A Dishonorable Knight(78)
"Is she still asleep?" Morgan asked.
Gareth swallowed to force his heart back down into his chest, then he cleared his throat. "Yes, I thought I'd check on her, but she's asleep."
"Poor dear, she probably needs the rest, especially after last night."
Gareth's eyes widened to the point he was afraid they would tumble out of his head. "Last night?"
"Yes. Cynan said you convinced Elena to play on the Viking stumps last night in the market."
Gareth's heart resumed beating. "Oh, yes. She did very well."
"Well, best not to disturb her then. Let's go sit by the fire and talk about your strategy."
Gareth nodded and allowed himself to be pulled down the hall on legs that were rubbery with reaction to almost being caught, and weak from…other things.
***
After Gareth left, wedging the door as closed as it would go, Elena stretched lazily, curling her toes and yawning. This was heaven, she thought. To simply be able to lay here in relative comfort and cleanliness for as long as she wanted. More sleep was definitely what she wanted, but as she lay on the narrow pallet and gazed out the tiny square pane of the window, she found that she was not the least bit sleepy. In fact, she felt as if she could hike across Wales. Elena laughed at the whimsical thought. Two months ago, she would have thought something like, "I could dance all night," or, "I could help Lady Elizabeth change her clothes twelve time today." Still, sleepy or no, it felt wonderful to lay here and know that the day was hers to do with as she pleased. Hers and Gareth's.
She glanced around the room, her gaze coming to rest on the heap of cranberry-colored wool. A new dress! And the finest cotton! She had not been so excited about having a new outfit since her mother had first helped her prepare for moving to Richard's court. The fact that Gareth had thought enough of her to give her such a gift gave her pause.
Sitting up slowly, Elena leaned over and collected her torn chemise. Her cheeks warmed as she thought of the night spent in Gareth's arms, his compactly built but strong body pressed against hers. What would Margaret and Catherine and all the other girls back at court say if they knew what she had done. Not only done, she corrected herself, but enjoyed! She did not regret for a moment what had happened last night. In the bright light of day, she forced herself to admit that she had long found Gareth attractive. But somewhere along their travels, she had come to desire more than his handsome face or broad shoulders. His focus, his determination, the way he put her safety above all else; she had never had someone make her feel as cherished as he did. And this gift…
No, she was not sorry for what happened last night. In fact, she would do her best to see that it happened again before she must face the possibility of a wedding night with Brackley. The wayward thought of the earl this time did not bring an involuntary shudder. Not because she was resigned to her fate, but because suddenly she saw before her not Brackley as a bridegroom, but Gareth. She gasped aloud at the thought. Wed? To Gareth? He held no land, no position of honor or prestige. The blood rushed from Elena’s face and she had to sit down, because suddenly, she found that she didn’t care that he was a simple knight, and a Welsh one at that. The realization left her dizzy, as if she’d held onto her plans and expectations for so long that they’d served as her anchor and she was now adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Could she truly be happy with a man such as Gareth? She laughed aloud at herself for such a foolish question. She knew without a doubt that Gareth could show her a happiness far beyond what she had once hoped to achieve. The question was, could he be happy with a woman such as herself? The thought was disconcerting to say the least, for she’d rarely suffered self-doubt, but she found herself in new territory, stripped bare of her arsenal of feminine wiles. She glanced again at the pile of fabric. Such a gift gave her hope that Gareth did in fact return her feelings.
Vowing she would find a way to discover his feelings for her before they reached Richard’s court, Elena stood and pulled on her chemise. As she laced herself into her worn cotehardie, she reveled in her plan to burn it and scatter the ashes at sea as soon as her new dress was made.
***
"What have you discovered about Elena's loyalties?" Morgan asked gently as he and Gareth broke their fast on crusty bread and tangy goat cheese.
Gareth pulled his thoughts from the previous night's activities and swallowed his mouthful of bread. "Elena holds no great love for either Richard or Henry, but maintaining her livelihood is, understandably, utmost in her mind. As a mere lady-in-waiting, she would hold no importance for Henry, hence, she would most likely lose her position in court. Although she did not say she would oppose our efforts, neither did she offer help or support."