Captive Rose by Miriam Minger

Author:Miriam Minger [Minger, Miriam]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: historical fiction, romance, historical romance
ISBN: 9780982883525
Publisher: Walker Publishing
Published: 2010-11-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Loud pounding upon the door startled Guy awake and he groaned, slowly opening his eyes as he rolled over onto his back. He stared at the velvet canopy and rubbed his eyes until they focused clearly.

What the devil had happened? Why did he feel so damn lousy? His head was aching and his mouth was as dry and scratchy as coarse wool.

Guy felt the mattress depress slightly and heard the rustling of linen sheets beside him. He turned his head to see Leila rising stiffly from the bed without so much as a glance in his direction. She was naked, her hair still damp and clinging to her lovely back and buttocks . . .

Suddenly the events of the previous night came rushing back to him and he groaned again, remorse and self-disgust flooding him, as well as incredible relief that she had not managed to escape. Wondering dazedly how that had been accomplished, he watched her quickly dress herself while the vigorous pounding continued on the door.

"God's blood, who is it?" Guy shouted, throwing his forearm over his eyes against the bright sunlight slashing across the rumpled bed. "Cease that infernal racket or I'll—"

"Lord de Warenne! It's Henry Langton. Robert Burnell is here with me, too. We just got your message from the taverner that you were here, so we came night up. Open the door so we can get a good look at you, man. It's been a hell of a long time. And traveling with a new wife, no less!"

Guy sat up in bed, trying to shake off the muddled haze still lingering in his brain.

Of course. Langton and Burnell. He had left a message for them to meet with him early this morning so that they could journey together the rest of the way to London.

"Hold a minute!" he called out, climbing from the bed. As he stood up, he grabbed a torn curtain to steady himself against a sudden wave of dizziness and waited on unsteady legs until it passed. "Damn," he muttered.

How long would it be before he was free of the drug's unpleasant aftereffects? He saw Leila glance furtively at him from the bench where she was sitting, then she lowered her lashes and quickly resumed braiding her hair, her exquisite jawline set obstinately as if she was damned and determined to ignore him.

"Those men outside the door are my own knights," he sought to explain as he snatched a towel from the floor and slung it around his hips. "Remember? I told you about them last night."

Silence.

"They'll be traveling with us to Westminster. I told the taverner you were my wife, and he has obviously informed them of that, but I'll set them straight when I introduce you."

More silence.

Guy swallowed hard, acutely aware of what she must be thinking about him. If she had hated him before, he could well imagine how much she hated him now. He wanted to try and explain what had come over him last night, but she probably didn't care to hear any explanations.

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