EXCERPT:
Falcongate - Normandy, Late Spring 1142
A small brazier provided light in the
one-room hunter's cottage. They would
supply their own brand of heat to warm
the tiny chamber.
He
slid beneath the furs on the narrow cot,
then gathered her close. She came to him
willingly, pressing the length of her
body against his.
Her
head rested just below his shoulder, her
shaking breath blew hot against his
chest. Stray curls from hair as bright
as the summer sun, tickled at his neck.
Her
skin was so soft and smooth, like the
fluffy softness of a rabbit. He stroked
her slender naked limbs, reveling in the
knowledge that she was his. She trembled
beneath his touch, her nervousness
making him feel bold and protective at
the same time.
The
thought humbled him and he silently
swore to protect her always. Had he not
recently vowed to keep her safe, to
honor her, to love her for all time?
This
night they would learn of passion and
desire together. They would bind the
vows they'd shared with love.
"You
would think a Faucon would know not to
let down his guard."
Darius of Faucon jolted out of his dream
at the statement. He'd fallen asleep
while fishing and had not heard the men
approach. His first instinct was to grab
the weapon lying at his side. But the
tip of a sword steadily pressed to his
neck kept him in place against the tree
he'd leaned against earlier this day.
He
squinted against the blazing sun and
counted eight blades pointed at his
chest. He glanced toward the next tree
and saw Sir Osbert in the same
predicament. Darius felt a measure of
relief knowing that the aging captain of
his guard had come to no harm.
From
the tenseness of the man's stout body
and the bushing of his near-white
eyebrows, Darius doubted if Sir Osbert
shared that relief. One thing was
certain, had these armed men wanted
either of them dead, they'd already be
conversing with those in the afterlife.
Darius stared at the man leaning closest
to him and asked, "Who are you? What do
you want?"
The
man stood, sheathing his blade as he did
so. "King Stephen and Queen Maud wish a
favor."
Though Darius was thankful to have been
awoken from a dream that had haunted him
nightly for nearly six years, he asked,
"They could not simply send a missive?"
"They did. No one responded."
Obviously the request had been sent to
Faucon Keep. He'd not been on his
brother's property for a fortnight now.
Instead, he'd taken up residence at the
smaller and more secluded holding of
Falcongate. Situated along a lazy river,
it suited his needs for the moment.
Darius informed the man, "Comte Faucon
is recently married and has not yet
arrived home. The king knows this."
"Aye, and your other brother is
encumbered elsewhere. That is why Queen
Maud sent us directly to you. She
thought you might be here instead of at
the main keep."
"Obviously, she was correct." Darius
rose, silently cursing the queen for
remembering this holding. "What do they
want?"
"An
exchange."
The
humor evident in the man's voice gave
Darius pause. "Exchange of what?"
"A
favor for your traitorous life."
"Traitorous?"
The
man shrugged. "It seems proof has been
given to place you in league with
Empress Matilda."
The
possible repercussions of that statement
brought Darius's heart to a near
standstill.
"Who
makes this wild accusation?"
The
man's smirk widened. "Queen Maud."
Darius gritted his teeth to capture a
shout of frustration. This false
accusation was nothing but a game. A
game the king and queen would play to
ensure his immediate cooperation. A game
where his life would likely be the only
prize.
A
game he obviously had no choice but to
play. "And what...favor causes King
Stephen and Queen Maud to employ such
extreme measures to gain my assistance?"
The
man nodded. "Good. You seem to
understand the importance of this
request." He waited until Darius was
joined by his captain before continuing,
"It is a simple task."
Sir
Osbert snorted in disbelief. Darius
shared his man's opinion. Simple would
likely translate to a mission requiring
much gold, men and risk. He motioned for
the man to explain. "Define what this
simple task entails."
"Lord Thornson has died. He leaves
behind a widow."
Likely a widow requiring a new husband.
Darius swallowed before asking, "And
they wish me to do what?"
"You
are to take and hold Thornson Keep until
the king and queen can find a man
suitable to be a husband for the lady
and a master for the keep."
Darius's exhale of relief escaped in a
rush at the knowledge that he was not
this suitable man. Then he realized that
Thornson Keep was near the border of
Scotland. It would put him not only
weeks away from Falcongate, but on the
edge of the enemy's territory. "A simple
task to be sure."
The
man's wicked chuckle preceded an ominous
warning. "There is more."
Of
course there would be more. Darius
closed his eyes briefly and shook his
head. "I am not surprised."
REVIEWS:
What a great Medieval novel!...Ms. Lynn
gives such wonderful descriptions in
this book...I found Falcon’s Love to be
an enjoyable read...I was reluctant to
put it down...I hope you will enjoy
Falcon’s Love as much as I did. Medieval
is my favorite genre and I sometimes
critique these books a little harder
because I am so familiar with the
settings and the time period. I was
happy to find out that Ms. Lynn did not
disappoint me in her portrayal of
Medieval England. She is a master
storyteller and I look forward to
reading more books written by Ms. Lynn.
~ Robyn, Once Upon A Romance
----------
Denise Lynn can always be counted on to
deliver a well-told story with a
delicious hero, a feisty heroine, a load
of sexual tension and a nifty
suspense...This Harlequin Historical has
a more than delicious hero, Darius
Faucon. The story not only oozes sexual
tension, but boasts an exciting suspense
angle. This well-written story is also
fast-paced and often humorous...Ms. Lynn
knows how to grab a reader's attention
and hold on. I was pretty well hooked on
FALCON'S LOVE from the get-go. ~ Debbie
Jett, Romance Reader At Heart
----------
Denise Lynn entertains with this classic
tale of good verses evil. With a fortune
at stake and deception at hand, this
novel leaves the reader routing for
Darius, Marguerite and their quest to
preserve true love. Darius is portrayed
as a strong yet passionate and sensitive
man, keeping family and honor top on his
list of priorities. Marguerite's
character grows as the story progresses,
changing from unwavering and hard to
loving and sincere. The setting and plot
add to the drama and story - and to the
hope that justice will prevail.
I
found Falcon's Love to be a satisfying
read with just enough action and drama
to hold the reader's interest. A steady
start that slowly turns into an
action-packed adventure, the story will
surely please Falcon fans. Denise Lynn's
other titles include Falcon's Desire and
Falcon's Honor - predecessors to
Falcon's Love. I'm looking forward to
discovering the rest of this series. ~
Maria, Castle Historical Romance Society
----------
Smugglers, the hint of treason and the
secret baby theme make for high drama.
This is a refreshing medieval that has a
widowed heroine who enters an arranged
marriage to avoid unwed motherhood, but
lovingly remembers her husband until her
true love comes back into her life.
SENSUAL ~ Gerry Benninger for Romantic
Times
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