out, he kissed her again, saying, “Good night, my love.” Lifting the sheet, then, he leaned over to drop a kiss on her swollen belly. “Good night, little one.”
The first time he’d done that, he’d acted on impulse, but she’d been so moved by the gesture that he’d incorporated it into their bedtime ritual. She gave him a dazzling smile now, then nestled against his body, her head cradled on his shoulder. To his amusement, she was soon snoring; she’d never done that before and he assumed it was yet another symptom of pregnancy. He shifted his position with care, not wanting to disturb her sleep, and let his hand rest lightly upon her rounded abdomen. Whenever he entreated the Almighty to keep Isabella safe and well, he always included the baby in his prayers. But he also prayed that the child she carried would be a girl.
MORGAN WAS WATCHING from the shadows as Mariam and two men-at-arms approached the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. He could not hear what she said, but it was obviously welcome to the men, who beamed and bowed respectfully before leaving her alone on the steps. She waited until they were on their way before entering the church. When Morgan materialized silently beside her, she did not speak, either, following as he opened a side door that led out into the cloisters. None of the secular canons were about, for they were getting ready for the None Mass; Morgan and Mariam had chosen their time with care. Morgan had already scouted out the cathedral precincts and when he said, “This way,” she nodded and slipped her arm through his, pausing first to draw her veil across her face, leaving only her eyes visible. He knew it was a trick of the light, but they looked golden, as lustrous and gleaming as a cat’s eyes in the dark, and he was glad he’d found an inn so close to the cathedral.
“How much time do we have?” he asked once they’d safely merged into the usual street traffic of pedestrians, carts, vendors, beggars, and an occasional horseman.
“I told them to meet me back at the cathedral when the bells sounded for Vespers. They were delighted to have the rest of the afternoon to themselves, are likely headed for the nearest tavern or bawdy house.”
“Vespers . . . then we have three hours.”
She nodded and her eyes crinkled at the corners, as if she were smiling. “I am supposed to be meeting Bishop Theobald and Prior William of the Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr to discuss donations for the poor, and I told them to take me to the cathedral first so I could offer up prayers for those who died during the siege of Acre. It would have seemed strange if I’d made it later than Vespers, for they know I’ll be expected back for the evening meal. I could not leave the castle without an escort, though. A king’s daughter—even one born to a harim concubine—cannot go wandering about the streets by herself, after all. Sinning would be so much easier if only I were not so highborn!”
Morgan halted so he could look directly into those glorious golden eyes. “Do you think that we are sinning, cariad?”
“No, I do not,” she said, without hesitation. “Fornication is surely a venial sin at worst. So unless you have a wife hidden away in Wales that you’ve failed to mention, I do not think we are putting our souls in peril.” They resumed walking and she rested her hand again in the crook of his elbow. “If I’d said yes, that I did think we were about to commit a mortal sin, would you have taken me back to the castle?”
He considered the question. “No, I’d have tried to convince you it was not a sin,” he said honestly, and when she gave a low, throaty laugh, he wanted to stop and kiss her then and there. Fortunately, they did not have far to go, for the inn was already in sight. He’d planned it as thoroughly as a military campaign, arranging access to a back entrance so she’d not have to pass through the common chamber. Even though she was veiled, he did not want to subject her to the stares of other men. She teased him that a man did not get to be so adept at trysts without having had a lot of practice, but her footsteps were as quick as his as they