Jeremy was sitting on the bench, his long legs outstretched in front of him, a book in his hand. It was the same one as before; Alys recognized the cover. Seeing her, he used a ribbon to mark his place and slid over on the bench, making room for her. Alys didn’t move, so he patted the seat next to him, inviting her to join him.
Embarrassed, Alys perched on the far end. The seat was wide enough for two, but only if they sat close together, like lovers.
“Did you not go home?” Jeremy asked. “I gave specific instructions to relieve you of all duties today.”
“I did, but I came back,” Alys said, not bothering to hide her disappointment.
“Why?”
Alys sighed. There seemed little point in lying to him, so she spoke the truth. “It doesn’t feel much like home anymore.”
“Is it your brother’s wife that’s the problem?” Jeremy asked.
“No, it’s Will. He thinks it’s time I was wed.”
“Is there a lovestruck young swain waiting for you at home?” Jeremy asked, smiling at her.
“No.”
“Surely there must be someone you have your eye on.”
“There was, but I’ve come to realize that I don’t love him as a wife should love her husband. He seems to have realized much the same thing since he recently wed someone else.”
“I see,” Jeremy said. “And are you stung by his rejection?”
“Not anymore,” Alys replied truthfully.
“Seems you and I are not very lucky in matters of the heart,” Jeremy said, his smile wistful.
“Do you regret coming here?” Alys blurted out and immediately wished she could take the question back. It was none of her business, and it was an insolent question to ask the master.
“I didn’t have much choice,” Jeremy replied, seemingly not offended. “As the third son, I’m surplus to requirement. It was either the Church or an advantageous marriage. I opted for the marriage, thinking I could have some influence on the outcome.”
“Can’t ye?”
“My wife believes she’s with child and has asked me not to visit her bedchamber until after the child is born.”
“And are you stung by her rejection?” Alys asked, using his own turn of phrase.
“No. I am relieved. I think it’s something of a misconception that a man can bring himself to lie with any woman. At least not in my case.” His cheeks flushed a pink worthy of the roses over his head. “Please forgive me, Alys. That was grossly inappropriate.”
So is me sitting here with ye, Alys thought.
“There’s nothing to forgive. I take yer meaning,” she said, heat rising in her own cheeks. They were so close, his lips mere inches from hers. What would it be like to kiss them? She’d never normally dare think such thoughts about a man whose position made him as distant as the moon, but he was so approachable, so easy to talk to.
Jeremy must have discerned something of her thoughts because his expression changed, his head tilting to the side as he studied her. “Ye’re not skilled in deception,” he said, a smile tugging at his lips.
“How do ye mean, my lord?”
“Jeremy,” he said softly.
“Jeremy,” she repeated.
“Everything you think shows on your face.”
Alys averted her gaze, wishing she could make a graceful exit before he realized the extent of her desires.
“Please, don’t be embarrassed. Your lack of guile is refreshing.”
She looked up at him to find him watching her with those amazing eyes. His expression was so warm, so admiring. She didn’t realize what she’d done until it was too late, but she had raised her face to his, her eyes fluttering closed as she felt his warm breath on her skin. He smelled of soap and leather, and something uniquely his own.
She didn’t pull away when his arm came around her waist and his lips brushed hers in a kiss so tender, she thought she’d melt with the sweetness of it. He kissed her again, his lips slanting against hers as he pulled her close. She felt his heat, but rather than a fever, it was the heat of a living, breathing man. Her lips parted beneath his, and he slid his tongue inside her mouth, shocking her with the intimacy of the gesture. She’d kissed Matthew once, years ago, but the kiss had been prim and terribly quick, their embarrassment outlasting any feelings of desire.
Alys gave herself up to the kiss, amazed that something so simple as two people pressing their mouths together could feel this dizzying. Something inside her unclenched, and she wrapped her arms around Jeremy’s neck, pressing herself even closer to him. She was breathless by the time they pulled apart, Jeremy’s eyes heavy-lidded with desire.
“I must be going,” Alys muttered.
“Yes,” he agreed. “I think you’d better.”
“Good day, my lord.” Alys sprang to her feet and hurried toward the opening in the hedge, praying all the while that no one had seen them.
Chapter 42
Alys was grateful she didn’t have to serve at table when Jeremy’s relations arrived the following week. She’d thought of nothing but that kiss all week, berating herself for allowing it to happen and longing for Jeremy to kiss her again. She fluttered to him like a moth to a flame and was sure to get burned if she didn’t put some distance between them. He hadn’t made any effort to seek her out, and for that she was grateful. At least he wasn’t exerting his power over her,
