…'Sarah, come.'
She bit back a tart comment about following him like a loyal dog and fell silently in step behind him. When they returned to the camp, Hugh and Adrienna were already curled together beneath a cover on the far side of the fire.
Suddenly terrified of what lie ahead, she stood rooted to the ground watching William. He cleared sticks and stones from the earth, before unrolling covers for their makeshift bed.
He sat on the log to unlace, then remove his boots before he moved to the bed and stretched out on his side. He stared up at her and extended his arm, inviting her to willingly come to him, giving her the choice.
Sarah wanted to run away from William's outstretched hand. She wanted to fall into his arms. She wanted to hideľnot just from him, but also from herself and everything she'd becomeĽand everything she'd never be.
In that one heartbeat of indecision, it all crashed in on her. She was a liar, a spy, the Queen's whoreĽover and over every rumour that had ever been bandied about reverberated loud in her ears. Never would she be able to escape who, or what, she was.
Unshed tears blurred her vision. A cry lodged in her throat, nearly choking her as she turned away. William cursed softly. Before she could move, he sat up and took away her opportunity to choose by pulling her down next to him.
She rolled onto her side, facing away from him. With one arm wrapped firmly about her waist, he held her fast. 'This day has been too long. I will bedevil you no further, Sarah. Go to sleep.'