Page 29 of Knight School Chronicles Box Set

H e was here.

The moment Evie turned the corner, a flash of black against the blue sky above the lake confirmed her heart’s desire. Gareth was here, waiting for her, even though they’d not designated such a meeting, precisely.

Without thinking, she ran to him. Gareth engulfed her as she slammed against him, his arms wrapping around her in a way she’d never been embraced before. Hugged? Aye. But held as if she were something precious, her own arms wrapped around his waist as if she would not let go?

It was a first for her, and Evie very much enjoyed it. Having thought of nothing but him for days, unsure if she’d see him again . . . she sighed against his chest. His arms tightened around her, if such a thing were even possible.

“I did not think to see you again,” she admitted some time later as she pulled away just slightly.

“Nor I you.”

She had much to tell him. But looking into Gareth’s eyes, ones that told her as much as any words could, Evie did not want to talk.

She wanted to be loved by him.

“I’m going to kiss you, Evie.”

“I know,” she said, able to sense it before he said the words.

Gareth lowered his head. She stood on her tiptoes, clinging to the arms of his surcoat for leverage. Looking into his eyes one last time until he closed them, and she did the same, Evie waiting for that first touch.

It was everything she imagined.

Gentle. Soft. His lips pressed against hers. Evie pressed back.

She’d told him she had never been kissed before, and it was clear Gareth was being patient with her for it. But then his tongue ran along the crease of her lips as if he wished for her to open for him.

So she did.

The first sweep of his tongue forced her to hold on tighter. The second, as his tongue found hers, made it difficult for Evie to stand. At first, she was hesitant, unsure how to proceed. But slowly Evie understood.

His head slanted, their mouths fused together as Gareth’s tongue tangled with her own. With his arms around her, his mouth consuming her, Evie forced everything but the feel of every sweep, every press of their mouths, from her mind.

She was lost in the kiss and never wanted to be found. Everything she imagined? Nay. It was so much more.

When he pulled back, Evie tried not to mourn the loss of his lips on hers. Surely it could not go on forever anyway. If only...

“I should not have done that,” he said.

“I’m glad you did.”

He smiled. “As am I.”

His arms loosened. “Evie.”

She waited, but Gareth said nothing more. “Aye?” she asked finally.

Gareth shook his head. “We should sit.”

About to agree, instead Evie nodded toward the lake. “Or walk there instead?”

It was a rare warm day, and the sun did not reach the bench. “Aye.” He took her hand, and they walked toward the bank of the small lake.

“I often wonder how none know of this place,” Evie said.

“I suspect some do.”

“Then why do I never see anyone here?”

“Perhaps because it is owned by the church. Or perhaps some mystical beliefs keep people away.”

“Perhaps. There was talk years ago of the grounds behind the chapel being cursed. Though I do not believe in such things.”

“Do you not?”

They stopped.

“Nay.”

Gareth turned toward Evie, still holding her hand. “Tell me.”

He was not talking of curses any longer. “I am not betrothed,” she blurted, but rushed to add, “However, the envoy included Henry’s man, who negotiated on his behalf.”

Gareth stiffened visibly. “Negotiated.” His voice was clipped. “What, precisely?”

“My betrothal.”

“Did he entertain such a thing?”

She wished it were otherwise. “My father gives more coin to the cause than any other. Though I was not allowed to partake in the discussions, enough was said during the meal for me to gather that, aye, he did entertain him. Of course I asked my father when the envoy left if I was formally betrothed. He said nay but smiled in a way that made me uncomfortable.”

“There are earls more powerful, and wealthier, than your father. Surely if Matilda reclaims the throne, she would reward one of them? Some say her husband’s conquest of Normandy is a tenuous one. Surely her eldest son could be married there as well to secure their position in France.”

“Or Scotland. You are aware Matilda’s uncle, David of Scotland, supports her claim as well?”

“I am.”

“I overheard my father, once, speaking to a Scotsman, who discussed Henry as a suitor to one of David’s strongest supporter’s daughters. I do not believe any of Empress Matilda’s sons to be wanting for suitors.”

“Could they simply be pacifying your father until the cause is won?”

“Perhaps. But my father is not a stupid man, either. He will use my betrothal as a bargaining chip for his continued support. ’Tis not coin alone but silence about the knight school and Ashford’s hospitality that is desirable.”

His stance shifted. Gareth’s eyes hooded as he closed the space between them.

