Passion crackled between them like invisible lightning. No more stopping then. He pulled her into a dominating embrace and a rough, devouring kiss. Her body had already betrayed her, and she instantly found herself in a storm of pleasure and building desire. He asked for no reciprocation, but only took and took and she permitted it, gasping for breath, turning her neck to his hot bites, opening her lips to the next forceful demand.

She lost herself, forgetting she should not, forgetting everything, even who she was and what was at stake, just as she had forgotten in the garden. She joined the little battle, knowing she had already been defeated, not caring about anything but the voracious desire making them both wild.

The world had receded but somewhere, far away, cries were being raised. On the edge of her awareness a confusion rumbled lowly.

His fingers snaked through her hair, imprisoning her head in his grasp while his arm confined her body. He broke the kiss and gave her a deep look. Then he pulled her toward the small window, his hand still on her head, forcing her forward as he embraced her.

None too gently he turned her face to the window, making the world spin, confusing her. The sudden light shocked her and the crisp air nipped her flushed skin.

She blinked hard, and the blurred scene outside sharpened.

Sickening despair hit her stomach like a fist.

Four men wearing Anglesmore’s livery were dismounting from their horses. Genith sat on the rump of one steed, with tears running down her face. Behind the saddle of another, his hands bound and his long dark hair falling halfway down his back, was one of the young men who had come to take Genith to safety.

“We had her before I came here. My men delayed to try and catch the other thieves,” Marcus said lowly in her ear.

The hand at her head pulled her back from the window. Still hot-eyed with anger and passion, he released his hold on her body but took her face in a grip.

“Do not try to make me into your fool again, Nesta. And never taunt me as you did today. The craving between us goes both ways, woman, and it is my weapon to use as surely as it is yours.”

He pressed another furious kiss on her, then thrust her away, toward the chest of garments. “When I give a command, obey it. Put something on and cover yourself.”

The men of Anglesmore carried out the chests and set them in the wagon. The wagoner Nesta had hired in London kept up an argument with Marcus, explaining that he had not bargained for a journey to Wales, and how he expected an escort out of that bandit-filled land if he was forced to go there. The whole village had come to watch the spectacle and dawdled in groups on the dirt lane.