Denise Lynn Read online

  'Get out.' Jared glared at the woman.

  Agatha ignored him, rushing forwards instead. 'My lord, you shouldn't be in here.'

  'Does everyone in this keep ignore orders?' He pointed at the door. 'I said get out.'

  'But—' Agatha looked at Lea. 'My lady, are you unwell?'

  Lea was too tired to answer or argue. She stared at the bed, wondering if it had ever looked more inviting. She'd explain things to Agatha and argue with him later. Right now, she just wanted a moment of silence and a few moments of sleep.

  'She'll be fine. Get out.' He turned the maid around and pushed her towards the door. 'If I need you, I'll call.'

  After closing the door behind her, he grabbed a blanket from a nearby bench, then returned to Lea. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he tugged her closer. 'Lift your arms.'

  'I can get undressed.'

  'I'm sure you can.' But that admission didn't stop him. Jared struggled with the damp laces for no more than a few heartbeats before retrieving a knife from the scabbard hanging from his belt and slicing up the seam on one side of the gown and sleeve.

  Grasping the hem of her gowns, he pulled them both over her head, freed her arms and tossed the garments on top of her cloak.

  Lea instantly crossed her arms over her breasts, gasping as the cool air of the chamber rushed against her skin. 'You can go now. Thank you.'

  As if she hadn't said a word, Jared quickly and methodically dried the dampness from her body with the extra blanket, and then rose to push her down on to the bed. He made quick work of removing her soft boots and stockings before briskly rubbing heat into her feet and legs.

  She was naked, shivering and unable to protect herself against anything he might do. She closed her eyes, praying he'd leave.

  Her prayer went unanswered.

  He pulled the covers back. 'Lie down.'

  His tone was gruff and, without the strength to argue, she didn't question him. But once she was tucked in beneath the blankets, Lea asked from between chattering teeth, 'Are you going to leave now?'

  Jared stood over her. A frown drew his brows together. He touched the side of her cheek with the back of his hand, then felt her forehead.

  'No. Move over.' He pushed her across the bed and sat on the edge once again.

  Confused, Lea struggled to stay awake. 'What?'

  His boots hit the floor with a thud. 'I said move over.'

  'You are not—getting into—this bed.' Lea marvelled at the sudden slurring of her words as she shivered hard enough to make her jaw hurt. She closed her eyes. 'So—cold.'

  'I know.'

  She heard the rustle of clothing being removed and felt a breeze as the edge of the blanket was lifted. The bed dipped and she knew she should stop him. But the warmth of the hard chest against her and the arms pulling her closer were far too welcome to reject.

  Lea curled tightly against the warmth, pressing her nose into his chest with her hands folded between the two of them. 'Don't

  'Go to sleep.' He pulled the covers up over her head, encasing her in a warm dark cocoon.

  Jared closed his eyes. He had no idea what he was doing, or thinking. He only knew that he wasn't about to let her fall ill while under his protection. People would think the worst— they'd believe he'd exacted revenge by seeking her death. And, heaven forbid, if she did die, he would always wonder if he'd somehow let it happen on purpose.

  He was angry at her, at times despised her, but he didn't wish her dead.

  Certain Lea's maid would be just outside the door with her ear pressed against the wood, he called out her name.

  As he'd suspected she would, Agatha came into the room almost immediately. 'My lord?'

  She came to a gasping halt halfway to the bed. 'What are you doing?'

  Moving faster than anyone would guess, she spun around to close the door to the chamber before coming to the side of the bed.

  'My lord, I must ask you to leave.'

  'You can ask. But I'm going nowhere.' Jared nodded toward the brazier. 'Build up the fire in this chamber.'

  Agatha remained rooted in place. 'But—'

  'But nothing. Your lady is exhausted and has taken a chill. She needs warmth and sleep.' Over the edge of the covers he glared at the maid. 'Does it look like I'm doing anything to her?'

  'No.'

  'Heat.' Jared nearly growled the word. To his relief the older woman jumped into acdon.

