< previous page page_158 next page >

Page 158
her wiry strength weighed more than another maid-en's soft plumpness. After a time he had to stop to rest, and he put her down on a fallen log. He still had not answered her question when he sat down beside her and took her hand.
"I cannot take just your body and your friendship," he said. "God knows, you burn in me like a branding iron, so hot is my desire, but that is not all. I need more than your body to slake my heat."
"Let it be, then," Rhiannon urged hastily. She could neither hurt Simon nor expose herself to the disaster that would overtake her if she permitted herself to love him. "I will go home tomorrow if I can, or the next day at the latest. You know where to find me if you should change your mind."
Simon hated the thought of her going, but it would not have mattered if she remained. When he finally carried her through the gate of Aber, he was greeted with cries of reliefbut not for Rhiannon's sake. No one had missed her at all; however, a message had come for Simon from Richard Marshal and Simon could not be found. Since age had not dulled Prince Llewelyn's perceptions, he was not unaware of the envy Simon had aroused because of Rhiannon's favor. Llewelyn had said nothing, convinced that Simon was also aware and could take care of himself. However, the news that Simon had left Aber alone, unarmed, and clearly for some urgent purposethe guard had seen him running like a wild thing toward the forestworried the prince.
After Llewelyn found out what had happened in the forest, he sent a party to retrieve Mallt's body and messengers flying in every direction to order the apprehension of Madog ap Sior. Beyond that, Llewelyn could do little and did not allow himself to waste time and energy on the subject. He greeted with relief the news that Rhiannon intended to go home to her mother. She would be unhappy if it was necessary to keep a

 
< previous page page_158 next page >