He had much to do today. So why was he on his way back to the nunnery, when he’d just been the day before? All the ride there, he examined his need to see Juliana. He wanted her as a man wants a woman, yes. But there was more. She touched his heart in a way he’d never felt before.
Now he paced the visitor’s room, waiting for her. Juliana, the woman whose presence filled the hole in his soul.
“Sir William, what a surprise to see you again so soon.” She looked ridiculous in that outfit, but he managed to not laugh at her again.
“I was passing by again...and I thought I’d stop in. This all has to seem so strange to you. How are you keeping? Are you eating well?”
“I’m fine. The food is plain, but good. Oh, and we have that cheese you like! Every time I see it I think of you.” She stopped suddenly and looked down, embarrassed by her admission, he could tell.
“Do you? I think of you often, too. I’m glad to know I occupy some of your thoughts. When you’re not spinning tales in your mind, that is. Probably healthier to think of me.”
“Oh, but there is more to report! I counted eighteen cells in the dormitory, but guess how many windows are on the outside of the building? Nineteen! I even put a cloth outside my window to make sure I wasn’t miscounting. Do you see what that means?”
Oh, Lord. Here she goes again. If she could only see that she doesn’t need to make up these stories to get my attention. “Are you implying there’s a hidden room?”
“Yes!” She clapped her hands together, delighted he’d caught on so fast. “Sometimes, at night, I hear moaning.”
Now, this is interesting. “Moaning in the night. I like the sound of that.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “Nay! ’Tis not that kind of moaning. ’Tis like someone in agony.”
“More like someone wanting someone else to end their agony. Blessed relief from mounting pleasure.”
Now, she blushed most prettily. “Is that all you think about?”
“Yes. What else is there? Oh, there’s battle, too. I think about those two things.”
“Be serious. Someone might be in danger. Held against their will—”
“You must stop this. Now. If there is any truth to this—”
“If? You don’t believe me?”
“Outside, please. If anyone hears you…” He took her arm and led her out to the cloisters, away from prying eyes. “Let me speak plainly to you. I’m here to see you. You don’t have to make up crazy stories. You love me. I understand.”
“Why, you...How dare…” She bent down and scooped a handful of snow. Before he could react she’d hit him square in the forehead.
He let out a howling laugh, liking this game. “You little minx!”
He swiped a handful of snow and formed it into ball, let go of the missile with a mighty roar...and hit her right in the eye. Oh, Lord.
• ♥ •
“Ouch!” She rubbed the snow out of her eye.
“Are you all right? I’m so sorry. I missed my mark—or rather you moved.” He’d jumped to her and had his arms around her.
“I think so.”
“Here, let me.” He wiped her face with his sleeve.
She opened her eyes to find his face was so near. His features transformed from worry to something else. Without thinking, she tilted her face up to meet his lips coming down on her. Then, ’twas magic.
She felt the cool air on her cheeks in combination with his warm breath and beard against her skin. She’d expected his beard to be rough, but it was soft, though the closer trimmed hair around his mouth prickled her lips in a delicious way.
They pressed their bodies tighter together. She let him part her lips with his tongue. His arms went around her back, lifting her up into his embrace. She became dizzy with a new feeling coursing through her body.
She didn’t want it to stop, but he pulled his face away, though still close enough she felt his beard against her cheek. “I told you, you love me.”
She tried to jump out of his arms, but he held her tight. “I most assuredly do not!”
“Oh, but you do. And ’tis good...as I love you, as well.”
She pushed at his chest. “We’ve already established you hand out your heart as easily as an apple tree loses its blossoms in a spring rain.” She struggled against him. “Let me go!”
“Not until you tell me you love me,” he said in a teasing tone, which infuriated her.
“Then we’ll be locked here until Judgment Day.”
“I can’t think of a better way to meet my Maker.”
A door opened with a loud creak. “Hark! Someone is coming. Release me! I’m already in trouble with the abbess today.”
His arms dropped to his sides and he looked at her with narrowed eyes. “You need to behave. I can’t protect you if you keep calling attention to yourself. Drop this silly notion of yours. Juliana, look at me. I want your word you will not interfere in things that don’t involve you.”
“I give you my word.” Her eyes drifted up to the secret window. Did she detect movement there?