  While she worked at building a fire, he asked, 'Why didn't you know she hasn't slept?'

  'My lord?' Agatha rose from her task to stare at him. 'When I enquired about her health, Lea insisted she was fine.'

  'And you believed her?' A near-sighdess person could have seen she wasn't fine. 'Did you even look at her?'

  'Yes, but—' Agatha shrugged. 'When I suggested she rest, Lady Lea waved me away. She was bound and determined to be on the beach when Lord Charles's body was found.'

  Jared stopped tormenting the maid. He knew better than anyone else that Lea wasn't going to do anything she didn't want to do.

  Agatha approached the bed. 'Has she taken a fever?'

  'I'm not certain.' He rested his cheek against the top of her head. *I don't think so. But she was wet and freezing cold. She needed warmth—quickly.'

  When the maid glanced towards the door, he suggested, 'Go down to the kitchen and bring up something for her to eat and drink when she awakens.'

  'I'll do that.' She reached up to pull closed the curtains on the door side of the bed. If anyone should stick their head into the chamber, they'd not see him in the bed.

  Agatha peered around the curtain to add, 'If you don't mind, I'll pass the word that the lady is ill.'

  'Good. That should help keep the gossips at bay.' Since he'd so boldly carried Lea to her chamber and hadn't returned below stairs yet, he was certain tongues were already carrying tales through the keep.

  The last thing he needed was for his aunt to catch wind of this. She'd have the two of them wedded before he could finish explaining what had happened.

  He wasn't certain who would be more horrified—him, or Lea.

  Asleep, Lea relaxed and uncurled against him, draping one arm over his chest. Jared tensed, trying desperately not to remember the feel of gende swells and soft skin beneath his touch.

  But his traitorous memories and body ignored him. Instead of a nearly frozen, exhausted woman pressed against him for warmth, in his mind it was Lea—his Lea, not the woman next to him.

  Her lips had met his hesitantly at first, but soon she had eagerly returned his kisses. She had tensed beneath his caress, but soon, very soon, sighs and tremors of desire had chased away her uncertainty.

  His only problem had been making sure not to take their love play all the way. He'd promised her they would wait until the day they exchanged vows. Even though it had taken every ounce of willpower he possessed, he'd not broken that vow.

  Sometimes, considering what she'd done to him, he wished he hadn't been so vigilant in keeping his promise.

  Lea turned her head to rest her cheek against his chest, dragging a sigh from Jared. It was going to be a long night.

  Warm. She was far too warm.

  On the other hand, Lea was thankful for the heat. It was more welcome than the freezing cold.

  She burrowed into the warmth behind her, stopping at the feel of another body against her back.

  Too tired yet to move way, she reached behind her, encountering the hard, tensed muscle of a man's naked thigh.

  'Go back to sleep.' Jared's voice brushed against her ear, causing a shiver that didn't come from the cold.

  She tried to roll away, but he tightened his arm round her waist, drawing her closer.

  'Fear not. We've done nothing except sleep under Agatha's watchful eyes. She sleeps on her pallet.'

  Even though her maid was no more than ten feet away, Lea knew she should vehemently protest this intimacy. She hadn't invited him to her bed and should order him from the chamber, or summon Montreau's guards
to do so.

  She'd be within her rights to scream, to have him confined to a cell undl the empress could be informed. No one would blame her if she were to reach beneath her bed, grab the dagger concealed in the frame and use it to stab him.

  If anyone discovered him here they would think—dear Lord, they would assume nothing but the worst!

  Lea slowly inched her hand toward the edge of the bed—

  'It's not there.' Jared sat up and grasped her wrist with one hand. With his free hand he reached beneath her pillow and slid something from beneath it.

  'Here.' He slapped what felt oddly like a dagger into her hand before releasing her wrist to lay back down. 'Now will you go back to sleep?'

  'Thank you.' She slid the weapon back beneath the pillow.

  Jared did little more than grunt a response before once again wrapping his arm round her waist and pulling her close.

  Her pulse raced. Drawing in breath was near impossible with him so close that she could feel his heart pounding against her back. She leaned as far away as his embrace would permit.

