Denise Lynn Read online

  A door down the corridor closed. Seconds later Agatha, the lady's maid, walked by Villaire's open door.

  Markam smiled. "I think I've found our solution to that problem.'

  Lea closed her fingers around the cloth in her hand. 'What do you mean she's missing?' She stared at the guard, certain she'd not heard him correctly.

  The young man shifted from one foot to the other, displaying his nervousness. 'My lady, we have looked everywhere and found nothing but that belt on the tower stairs.'

  Her heart pounded with worry. 'Have you informed Lord Warehaven?'

  'Not yet. We were waylaid by Lord Villaire before we could report to Warehaven.'

  Certain that Villaire was somehow involved, Lea narrowed her eyes. She crushed the belt in her clenched fist. If he wanted her attention, he'd chosen the perfect way to gain it.

  She waved the guard aside and stepped into the corridor. 'You go and report to Warehaven.'

  Knowing what she was about to do could prove risky, she added, 'Tell him I'm going to the south-west tower to deal with Villaire.'

  After waiting for the guard to disappear down the stairs, Lea headed for the far end of the corridor and the stairs to the tower. Since that's where Agatha's belt was discovered, she assumed Villaire waited for her up there.

  She pushed the door at the top of the stairs open and stepped out into the night. A cold stiff wind whipped her unbound hair across her face, forcing her to drag the wild mass from her eyes.

  'My dear sister, if you would braid it like a lady should then you wouldn't have that problem.'

  'What do you want, Markam?'

  'Want? Nothing. I didn't send for you.'

  His feigned look of innocence would be laughable were the situation not so dire. 'Where is Agatha?'

  He leaned over the wall and waved to someone below, then turned back around to face her. 'You can rest assured that she is heading for the kitchens.'

  'Good. Now if you'll excuse me.' Lea reached behind her for the door, only to find her way blocked by Blackstone.

  'Not just yet, Lady Lea.' He quickly reached up and wound a hand through her wind-whipped hair. 'You and I need to talk.'

  Lea tried to jerk away from his hold, only to have Blackstone tighten his grip on her hair until she winced. She clung to his wrist, hoping to lessen the pull against her scalp.

  Villaire laughed. 'It seems you have a slight problem, sister dear. Perhaps it would be easier to relax.'

  Tears of pain stung her eyes. Lea released Blackstone's wrist and stopped struggling. As Villaire had suggested, the hard tug lessened.

  'Since you've seen fit to avoid John's courtship, perhaps that means you wish to skip the niceties and go straight to the betrothal...' he paused to smile and tip his head as if contemplating the two of them before adding '.. .or perhaps even the wedding.'

  'There will be no wedding between us.' Angry, Lea nearly spat at him. 'I would sooner—'

  Blackstone cut off her words with another hard tug.

  He pulled her head back until his lips were next to her ear. 'Surely you don't still believe you have a choice in the matter?'

  Villaire sighed. 'Charles was wrong to give you so much freedom. I told him more than once to curb your ways, but he wouldn't listen. So, now the task is left to me.'

  Clinging once again to Blackstone's wrist, Lea shouted, 'I am already betrothed to Warehaven; he will have your heads.'

  'By the time he discovers what has transpired it will be too late for him to do anything except fume.' Villaire added, 'Perhaps the next time he thinks to wed an heiress he won't be so slow about seeing the deed done.'

  'I'm warning you, Markam, this is a mistake. If you do anything so foolish as force me to wed Blackstone, Warehaven will see I am widowed before the end of the ceremony.' She didn't know if that was true or not, but hoped it would give her brother-by-marriage something to think about.

  'The only mistake I made was in letting my brother wed you instead of doing so myself.'

  Had this cur been the last man on earth she would have taken her own life before becoming his wife. 'My father never would have permitted such a match.'

  'Your sire was a spineless fool who would have done anything I told him to do as long as it meant his precious keep was spared from suffering in this war.'

  Staying out of the war had nothing to do with Montreau. He had done it because of her brother.

