It dawned on him in a rush of perceptions, all of them lasting no longer than a blink. Dark hair, but straighter than the waves he had grasped. Large eyes, but too vacant for a woman who had shared those kisses with him. Pale skin, but without the curving line of a heart forming the jaw and chin. Beautiful, exquisitely so, but lacking something he could not name but which had held him spellbound just hours ago.

The servant moved off the bed. With her gone he could make out the shape of the body beneath the blanket, much thinner than the curves he had caressed.

“Sir Marcus,” the servant said. “I would like to introduce you to Genith verch Llygad.”

The voice penetrated his confusion. It was quiet and melodic, and lacked fear or deference. He swung his gaze to the woman standing beside the bed.

And saw a face much like the one he had just been studying, only older and less beautiful, but also more interesting. There was nothing at all confused or submissive in its expression. His blood instantly reacted, and he knew the truth.

“Hell.” He barely breathed the word.

He had been commanded to marry Genith, a sweet, innocent virgin. But he had almost made love last night to her older sister, Nesta.

A whore.

And not just any whore.

The King’s whore.

Nesta nipped away before Sir Marcus could react with more than that one low curse. He appeared sufficiently stunned that she doubted he would attempt anything improper with Genith. In fact, it looked as if he would not even be able to speak for a good long while.

All the same, she gestured for the servants to stay. As she swept out the door, she glanced back at her sister meaningfully. Genith barely nodded, but the reminder had been received. Keep him dangling. Two days at most, and you are free.

Her glance also took in Marcus, watching her departure. His handsome, angular face was set severely and his mouth formed a straight hard line. His expressive, deep-set eyes flamed, and the wayward, dark gold locks skimming his temples seemed to point to his glare. He no longer appeared stunned, but furious.

His examination made her pause in her stride, as if those fiery eyes locked her in place. If he had been compelling in the garden, he was twice so here, where she could see him more clearly. His livid, revealing gaze made the chamber disappear for an instant, and she half expected him to walk over and grasp her in a furious embrace. Caution rose in her, but so did a disgraceful excitement.

Shaking off his spell, she hurried down to the hall, and grabbed a basket waiting for her. Perhaps two days would not be soon enough. She had better arrange things very quickly.