But she wasn’t paying attention to Sir Henry. All she could see was Alex. He was dusty and more tired than she’d ever seen him, yet there was a hard edge to his gaze that she’d never seen before. Steel, she realized. That was it. He had the look of determination in his eyes of a man who would not be gainsaid.

“What is this about, Alex?” But she feared she knew.

He didn’t say anything but held out his hand.

She hesitated, feeling as if something momentous was about to occur. That if she put her hand in his, she wouldn’t get it back.

Realizing she was being ridiculous, she slid her fingers into his. Maybe not so ridiculous, after all. Instantly she felt claimed—possessed—by the warmth of his big hand surrounding hers. It made her feel small and fragile and special in a way that she never had before.

She allowed him to lead her to the lord’s private solar attached to the Great Hall. He motioned to the large cushioned chair—which she assumed was reserved for the king or his governor—for her to sit. He didn’t seem inclined to do the same and paced (anxiously?) for a few moments before turning to face her. “I will not apologize for the dishonor I have done you, even though it is deserved. I think we both know it has gone beyond that. I would have spoken to you before I left, but under the circumstances, I thought it best not to give anyone, including your cousins and de Beaumont, any hint of my intentions.”

The moment the king had winked at her, Joan had guessed (but didn’t want to acknowledge even to herself) those intentions, and a strange mix of anticipation and dread had started to swirl in her stomach. By now it was a tempest. She looked down at her hands. “There is nothing you need say, my lord.”

Reaching down, he took hold of her chin and forced her gaze to his. “How can you say that? What happened between us . . .”

His voice fell off, and his jaw hardened. But one look in his eyes, and any hope that he might not remember was put quickly to rest. He remembered everything, and she felt the heat rising to her cheeks as the memories hit her, too. Just being in the same room with him alone brought back the feelings of intimacy, the sensation of lying in his arms, the feel of his weight on top of her, the hardness of his powerful muscles against her, the fullness of him inside her . . .