Page 22 of Promise of a Knight
Alex closed his fingers around her square of linen. “Keep it, good sir, as a keepsake of yer victory.”
Alaric flashed her a mischievous smile. “Might I beg a walk about the field?”
Alex glanced toward the princess and Lady Home. The latter glowered, but Princess Margaret fairly squealed.
“Go on, stretch your legs, Lady Alexandra.”
Alex didn’t wait for her chaperone to contradict, or follow them. She leapt up and eagerly took hold of Alaric’s arm.
“Ye were verra brave,” she said, smiling up at him. “Looks as though ye’ve done this a time or two before.”
“Never. This was my first,” he teased with a wink. “Well, my first imploring a favor from anyone other than the princess.”
“Oh,” Alex whispered, stunned and thrilled. What must that have said to Princess Margaret and the rest of the English court?
“I wish us to be friends, Lady Alexandra, good friends.” The disarming smile creased his features, eyes twinkling.
She could have melted.
Friends? Good friends? She wanted to be more than friends… How easily he seemed to forgive her. They’d not spoken since they’d both blurted out their feelings on the stairs, and she’d assumed he was mad at her, or distancing himself for some other logical reason. But today, the token, the walk, his smile, it all pointed toward something different. She had to ask. “How?” she blurted out. “The last time we met—”
His grassy-colored eyes softened and he squeezed her hand gently on his arm. “We were both under a lot of pressure. Still are. But I beg your forgiveness for the way I pursued you.”
She wanted to tell him he could pursue her any time, but she chewed her lip instead and nodded. “Ye are forgiven. I must also extend my apologies. I must confess, I have vowed never to betray yer princess nor my king.”
“I never thought otherwise, my lady.” He stopped walking, taking both of her hands in his. “I have grown very fond of you. I cannot stop thinking about you.”
“And I ye.” But they could never be! She wasn’t sure she wanted to leave Scotland and he would most assuredly not beg a post in her country.
“I must get you back to your tent, as I will have another round soon. But I wanted to tell you I was sorry before the chance was lost to me.”
He tugged her fingers to his lips and she watched hungrily as his mouth skimmed over her knuckles. Oh, but she wanted to feel his lips on her own.
“I can see what you’re thinking plainly on your face, love,” he whispered with a chuckle.
Alex ducked her head, blushing madly.
“Do not be embarrassed. ’Tis very much what I want, too.”
Heaven help her…
“Lady Alexandra!” Lady Home’s sharp voice was heard halfway across the field.
“And so your chaperone has decided to take an interest in your whereabouts after all,” Alaric goaded.
“Aye.” Alex shook her head with disappointment. “Now that we are officially at court, I think she may do so more often.”
The scent of him surrounded her as he leaned closer. Bergamot. Leather. “I will endeavor to save you whenever I can.”
“I will be forever in yer debt, Sir Alaric.” Alex slid her hand down the length of his mail-covered forearm, just to touch him a bit longer instead of abruptly removing her hand.
He caught her hand and once more brought it to his lips. “You will never be in my debt. And please, call me Alaric.”
Alex smiled, feeling giddy with excitement. “Then I insist ye call me Alex. Those that are close to me do.”
“And I am close to you?”
“Ye are right next to me,” she taunted.
Alaric shifted a little closer, his eyes going hooded like they did when he was about to kiss her. “I like being right next to you.”
“I wish ye could stay there.”And kiss me again and again.
With that last line whispered, Alex took off at a run toward the tent, her cheeks flaming and her heart pounding.
