The Knight's Tempting Ally by Ella Matthews

Author:Ella Matthews
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-12-10T18:48:13+00:00

Chapter Ten

The steady thump of Theo’s heart was comforting beneath her ear. His chest was solid and comfortable. She wanted to explore the firm planes with her fingertips, but she restricted herself to placing one palm on his stomach. Her hand rose and fell as he breathed steadily. His arms were around her, holding her tightly, but not restricting. She was safe here. Theo would never hurt her.

Her eyelids closed and she forced them open. She needed to tell him about her morning and then she needed to plan. If Gobert thought they were marrying within the week then she only had a few days to get away to St Helena’s. It was strange how her heart twisted at the thought. Not because she would miss her family, but because she would be parted from the man who held her; the man who had shown her such support, whose arms were strong and warm and who she was beginning to think of as her dearest friend. And, if she occasionally pictured his mouth on hers, that was only natural after the way he had described it. She was curious, nothing more.

She didn’t think about it for long. Theo questioned her about her talk with Mistress Mary. He took her through every aspect of the encounter, making sure she told him the exact words Mary had used, even down to how long Mistress Ward had cried and how she sat and held herself. Finally, he agreed with her assessment of the situation: Baron Lyconett, Mistress Mary’s lover, was not guilty of the murder of John.

‘There is no need for you to sound so smug.’ Medea could hear Theo’s laughter in his mild reprimand.

She laughed, a contented chuckle against his chest. ‘Do you have any idea who killed John?’ If she hadn’t been leaning on him, she wouldn’t have noticed Theo’s slight hesitation. She sat up slightly, not enough to pull herself out of his arms, but enough so that she could see into his eyes. ‘What is it, Theo? Are you hiding something from me?’

‘I am hiding many things from you, Medea. All of them I am sworn by oath to keep as secret. You needn’t worry, none of them affects your safety.’

‘Is it someone I know? Because I did not recognise the murderer’s voice or shape.’

‘I’m sorry, Medea. If I could tell you everything I know, then I would. I trust you, but I cannot allow my personal feelings to override my years of training.’

Medea’s heart dropped. She leaned back into his chest so he couldn’t see the despondency in her eyes. It shouldn’t matter that he wouldn’t tell her anything other than what she already knew. She did understand, but that didn’t stop disappointment seeping into her bones.

‘Does your hair ever stay in a braid?’ Medea felt the gentle tug of Theo’s fingers pulling on a strand of her hair and all thoughts of spying and murder left her as the most delicious tingle ran across her scalp.

‘No. It’s very wilful.

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