The Traitor's Daughter by Barbara Kyle Page B

“I won’t be that far away in Sussex. If you need me, send word to the Angel Inn in Petworth. I’ll come to your side the same day.”
    â€œI shall.”
    â€œPromise.”
    â€œI promise.”
    He raised both hands and gently smoothed her hair back from her face. “Dear God, I may not see you again for—”
    â€œShh,” she said, laying her finger on his mouth. She did not want to think of that yet. Another separation. More lonely nights.
    â€œYes,” he whispered. “We have tonight.”
    He lightly kissed her neck. She bent back her head to let his kisses brush her throat. He slipped her robe and chemise off her shoulder and ran his lips over her collarbone. She shivered with pleasure. His mouth found hers. She smiled under his kiss. “Who’s the seducer now?”
    He chuckled, then murmured, “The one who loves you more than life.”
    Their lovemaking this time was slow and languid, beginning with smiles and whispers, then quieting into a silent searching of palms and fingertips, of lips and tongues. It built to an exquisite ache, then an even more exquisite release. When finished, they lay on the broad window seat locked in each other’s arms. The moon had trailed to the window edge, casting them in half shadow as if to give them privacy. The cat hopped up beside Kate’s bare ankle, startling her with a tickle of his tail. He settled into a ball in the crook of her knee, purring so loudly it made her laugh.
    Owen laughed, too, as he unwrapped his leg from Kate’s. “Erasmus, when I am with my lady three is one too many.”
    Kate sat up, her legs bare to the thigh as she swung them over the window seat edge and tugged her chemise and robe back into place. Straightening his own clothes, Owen leaned against the casement, gazing at her in the white moonlight. “By God, but you are lovely. An alabaster Venus, warm with life.”
    Erasmus stretched languorously, yawning, his long body taking up all the space between them. They shared another smile. “Reclaiming his territory,” Owen said. He winked at Kate. “As I’ve reclaimed mine.” He got to his feet and held out his hand to her. “Come, my love. Sleep. We are both going to need it.”
    She rose and slipped her arms around his waist, her body still tingling from their passion, and pressed her cheek against his neck. She did not want to leave this nook of moonlight and love. Did not want to break the spell. He held her close, and she was filled with a sweet gratitude for him. He understood how much the Queen meant to her. And how much her father’s esteem meant, though he had turned his face against her. But that would change if she held fast to what she believed. Owen understood that as well. This bond between them, a bond of absolute trust, made her want to share more. She was bursting to tell him the news that had brightened her morning.
    â€œOwen, Robert is back in England.”
    â€œWho?”
    She pulled back, but kept her arms around his waist. “My brother. It’s a secret, though, and you must tell no one. I got a letter from our old tutor. He says Robert is living in Lewes. He’s a physician. Imagine, Robert caring for the ill! When I last saw him he was a frightened little boy. It’s such wonderful news.”
    Owen frowned. “A secret, you say?”
    â€œYes. He and Master Prowse, that’s the tutor, have become friends, and he explained that Robert has taken another name. Robert doesn’t want anyone to know his true identity.”
    â€œI can understand why.”
    â€œOur mother. I know.” Her bitterness welled up again. “Her children cannot escape her taint.”
    â€œNot both children.”
    â€œYou said no one censures me for her crime, and surely the same holds for my brother.”
    â€œYou have not been raised by her,” he said darkly. “He has.”
    His implication