To Kiss in the Shadows by Lynn Kurland Page A

drooling.
    That sort of catastrophe was seemingly enough to rouse him from slumber, for he straightened with a snort, smacked his lips a time or two, then opened his eyes. And a smile of such dazzling brightness crossed his features, she was near blinded by it.
    And at that moment, she was firmly and irretrievably lost.
    He dropped to his knees at her bedside. “The saints be praised,” he said, looking at her with visible relief. “Can you speak?”
    She swallowed. “Aye,” she whispered.
    He put his hand to her forehead, and she received another pleased smile as a result.
    â€œYour fever is but a slight one, though I daresay you’re still recovering from the fierce one you’ve already had.” Then he looked at her and frowned. “Do you know who I am?”
    â€œJason de Piaget.”
    â€œWell done, though we certainly cannot thank my brother for an introduction. And you’re the lady Lianna, though you needn’t thank my brother for that either, for he was very closemouthed about you. I had to pry all I know of you from the servants.”
    She could only imagine what he’d heard. She managed a snort of disgust.
    â€œNay, my lady, they were very few, those tales, and surely pleasant enough,” he said with another smile. “Now, tell me how you fair. Shall you have a drink? I daresay food is beyond you still, but a bit of watered-down wine might suit.” He looked toward the servant. “Aldith?”
    The servant sat up sleepily and rubbed her eyes. When she saw Lianna awake, she rose to her knees.
    â€œThe saints be praised.”
    â€œAye,” Jason agreed. “Fetch a bit of the king’s finest, won’t you, and water to go with it. If anyone forbids you, tell them I commanded it and they’ll answer to me if they deny you.”
    â€œAye, my lord,” she said, and quickly rose to her feet and left the chamber.
    Lianna watched him turn back toward her, and she could scarce believe that Jason of Artane, master of dark arts and other sundry unsavoury habits, was kneeling by her head and now reaching for her hand to hold it between his own.
    Odder still that she had no desire to flee in terror.
    Indeed, looking at his beautiful blue eyes and even more pleasing visage, she wondered why anyone would find him anything but a harmless pup.
    â€œThe wine will come,” he said confidently.
    She managed a smile. “You are unused to being gainsaid, I suppose.”
    â€œWhat is the use of a foul reputation if it serves you nothing?” He looked down at her hand. “You’re trembling. I daresay you’ll be weak for some time.”
    â€œWhat befell me? Was I beaten?”
    He looked at her quickly, one eyebrow raised in surprise. “Beaten? Nay. Poisoned, rather.”
    â€œPoisoned?” she breathed.
    â€œThe wine you drank. I would imagine your solar companions were ill-pleased with the time you passed with Kendrick.”
    She thought back. “I remember having a very sour stomach.”
    â€œAye, well, best to forget that night,” he said, patting her hand. “You were gravely ill, and I feared the worst. The following days were little better.”
    It took a moment or two to realize what he had been telling her. Had he stayed with her the entire time? She looked at his face and noted several days’ growth of beard there. How many days had it been? Vividly her dream of the two birds came back to her. Had those been Jason and Kendrick, keeping watch by her bed?
    And then an even more horrifying thought occurred to her, one that made her turn her head away from Jason in shame.
    He had seen her visage. Not only had he looked on it whilst she dreamed, he had been forced to gaze at it whilst she spoke to him as boldly as a harlot. She reached up with the hand he was not holding and pulled some of her hair over her face.
    â€œThank you, my lord,” she said, and her voice sounded horribly