Page 78 of The Knight's Pledge
“Come to me tonight.” She clutched at him, begging for another kiss until he granted it. “Noone will know.”
“Go,” he said,stepping away.
“Come to me tonight,” she insisted.
His smoldering gaze caused her stomach to clench.
“You know I will.”
She turned and walked from the stable toward the back door of the inn on unsteady legs, her head held high in an effort tomask her shame.
Effie knew she couldn’t bear to slip into the midst of the group again so soon after leaving Lucan Montague’s arms. She took a candle stand from the kitchen bench unnoticed and went directly upstairs and to her chamber, bolting the door behind her. After lighting the wick from a straw thrust in the brazier, she curled into a ball on the bed.
God, she could still feel his hands on her. She could taste him, feel him inside her. Her entire body seemed to vibrate from his lovemaking and, try as she might, she could not even bring to mind the image of Gorman Littlebrook’s face, and itfrightened her.
A tear escaped from the corner of her eye and vanished into the pillow ticking, causing Effie to swipe at her face angrily.
Lucan Montague did not love her—he could never love her. They hated each other. She’d shot him,for God’s sake!
Why do you hate him? a little voice inher head asked.
Because he hated me first. He hated Northumberland. He left them—abandoned us all.
He was sent to France. He was but a boy—hehad no choice.
He was Vaughn Hargrave’s lapdog.
Vaughn Hargrave held hostage his very life—his lands, his coin.
He aided him.
He agreed to aid the king. And now he is aiding you. You don’t hate him. You want to. But you don’t hate him at all…
You love him. Madly.
A soft rap sounded on her door, and Effie froze. She pushed up onto her hip and swiped at her eyes.
“Who is it?”
“Only me.” Gorman.
Effie took a deep breath and scrambled from the narrow bed, smoothing down her hair as she crossed to the door. She slid the bolt free and crackedopen the door.
“What’s wrong?” she said.
“Nothing,” Gorman answered. “I was worried about you.”
Effie’s guilt intensified hearing the same words she’d spoken to Lucan only an hour ago.
“I thought I’d get an early night.”
He watched her closely and stepped forward, pushing the door open and looking about the room, cocking his head to peer under the bed, glancing behind the door—she knew it wasn’t lovers he was looking for; unfortunately Gorman knew the games too well.
“You’re alright?”
Effienodded. “Yes.”
Then, to her dread, he reached out and caressed her hair, taking another half step into the room. “Wantsome company?”