  But she wasn't going to explain that to Villaire. However, she did disagree with his description.

  'My father was not spineless, nor was he a fool. I can guarantee you that he never would have forced me to wed you. Never.'

  Blackstone jerked on her hair. 'It matters litde what he would, or wouldn't have done, since we are here to discuss your marriage to me, not Markam.'

  Lea ground her teeth together to keep from crying out in pain. Catching her breath, she demanded, 'We aren't going to talk about anything unless you release me.'

  'So you are finally ready to discuss the details?'

  'Yes, yes, I am.' She would say anything to gain her freedom from his relendess hold.

  He swung her around and slammed her against the wall before removing his grasp. Lea gasped for breath to clear her now blurry vision. Afraid the man would kill her before Jared arrived, she dodged to her right in an attempt to put at least an arm's distance between her and the men.

  But Blackstone was quicker. He grabbed a handful of her gown and pushed her back against the wall, then pinned her in place with his body. 'You aren't going anywhere.'

  Lea pushed against his chest. Unable to move him, she punched his shoulder. Blackstone only laughed. 'Did no one ever warn you about picking a fight with someone larger and stronger?'

  He raised his fist. The blade of a sword sliced through the sleeve of his surcoat, pinning his arm to the wall alongside Lea's head. A dagger slid in front of his neck.

  'Did no one ever warn you about abusing those smaller and weaker than you?'

  Lea nearly fainted at Jared's deadly tone. She wanted to ask what had taken him so long, but couldn't get the words past the thickness in her throat.

  He moved Blackstone away from her with the edge of his dagger. 'Agatha awaits you in your chamber. Go.'

  As quickly as her shaking legs could move, she raced towards the door without a backward glance. She didn't care what Jared did to Villaire or Blackstone. All she wanted was to get as far away from them as quickly as possible.

  Jared waited until Lea disappeared down the stairwell before turning his full attention to the man on the other side of his dagger blade. 'What did you think would happen when I discovered your plan?'

  Blackstone swallowed hard enough to push his own neck more firmly against the weapon. With his free arm, he pointed at Villaire. 'It was his idea.'

  Jared knew that already. He would deal with that cur later. For now it was enough to know that three of his men held Villaire captive.

  'Placing blame on another doesn't answer my question.' He twisted his dagger a hair, wishing he could slice the man's throat. Unfortunately, killing one of Stephen's supporters would endanger Montreau's neutrality.

  'Let's try again. What had you planned for the lady?'

  Blackstone clamped his lips tightly together. But a litde more pressure from the dagger, just enough to nick the man's flesh, had his eyes bulging and tongue wagging. 'My lord, please, I meant her no physical harm. I wasn't going to rape her, only make her think it was a possibility.

  We were hoping to frighten her enough to agree to a quick marriage.'

  'Did you forget she already has a betrothed?'

  Blackstone stuttered, but finally managed to say, 'We thought it was just a hoax to put off my suit.'

  'You thought wrong. I should castrate you just for threatening her.'

  The man paled. He shook like a frightened girl. His eyes welled with tears borne of terror.

  'Please, my lord, I beg you, spare me.'

  The man deserved to be terrified—more
so than he was already. Jared flashed his most evil smile.

  'You wouldn't die. Not if a good physician could be found quick enough to stem the blood loss.'

  He jerked the tip of his sword from the mortar, hoping he hadn't ruined the weapon. Trailing the tip slowly down Blackstone's side, he mused, 'It would most certainly keep you from threatening to harm another woman.'

  The man went limp. Jared removed the dagger edge from his throat and let him fall to his knees pleading for mercy. His mission with Blackstone completed, he turned to advance on Villaire.

  Just as he assumed would happen, Villaire started blubbering before Jared got within arm's length. He didn't care. This coward needed to be put in his place for once—at least when it came to Lea. For nearly two weeks he'd watched and listened as Villaire had belitded and bullied her.

  Her brother-by-marriage had unjustly found fault with everything she said or did. From what Jared had heard from Montreau's men and women, her husband had done the same thing. She hadn't deserved that type of treatment, especially not from men who were greedy only for her property and cared nothing about her.

