The Knight(22)

Ignoring the questioning stares of his men, he took her by the arm and pulled her toward the keep. After leading her up the stairs, he glanced in the hall and, seeing that it was still occupied by his mother, sister, and Randolph, he led her toward the stairwell that led to the upper floors. There wasn’t much room in the small landing area, and they could be seen by anyone watching from the Hall, but at least they were unlikely to be overheard.

He crossed his arms so he wouldn’t be tempted to wrap them around her and schooled his features into a blank mask. “What is it, Jo? What is so important that you must come here like this and drag me away from my men?”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Randolph take his leave from James’s mother and then his sister. He frowned, seeing the girlish blush that rose to Beth’s cheeks when Randolph took her hand and gave her a gallant bow.

“I heard that you’d taken the castle and—”

His gaze shifted back to Jo. “And you were worried that I’d broken my promise,” he finished for her. It was as he thought.

She nodded. “I saw the tower. How could you do that, James? How could you burn down your own home like that?”

He was so used to her understanding, it was strange when she didn’t. If she didn’t know how hard it had been on him, she didn’t know him at all. “I had no choice. You should know that. It’s the only way if we are to win this war.”

“But all those men.”

“I kept my promise to you, Jo, though I should never have given it. The garrison is on their way back to England right now.”

Her eyes widened. “They are?”

He nodded.

“Oh.”

He held her stare as she nibbled anxiously on her thumb. Normally he’d be tempted to wrap her in his arms and comfort her, but he was too angry—and conscious of the interested stare of Randolph, who’d unfortunately noticed them as he’d started to walk toward the entry stairs.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I should have trusted you.”

The fact that she hadn’t stung. He’d always taken her trust in him for granted. “I have to go, Jo. We’ll speak of this later.”

“You were going to leave without saying good-bye?”

“There wasn’t time. I won’t be long.”

“But I told you there was something I needed to tell you. If it were just me… but it’s not.” She drew a deep breath and looked at him with something akin to desperation in her gaze. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I was surprised, that’s all. I thought we both wanted the same thing. I shouldn’t have given you an ultimatum.”

Thank God! Relief poured through him. He didn’t realize how much the situation with Jo had been weighing on him until it was gone. He felt like a boulder had been lifted off his chest.

A smile cracked to the surface. The need to touch her was so overwhelming, he barely remembered to pull her deeper into the stairwell—away from curious eyes—before his mouth fell on hers. Although he’d meant it to be a gentle, tender kiss, to show her exactly how much she meant to him, as always seemed to happen the moment their lips touched, something came over him. Something hot and powerful and demanding. A need so intense, he drew back before he found himself swiving her in the stairwell.

Despite the brevity of the kiss, his breathing was still heavy. “I’m so glad you reconsidered.” He drew the back of his finger along her cheek softly. “I promise I will do everything in my power to make you happy.”

Instantly, the haze of the kiss cleared from her eyes. She drew back. “No, James, you misunderstand. I have not reconsidered. Under no circumstances will I be your leman.”

Anger surged through him again, the sharp disappointment on the heels of relief almost making it worse. Why the hell was she being so stubborn? She was supposed to love him, damn it. Not issue ultimatums and make threats. “So I either marry you or it’s over, is that it?”

She bit her lip, hands twisting nervously in her skirts. “Yes, but you should know—”

He didn’t let her finish. He was too damned furious. She wasn’t the only one who could make threats. “Very well, if that’s what you want, consider it over.”

Her eyes widened in shock. She looked like he’d kicked her in the gut. He had to force himself not to reach for her. But he wouldn’t let her use the feelings he had for her against him. He had to stay strong to his purpose.

“You don’t mean that.”

“It’s the last thing I want. It’s you who are doing this, Jo. This is your choice, remember that.”