away and released Osmont. Julian’s chest expanded with each intake of deep and jagged breaths.
Elora positioned herself between them. “Enough, Osmont.”
Osmont straightened from the wall, his narrowed gaze focused on Julian. He pointed a finger at him. “Stay away from my family.”
Julian’s lip curled with disdain.
Osmont looked at Elora, rage burning in his eyes, his fists clenched tight. “What will Edward think?” He spat on the ground and took a step down the stairs. “He is a lowly knight. You can do better. You will do better.”
Julian jerked toward him, but Elora caught his arm.
Osmont chuckled and stalked out of the curved entranceway and into the corridor.
Elora glanced at Julian. “Are you all right?”
Sarah rushed into the stairway, catching Elora’s hand in hers. “We have to get back to your room.”
Julian nodded, wiping a sleeve across his mouth. “Too many people will come. I’m sure Osmont is telling others what happened.”
“Your brother will find out,” Sarah affirmed.
“That can’t be stopped now,” Elora said. Even though her outward appearance seemed calm, her legs trembled with the aftershock of the fight.
“Elora,” Julian said in anguish. “I’m sorry. I didn’t—”
“It’s not your fault.” She touched the side of his face tenderly, noticing the red welt beginning on his cheek. “You couldn’t have known Osmont would be here.” She shook her head. “He should have been with Edward.”
Sarah pulled at her arm, pleading, “Lady Elora…”
Julian took heed of Sarah’s warning and quickly led Elora up the stairs. He looked down the hallway and then hurried into the corridor when he saw no one was there.
Elora followed with Sarah at her side.
Julian paused at her door, turning to face her. A scowl creased his brow. He reached up and touched a spot near her temple. He looked at his fingers and then at her. “You’re hurt.”
The red drop on his finger confused her, and she stroked her hair. Where he had touched her was thick and wet.
“I’ll take care of her,” Sarah insisted, looking back toward the hallway with worry.
“Ellie,” Julian said with anguish. Then, his lips thinned. “I’ll kill Osmont.”
Elora caught his arm. “Just knock him from his horse on the morrow. That will be revenge enough.”
“Aye,” Julian agreed. “That I will do. For his injury to you.”
Sarah opened the door and held it for Elora, motioning with a frantic wave for her.
Yearning shone in Julian’s blue eyes. “I shall see you on the morrow.”
Elora nodded once. She watched as he backed away reluctantly, his gaze sweeping over her. She tilted her head, longing for him to stay but knowing he had to go.
Sarah grabbed her arm and tugged her into the room.
Sarah tended the cut on Elora’s temple. It was a small scrape, one she barely felt compared to the dread welling inside of her. At any moment, she expected Edward to bang on the door and chastise her for her indiscretion and her broken promise. She had no doubt Osmont had rushed to tell him what he discovered.
“I’m sorry,” Sarah whispered.
“Sorry? For what?”
“I should never have brought Sir Julian to you.” She dabbed Elora’s temple with a soft cloth. “I only thought to make you happy.”
Elora reflected on the fight and on how Julian could have been hurt. “Bringing Julian to me would have been fine if Osmont had not discovered us,” she said with a hard tone. She sighed softly. “Is it foolish? We have no future. And yet, I can’t stop thinking of him. I can’t stop dreaming of his touch, his kiss. Of seeing him again.”
Sarah tilted her head sympathetically.
“This cannot continue. And yet…” Elora’s shoulders sagged. “I can’t stop it.” It was silly! She was Lady of Kingston. She had commanded an army of servants. She could control her feelings! And yet, every time she saw Julian, her will vanished because of his handsome face and his radiant, heart-pounding smile.
Sarah embraced her, hugging her tightly. She whispered the answer in her ear, “You love him.”
“No,” Elora scoffed, pulling away. “It’s not possible. I only wanted a kiss. I wasn’t looking for love.”
Sarah smiled softly. “Sometimes, the only time you find it is when you are not looking.”
She stared at Sarah’s warm brown eyes. Is that what she felt? Love? Did she really love Julian? She thought of how happy she was with him, of how he made her feel cherished and excited and… loved. She buried her face in her hands. Love. How could this have happened? She had only just met him! Chills peppered her skin, and she hugged her arms, rubbing them for warmth. “What am I to do?”
A heavy knock sounded on the door, and Elora jumped with a gasp. Edward! What was she to tell him? How could she make him understand how much Julian meant to her when she didn’t even understand it?
Sarah gathered the fabric she w
as using to tend Elora into a pile and glanced at her. Sarah nodded once before moving to the door. When she opened it, she paused, standing stiffly before the entrance.
Elora frowned and tilted her head to see who was at the door.
It wasn’t Edward but Osmont who brushed past Sarah.
Elora narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
He ignored her and commanded Sarah, “Get out.”
“No,” Elora overrode. “Sarah will remain. I think it unwise to be alone in a room with you.”
“Me?” Osmont echoed, his eyebrows rising. “I am your cousin. I would bring no harm to you.”
“You already have.” She turned her head to display her temple to him.
He stiffened. “I did not do that.”
“You pushed me against the wall in your hurry to get to Sir Julian.”
Osmont’s lips thinned and tightened. “Perchance, it helped your addled brain. What were you doing with him?”
“It is not your concern.”
“But it would be your brother’s concern.”
Elora lifted her chin defiantly. “Have you come to threaten me?”
“No.” He took a deep breath and moved toward her. Sarah waited near the open door.
“I’m surprised you didn’t immediately go to Edward,” Elora observed.
“How do you know I didn’t?”
“Because he would be here instead of you.”
Osmont’s eyes shifted to the cut on the side of her head. “I had intended to go to him, yes. But then I thought it better served me not to tell him. Yet.”
Tingles of trepidation danced along the nape of her neck, and her eyes narrowed. “Yet?” she echoed.
He stalked to the window and stared out over the darkening landscape. He put his hands behind his back. “I thought the situation over. I’m certain you should not have been with such a hedge-born. It is disgraceful.” He inhaled and slowly turned to her. “But… perhaps there is a way we can remedy this.” He ran a finger over his slick black mustache as he approached her. He stared down, towering over her.
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