Free A True and Perfect Knight by Rue Allyn Page B

his arms tighten about her. The sensation was wondrous, brilliant and dark, frightening and secure.
    She hung suspended at the boundary of a heaven created solely for her. At the very edge of her senses, a rustling disturbed the need that rose in her. She felt a change in the strength that held her safe. A tiny mewl of protest escaped her.
    But Haven set her on her feet, his arms already leaving her. The need to remain in his embrace confused her, especially when she looked into his face and saw not a gentle lover but a hunter.
    His head was up. His eyes searched the glade. His nostrils flared, as if scenting his prey.
    “Wait here.” And he was gone as swiftly as a hawk that sights a hare.
    Genvieve shivered but felt no cold. She put her hands to her cheeks. Her fingers warmed with the flush of heat on her skin. She could not be yielding to the horrid man, could she? When Roger had gone whoring, Gennie had vowed never to allow a man to dominate her again. But if she held to that vow, then what were these strange feelings that de Sessions inspired? Even in the first days of her marriage, Roger had never kissed her breathless. “ Sacre bleu , what is happening to me?”
    Before she could answer her own question, Haven returned.
    He continued to scan the clearing as he spoke. “Whatever was in those bushes is small and fast, or I would have caught him. Come.” He held out his hand to her. “We’ve been too far from my men for too long.”
    Gennie looked at him as if he had grown three new heads.
    “Well.” He finally looked at her, and thrust his hand closer when she did not take it.
    Gennie shook her head and sidled out of reach.
    “What is wrong with you? We must return to camp now.” The words rushed at her like arrows.
    Her daze broke at the sound. She darted around him and out of the clearing.
    Haven watched her flee, since she was headed back to the rest of their party. But for several moments he stood gazing after her. I kissed her speechless. He smiled at the thought. He savored the remembered flavors of her mouth, the lavender-cream scent of her and the texture of her trembling body’s response to his.
    Still, the kiss was a mistake that he would not make again. He had lost all control and placed them both in danger. If he ever again kissed Genvieve Dreyford he would be certain they were safe and secure from all interruption. Of course, another chance to kiss the widow was unlikely at best, given the way Edward felt about traitors.
    Even worse, she was Roger’s widow. To dally with her would be to dishonor his friendship with Roger, and that Haven would never do. Nor would he break the oath he gave to that condemned friend to protect the man’s family. What kind of protection would it be to bed his friend’s wife? No, touching the woman again was out of the question.

Chapter Seven
    Haven stepped out of the woods and saw Gennie standing on the opposite side of the clearing. She spoke with Therese, her gestures sharp and impatient. The widow was still flustered. Obviously he had a strong affect on her. The thought pleased him and broadened his smile. Therese departed, throwing a glare at Haven as she did so. He considered going to the widow, but before he could decide, Soames approached with Lindel in tow. So Haven turned his grin on his second-in-command.
    “What ho, Soames?”
    “Sir, Lindel has news of those riders to the north.”
    Haven’s grin became a thin line with the speed of a Welsh arrow. He gestured for the two men to accompany him into the trees sheltering the edge of the clearing. “Tell me.”
    “Sir,” Lindel spoke quietly, “I followed the tracks, as Soames ordered. Since the day after we left York, fifteen armed men have ridden the same course as ours about a league to the north. Sometimes one or two of them break off to come south and watch our party. Yesterday, when we crossed the river, they remained on the other side.”
    “Have any forded the river to continue their watch on