on her skin, he inhaled, drawing in her scent. He licked her and held down a moan.
She seemed fascinated with his hair, stroking, smoothing, she was tracing circles round his ear, rubbing an earlobe between thumb and forefinger. His ear warmed.
He would miss this woman when he left. The thought knocked him back. What was he thinking? By the law of this land, he was her slave. There was no genuine feeling here, no sentiment. To her he was only an entertainment to while away the time.
He pulled back, setting distance between them. When her hands continued with their tantalising caresses, he made a half-hearted attempt to push them away. Her touch was making him ache in places that had no business to be aching given that she was lady-in-waiting to a princess and he was a barbarian knight with no status whatever at the Imperial Court.
Lady Anna did not seem to have noticed his retreat. Light strokes feathered across his chest, delicately exploring. His breath stopped. It was becoming more of a struggle to call to mind the fact that he would soon be leaving Byzantium. Lady Anna’s hands were causing havoc with him, body and mind.
Had she led him astray with that prim and innocent air? Had he misjudged her? William had taken her for an innocent, but she had spent years in the entourage of a princess. A composed and beautiful court lady, Lady Anna could just as easily be experienced as innocent. Was she innocent, or experienced?
William had little knowledge of the goings-on of courtiers. Gossip about the Imperial Court was hard to come by in the Duchy, and he had been half out of his head while she had been tending him in the Princess’s apartment. He had learned more today, as he had hurried through the courtyards and gardens of the Great Palace.
All those fountains and statues and exotic birds…all those marble halls and tiled bathhouses…they must need armies of soldiers and servants and slaves just to keep the place running.
Life in the Great Palace must be full of intrigue and complexity. Was Anna—disconcertingly he was starting to think of her as Anna in his mind—was Anna in the habit of toying with slaves? When she was young, she had clearly adored Erling. Had she taken this a step further when she had become a woman?
The painted face of the lady at the slave market pushed into his mind. The woman in the cherry-
coloured gown had wanted him for her bed. He would have realised it at the time if he had not been half out of his mind.
There was a bitter taste in his mouth.
Her finger was exploring his upper lip. Had Lady Anna been corrupted? It could not be easy for a woman living amidst such decadence to keep her innocence. Was she innocent?
‘Did you persuade the Princess to buy me for your entertainment, my lady? Is that why you bought me?’
The finger stilled and she made a small choking sound. ‘I told you, you reminded me of Erling.’
‘Your slave.’
‘Yes.’
‘Did you kiss Erling?’
A peal of laughter echoed round the cistern. ‘Kiss Erling? I was only a child, so naturally I did not kiss Erling. I am, however, interested in trying another
kiss with you. Kiss me again, William.’
Her bluntness caught him off guard. Was it a command? A request? He had no idea. Before he had time to respond, she had caught him by the neck and pressed her lips to his.
She was slender, he could feel her ribcage through the silk of her gown and span her waist with his hands. Holding the image of those smoky grey eyes in his mind, William deepened the kiss. Her jaw relaxed almost immediately and their tongues met. She gave a fluttery sigh, her tongue withdrew before returning to flicker along his.
Innocent? Experienced?
Command? Request?
Hell’s teeth, if only he could see.
Chapter Six
And then it no longer mattered whether Lady Anna was innocent or experienced, it no longer mattered whether she thought she could command him or not. A moan of encouragement sent hot blood rushing to his loins. Her breasts shifted against his chest and the blue silk gown whispered in the darkness. It was as though she was trying to climb onto his lap.
Who was he to deny her?
He gripped her waist and lifted. A bright laugh rolled out over the dark lake, warm arms curled round his neck, angling his head so they might kiss and kiss and kiss.
She had his full attention. Every part of him was filled with desire—one part in particular ached to the point of pain. Yes, she had his full attention, more of it than she could possibly want. His attention was pressing against her belly, hard and proud and eager.
