Free Samantha James by His Wicked Promise

intense. Her gaze slipped to his mouth…ah, dangerous territory, that! Her regard finally settled on the bronzed column of his throat.
    “You are wrong, Egan. There is nothing between us.” She despised herself, for now her denial was even weaker than before.
    He stepped close, so close her breasts brushed the front of his tunic. “Of a sudden you are reluctant to look me in the eye,” he observed. “Indeed, if that is true, then look me in the eye and tell me so.”
    Egan saw the way she swallowed, sensed her struggle as she finally lifted her gaze. And as their eyes tangled, he saw the leap of fear, heard the labor of her breath, felt the rise and fall of her breasts…and knew her anxious panic.
    Dear God, was he elated? Or as terrified as she was?
    For Egan had just discovered that she could not tell him, would not tell him…for it was not true. He’d wondered if she felt what he did, and now he knew. Oh, she could talk of honor and respect and admiration, but he was not fooled. She’d not be so skittish if there was nothing, as she claimed so righteously.
    It was too soon. Deep in his soul, he knew it. But if he could not have her lips, he would at least have this. He raised a hand, intending to trace the delicate line of her mouth, just for an instant.
    Her lashes fell, hiding from him what he craved so desperately. She turned her head away in the heartbeat before he would have touched her.
    “Do not, Egan. I beg of you, do not.”
    Her voice was so low he had to strain to catch the words. Her plea hung between them, like stale smoke in the air.
    Egan’s hand dropped slowly to his side. He stared at her, while she stared into the shadows across the room. Time stretched into eternity. Neither of them moved.
    It was Glenda who broke the tense, ringing silence. “I’ll see that there is food ready when you leave in the morn.”
    His jaw tensed. “I’ll not be leaving.”
    Her eyes flashed to his. “I beg your pardon?”
    “I’ll not be leaving in the morn,” he reiterated coolly.
    A moment’s hesitation. Though spite was not his way, a part of him relished her uncertainty.
    “What,” she said faintly. “The next day, then?”
    “Nay. Not then or the day after, or even the day after that.”
    His coolness rekindled her fire. “Explain yourself, if you please.”
    “Certainly. Cameron charged me with your care—with your protection—and I will see to it.”
    “There is no need.”
    “There is every need, since I was—”
    “Aye, I know! Charged with my care! But I now discharge you of that obligation.”
    “My obligation was to Cameron, not you, Glenda. Even were it not so, I have an obligation to myself to see that you are safe.”
    “I am quite safe, and I am hardly alone. I have Bernard and Milburn, and Nessa and Jeannine.”
    “Nonetheless, I am staying.”
    Her mouth opened and closed. Egan was not about to back down, and perhaps she knew it. Still, it seemed she would have the last word.
    “One night, Egan. You may stay this one night, and that is all.”
    She swept past him with nary a glance, the set of her small shoulders stiff with proud defiance. Egan waited until the echo of her footsteps had faded, then finally moved to close the door.
    Did she truly think he would leave her in this place, such as it was? Why, the very idea was laughable!
    I have Bernard and Milburn, and Nessa and Jeannine .
    Egan shook his head in amazement. Did she really believe those four would insure her safety? A woman who was half crippled and another who was daft! A man who was half-blind and half-deaf and would not hear if an entire army crashed through the gates—and another who apparently was as fond of bathing in his ale as drinking it!
    And did she truly think there was nothing between them?
    He could not help but shake his head in disbelief. We shall see, sweet lady , he thought to himself. We shall see .

Chapter 5
    As luck would have it, Egan was one of the first ones Glenda encountered when