Page 67 of Lord of Dunkeathe
She must have interrupted him as he prepared for bed. He wore only an unlaced shirt that fell to midthigh, and those thighs were encased in tight-fitting woolen breeches. He had on his old, scuffed boots, which perhaps explained why she hadn’t heard him creep up on her.
“I’m not here to seduce you,” she declared, both for him, and for herself.
His gaze flicked down to her breasts in the tight gown and against her will, she felt her body respond—the softening of the tension, the pebbling of her nipples against the fine fabric.
“Whatareyou doing here then?” he demanded, his voice low and husky. “That gown seems designed for no other purpose than seduction.”
She forced herself to concentrate on the real reason for her presence there. Having been discovered, she had little choice but to tell him the truth, and hope that she could prevail upon him to help Eleanor. “It was a necessary disguise and the reason for it will become clear as I explain.”
He made a sweeping gesture toward the one and only chair. “By all means, my lady, sit and explain.”
She moved farther into the room, away from him, and focused her attention on her surroundings. The chamber wasn’t as large as she’d expected for the lord of the castle, and was distinctly spartan, more befitting a soldier than a nobleman. Thesingle chair had a high, plain back and no cushion. A candlestand and brazier stood together in a corner as if they were simply stored there. Other furnishings included a very battered and chipped chest and a simple wooden table with basin and ewer.
In fact, the only thing that signified she was in a lord’s chamber was the bed—a very big bed, hung with thick curtains and sporting a coverlet that shimmered in the moonlight, as if it were made of silk.
“I have had my fill of sleeping on the ground, in haystacks or on cots with my feet hanging over the end,” he said.
Silently cursing herself for staring as if she’d never seen a bed before—even though, in truth, she’d never seen one quite like that—she flushed and hurried to take the chair.
Nicholas sat on the end of the bed and crossed his arms. “So, my lady, why are you here?”
“For Eleanor’s sake.”
He coolly raised a brow. “How does coming into my bedchamber dressed as you are benefit Eleanor?”
“It’s necessary for Percival to think she’s been here.”
Resolved to speak plainly, Riona rose to face him. “Her cousin is determined that you marry her, so much so that he’s commanded her to seduce you. If she fails, Percival says he’ll send her away to a convent. Being a good and honorable woman, Eleanor was rightly appalled by the idea, but she didn’t know what to do, so—”
“So she came to you.” It was a statement, not a question.
Did he think that wise or foolish? She couldn’t tell; his features revealed nothing of his thoughts. “Yes,” she admitted, continuing with her explanation. “We decided to trick Percival into thinking she was complying with his command until you make your choice.”
“And what was to happen if and when I discovered you in my bedchamber?”
Riona tried to sound as calm as he, but it wasn’t easy. Yet Eleanor’s fate was more important than any discomfort—or anything else—she felt in the lord of Dunkeathe’s presence. “I thought that wouldn’t happen.”
“A pity you didn’t realize soldiers learn to sleep lightly and dress quickly.”
She ran a swift gaze over him. “No, I hadn’t anticipated that.”
“And if you were found trying to get into my bedchamber, or alone with me? What then, my lady?”
Here she was on safer ground. “I knew there was no chance we could be shamed into marriage, or forced to wed. My uncle would never make me marry against my will.”
“I see,” he replied. His brow rose, as if they were discussing nothing more important than a change in the weather. “I trust Lady Eleanor is suitably grateful that you’re willing to risk your reputation for her sake?”
She’d had enough of trying to stay calm and composed. She’d make him appreciate that Eleanor was in serious jeopardy, and it was his fault, too. “Yes, she is—but it was a risk I was glad to take, because Percival’s also told her that if she cannot persuade you to bed her,hewill.”
As she’d hoped, Nicholas ceased to look calm, but she hadn’t expected to see the murderous rage that came to his face as he swiftly got to his feet. His eyes seemed to burn with it, his whole body to throb with ire. He strode to the chest and grabbed the sword and scabbard laying atop it. “By God, I’ll make the man a eunuch.”
Believing he would do it, she ran to block the door. “As much as I’d like to see him punished, too, he’s her legal guardian. He has powerful friends, as you know, and he’s vicious, which you might not. If you hurt him, he may not take it out on you, but on Eleanor.”
“Then I’ll just kill him.”
“No!” she cried, putting her hands on his broad chest and pushing him back. It was like trying to move a stone wall, yet she persisted. “Curb your rage and think! That might only make things worse for both of you. What of your future that concerns you so much? Percival’s influential friends would surely turn against you.
“Even if your explanation was accepted and you were absolved of murder, what of Eleanor? I don’t know who would become her guardian then. Do you? Can you promise me she would be any safer?”
