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Breathless and laughing, Je
Sir Godfrey obligingly went off to solicit a dance from the lady in question, and Royce led Je
"Thank you," she said, happy and flushed, her chest heaving with exertion. "I truly needed a moment to rest." Royce's gaze drifted appreciatively to the rosy skin swelling above the square bodice of her gown, making Je
"And on the battlefield," he said with a disarming grin.
"On the battlefield?" she echoed, perplexed.
He nodded, his grin widening. "Watch any warrior who's trying to dodge arrows and lances and you'll see dance steps and footwork that would dazzle you."
His ability to laugh at himself warmed Je
Royce followed the direction of Je
Emboldened by the wine, Je
"I've never seen him laugh. And he speaks as little as necessary."
Gazing up into his compelling eyes, Je
"We were never actually introduced," he teased. When she continued to regard him as if waiting for more information, he obliged by saying, "The first time I saw Arik 'twas eight years ago, in the thick of a battle that had been raging for over a se
"And that was all there was to it?" Je
"Not quite. The next day, near nightfall, I was wounded again, and this time unhorsed as well. As I bent down to pick up my shield, I glanced up and there was a rider coming straight at me, his lance aimed at my heart. The next instant, the lancer was headless, and there was Arik, swooping down to pick up his bloodied axe and riding off. Again without a word.
"My wounds had rendered me virtually useless, and twice more that night Arik appeared-seemingly from nowhere-to fend off my attackers when I was outnumbered. The next day, we routed the enemy and gave chase. I looked over to see Arik riding beside me. He's been there ever since."
"So you gained his undying loyalty because you rescued him from six attackers?" Je
Royce shook his head. "I suspect I gained his undying loyalty a week after that when I killed a large snake that was trying to share Arik's blanket without his knowledge."
"You don't mean to tell me," Je
Royce gave her a look of feigned affront. "Women are afraid of snakes," he explained unequivocally. "Men hate them." Then he spoiled the whole effect with a boyish grin. "It means the same thing, however."
Royce gazed down into her laughing blue eyes, longing to kiss her, and Je
He stiffened slightly, and then he quietly said, "I think it's time we go upstairs."
Uncertain just why he'd suddenly made that decision, or if talking was what he intended to do once they got there, Je
"Because you want to talk," he stated levelly, "and I want to take you to bed. In which case, my chamber is better suited to both our purposes than this hall."
Short of making a scene which would only humiliate her, Je
"Even if there was, there's no harm in it," he said patiently. " 'Tis an ancient custom. We can always talk afterward," he said meaningfully.
"Please," Je
He didn't answer her, but as they passed Arik and Aunt Elinor, he stopped to speak to Arik.
The impending departure of the bride and groom was noted almost at once, however, and by the time they'd passed the table on the dais, Je
By the time Royce opened the door to his bedchamber, Je
A door to the left was ajar and opened into a solar; the door on the right evidently opened into the chamber Je