Chapter Ten

E lysande must have lost her mind when she started this mild flirtation with Reynard. She had watched him intently during the evening meal and saw for herself the subtle looks of appreciation he gave her when he did not think she would see. Perchance she was imagining the whole exchange but a part of her soul that craved the adventure she'd never had the luxury to indulge in called to her to explore what might happen with this handsome knight. Aye… she could not deny the attraction she felt for the man, no matter how she vowed to hate him.

Mayhap she should blame the wine she had drunk this eve. She had only wanted to apologize to this man for her earlier behavior. But between the moonlight and watching him this eve, 'twas as though some force had pushed her forward to press her lips to Reynard's. She was almost embarrassed of the childish peck on his mouth that proved she had no knowledge of how this kissing business was supposed to occur between a man and a woman. But how quickly the situation changed once Reynard leaned forward and slid his lips along her own.

His tongue followed along the seam of her mouth causing her to gasp whilst heat rushed throughout her body. But apparently this was the response he wanted for his tongue slipped forward and began to tangle with her own. A moan escaped her from the deepest depths of her soul. Her arms wound their way over his broad shoulders and her fingers began twining themselves in his dark brown hair. She was lost… or mayhap she was found, and she surrendered herself to the sensations this man was sharing with her. Aye, he was teaching her what he liked when he deepened their kiss and she completely forgot everything else but Reynard. From the low moan that rumbled in his chest, Elysande was thrilled to note that Reynard was also enjoying this moment they took for themselves.

A name rushed from his mouth when he began trailing kisses down her cheek to her neck. His hand tightened around her waist pulling her forward until they were chest to chest. Her heart beat a rapid staccato that nearly drowned out everything else—but then the reality of what he had whispered in the heat of the moment finally penetrated her brain.

She broke off the kiss and pushed upon that rock-hard chest to put some distance between them. His eyes may be passion filled but he clearly had been thinking of another.

"Who is Johanna?" she demanded as soon as she found her voice. She stood, quickly straightening her gown and patting down her disheveled hair.

"What?" Reynard asked in confusion. His brows furrowed and he held out his hand as if she would take it after that.

"Johanna. Who is she?" Elysande asked again.

"No one," he answered in a firm tone as he, too, came to his feet.

"Well, she is obviously someone since you thought of her whilst kissing me." She shook her head in a ridiculous attempt to clear it so she could regain her sanity. What a fool she had been! To think that mayhap something could blossom between this man and her.

"Elysande, let me explain," Reynard said stepping forward.

She stepped back and held out her hand to halt his progress forward. "Nay. 'Twas a foolish notion to begin with. I should have never initiated a kiss between us. I promise you I will not push myself on you again. You can go live your life with your fair Johanna."

"Elysande, please…" he began but she wanted nothing further to do with Sir Reynard Norwood.

She whirled around to find her way out of the garden only to have her arm grabbed when Reynard took hold of her trembling limb. "Release me!" she ordered, and he immediately let go of her.

"I am sorry," Reynard said with what appeared as honest regret. "I should have never kissed you, let alone taken things as far as I did. I cannot offer you the life you deserve," he replied in what sounded like a sincere heart… not that it mattered. What did she care if he whispered another woman's name whilst his lips were upon her own?

"Did I ask you for a life together?" she declared sharply. "'Twas only a simple kiss."

One dark brow above his eyes lifted. "To some women, there is nothing simple about a kiss between two people."

A sarcastic sound escaped her as she made every attempt to once more guard her heart. "Then you should be thankful that I am not one of those women."

"You are not?" he asked as though he did not believe her words.

He was correct not to believe her for if anything, the kiss between her and this man had left her completely rattled and defenseless. "Nay, I am not," she lied. She lifted her chin defiantly as though doing so would prove her words held a ring of truth.

Reynard peered at her in the moonlight. "Then this was nothing more than a flirtatious gesture on your part, much like you gathered the attention of the knights around you whilst you supped?" He folded his arms across his chest waiting for her answer. She could see for herself how agitated he was if his clenched jaw was any indication of his current mood.

"What more could it be?" The words rushed from her lips even as she saw the frown appear on his brow.

"I did not take you for one of those women who are so driven with their frivolous nature that they seek only to gain the attention of men around her."

She snapped her mouth shut whilst she pondered her reply. Frivolous? She was far from such a judge of her character considering this attempt at giving a man any form of her affection had been her first try. She had been the first one to moan in pleasure at their kiss. He, on the other hand, had then whispered another's name. If his own affections lay elsewhere, with this Johanna, then was he not the frivolous one for kissing her with such intensity?

"You barely know me, Reynard, so how could you know what or who I am?" she replied although once her words left her lips, she regretted them. But the deed was done and now this knight would only think the worst of her.

A sound of discontent seemingly rumbled inside his chest before he looked down at her. "And to think Hawke thought you would not fit in well at court," he sneered before he once more composed himself. "You will, indeed, fit in very well with all their intrigues and affairs that will hold no commitment to those involved."

"I look forward to the experience and to attending our empress," she answered as she continued to hold his gaze.

"I will see you to your bedchamber," Reynard stated, holding out his arm.

A snort left her. "You do not have to bother, Sir Reynard. I leave you to your own devices and to dream of being reunited with your fair Johanna."

She abruptly left him whilst his cursing echoed in the air behind her. She quickened her pace when his footsteps hastened to follow her. She began to run as fast as her feet would carry her. Once she gained entrance to her chamber, she slid the bolt home even as tears of loneliness slid down her cheeks. Whatever brief thoughts she had of exploring any kind of intimacy with Reynard was at an end. His heart belonged to someone else.