“He had no idea that I was coming with you.”
They laughed together and then Rebecca left her seat and drew Tanon’s hands to her cheek. “I thought you would hate me if you knew how I felt about your father.”
“I’ve known for years.” Tanon decided not to tell her that everyone who ever saw her look at her father knew. “I could never hate you. Now tell me,” Her green eyes gleamed with an impish twinkle. “How does Hereward kiss? Do your knees grow weak?”
Rebecca blushed and then giggled like a girl half her age. “He’s only kissed me once, but it was quite nice.”
The door opened again, and Madoc stepped back inside.
“Where is Hereward?” Tanon looked behind him. “Is everything all right?”
“Aye. There was a crack in the stable door, but it turns out that Llwyd’s horse caused it. The beast got free of its stall. Naught to fret over.” His gaze softened as he strode toward Tanon. “Hereward went to the tavern to speak with Padrig about repairing the damage.”
Tanon offered him a faint smile. Did he truly care for her? Heavens, she hoped not. He was quite a handsome man with his loose, sooty curls drooping over those deep obsidian eyes. His warrior’s body was lean and honed to perfection beneath a black tunic and matching breeches. She would have to find him a wife soon so that he could be happy. She certainly didn’t want another Rebecca on her hands.
“There’s a field not far from here where the amaryllis grows wild and jasmine scents the air,” he told her, bowing ever so slowly.
“I’ve seen it.” Tanon was tempted to take a step back as he moved closer. “We passed it on our way here.”
“Aye, we did. Let me bring you there.” He stopped and plucked a lily from the table. “These are wilting already.”
Tanon shot a helpless look at Rebecca. The nurse shrugged her petite shoulders in return. “I have much to do here,” Tanon said. “Mayhap when Gareth returns—”
“My lady,” he cut her off. He reached for her hand before she could pull it away. “I’m not the cruel beast you saw at the campsite before we arrived here. You mustn’t fear me.”
She laughed and her eyes sparked with pride. “I don’t fear you.” It wasn’t really a lie. She remembered all too well the cold, lethal warrior who had saved her by killing a man not two feet from her face, but she’d been able to put that out of her mind. “It’s just that I…” Her voice trailed off when he lowered his eyes, shielding them beneath long, inky lashes.
“Gareth trusts me with you. I would never betray that.”
Tanon chewed her lower lip. Something in the deep pitch of his voice, the sagging of his usually arrogant shoulders convinced her that he was sincere in his words. Gareth had told her that Madoc would keep her safe. Besides, if he did fancy her, this was the perfect time to speak to him about it.
“All right.” She allowed him to pull her forward. “But we cannot stay too long. I promised Adara I would visit her today.” She cast Rebecca a reassuring smile even though her nurse didn’t look concerned at all.
Tanon was surprised to find two horses saddled and waiting right outside the cottage. Madoc hadn’t expected her to refuse him. She placed her hand on her hip and was about to have her talk with him right then and there, when he flashed her a rakish grin.
“There’s a road beyond the stream that will bring us to our destination faster. I was careful not to trample Gareth’s wheat when I brought the horses to the door. There’s no need to scowl at me so.”
He gained his saddle and reached over to clasp Tanon’s reins. They left the glen just as afternoon practice began and lute, harp and tabor drums filled the air.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Rebecca strode intothe tavern and looked around. Her brow furrowed above her powdery blue eyes. She had no use for such places. A few men sat at wooden tables stained with small white rings left there by years of moist goblets. The sweet smell ofBragawdand ale filled her lungs and churned her stomach. She hoped Hereward wasn’t here getting drunk so early in the day. Brand never touched a flagon until supper, and…. She stopped herself. Would it be so difficult to stop thinking of him? Aye, she answered herself. She’d loved Brand for decades. It was going to take some time getting used to loving someone else.
She scanned the tavern again. Hereward wasn’t in it. Relief spread over her as she left.
Her heart had been held captive for so many years. But the binds were being broken, smashed to pieces by a strong Saxon warrior. She had given Hereward a moment, and he made her want another, until a moment without him stretched on for hours. Spending these last few days with him, she’d learned that he was a proud man, an arrogant warrior, someone who reminded her of her language and her heritage. He could frighten a dozen knights and their captain with little more than his name, but he made her laugh. He made her think, and he made her feel.
“Good day, Padrig,” she greeted when she spotted him leaving his carpenter shop. “I am looking for Hereward. Is he inside?”
“Hereward?” Padrig squinted at her. “Haven’t seen him, m’lady.”
Rebecca paused at the shop’s entrance and peered inside. “Forgive me. Madoc said Hereward was having a word with you.”
Padrig shrugged before hefting a large slab of pine to his shoulder and carrying it to the door. “Mayhap he’s with Lady Tanon.”
Rebecca shook her head. “Lady Tanon left to pick flowers with Madoc.”
Now Padrig stopped and cast her a look that said she was the worst liar in all ofCymru. “Pickingwhatwith Madoc?”