Free My Valiant Knight by Hannah Howell Page B

hair. She was not so naive that she was unable to recognize an attempt at seduction, but she did not feel any inclination to rebuff him. Although she knew there was little chance of his ploys leading to anything more than a turn in his bed for the duration of her stay at Bellefleur, she discovered that she was still curious and highly aroused by his actions.
    “Ye talk a great deal of pretty foolishness,” she murmured, making no attempt to elude him when he gently caged her body between his and the wall.
    “Foolishness? Nay. ’Tis but the pure truth. You do have very lovely blue eyes and hair that leaves a man speechless, there being no words to adequately describe such beauty.”
    Ainslee shuddered when he brushed his lips over her forehead. They were soft and warm, and their touch clouded her mind. She knew he was going to kiss her. Despite a multitude of self-scoldings about rampant vanity and the folly of it, Ainslee had suspected that he wanted to kiss her since shortly after they met. It might be wise and proper to sternly rebuff his advances, but she knew she was going to consign right and proper to the winds. She was far too curious, had thought about kissing him often enough to want to know what it would feel like. When he touched his lips to hers, she leaned into him, wordlessly conveying her willingness.
    Warmth rushed through her body, pushing away all remnants of the chill caused by the brisk weather. She clutched at the front of his thick tunic, desperately needing the support when he slowly began to deepen the kiss. A tremor went through her when he invaded her mouth with his tongue. Each stroke of his tongue within her mouth increased the sense of hunger swamping her. She clung more tightly to him, pressing her body closer to his as, for a moment, she fully succumbed to the power of his kiss. Then, as he smoothed his hands over her back, a flicker of alarm broke through passion’s haze. The need in her was too strong, the desire too hot and fast.
    It was not easy, but Ainslee pushed Gabel away. She took a few deep unsteady breaths and, her voice so thick and husky she barely recognized it as her own, she said, “I believe I will return to my chambers now. ‘Tis a very fine room, though ’tis still a prison.” Afraid she was in danger of babbling, she sidled around him and headed toward the narrow steps which led down from the walls. “Howbeit, prison or not, it does seem the safest place for me to be right now.” Without waiting for him to respond, she fled.
    Gabel smiled as he watched her flee. It was wrong to try and seduce her, yet he found it easy to push aside all twinges of guilt. That one kiss had shown him a glimpse of a passion so fierce and rich he could not simply ignore it, no matter how fleeting it may be. He knew Ainslee would now try to hide from him, and he would allow her that escape for a while, but he knew nothing would stop him from taking up the chase again—soon.

Six
    As quietly as she could, Ainslee began to creep down the stairs. For the first time since Michael had been ordered to guard her four days ago, she had caught him napping. It only surprised her a little, as she had worked very hard to ensure that the young man got no sleep during the night. She had done everything from noisily moving the heavy furniture in her bedchamber—thus stirring up his suspicions about what she was doing—to using the garderobe so often he had to think she was ill. Her games had left her exhausted as well, but they had succeeded in freeing her of her constant shadow for the first time since her arrival at Bellefleur.
    She glanced over her shoulder to make certain Michael was not following her. When she looked back down the stairs, she cursed and abruptly stopped. Another few steps and she would have walked right into Gabel. He stood at the foot of the stairs, hands on his trim hips, watching her with unveiled suspicion.
    “And where are you creeping away to, m’lady?” asked Gabel.