Amazon
Smashwords
Alyse and Geoffrey, Lord and Lady Longford, have journeyed to the glittering Christmas Court of King Edward III in the year 1349 to wait upon the king and take part in some Yuletide merriment. However, when Geoffrey is suddenly called into the king’s service again, Alyse must remain at court, attending the queen and persuading her rebellious sister to accept an unwanted betrothal. When rumors of Geoffrey’s death arise, Alyse fends off an old suitor who wants to renew their friendship. But how long will he take “No” for an answer?
Excerpt:
Alyse stared in horror as Guy
nonchalantly raised her hand to his lips. The skin seemed to shrink,
as though it would crawl off her bones to escape his touch. She
longed to snatch it away from the vile man however, mindful of the
thousand eyes that marked her every movement, she instead gave him a
coy look and a nod. “You are kind to remember me, Guy, now that you
have my sister to wife. I doubted you would give me a glance in the
wake of her beauty.”
Geoffrey moved closer to her, his
hulking presence a subtle warning.
An she knew her husband, he was now
sorely tempted to run Guy through with his sword. Thank God it lay
safe in their chamber. “I give you good evening, Sir Guy. It has
been long since last we met at my father’s house.” Remind him who
had triumphed that evening and mayhap he’d keep his distance and
his head.
“Too long, cherie. Perhaps now
we are to be kindred, we will see much more of one another.” His
gaze rested on her mouth and he licked his lips.
Bold villain. Alyse drew closer to
Geoffrey. The man’s dark-eyed gaze would peel the clothes from her
like the skin from an orange an she endured it much longer.
Face blackened in a scowl, Geoffrey
bumped her side as he stepped between her and Guy. “My wife will
enjoy her sister’s company as often as she likes while we are at
court, Sir Guy. An you are in the room you may bear them company as
well during the Christmastide. Should you journey to Longford after
you are wed, of course, we will always open our home to you.” Her
husband’s teeth clenched so tight his jaw creaked. He’d rejoice
in Guy’s company when the last trump sounded.
“Pippa,” Alyse said, turning to her
sister, sorry that she must bear witness to Guy’s disrespect. Pray
God His Majesty never heard tell of this conversation. She grasped
her sister’s hands, pulling the girl from Guy’s side. “’Twill
only be a short time ‘ere we are gone from here. This feuding twixt
Guy and Geoffrey will last only so long as we remain here. Once you
are married—”
“Once I am married to him there will
be no escape, Alyse.” Pippa’s voice, hard-edged, flat, and filled
with anger, made her cringe. “I will be forever chained to a man
who cares nothing for me, only for my sister.”
No comments:
Post a Comment