Free Lady of Fire by Anita Mills Page A

formed in her throat. "I would not offend you." She clasped her hands behind her back and walked toward the door.
    With a sigh, Roger heaved himself out of the water and caught up with her. "Nay, Lea, you offend me not. 'Tis that you are such an innocent you know not what you do." Her placed a wet hand on her shoulder. "I am not all you think me, and I would not betray your trust in me. Indeed, I would live up to that trust and keep my faith with you." His attention was suddenly drawn to the yellow-purple mark along her jawline. "How did this happen, Lea?"
    "Belesme."
    He felt sick again. He could not bear the thought of Robert's touching her at all. "I swear I'll make him pay—I swear it!"
    "Nay, if I can but be safe from him, I will consider he's paid."
    "Henry and I are decided—I will take you to England as soon as I can make some arrangements for the disposal of my lands."
    "England? The disposal of your lands? Roger, what are you saying?"
    He dropped his hand. "Lea, I am too weary to tell all tonight."
    "But what of your lands?" she persisted.
    "I'll get them back when all's done," he answered aloud even while thinking he would if he lived to the end of his plans.
    "When all's done?"
    "Lea, leave me be! I tell you I am too weary to discuss it."
    "Roger, I cannot let you do anything that would cost you your lands. I know too well the price you have paid for them with your sword and your blood." She walked behind him and touched again the ugly scar still forming on his back. "You have risked your life in other men's causes to get where you are."
    That burning touch again. He jerked away in guilt. "Lea, I stand here naked and freezing whilst you would talk of land. Fetch me a tunic out of my roll.
    "Roger, are you angry with me?" She unrolled the pack and smoothed out a white linen shirt. " 'Tis unlike you to be so cross."
    He reached for the shirt and shrugged it over his head. "Angry? Nay, I tell you I am tired." Water spots formed on the garment as it absorbed the last vestiges of bathwater from his skin. He drew back his blanket and flopped onto the narrow cot. "Leave me be."
    "You haven't eaten."
    "I cannot." He closed his eyes and cradled his head. He could hear her move away. "Where are you going?"
    "I am leaving you be," she answered simply.
    "Nay, I meant it not like that. Sit with me."
    With a sigh, she pulled up a falstool and sat down. He reached for her hand and held it tightly against his cheek. The bluish rings that hollowed his eyes seemed even more pronounced in the faint light. She would have leaned over and smoothed back the damp hair from his face, but thought better of it. Instead, she had to content herself with sitting quietly as his breathing evened out. Slowly his grip on her hand relaxed and he slipped into sleep. Only then did she dare brush back the rumpled hair from his temple.
    "Oh, Roger," she whispered, "I would that I knew what ails you."
    "Lea, trust me!" Roger's voice was low and intense as they walked within the walled garden.
    "But I cannot do it!" Lea's voice rose in an anguished whisper. "Last night, you came and offered me hope. Today, you tell me I am to wed Belesme!"
    "Nay, you mistake my words, Lea. I said you are to appear to accept the marriage. I must have you out of here if I am to succeed. Once you are in Rouen, you will escape and I will smuggle you out of Normandy."
    "And if you cannot—I am wed to the Devil incarnate."
    "I will—I swear. Lea, I do this for myself as well as for you."
    "Because of your vow to me."
    "Aye. That and other reasons."
    "What if he forces himself on me before I can escape?"
    "He won't." Roger fingered the dagger at his belt grimly. "I will see you are not alone with him if I have to make my peace with Gilbert to do it."
    Eleanor stopped and studied Roger. She wanted to believe him—indeed, in all of their years, she'd never had cause to doubt anything he'd ever told her. In the years since his vow to her at Nantes, he had been faithful to his