Well it doesn't seem like that many people are interested in this story so I might just take a break and finish my other stories first. But thank you to the people who have reviewed.

Chapter 2

Warmed by her words, Jason said, "You're most welcome."

"You must be here for the tournament, Sir…?"

Even though she'd rightly guessed he was a knight, she spoke with a frankness most unusual, especially from a peasant girl. Usually women either stole shy glances at him and never met his gaze directly, or they regarded him too boldly, with an unmistakable invitation in their eyes, whether they were highborn or low. This young woman did neither. She simply regarded him as she might a friend.

As pleasant as that thought was, he realized he wanted to be considered more than a mere friend.

"I'm Sir Jason Morgan."

"Come a long ways, too, haven't you? From Wales?"

"That's where my home is," he said as he strolled closer.

He came to a halt a few feet from where she leaned back against the hut.

She ran a measuring gaze over him. Far from finding that impertinent, he wondered if she found him as attractive as he found her.

"I haven't seen you at the castle," she noted.

"That's because I haven't actually entered it," he admitted. "Being a Welshman, I'm not particularly fond of the company of Norman nobles, although I understand Lord Webber is a fine fellow."

His smile grew. "Now that you know something about me, I'd like to know the name of the damsel I've assisted."

She immediately stopped looking at him and stared down at her feet. Perhaps she'd suddenly remembered how a peasant was supposed to behave toward a knight, or maybe his admiration had been too obvious and he'd frightened her.

"It's Liz and I ought to be going now," she murmured, giving him a shy smile that made him both relieved and happy even as she sidled away.

"Please allow me to walk with you, in case those drunken louts return."

"No, sir, no, I couldn't let you trouble yourself."

He deftly intercepted her and bowed as he would to the queen. "It would be my honor to ensure that you reach your home safely, Liz."

"No!"

Her retort sounded astonishingly like a command.

As Jason regarded her with surprise, she quickly looked down at her feet again.

"You see, Sir Jason," she continued in a deferential tone, "I'm not supposed to be in the village at all. I wasn't to leave the castle and I'll be in trouble with my mistress if she finds out I did."

She looked up at him with a pleading expression in her beautiful hazel eyes. "You won't tell anyone about this, will you, sir?"

How could he resist that plea? "Don't worry, Liz. Your secret's safe with me."

He couldn't help himself. He reached out to stroke her cheek; it was as soft as he'd guessed it would be. "I give my solemn vow as a knight of the realm."

"You would give a peasant girl such a promise?" she asked in an incredulous whisper.

As her eyes sparkled in the moonlight, it was all he could do not to kiss her. "Aye, I would. You have my solemn vow and pledge that no one will ever know we met here tonight."

Then, to his complete and utter shock, she threw her arms around him and kissed him full on the lips.

Passion and yearning came hard on the heels of his surprise, and he pulled her closer. She responded with fervor and longing, parting her lips and allowing his tongue to slide into the moist warmth of her mouth.

Good God, she was more than merely grateful for his help and surely it wouldn't be taking advantage of her to make love with her when she was so obviously willing.

She broke the kiss. Gasping, she put her hand to her lips, turned and ran off into the darkness.

"Liz!" he called, running after her.

He couldn't find her. He searched the green, the streets, the back alleys, the entire village, but she wasn't there. It was as if she'd vanished into thin air, or he'd dreamed that encounter.

And that astonishing kiss.

To be continued...

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