“I’ve less discipline with you than I would like, Evie.

” Gareth lifted her chin with his finger.

“I’ve reined in my desire for you since the moment we met.

And should not have given in, even for a kiss.

But now that I’ve done so, your lips beckon me.

I would feel the fullness of them once again beneath my own. ”

It was as if she were being consumed by him, heart and soul.

As he said, they should not have kissed.

Nor should they be meeting here like this.

But when Evie was uncertain that she would see him again, something inside her had snapped.

She no longer wished to take a chance on not knowing Gareth in that way.

“I would like that, very much.”

The words were hardly out of her lips before he leaned down to her.

This time, Evie knew what to do. She knew how to kiss him back properly, and because of it, this was an entirely different kind of kiss.

It was as if Gareth asked for more, and Evie gave it.

As their arms wrapped around each other, she opened wider.

When Gareth’s hands lowered to her backside, pulling Evie toward him, she welcomed the touch.

And though she could not feel him beneath her gown, Evie was not completely innocent to the ways of the world.

Amalia had explained much to her, though words alone could not fully prepare Evie for the quivers inside her stomach.

Or chest.

Or every other place in her body.

She moved closer, if such a thing were possible.

Gareth groaned.

“Have I hurt you?” she asked, pulling away.

“Nay, Evie. At least, not in the way you are thinking.”

She blinked.

“You have not hurt me,” he repeated. “Though it does pain me to know we cannot stay here much longer.”

Evie didn’t consider leaving his arms. They felt much too good, too safe. But he was right. This could not last for long.

“What will we do?” she asked, aware there was not much to be done. It was a nonsensical question, but she asked it anyway.

Gareth turned so serious that it almost startled her. She was accustomed to his easy smile. His expression now was one she imagined he gave during a tournament just as he was about to joust.

She shivered. “Gareth?”

“I cannot answer you, precisely, Evie. But know this well. No other man will have you.”

Her mouth opened. Evie did not know what to say. “I...” she began, only to close her mouth once again. Gareth sounded so certain of the fact, she almost believed him.

She wanted to believe him, even though it was not true.

“Do you wish to be with me, Evie?”

“I am risking much, as you know, to do so right now. Of course,” she added, not wishing to be uncharitable. “I wish to be with you. To learn more about you.” Evie smiled. “To have you kiss me again.”

“I would kiss you all day,” Gareth said, leaning down and doing just that. First on her lips. Then again, on her cheek. And neck. As his lips moved lower, Evie’s insides swirled, as if demanding her attention.

“Gareth,” she whispered. Evie grasped the back of his head as his tongue and lips devastated every part of her bare skin. “Something, I cannot name,” she said, unable to form any coherent words.

He stood. “Desire, Evie. Your body responds to me, as mine does to you.”

“It does?”

He groaned. She looked down.

“Evie,” he warned.

Curious, she mustered as much bravery as possible. “Show me.”

“Evie.” This time his voice had an even harder edge to it, but she would not relent. She trusted him, and he’d sparked something in her Evie refused to ignore now that it had stirred to life.

“Show me,” she said, more forcefully than usual.

Frowning, as if reluctant, he took her hand. Then, moving it down along the fabric of his thick surcoat, together their hands inched lower and lower. Until hers was placed directly over him. Evie could feel the evidence of his desire for her.

Her eyes widened.

She cupped her hand, curious.

His groan stopped her. “You are in pain.”

“Of sorts,” he responded. “The kind of pain a man feels when he wants a woman very, very badly.”

“I did this,” she said.

“Aye, you did.”

When he pulled their hands away, Evie resisted the urge to frown as if she were a girl of two and ten who did not get something she dearly wished for.

Gareth laughed.

“Someday,” he said, “you will feel me, and not through this surcoat.”

“You truly believe it to be so?”

His hands moved to her face. Cupping her cheeks, Gareth looked into her eyes. “Lady Evelina Ashcroft, you have my word as a knight of the realm and a man of honor, you will be mine. And I yours. If you’ll have me, no other woman will know my touch but you.”

She wanted to ask him, “How?” But such practicalities would ruin the moment, and this was, for all its fancifulness, a moment. One she wished to cherish.

“I would have you, gladly, Sir Gareth Claymore.”

As if sealing their exchange, he kissed her what was likely to be the last time that day. The sensation, still so new, was one Evie was quickly becoming accustomed to. With luck, it would not be long before they could do it again.