A Dishonorable Knight - By Morrison, Michelle Page 0,80

of the other men, on the floor." He placed the candle down and disappeared down the hall. Gareth stepped forward and gestured Elena into the room.

As she walked through the doorway, Elena judged that Samuel had been generous when he said the room was not large. It was more of a closet, with a low bed pushed into one corner and just enough room left for a small table. He was accurate on the clean and comfortable part, however, Elena thought. There was not a speck of dust to be seen and the bed was made up with a bright quilt and a small pillow. There was even an ewer of water on the table.

"Do you need aught else?"

For some reason, his question made Elena think of Gareth's passionate kisses. Hastily dismissing that thought from her mind, she said, "No. This should do." She felt like she should say something else, something to make the lighthearted Gareth of earlier this evening return, but she could think of nothing.

Gareth bade her good night and gently closed the door.

The door swayed open slightly after Gareth left and Elena tried to pull it closed again, but there was no latch to keep it tight. Elena shook her head. At least everyone was already asleep. Turning, she began struggling out of her worn and travel-stained gown. She pulled the faded cotehardie over her head, laying it on the foot of the bed and then leaned over to pull off her boots. Pulling off her chemise, she glanced in the pitcher of water. Thank heavens it was full. There was nothing she wanted more than to wash the sweat and dust of travel off her skin. The water was cool and refreshing. She had just put her chemise back on when she heard a light knock on the door.

Elena whirled around at the noise, clutching her gown to her breast, as the door swung open. A red-faced Gareth met her gaze.

"I--I'm sorry, Elena, I knocked, but the door??

"Yes, I couldn't get it to latch."

Gareth glanced at her thin covering before focusing on a point somewhere around her forehead. I just wanted to, uh, give you this," he said as he thrust a large bundle at her. "Da thinks we'll have enough time to have it made up before we leave."

"Have what made up?" Elena asked as she tucked her gown under her arms and began untying the cloth wrapper. A folded length of the wool she had been looking at earlier fell onto the bed. She sucked in her breath.

"I thought you would like a new dress to return to England in."

Elena looked from the cloth to Gareth who stood uncertainly just inside the doorway. How many men realized the importance of a new gown or took the time to see to its creation? Heedless of her state of undress and the impropriety of her action, Elena threw her arms around his neck. "It's wonderful! I don't know what to say."

She felt Gareth's hands slide around her waist. "How about 'thank you'?"

Though she was not used to saying the words, she laughed and said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Gareth." She sobered slightly when she realized that her arms were still around his neck and his hands were now caressing her through her thin chemise. Without quite realizing what she was doing, she leaned up and pressed her lips to his. He responded slowly, tentatively, only opening his lips when she pressed hers against them more insistently. An abstract part of Elena's brain bellowed that this was not included in the conduct befitting a noble lady, but she quickly silenced it as she concentrated on the rush of sensations that were coursing through her body.

Gareth's gentle grip on her waist was now crushing her against him. One of his hands slid up her back to tangle in her hair and cradle her head. Elena moaned softly as she gave herself over completely to his kiss, opening her mouth and allowing his tongue to explore its soft recesses. Elena felt his muscles shudder through his worn shirt as she ran her fingertips over his shoulders and up into his unruly hair. Unable to control herself, she grabbed fistfuls of his thick hair and pulled his head closer to hers so she could return his kiss.

Finally, the kiss ended and Elena buried her face weakly in Gareth's neck where she could feel his pulse race underneath her lips. His grip on her had relaxed and his