Rapid thoughts turned over in Anya’s head as she watched Cuthbert. He had said much and she was shocked by the range of his feelings. She was even more stunned by her reaction to him. Anya had to sit down herself. She gazed out into the trees as realizations dawned.

He had said he was honorable, and she could not fault him there. Much to her chagrin, he had put off her advances on him the night before. She still ached from wanting. He was too damned proper she reflected with a bit of annoyance.

Anya found herself glaring at the man and so turned her thoughts to other things he’d said. One of the Culdees, she reflected. That was interesting. She’d often wondered about such men, but had never asked. Maybe if she did question him on some points...

She mentally shook her head. Anya knew she was rambling in her own mind. She snuck a glance at Cuthbert to find him staring off into nothing, lost in his own thoughts. By the look on his face, she concluded they were not happy ones.

From what he’d told her, Anya knew the man wanted more than just a toss in the hay. She wouldn’t mind being his lover, but a wife? Well, she thought irritably, with his being a Saxon and she a Dane, that was not in the stars.

Cocking her head to the side, Anya studied Cuthbert thoughtfully. Certainly he was handsome, in a rugged, unkept sort of way. She liked the breadth of his shoulders and the expanse of that muscular chest. His stomach was taut, unlike her late husband’s who’d been more likely to lift a mug of ale rather than a sword.

A sigh escaped her lips and caught Cuthbert's attention. Then, like a bolt from the heavens it hit her. Gods, when had it happened? Anya wasn’t certain, but she did know for sure that she wanted all that he could not give her. Dear, sweet Freya, she’d fallen in love with a Seaxa dog!

“Why are you glaring at me?” Cuthbert asked.

She was about to deny it until she realized she was glaring at him. Irritably she said, “It’s nothing.”

“Ha!” he said in reply. “I may not know much about women, but what I do know is that if they say ‘it’s nothing’ in that tone, then it most certainly is something. Out with it Anya.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Anya said in defense of herself. “It’s nothing. Just rest assured I will not be embarrassing you when we arrive in town. I can be a good Christian, that’s all need concern you.”

She could tell by his closed expression that her reaction had hurt him. After he’d laid his heart bare, she’d acted like an ungrateful child. Anya could feel the tears well up inside. Before they could fall and give her away, she said, “We need to pack up camp. The daylight won’t last forever.”

Anya was proud of herself. Her voice didn’t break even once during her short speech. As she shoved things in a bag, the tears started falling. She felt like such a hopeless wretch. But, as he’d said, there was no hope for the two of them.