Desire

Clare frowned and wondered why the memory had flickered through her mind today. She had not thought much about Raymond de Coleville since the day Gareth had arrived on the Isle of Desire.

In truth, it was difficult to think of any other man except her husband these days. Gareth was too large, too overwhelming, too interesting to allow space for others in her mind. He made other men, especially the pale memories of a man who had lied to her, seem very small and quite ordinary.

"Clare?" Joa

"Aye, Joa

"Nay, I merely came to show you my latest embroidery design. I think it will do very nicely for the larger pillows." Joa

"It's wonderful, Joa

"A unicorn." Joa

"The ladies of London are very fond of unicorns. Well, then, if you approve, I shall set the village women and the nuns to work on the new pillow scenes immediately."

"Excellent."

"We should have a large number ready to fill with your dried herbs and flowers by midsummer."

"At least this shipment will likely reach its destination. Lord Gareth will see to that." Clare added two handfuls of rose petals to the mixture in the pot.

"Aye. The Hellhound has his uses, I'll grant you that much." Joa

"I wonder if he'll stay with us through the winter."

"What?" Clare whirled around. "Of course he'll stay with us. This is his home now. Why would he leave?"

Joa

"Aye, but what of the robbers who are a constant threat to our shipments ?" Clare felt stu

"I expect it will be no problem for Lord Gareth to arrange for some of his men-at-arms to remain here on Desire to handle the shipments." Joa

"Young William is not the only one who has grown fond of Sir Ulrich, is he?" Clare asked gently.

Joa

"Aye. And he seems equally fond of you."

Joa

Lucky Joa

"He kissed me last night." Joa

"Aye. But I suspect it is only thus with the right man."

Joa

"Lord Gareth has said nothing to me of leaving."

"Men rarely discuss their plans with women. You know that. Did your brother ever bother to inform you of his intentions until he had one foot out the door?"

"Nay, but Lord Gareth is different. He discusses important matters with me."

"Your husband is still at the stage where it amuses him to indulge a new wife. That will soon change," Joa

Clare's stomach tightened. She could not bear the thought of Gareth leaving, not now when they were just begi

Not now when she had begun to hope that she could make him fall in love with her.

"I shall see about this." Clare started toward the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To find my husband. I wish to speak to him."

Joa

"Doing what?"

"Supervising the repairs of the windmill, I believe. One of the sails is being replaced."

"This won't take but a moment."

Clare went through the door. The windmill stood on the far side of the courtyard. Its sails were still. Several men, including Gareth and Ulrich, were gathered around the mill. From the serious expressions on their faces, one would have thought they stood around an open grave.

She wondered briefly if men assumed such airs of concern when faced with broken mechanical devices merely to impress each other or if they were genuinely alarmed by the challenge of repairing the items.

"My lord." She halted a few paces away from the crowd of males. "I wish to speak to you."

Gareth reluctantly dragged his attention away from the torn sailcloth and glanced at her. "Later, madam. As you can see, I am occupied just now."

"This is very important." Clare was aware that every man in the small crowd was listening with keen interest. "It will not take but a moment."

Gareth's brow rose in reaction to her peremptory tone. "Very well, if it is that important." He nodded at Ulrich. "Continue with the work. I shall return soon."

"Aye, my lord." Ulrich turned back to the flapping sailcloth with an ill-concealed smile.

Gareth strode over to where Clare stood. He looked down at her, his broad shoulders blocking her view of the mill. "Well, then, Clare? What is it that is so urgent that it could not wait?"

Clare suddenly felt ridiculous. But she had to ask the question. "I merely wished to know if you intend to leave Desire in the near future?"

"Leave?"

"Aye." She glowered at him. "There are some who feel that once you've secured your lands and got me with child, you'll be off. I wanted to know if that was your intention."

Gareth stared at her. "Are you with child?"

"Uh, no." Clare cleared her throat. "At least I do not believe that to be the case. Gareth, that is not the issue. I am asking if you plan to leave the isle."

Gareth's mouth tightened grimly. "Hell's teeth, this is not the time to discuss such matters. I'm trying to get that damned windmill fixed."

"Is the mill more important than your future plans, sir?"

He raked his fingers through his hair. "What in the name of the devil made you seek me out to ask me this now?"

"Never mind, my lord. Just answer my question. Are you pla

"Do you want me gone, then?"

"Nay, my lord." Clare looked at the broad expanse of his chest. "In truth, I find you extremely useful to have around and am not anxious to see you leave."

"Useful?"

"Aye, sir. Useful."

"How am I useful?"

"Well, you did an excellent job of repairing the j machine I use for pressing oil from roses and ci

"Thank you," Gareth said through set teeth. "I am glad that I was able to give satisfactory service."

Clare realized he was angry. Her own temper flared. "I just want to know your plans so that I can make my own arrangements. Does that seem too much to ask?"

He regarded her with a cool, shuttered gaze. "I have. no intention of leaving Desire unless I am summoned by my father. I am Thurston of Landry's vassal and as such, I owe him a set number of days of service each year should he demand such. You know that as well as I do."

Clare scowled. "I am not an idiot. I fully comprehend that, my lord. I wasn't talking about the duty that you owe to Lord Thurston. I was referring to your personal plans."

"At the moment, my personal plans involve getting that damned mill repaired as soon as possible. After that I intend to check on the stonemasons' progress. When I have finished that task, I shall return to my workroom to continue my experiments. Does that answer your question?"