Promised to the Crusader by Anne Herries Page A

had been oiled, his skin gleamed. He eased his shoulder back and forth, feeling the way the stiffness was gradually easing. Zander had learned long ago that only exercise would ease the aching caused by stiffness after a wound healed. If he continued to practise hard, he would soon be back to two-thirds of his old skill, though he was not sure he would ever regain his full fitness or dexterity. Elaine’s mixture had certainly made a difference, but the process of healing was slow and tedious to a man in a hurry. The scar on his cheek was still painful sometimes and he wondered if he should submit to Elaine’s healing, but some stubbornness within him made him hold back.
    Hearing a sound behind him, he turned and saw Elaine staring at him. The slight noise was her indrawn breath as she saw him standing,naked to the waist, a drying cloth slung casually about his lower body.
    ‘Your back…those scars…’ She said and then blushed. ‘Forgive me…I did not know you were here, my lord. I came to bring these.’ She placed a pile of clean linen on the bed and made to withdraw. Zander caught her arm, preventing her from leaving.
    ‘The scars you mention are long healed,’ he said, his eyes burning into her. Suddenly, he remembered the way the sensual dancing had made him feel; the need to hold her and kiss her that had been aroused in him the previous night was so strong that he felt it sweep over him, destroying his good intentions to keep a barrier between them. She was here, in his chamber, the scent of her so sweet and enticing that he moved closer, letting it fill his senses and driven by a hunger he could not control. She looked so cool, fresh and lovely, so desirable that he forgot all his good intentions as a surging need took hold. Zander knew that this was wrong; she was too far above him, but he could not control the fire blazing through his body. He wanted her, more than he’d ever wanted any woman, and the need tore at his resolve to remain aloof. Before he knew what he did, he had reached out and brought her close to him,holding her as he bent his head to kiss her on the lips. She gave a little start, but his kiss was soft and after a moment he felt her relax, her body moving closer of its own volition. Zander smiled a little and released her, gazing down at her. ‘I have wanted to do that since the first moment we met again. It has been a long time since we kissed, Elaine.’
    ‘Yes, my lord.’ She smiled at him and then reached up to touch the livid scar on his face. Even the softness of her fingers hurt him and he flinched. ‘Will you not let me try to heal this for you—or allow Janvier to use my poultice?’
    ‘I thought it was healing slowly?’
    ‘Yes, but I can make it feel so much easier, take away the tightness that causes puckering and pain.’
    ‘Then send me the balm and I will apply it myself.’
    ‘As my lord wishes. You shall have it this night,’ she murmured and turned to leave. Once again he caught her, this time by the wrist.
    ‘You do not feel revulsion at the sight of my scars?’
    ‘Revulsion? How could I feel anything other than sympathy for your pain and the wish to help you?’
    ‘I have seen other women look at my face and flinch away.’
    ‘Then they are fools, my lord.’
    ‘Or perhaps you are more compassionate than some.’
    ‘Anne Stornway would have healed you had you let her.’
    ‘Yes, she is a remarkable woman.’ Zander felt her pull away, but held her still. ‘You are more beautiful, Elaine, and younger. Do you wonder that I feel it wrong to take advantage of your promise?’
    She stilled then and looked up at him. ‘I thought you had forgot it?’
    ‘How could I ever forget you or the vows we made before I left?’
    ‘Then why…?’ Her cheeks flushed. ‘I have not changed, Zander.’
    ‘You think not?’ He smiled, arching his right eyebrow. ‘I see many changes. The girl has become a woman, I think. I believed you still as innocent as you were,