William dragged in a breath. If he did not ease away soon, he might lose control. The rush of lust was overwhelming, he had never felt the like of it before. Lady Anna might consider this a game of dalliance to while away her time down here, but for him it was fast becoming dangerous. He wanted her, more than he had ever wanted Claire. Claire was a maidservant who, long ago in the stables at Melfi, had given William much pleasure. But this need to possess, this burning ache, he had never felt this with Claire…
* * *
The Frankish slave’s tongue was entangled with
Anna’s. Delicious, why has no one told me that a man can taste delicious? Anna felt a dizzying rush of feeling, her thoughts were scattered, fragmented.
I must not think of him as a slave, he is a knight, Sir William.
His mouth—how can it be so firm and yet so gentle?
William murmured something—a Frankish love word? Anna had no idea of its meaning. Twining her fingers in his thick hair, she kept him close. Her heart was beating fast, her breath coming in shaky gasps. Noblewomen were protected in the Empire, even in Rascia her freedom had been limited and this was her first real kiss.
She was completely unprepared for the rush of feeling. And the pleasure. It is as though William is speaking with kisses. Kissing is a form of speaking, it does not matter that I do not understand his Frankish words, I know what he is saying in his kisses.
William is telling me to relax. He is telling me
that he likes me, that he will fight for me if those mercenaries return.
He nibbled her upper lip.
William is telling me more…he is telling me that there is no need for me to worry, that the Emperor will not chastise me for the deception Katerina and I have practised on the Court. William will stand by me, he will support me when I explain that we have been doing Princess Theodora’s bidding.
William’s mouth was also, it seemed, telling her that she need never fear that her father would force her to accept Lord Romanos Angelos as her husband. And his mouth, Anna realised as she dragged in air, was not the only part of him that was speaking to her. For there, pressed against her side, jutting proud, she could definitely feel…her limbs began to weaken…
Strong hands gripped her shoulders as he pushed her from him. A musky male scent—aroused man—filled her nostrils, his breath was warm on her cheek. Under cover of her cloak, she leaned into him, aching to be close.
He finds me desirable. With a jolt, Anna recognised that she found William equally desirable. She felt deliciously weak. I never felt this when Romanos tried to approach me. I should not be feeling it now, but William is a knight, a man of honour, I am safe with him.
‘This will not do, my lady.’ William sounded as though he were smiling. Anna might not be able to see his expression, but she caught the subtle lift in his voice.
Firmly, heedless of her protesting murmur, William, Sir William, set his hands on her waist and lifted her easily to the side. ‘You are a cosy armful, my lady, but this must stop.’
How dare he call me a cosy armful!
‘As soon as I get you back to the Palace,’ he went on, ‘I shall be leaving.’
William’s words, his actual words, were so at variance with what she had read in his kisses that it was a moment before she could speak.
He is leaving. As soon as he has escorted me to the Palace. Vaguely, Anna recalled him saying as much. I did not beli
eve he meant it, not when he has kin in the City. I cannot believe a man like William, one who has never known family, does not want to meet his relatives.
‘You cannot leave until I have freed you.’ Knight or not, he was her slave!
‘I have duties in Apulia, my lady, duties that have been neglected. Which is why we must not allow ourselves to get carried away. If that happened, you might find yourself facing unwanted consequences on your own.’
Well, that certainly put her in her place. William’s kisses were nothing but lies, he had no intention of helping her with anything. Jerking away from him, she felt a sharp tug on her scalp—her hair was caught.
‘I should like my hair back.’
‘Certainly, my lady.’ William inched away so their thighs were no longer touching. Gathering up her hair, Anna smoothed it into some sort of order and knotted it at the nape of her neck. By retreating, he had surrendered the whole of the cloak to her, and whilst she did not want him to be cold, she was reluctant to move back.
She straightened her skirts. ‘This gown will be
ruined after this, ruined.’
‘I expect so, my lady.’
He was laughing at her! ‘Clod,’ she muttered. Thank heaven he cannot know my cheeks are on fire!
