A Dishonorable Knight(87)
Chapter 18
Elena lay awake for several hours, waiting for Gareth to join her. She had no doubt he would, after the previous night and the whole day spent pleasurably in each other's company. To pass the time until he came, Elena thought of her new dress, wishing she had her mother's garnet necklace to wear with it once it was finished. When she had exhausted every seam and hem on that topic, she went over all the sights she and Gareth had seen today, noting their differences from the shops she had seen in London, or one of the smaller towns and villages throughout England she had visited as a lady-in-waiting. She wondered what kind of books the bookseller would have and if Gareth possibly had enough money to purchase one for her. Probably not, she thought, only slightly disappointed. What with fabric, and hiring the seamstress, that alone was probably enough to wipe out a new knight's means.
Elena yawned. Did knights earn any money? She suspected very little. They, like ladies-in-waiting basically lived at the expense of the king in exchange for their services. I wonder how Gareth is expected to attract a wife if he has no means of supporting her, she wondered as she snuggled deeper under the covers. Of course, there was that cozy little keep, nestled in those harshly beautiful mountains. She wouldn't mind living there…she refused to examine that rampant thought and instead allowed her mind to replay the events of the previous night. Once she had decided what she was going to do, she had suffered no apprehension, no qualms. And in his embrace, she had found no discomfort or embarrassment. Gareth's warm hands and drugging kisses had made her feel worshipped. She had never felt so vitally alive as she had during their lovemaking. And Gareth had lost any boyish awkwardness and had expertly wrung from her such pleasures as she had never anticipated. And was there a more deliciously comfortable way to sleep than nestled in his arms, her back pressed to his chest, their legs tangling, his arms cushioning her head and wrapping snugly around her waist? She seriously doubted it. Turning on her side, Elena imagined Gareth was pressed up against her. With a deep sigh, she felt her body relaxing languorously, preparing itself for Gareth's attentions.
Elena awoke to bright sunlight pouring in the small window. Disoriented she pushed herself up to her elbows and looked around. She had only just been thinking that any moment Gareth would be entering her room and now it was daylight. Looking at the candle, she saw only a puddle of wax melted onto the small table. Oh dear. Not even in Richard's well-furnished castles were candles a thing to be wasted. But the candle occupied her mind for just a moment before the larger reality sank in. Gareth had not joined her! Elena sat fully up and pounded the bed with her fist. What in the world was he thinking? Had she not smiled meaningfully at him last night as she left the dining table, bidding everyone good night? Had she not left her door cracked invitingly so that the candlelight would guide him to her? Had she said aught to lead him to believe that she had not found their night of passion enjoyable? Certainly not!
"You dolt!" she cursed as she threw back the covers and rapidly dressed. She would certainly give him a piece of her mind, she thought as she ran a borrowed comb through her thick hair. Elena paused in mid-stroke. How, exactly, would she go about bringing up the subject? "Where were you last night, Gareth? I waited for you for hours." No. "Why didn't we continue our lessons last night? Aren't I an apt pupil?" Absolutely not. Well, she decided, something will come to me. She’d never before been at a loss for words. Marching down the narrow hall, she came into the main living area where Gareth, his friends, Morgan, and Samuel were talking. The discussion stopped the instant Elena entered the room and she had the distinct impression that she was the topic.
"Good morning," the men chimed, Bryant quickly standing to give her his chair.
"Good morning," she responded, glancing at each man's guilty face before settling her gaze on Gareth. Bryant handed her a bowl of freshly picked berries and a wedge of cheese. Elena slowly ate as she watched the men try to cover their discomfiture by talking about the weather. What exactly had they been talking about? she wondered. She was given no opportunity to decipher that puzzle as Gareth, Morgan, and Samuel stood and moved to leave.
"Where are you going," Elena asked Gareth.
"I must spend today with my father," he said once the two men had left. "Bryant and Cynan will take you to the book shop this morning and then wherever you would like to go. I understand the beach is beautiful at this time of year. Why don't you three have a picnic?"