As he was about to go inside her, Giselle looked up at him, her face full of some kind of plea.
‘Lyall, do you care for me, a little at least?’
In all honesty, there was only one answer to give. ‘Of course, I do, you little fool. Why would we be like this now if I did not?
Giselle gave him a nervous smile. ‘Lyall, if I do this, what will become of me? Will you keep me here or will you send me back south, to my father?’
It was as if someone had thrown a bucket of cold water all over him.
Chest heaving, he rolled away and sat at the edge of the bed. Behind him, he heard Giselle’s breath catch as she started to cry and tried to hide the sound.
‘Is that why you are letting me touch you?’ he hissed. ‘Are you bargaining for your freedom with your body?’
‘Please don’t be angry with me,’ she said. ‘I am frightened, that is all.’
Lyall took a deep, ragged breath to calm down. ‘I am not angry with you. I am angry with myself. Forgive me,’ he said and rushed out of the chamber.