  He grasped her hip, holding her still. 'You would do us both a great favour if you'd just stop moving.'

  Lea tried to relax, but it proved nearly impossible. All she could think of was the warmth of his chest against her, his arm wrapped so protecdvely round her, and the unmistakable hardness pressed against the backs of her thighs.

  Mere days ago she would have taken advantage of this closeness. Conceiving a child would ensure Montreau's future.

  Now that the opportunity was.. .at hand.. .she knew it would not be possible.

  There was nothing sweeter in her memories than the stolen moments she and Jared had shared in darkened alcoves. He'd been the first man to kiss her, to touch her and the only man to give her fulfilment.

  Her chest ached with longing. She hadn't realised until this moment how much she'd missed him, and missed his touches and kisses.

  If she turned over to complete the act with Jared, it would not be simply for a child. Making love to him would break her heart —again. It would remind her of all the things that had been good between, and of all the things that had gone so wrong. She would once again remember all of the shattered dreams they'd held for their shared future.

  Lea fought the gathering tears. Enough of them had been shed years ago; she'd waste no more of them now.

  Chapter Six

  Lea stretched, gasping at the pain lacing through her body. She tried again, but this time more slowly, still unable to locate a single muscle that didn't hurt. Reaching out, she swept the bed, relieved to find herself alone.

  Alone? Lea blinked her eyes open. Of course she was alone. Why wouldn't she be? Last night had been nothing more than a dream—albeit an odd dream.

  For some reason, she remembered waking up during the night next to a warm, muscular body.

  More to the point, Jared's warm, muscular body. Since that would never happen, it had to have been a dream.

  After throwing back the covers, Lea sat up and groaned. What had happened to her? She felt like she'd been trampled beneath a dozen horses.

  'My lady?' The bed curtains parted and Agatha stuck her head through the opening. 'Good, you're finally awake.'

  'Finally awake?' She craned her neck, trying to stretch the stiffness away. 'How long have I been asleep?'

  Agatha busied herself in the chamber, picking up discarded clothing, and opening the shutters before returning to the side of the bed. 'Just under two days.'

  She handed Lea a gown. 'It seems your lack of sleep took its toll while you were on the beach.'

  She slid the gown over her head. Now she remembered— Jared had brought her back to Montreau. Then, when she'd tripped on the stairs, he'd carried her up here to her chamber, although she didn't remember anything after that except being grateful for the bed beneath her, the covers over her and the warmth beside her.

  The warmth beside her?

  'Agatha, was I...?' Not quite certain how to ask, Lea hesitated. 'Did Jared...?'

  'Did he sleep with you? Yes.' The older woman took pity on her. 'But he did nothing more than warm your body. You were nearly freezing, Lea. We feared a fever might set in.'

  'We?' She could understand Agatha's concern. But Jared's? 'Why would he care if I lived or died?'

  'I don't.' Jared walked further into the chamber. 'But your people and Empress Matilda might not take kindly to you dying under my protection.'

  Lea rose and shook the undergown down into place before turning to look at him. His intense gaze, hungry and hooded, sent her mind whirling. She swallowed, trying to regain her composure and a measure of common sense. 'Oh, yes, I forgot. I am your duty at the moment.'

  The lout flashed a smile at her before he nodded. 'Good. I see you've regained your fighting form.'

  Unwilling to prolong his unsetding presence in her chamber, Lea refused to be baited into arguing with him. 'Was Charles's body found?'

  'No.' Jared took a seat on the bench nearest the door. 'I plan on calling off the search today if nothing is found.'

  Lea frowned. That meant they'd been searching for five days now. It should never have gone on this long.

  'You want them to keep looking?'

  'No.' Lea realised he'd misinterpreted her frown. 'It's been far too long already. Call it off, bring them in.'

  He nodded in agreement, but didn't seem eager to leave. She wanted him gone from her chamber before she said, or did, something that would give away how just his mere presence was making her notice things about him that she'd been able to ignore—until now.

