Page 127 of Laird of Smoke
Not the first time.And definitely not now.
The trust in her eyes tormented him.The joy in her face pained his heart.
He’d distracted her enough for the sleight of hand he required.But that distraction had taken on a life of its own.
He’d never dreamed she would want to lie with him.Not here, in the wilds of the woods.Not now, when she was so determined to meet with the king.
He could have,shouldhaverefused her.
Aye, she’d been nigh irresistible, reclining there like an alluring selkie.Her body glowed in the patch of sun.Her dark hair spilled down over her pale shoulders to caress her delicate breasts.Her sultry gaze melted him like butter.
But he had more willpower than that.He was a man of honor.Certainly he could have resisted her.He could have turned and dived back into the burn, letting the cold water shrink away all desire.
Instead, he’d succumbed to temptation, just like Adam in the Bible, accepting the forbidden fruit from Eve.It had been sweet and delicious and satisfying.
But now, having her look up at him with such adoration as they neared the encampment, knowing what he had to do, he felt like the worst traitor since Judas.
“Do ye think we’re close?”he asked.
“Just up ahead,” she told him.“Not far from where we met.”
He let her lead the way, praying for courage.
At sight of the first red-and-gold pavilions, she turned to him with a knowing nod, telling him wordlessly that it was indeed the royal encampment.
They moved through the pavilions, garnering little attention, for they appeared to be harmless clergy.But Adam was still amazed that they’d been here only a few hours ago, and no one seemed to recognize either of them.
Adam they might overlook.Men didn’t give him a second glance.
But Eve was breathtaking, whether she was clad in a lady’s gown or a nun’s habit.That no one saw that was unfathomable.
At the far end of the camp, the king emerged from his pavilion.
“Let me speak with him,” Eve murmured.
Adam knew that was a bad idea.The men-at-arms might not realize that Sister Eve was the same woman who’d teetered by on pattens just this morn.But surely the king would.
Still, that might be for the best.
“All right,” he said, drawing the cowl close around his face.“I’ll be right behind ye.”
She hurried forward, calling out softly, “Your Grace!”
The king looked up.
“May we have a word, Your Grace?”
“Sister?”
Apparently, the king was as blind as every other man.Without her makeup, her horsetail hair, her lavish gown, and her ridiculous footwear, Eve was apparently unrecognizable to him.
“I’m Sister Eve, Your Grace,” she said, “and this is Brother…” Too late, she realized they hadn’t given him a name.
“Adam, Your Grace,” he supplied.There was no need to lie to the king.All would be revealed in a moment.“May we speak privately?”
The king looked slightly annoyed.No doubt he was tired of speaking and eager for war.
Out of Eve’s sight, Adam pulled off his cowl to show the king his face.
