Free Knight Errant by Rue Allyn

the man escorted a laughing Juliana back to Robert. She grasped his hand as the music started up again. “Come, Sir Robert. ’Tis your turn.”
    He allowed himself to be pulled into the center of the dancers and bowed.
    The event was supposed to be innocent fun. But nothing about dancing with Juliana was innocent—except the lady herself. Robert doubted she knew the power she held. A touch of fingers here. A brush of arm there.
    ’Twas nothing like the heated kiss they had shared in Genoa, but the tremors of delight at each touch were the same. In Genoa, he had the excuse of protecting her and the anonymity of a huge crowd. Here, before her sister Beguines and men to whom she was known, he could only look and hold her gaze as the movements required. He had no excuse for the heady rush of passion that seized him.
    While they capered, he could see the rise and fall of her breasts, remember their softness pressed against him. He could stroke the barest tip of her finger and recall her grip in his hair as she had kissed him. Even with the tang of the sea, he could smell the sweet scent of her and feel his body harden as it had in Genoa.
    Saints, how he wanted her, and he could never have her. He was in agony. Yet, he would not give up this tender pain for Gabriel and all the trumpets in paradise.
    • • •
    Juliana hurried up the short stairs that led to the quarters assigned to the women. Behind her, laughter continued apace with the music. She hated to stop, but many more of Robert’s casual touches and she would surely faint from sheer pleasure.
    She needed to get away from Robert, away from her treacherous emotions. She needed time and space to think.
    Luigi stepped between her and the door to calm and safety.
    “Do not go,
bella mia
.”
    Not wanting him to see her distress, she smiled, but her hands fluttered for a moment. Luigi caught them, covering her fingers with kisses before she could fold her hands together. She tugged, but he refused to release her, pulling her closer instead.
    Still gripping her fingers, he raised one of his arms over her head in a move used by contra dancers and adroitly settled it at her back, his palm resting at her hip. He had secured her between her own arm and his. Unless he let go, she could not move.
    “Please.”
    “
Si
.” He kissed her swiftly, then raised his head to study her face.
    As kisses went, Juliana supposed Luigi’s caress was adequate. She had only Robert and her former betrothed for comparison, but she found the Saracen’s lips dry and passionless.
    “That touch did not stir you in the least, did it?”
    She blushed and lowered her eyelids. “I . . . you mustn’t think . . .”
    “Shh.” He laid a finger against her lips. “Do not dissemble,
bellisima
. ’Tis a shame, but I can tell that your heart lies elsewhere.” Abruptly he dropped his hand and stepped back from her.
    “Is all well here, Lady Juliana?”
    She started. Robert’s stern tones came from over her shoulder. What must he think to find her alone with Luigi?
    “All is perfectly well, Sir Robert. Our captain simply wished me good night.”
    Robert raised a brow. “Then allow me to add my wishes for happy dreams and a peaceful rest.”
    “Thank you, and good night to you both.” She escaped into the cabin and prayed for calm.
    Finally alone, Juliana considered the encounter with Luigi. The captain did not strike her as a person who easily gave up when he wanted something. Yet, he had been the one to back away when he recognized her lack of feeling for him. He had pointed out that her heart lay in another direction. Somehow she did not think he meant her devotion to good works and the Beguines. No, he meant Sir Robert, a much knottier problem than a captain whose ship she would leave in a few days. Robert would be at her side for far too many days. The terrifying truth was, she wanted him in a most elemental and disturbing manner. Worse yet, she liked him.
    She sat on the narrow cot and