‘Yes, my lady.’
The darkness in the cistern was suddenly a blessing—William could not see how thrown Anna was to find that he would not be persuaded to search for his relations. Nor can he see how much he inflamed me. Heavens, why is this so upsetting?
Chewing her lip, shocked at how easily William seemed to have awakened the wanton in her, Anna stared blindly into the blackness and wished she had not been kept so cloistered. Thank the Lord, he is unaware of the effect he has on me. This wanting, this achy wanting must be lust. It is a sin. What a sin, though! One touch and my limbs melt, one kiss and I am weak with desire. This is not me. Lady Anna does not feel desire in this way. I am not myself.
Why does William have this effect on me? It must be because he is a barbarian. No wonder Father warned me to have nothing to do with them!
A metallic clink came from somewhere above them.
‘What’s that?’ At her side, there was movement, Anna could not know for certain, but she would swear the sword was fast in William’s hand.
‘The door.’ William’s voice was clipped. ‘Someone is trying the door.’
She reached instinctively for William before she realised what she was doing and checked herself. She twisted her fingers together. Have the mercenaries found us?
‘Wait here,’ William said, moving away.
Heart in her mouth, Anna got to her feet. To keep her bearings, she placed a hand on the stone wall and listened to William making his way up the stairs. After a few moments she heard another clink and a scraping sound. A shaft of light sliced down from the top and the forest of columns sprang into being. They looked as though they had been there since the beginning of time, great pillars rearing up out of water that gleamed like a mirror of jet. William was but a shadow moving about at the head of the stairs.
‘William?’
‘One moment.’
The light increased. From where Anna was standing, she could see most of the Basilica Cistern. Dozens, if not hundreds, of columns rose out of the water, stretching up towards a cathedral-like roof where the shadows clung like cobwebs. The water rippled. A dappled shifting of light moved past under the surface—a shoal of fish.
Leading off from the platform, a wooden structure like a jetty ran off into the lines of columns. Anna had not noticed it earlier when they had been stumbling about in the dark.
Something thudded and the light was gone. Then came that scraping sound—William replacing the shield.
‘William?’
‘Do not be alarmed, I am coming down.’
Hand on the damp wall, Anna waited. It seemed an eternity went by before she felt the light touch of his hand on hers.
‘William.’ She moved closer. ‘What’s happening outside?’
‘I couldn’t see much, just the backs of some people running away from that square.’
‘The Augustaion?’
‘The one by the Milion Arch…they must have tried the door as they went past. I am afraid we shall be stuck here awhile longer,’ William said, his breath warm on her face.
‘How long do you suppose we have been down here?’
‘I have no idea.’
Anna sighed. ‘Oh, Lord. Do you think it is past noon?’
‘I should think so—why?’
‘I am meant to be meeting Father this afternoon.’
‘Your father will have to wait. It can’t be helped, I’m afraid, it is not safe to venture out yet. Your father must realise that none of this is your fault.’
‘You…did you hear screaming?’
William hesitated and that told its own story—he had heard screaming. Shuddering, Anna tugged at his hand. ‘We shall take our seats as before and you will share my cloak.’
* * *
It was snug under Lady Anna’s wool-lined cloak, particularly with one arm about her and her head on his shoulder. William leaned back and stared blindly into the dark. He had heard screaming somewhere in the City, he had also smelled smoke. There was no way he was going to permit Lady Anna outside until he was certain she would be safe—the General’s mercenaries had yet to be called to heel.
Before William had rammed the shield back into place behind the door, he had taken stock of the cistern. The forest of columns—the size of the place!—had taken him aback. They had carved capitals—one was covered in acanthus leaves, another with bold geometric patterns. They looked very old, perhaps they dated from the time of the Romans. Even the bases were carved. A grotesque upside-down face with hard stone eyes had glared up from the glassy surface of the water, it had hair which seemed to writhe like a nest of snakes. The Medusa. William had seen similar carvings in Apulia.
