At first. But then his control started to slip, and he moved a little quicker, a little harder, and maybe a little rougher. But she didn’t mind. She liked it. She felt it in the increasing fierceness and intensity of his groans. The thick column of flesh wedged between her legs began to grind in slow, sensual circles reminiscent of . . .

That was when the memories returned. She jerked back suddenly. Harshly. Horror stripped the color from her face.

My God, she’d almost . . .

What was she doing? She couldn’t do this. The fact that she’d wanted to—even for a moment—struck her cold. But the feelings had been so powerful, so overwhelming, so intense.

She knew better than to trust those feelings; she was more surprised that after all that had happened she still had them.

He seemed just as shocked as she about what had happened—and just as horrified. He recovered first. Somewhat.

“Shite.” An instant later, he winced as if he couldn’t believe he’d just said that. After raking his fingers through his hair, he stood a little straighter and tried again. “I must beg for your forgiveness. I hope you will accept my apology for the dishonor I have done you. I have no excuse. I do not know what came over me, but I assure you it will not happen again.”

Joan couldn’t believe it. The sharp sound of a laugh was out before she could prevent it. Was he for real? There was something so charmingly old-fashioned and proper about him, she felt as if she’d slipped back in time into the pages of some faerie tale. Would he bend his knee and hand her his sword to do her will? Good gracious, she knew exactly what had come over him. Lust. Desire. Passion. It made people do things they never intended.

“You have much to learn about dishonor, Sir Alex. A kiss hardly qualifies.”

She’d meant it more wryly than sarcastically, but she could tell by the way his jaw clenched and his eyes darkened that she’d offended him—unintentionally as it was. He gave her a hard look. “Maybe it is you who have much to learn about honorable men, my lady.”

The reply took her aback. She stared at him. With a short bow of his head, he moved past her up the stairs, leaving her to ponder what he’d said.

Chapter 9

9

JOAN? I ASKED you a question.”