  It would give him great satisfaction to simply ram his sword through Villaire's blackened heart.

  The cost of such an act might be war, but right at this moment it was a cost he'd pay gladly.

  He stopped mere inches from Vdlaire. 'Give me one valid reason I should let you live.'

  'Killing me will bring Stephen's wrath down on Montreau.'

  'Stephen's wrath?' Jared shook his head at Villaire's pidful attempt to save his useless life.

  'Stephen wouldn't waste the time or energy on avenging your death. Were you that important to his reign, he would have given you guardianship of Montreau.'

  'He's considering my petition.'

  Jared shrugged. 'Then he wastes his time. I've made the decision for him. You will leave here immediately and do not return.'

  He addressed his guards. 'See that Villaire and Blackstone gather their possessions and then escort them to Montreau's borders.' Before dismissing the men, he emphasised, 'Do not cross the border yourselves.'

  He didn't want any of his men losing their lives because of Villaire.

  Chapter Nine

  Lea staggered into her chamber. The more she thought about what had just happened with Blackstone and Villaire, the more frightened and ill she became.

  They could have harmed her greatly in their attempt to force her hand in marriage. She had the feeling they wouldn't have cared overmuch had they killed her.

  'Lady Lea.' Agatha walked out of the small alcove off the side of the bedchamber. 'Did they hurt you?'

  Fearing her voice would break if she spoke, Lea shook her head. When the older woman opened her arms, she went into them like she had as a child.

  Agatha patted her head, whispering, 'Poor baby. Come, some sleep will do you good.'

  Nerves stretched too tighdy to sleep yet, Lea pulled out of the embrace. 'No. Not yet.' She sat down on the bench near the lit brazier. 'Tell me what happened. How did they get you out of the keep?'

  Agatha sat next to her. 'Villaire told me you were in the village and had need of me. I had no reason not to believe him.'

  'He didn't threaten you, or harm you?'

  'Oh, no, my lady. When I realised they had lied and returned to the keep, Blackstone waylaid me, only to lock me up in an unused shed.'

  She didn't need to add that since it had been raining most of the day, there would have been nobody near the sheds to hear her shouts.

  Lea shivered. I am so sorry. I never thought anyone else would get caught up in Villaire's plots.'

  'It wasn't your fault. I should have known better than to trust his word.'

  'What were the two of you thinking?' Jared entered the chamber. 'You both could have been killed.'

  Unable to disagree, Lea remained silent. Agatha wasn't as meek. 'We weren't, so what might have been matters little.'

  'Since the safety of this keep and your lady is my responsibility, it does matter.' He frowned at Lea a moment, before ordering Agatha, 'Leave us.'

  The maid hesitated, putting an arm around Lea, then asked, 'Will you be all right?'

  'I am not the enemy.' Jared nearly growled. But he softened his tone slightly as he assured her,

  'She will not be harmed.'

  Lea nodded. 'I'll be fine, Agatha. Go, get something to eat, and rest. You've had a hard day, too.'

  Jared folded his arms across his chest, staring down at her until Agatha left the chamber, closing the door behind her.

  Then he asked, 'Well?'

  Now he was going to badger her, too? She'd had enough of men today—especially ones who wanted to treat her like a widess fool.

  She rose and quickly walked to the window. 'Go away and just leave me be.'

  He was behind her in an instant. 'Why did you think it necessary to confront Villaire and Blackstone alone? You knew they'd done something with your maid, yet you willingly put yourself in danger.'

  His tone was harsh, clipped. He was angry.. .and something else that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Lea turned to look up at him. While his outraged frown drew his eyebrows nearly together and his tight lips formed a hard line, his jewel-toned eyes didn't sparkle like emeralds.

  Her breath caught in her throat. He'd been more than just worried—frightened? Heaven above, if this man of war had feared for her safety she'd been in more danger than she'd imagined. No wonder he was now badgering her.

