My Heart Stood Still by Lynn Kurland (best book club books of all time .TXT) 📕

not following him, since he seemed determined to lead her to the saints only knew where. The pathway led up, so perhaps 'twas safe to believe he wasn't leading her down to Hell.

"How do you know your way so well?" she asked. "Have you been here before?"

He hesitated, then smiled briefly over his shoulder at her. "Not exactly. I've heard it described, though."

She pursed her lips but didn't press him. Daft as a duck, poor man.

He continued to lead her up stairways and down passageways until he came to a final circle of steps.

"Up here," he said, "then close your eyes when I tell you to."

She followed him up, then, against her better judgment, she closed her eyes. But she kept one eye open a slit, just on the off chance he intended to do something untoward with her.

He opened a door and led her out into the open. Iolanthe watched her feet and saw they were on a walkway. She hugged the wall to her right. Better that she not slip off to the left, even if that was Thomas's plan.

But by the way he clutched her hand, then put his other arm around her shoulders, she suspected that pushing her off the parapet was not his intention.

He turned her into a breeze and held her steady.

"Open your eyes."

She did and gasped in surprise. She rubbed her eyes for good measure, but nothing had changed in the sight before her.

For there before her, in all its glory, was the sea. The moon shone in the sky, lighting the waves as if by a lantern. The sound, the smell, the sight was almost more than she could bear.

"Merciful saints above," she breathed as tears burned in her eyes. "Ach, by the saints, 'tis more beautiful than I imagined it could be."

"Isn't it?" he murmured.

She looked up to find he was regarding her with a smile. She found her wits long enough to scowl at him.

"The strand, you fool," she said pointedly. "I spoke of the strand."

"And I meant you," he said with a smile, "but it seems like a silly thing to argue about, doesn't it? You watch the water, I'll watch you, and we'll both be content."

She couldn't tear her eyes from his face. Perhaps she was a poor judge of men, but she believed that a score and some years of living in her hall amidst the intrigues and jealousies had given her a fair eye for a liar. The shifting eyes, the easy smile, the spewing tongue.

But there was no lie in his face.

"Who are you?" she asked, and she knew it would likely not be the last time she asked the question.

"Someone who loves you," he said simply.

"How?" she asked, pained. "You don't know me!"

"It's a very long story. I'll tell you tomorrow in the daylight. Right now, I think you should just enjoy your view of the ocean."

Mayhap he had it aright. She stared out over the wall and watched the water lap ceaselessly at the shore. She leaned her elbows on the wall before her and drank in the sight until she felt every bit of tension leave her.

For the first time in her life, she felt peace.

"We can stay as long as you like," he said quietly.

"Here on the wall?" she asked.

"No," he said gently, "here at Artane. Near the beach."

She found that quite suddenly her eyes were once again filled with tears. It was a terrible habit she was acquiring, this blubbering without provocation.

"Surely not," she said. "We don't know the lord—"

"I know his cousin, William," Thomas said. "Apparently that is enough to have us be considered family."

"Is it," she said, but it wasn't a question.

"I have decent skill with sums," Thomas said, but not boastfully. "I offered to check his accounts in return for our keep." He smiled easily. "He refused, of course, but I'll do it just the same. Me not being much of a swordsman, of course, and probably no help to his garrison."

She at least had the grace to feel a bit of shame. "You saved my life, and I disparaged your skill just the same." She chewed on her lip for a moment, then spat out an apology as quickly as possible, for it didn't come easily to her.

"Well," he said with a laugh, "if you hadn't stowed that dagger in his arm, we'd both be dead, so thanks have to go to you as well."

She nodded briefly in return, then looked back over the shore. "Thank you for this," she said quietly. " 'Tis a very great gift."

"It's my pleasure," he said. 'Truly."

She stood next to him for what seemed like hours, letting the sound of the sea soothe her. When she finally gave in to her shivers, Thomas put his hands on her shoulders and turned her toward the tower door.

"It'll be there tomorrow," he said. "It's late, and we're exhausted. I think they have a chamber for us."

She dug her heels in. "For us? The two of us? But—"

"You're perfectly safe with me."

"But—"

"We'll put pillows between us on the bed. I'm fairly sure you'll be too tired to ravish me, so I'll sleep quite easily."

She whirled around. "Thomas!"

The look he gave her had the rest of her complaints dying on her lips.

"Say my name again," he said quietly.

"Daft man, I will not."

"That wasn't it. Another try, if you please."

She scowled at him. "I'm not set to ravish you, Thomas McKinnon, no matter the beauty of your face. I'll take the bed, and you'll have the floor."

"If you say my name a few more times, I will probably end up doing just that without complaint." He smiled and turned her around. "Let's go, violet eyes."

She stumbled, but he caught her and steadied her. She didn't dare turn around, and she wondered again if she had just consigned herself to a night in a chamber with a madman.

Why had he called her that?

She tried to give it thought, but the feeling of his warm hands on