Unexpected Pleasures by Mary Wine Page B

at court.”
    â€œYours?” Her voice trailed off as she took a look at Synclair’s face. Satisfaction shimmered in his eyes now and it sent a shaft of need through her.
    He stopped the stallion at the base of those stairs and a groom appeared to hold the reins. Synclair jumped from the saddle, his boots making only a scuff when they hit the ground.
    â€œIndeed, Justina, mine because I have limited tolerance for the palace and the Earl of Hertford is kind enough to indulge me.”
    â€œThe palace is also full.”
    Synclair reached up and clasped his hands around her waist. “The King is welcome to his guests. I prefer some privacy.”
    He lifted her down, but didn’t release her immediately. His hands remained around her waist and she was overly aware of the place where he touched her. There was something in his eyes that made her breathless once again, only this time it was because she felt like she was poised on the edge of a cliff, just waiting to topple over the edge.
    What was odd was the fact that she was looking forward to falling, anticipation drawing her belly tight with excitement. An urge to behave recklessly began to take control of her and she witnessed something similar in Synclair’s eyes. Surrounded by the darkness, there seemed no more perfect time to taste what was forbidden and unwise.
    To taste what she desired above all other things ...
    â€œThe King used to come here for privacy, too. Privacy to meet with his mistresses.”
    She wasn’t sure what made her say such a thing. It was a barbed comment, one designed to displease or gain a reaction. But she honestly wanted to provoke him and that was a cowardly thing.
    â€œExactly what I crave, Justina, privacy to end this chase you have begun.”
    â€œI shouldn’t have said that.”
    One of his eyebrows rose. “And why not?”
    She took a slow step away from him, more of a nervous motion not truly designed to evade him. But there was part of her that did long for him to chase her and capture her. It was a dark desire but one that refused to be silenced now that they were so very alone. She felt as though she had been waiting forever for such a moment.
    â€œBecause I am happy to be here.” There was a deep satisfaction in saying the words. Justina felt it burning through the resentment and frustration that Biddeford so often forced her to shoulder.
    But there was also something deeper, something that she had been ignoring too long. Synclair closed the space between them, his fingers landing gently on her lower back. Her breath caught and his eyes narrowed when he heard it.
    The doors opened and a lantern was held high. The light didn’t reach to the bottom of the stairs but shone like a beacon above them. Synclair pushed her gently up the stairs.
    He leaned down and she felt his breath on the side of her neck once more. “If you are happy to be here, meet me on the field, madam, or have your own actions paint you timid.”
    Justina grabbed a handful of her skirts and lifted them so that she might climb the stairs.
    Meet him on the field indeed. The man was every inch the knight and he enjoyed the battles that had earned him that rank.
    The servant holding the lantern never looked directly at her. Justina passed the lantern and entered the house to discover that candles had been lit on a table in the front room and at the top of the inside staircase to illuminate the open doors of a bedchamber on the second floor. She froze in her steps, her attention fixed on that second floor and the fact that she knew she did not possess the will to deny her passion for Synclair.
    â€œI will make you no promises.” Justina’s voice was low but steady.
    She turned but Synclair was directly behind her. His hands cupped her waist once again, holding her in place with steely strength.
    â€œWell, Justina, I will make you one promise, and that is that you will never again risk yourself by