  Things like the breadth of his shoulders, the length of his legs, the way his hair fell across his face when he turned his head, or the crinkles that formed at the sides of his eyes when he smiled.

  Like he was doing now. Even though it was only half a smile, it lightened the expression on his face, and oddly enough her mood.

  She looked away. 'Don't you have something to do?'

  Jared stretched out his legs. 'No.'

  The tone of his voice, deep and steady, made her pulse tremble. Oh, yes, she desperately wanted

  —needed—him to leave.

  Intentionally seeking to anger him into leaving, she asked, 'What about Montreau? Are you not avoiding your duty to the keep by sitting here where you aren't needed?'

  'I'm certain Montreau is fine.'

  Something about the tone of his voice set her senses on alert. That half-smile wasn't a smile—it was more of a gloat. What she had read as an easy manner was in truth.. .smugness.

  He was doing a bad job of hiding some secret. If his badly hidden mirth was any indication, it was a secret she would most likely not find pleasing.

  When he finally got around to revealing what he was hiding, Lea knew he'd expect her to show some emotion—shock, surprise, perhaps even disgust or horror.

  No matter what he divulged, she refused to give him the satisfaction of watching her fall apart like some weak-kneed woman. She'd already displayed enough of that to him.

  Of course the trick would be in getting him to tell her the secret now while she was prepared.

  Grasping at straws, she asked, 'Since Charles's body wasn't found, is it safe to assume you'll be sending his brother on his way?'

  Jared's smile broadened. Lea tensed. His reaction told her that this secret somehow involved Villaire. That knowledge made her ill.

  'No. I'll not be able to do that just yet.'

  Keeping her voice steady wouldn't be easy, but she took a breath, then asked, 'And why is that?'

  Jared rose to head for the door. Lea refused to be kept hanging from the end of a string he held.

  'Jared, stop. Why can't you ask him to leave?'

  To her relief, he paused in the doorway and turned to look at her. 'Because he has acquired a new husband for you.'

  Lea's brief moment of relief vanished, along with her determination not to show surprise. She raced after him. 'What?'

  Jared didn't stop; he
lifted an arm and waved at her over his shoulder.

  'My lady, catch!' Agatha called out a warning to her.

  A gown hit Lea on the shoulder, making her realise she hadn't finished dressing. Knowing he'd make good his escape before she could dress, she glanced out into the corridor, grabbed a mantle from a peg by the door and dashed after Jared while holding the front of the long cloak together.

  'Jared!'

  His curse drifted up from the stairs. But he came back upstairs, stopping before her to give her a long head-to-toe look. 'You spend two days in bed sick and now you run about the keep without shoes or a gown?'

  'What do you mean Villaire has found me a husband?'

  Jared hushed her before turning her around. 'Keep your voice down.' He pushed her towards her chamber.

  Once inside, she spun round to confront him. 'Well?'

  'Villaire found you a husband. What part of that statement do you fail to understand?'

  He was enjoying this far too much. It was apparent by the twitch at the corner of his mouth. She longed to take her anger and frustration out on him, but retained enough sense to keep her fisted hands at her sides.

  'He doesn't have the right.'

  'I know that. You know that.' Jared shrugged. 'Obviously Villaire and King Stephen think otherwise.'

  'Stephen? What does he have to do with this?'

  'From what I've heard, this John—Blackstone—carries a writ stating that he has permission from the king to court you.'

  Lea felt an unseen fist slam into her stomach. 'What?'

  'You should be thankful he didn't arrive with outright permission to wed you.'

  'I'd be more thankful had this man not arrived at all.'

  'Come now, Lea. Montreau is too rich a prize for you to have assumed you'd not be wed again whether you wanted to or not.'

  He was wrong. Actually, she had no intention of ever wedding again. She didn't care how rich a prize her keep was to anyone.

  'I am not marrying this man.' If Villaire had found this prospective husband for her, the man was likely a dolt who could easily be controlled by her brother-by-marriage.

  'Don't tell me.' Jared waved toward the door. 'Tell them. They await you below.'