Resting his head against Anna’s, he fell into a doze. He dreamed he was kissing the Medusa, only his Medusa’s lips were warm and soft, she had ungovernable brown hair and smelt deliciously of spring flowers. When he woke, Anna was cuddled even more closely and her arm had found its way round his waist. From the rhythm of her breathing she must be asleep. The battle drums were silent.
At least there was no danger of them dying of thirst in the Basilica Cistern. To drink, all they had to do was lean over the edge of the platform and dip into the water. If they were here much longer, though, it was hunger that was likely to be the headache. William’s stomach had been clamouring for food for an age already. He closed his eyes, and in a moment the image of a feast appeared in his mind’s eye…he was taking a slice of roast boar from a platter, there was a haunch of beef, a dish of salmon…
* * *
Several hours passed, William had no way of judging the time. What was happening in the City above? Was it safe to emerge?
Gently, he touched the head pressing into his shoulder. ‘My lady, are you awake?’
‘Mmm…’
‘I am going to see if the coast is clear.’
She straightened. ‘Very well, but I want you to have my cloak.’
‘My lady, it is not nec—’
‘Yes, it is, you are half-naked—you must take my cloak.’
The cloak was pressed into his hands and, once again, William climbed the stairs to see if it was safe to leave.
* * *
‘We can go out, then?’ Lady Anna asked, her face a blur.
She had joined him at the top of the steps and was standing in the half-light on the landing. Her eyes gleamed as they watched him, her trusting smile warmed him better than any cloak. William swallowed, the sound seemed loud in the quiet of the cistern. He had spent hours in the dark with this woman and now that there was some light he couldn’t tear his eyes from her. The top of her head reached his shoulders. He noted the fall of her hair as it framed her face and something that felt alarmingly like longing shivered through hi
m.
She drew in a breath and her breasts lifted. ‘Will—’
He reached out to touch her mouth with his fingertips and that gentle smile didn’t waver. His stomach rocked.
‘A moment, just one,’ he muttered and bent to take her lips with his.
Her mouth was as soft as it had been before, it was as welcoming. Spring—she even tasted of spring.
Her hands settled on his shoulders. ‘William.’
William’s blood pounded in his ears and when, with a murmur of disapproval, she pushed the cloak aside and found his skin, his muscles bunched and jumped under her fingertips. Her touch, though light, left fire in its wake. She was gentle and refined—why did he feel this fire for her? She was sweet and innocent, he should not be touching her.
He groaned, the sensual throbbing in his veins would surely alarm her. But he could not draw back, not yet. Taking her firmly by the chin, he guided her mouth back to his. She gave a little moan.
One small kiss was met, eagerly it seemed. She was pure delight.
Then another kiss. And another.
William knew he was leaving Constantinople, but he could not stop. Pushing guilt from his mind, he took the kiss deeper. And, improbable though it was, she allowed each kiss to become more intimate, more devastating than the last. His tongue teased hers, her tongue teased his. He bit her bottom lip, she bit his. She gave a gurgle of laughter he felt in his toes.
With a jolt, William became aware of voices outside. Abruptly, he released her.
Lady Anna gave a little cough and stepped back. William could not help it—he had to touch her just once more. He contented himself with simply running a finger down a beautifully flushed cheek.
Pushing the shield aside, he gripped her hand and turned for the door.
‘Why the kiss, William?’ she asked quietly.
Breaking step, he turned. Smiled. This woman was easy to smile at. ‘Last chance.’
Her eyes glittered, her expression was puzzled. In the light streaming in through the door, her lips were rosy from kissing. Bringing his head closer, he drew in the scent of spring. ‘You, my lady, are ripe for kissing, and that was likely my last chance. Once we reach the Palace, you will be surrounded—the Princess, your father, ladies, servants…’ he raised an eyebrow ‘…and in case you need reminding, I am returning to Apulia.’
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