  Lea's knees threatened to buckle. Her heart thudded anew. She threw herself against him, clinging to his shoulders for support, to whisper, 'Thank you.'

  Jared wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He buried his face in her hair, warning,

  'Don't ever do anything so foolish again. Do you hear me?'

  Relieved to be held in a safe embrace, she nodded against his chest. Jared's heart beat a riotous tempo beneath her cheek. Whether he would ever admit it or not, he had feared for her.

  A shudder rippled through her at what could have happened; a strangled gasp escaped her lips.

  Jared's warm breath brushed across her ear. 'Hush, they can't threaten you any more.'

  Lea pressed dghter against him, seeking comfort in the safety of his arms. She turned her head, dlting her face towards his to whisper, 'Kiss me.'

  Jared groaned, knowing a kiss would not be enough to satiate his growing hunger. He wanted more than just a kiss and the feel of her soft body against him.

  He met her lips, brushing lightly against them. 'What is this, Lea? What do you want?'

  She rose up on her toes, threading a hand through his hair, trailing her nails lightly along his scalp, stroking the rim of his ear. When he shivered in response, she answered, 'I want to feel alive.'

  Jared passed his hands down her back, caressing her hips before cupping the full roundness to lift her up his body.

  He wanted there to be no mistaking her request, so once again asked, 'What do you want, Lea?'

  She hooked one leg around his and pressed her body tighdy against the length of his erection.

  'You. All of you.'

  Her husky whisper nearly singed his ear, shattering his control.

  Jared turned to cross the chamber with her still in his arms. He lowered her to the bed, her legs dangling over the edge, then knelt between them.

  Wanting to savour the feel and taste of her soft flesh, he quickly removed her shoes and stockings.

  He had little doubt that his aunt would soon recall him to court. This would likely be the last time he had the opportunity, the pleasure, of making love to Lea. And while it was wrong— doing this went against everything he believed—he wanted her,

  needed her more than he needed air to breathe and much more than he needed to cling to the ragged edges of his honour.

  Pushing the skirt of her gown up, Jared trailed his fingertips along the length of her legs. He could no longer deny the simple fact that even though he would never forgive her, could
never trust or love her, he would always crave her, would always desire her. And he would never forget her when he left. She moaned at the feel of his lips behind her knee and gasped with anticipation when he pressed hot kisses up the soft pale flesh of her inner thigh.

  The sound of her ragged breaths, her breathless sighs, were like the finest wine to his senses.

  They inflamed him, begging him not to stop.

  She offered no resistance when he pushed gently against her thighs, and he knew she was as eager for his indmate touch as he was to taste her.

  She jumped at his first touch, and he held her steady, enjoying her passionate response to his teasing torment.

  'Oh, Jared.' Straining for release, she curled her fingers into the bedcovers.

  He laughed softly, knowing what she wanted, yet unwilling to end his play so soon.

  Lea groaned at his laugh, cursing him in a breathless pant, 'Damn you, Warehaven.'

  The familiar curse only tempted him to wrest a begging scream from her lips before giving in to her needs.

  He dragged her closer to the edge of the bed. Without a pause in his wicked torment, he reached up to undo the laces of her gown.

  Lea thought her heart would pound out of her chest. She knew what he was going to do. And while the sweet torture would be pure heaven in the end, her submission would once again prove his complete domination over her body and her lust.

  When he caressed her breast to tease the tip, at the same dme sliding his touch into her warm depths, she knew without a doubt she would submit to his will. The only question was—how quickly would she beg him for release?

  If it were possible, she would stay in this state of bliss for ever. It was the closest feeling to love she would ever experience. But when he stroked her, she knew her bliss would soon come to a shattering end.

  Lea's breath hitched; her stomach clenched. The intensity of her building climax brought her off the bed. She curled her fingers into his shoulders, begging, nearly crying, 'Jared, please, please, now.'

  To her relief, he answered her plea, holding her tightly as he took her over the edge of desire.

  She fell back on to the bed with a sigh, wishing and longing for more, but accepting what he gave.