|
|
|
|
|
|
know I am only serving as a messenger, Rhiannon. My coming and going are not at my own discretion." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Then you came to my father as an emissary, not of your own will?" she asked. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Simon tried to judge her expression, but it was difficult. Even with her head turned as much as possible toward him, he was so close that he saw her from a strange angle. Nor could he trust himself to interpret her voice. It sounded good-humored and curious, but Rhiannon had a tendency to set traps for unwary tongues and Simon was determined not to fall in. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you know where we can be private and comfortable?" That was a safe question, and it saved him from the need for answering her immediately. I am not very familiar with Aber." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rhiannon looked up through the trees at the sun. "That way," she pointed. "We will come out above the water, and we can find a cove. If it gets hot enough, we can swim. Oh, can you swim, Simon?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Of course I can. Roselynde lies on the narrow sea." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
He touched Ymlladd with his spur to pick up the pace, not because he wished to arrive sooner, but because he wanted to forestall conversation under what he considered adverse conditions. In fact, it was extremely pleasant to hold Rhiannon clutched against him. He had never had so prolonged a contact with her before and found it so stimulating that the real purpose of this ride began to become obscured. By the time they had reached the shore and picked their way down along a stream that had cut a path to the narrow, rocky beach, Simon was beginning to reconsider Rhiannon's offer and to wonder whether it could make any difference if they married before or after they became lovers. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Still in the grip of this emotion, Simon slid from his horse, carrying Rhiannon with him. It was not completely safe to leave Ymlladd loose while he was saddled and bridled. An empty saddle and a loose rein were battle signals to the war-trained stallion that could |
|
|
|
|
|