EXCERPT:
...'Sarah, come.'
She bit back a tart comment about following
him like a loyal dog and fell silently in
step behind him. When they returned to the
camp, Hugh and Adrienna were already curled
together beneath a cover on the far side of
the fire.
Suddenly terrified of what lie ahead, she
stood rooted to the ground watching William.
He cleared sticks and stones from the earth,
before unrolling covers for their makeshift
bed.
He sat on the log to unlace, then remove his
boots before he moved to the bed and
stretched out on his side. He stared up at
her and extended his arm, inviting her to
willingly come to him, giving her the
choice.
Sarah wanted to run away from William's
outstretched hand. She wanted to fall into
his arms. She wanted to hide--not just from
him, but also from herself and everything
she’d become--and everything she’d never be.
In that one heartbeat of indecision, it all
crashed in on her. She was a liar, a spy,
the Queen’s whore--over and over every
rumour that had ever been bandied about
reverberated loud in her ears. Never would
she be able to escape who, or what, she was.
Unshed tears blurred her vision. A cry
lodged in her throat, nearly choking her as
she turned away. William cursed softly.
Before she could move, he sat up and took
away her opportunity to choose by pulling
her down next to him.
She rolled onto her side, facing away from
him. With one arm wrapped firmly about her
waist, he held her fast. 'This day has been
too long. I will bedevil you no further,
Sarah. Go to sleep.'
Thankful that this would not be the night
for more questions, she closed her eyes. But
sleep would not come. It was held at bay by
the solid length of his body behind hers,
and by the strong beat of his heart against
her back.
Every passing heartbeat fed her guilt. And
each moment that he held her close, offering
protection instead of ravishment, made her
worry that she'd not be able to see this
plan of Eleanor's through to the end.
Dear Lord above, what would she do if that
proved true? If she betrayed Queen Eleanor,
she could likely lose her life. Yet, if she
betrayed William, he would lose his. Unless,
she could somehow talk the Queen out of
seeing him dead. Thus far, she'd never been
able to change the Queen's mind on anything,
so Sarah held little hope for doing so in
the future.
The pounding inside her head was nearly
unbearable. And the tightness in her throat,
from holding back tears, threatened to
strangle her.
William loosened his hold from around her
waist, reached up and brushed a thumb across
her cheek, wiping away a tear she hadn't
realised had fallen. 'Rest easy, Sarah, I am
not going to hurt you.'
She sniffed, then said, 'I know that.' The
second the words were out of her mouth she
wanted to quickly push them back inside.
He raised up on his elbow and leaned over
her. 'Then what are you crying about?'
'Crying? What are you talking about? I am
not crying. What would I have to cry about?
There's no reason for me to cry. Everything
is fine. Go to sleep.' She spoke so fast
that she knew he'd realise she was lying--a
witless fool would know.
With his lips against her ear, he whispered,
'Surely you know that blithering only
exposes your lie.'
Since he hadn't posed a direct question, she
said nothing.
William feathered kisses on the sensitive
flesh of her neck. His gentle touch sent her
heart racing anew, and her mind spinning.
Before she had a chance to calm her flitting
senses, he moved back to her ear. 'I would
have thought...that you...would be much
better...at fabricating the truth.'
Between words, his lips against her neck,
then her ear, chased thrills the length of
her spine. Without thought, she answered,
'So did I.'
At his chuckle, Sarah's groan of dismay
changed quickly to a gasp. The lout had done
that on purpose. She pushed at his forearm,
hoping he would release her from his
embrace.
But instead of releasing her, he tugged her
onto her back. 'Ah, Sarah, how were you ever
successful spying for the Queen?'
That was a question she'd like to know the
answer to herself. The few men who managed
to get her alone long enough to play these
games of seduction had never made her mind
go numb. Her heart hadn't pounded like it
did now.
In the dim light of the fire she could see
only the outline of his form. Still propped
up on his elbow, William leaned down towards
her. 'You are such a fraud.'
He brushed her hair from her face, before
tracing a finger down the side of her cheek
and then across her lips. His touch left a
fiery trail on her skin.
William leaned closer and kissed the corner
of her mouth. 'I wonder how much truth there
is to the rumours about you.'
REVIEWS:
Wonderful story with William a true
alpha male and Sarah as a just as strong
female. They really keep the action
coming and the back story with the other
characters never interferes with the
main characters. Sarah has left a mark
in the other books before this one that
not telling her story would have been a
crime and one I am very happy to say was
not committed. ~ Mary Gramlich
----------
Lynn weaves an intricate tapestry full
of royal intrigue, slavery and revenge.
Caught in the middle are the queen's
lady spy and the king's man. An arranged
marriage brings them together, but love
may tear them apart. The story is well
written and captivating until the last
surrender. ~ Maria Ferrer RT Book reviews.
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