When her elderly husband dies, Lady Katherine fakes her own death and disappears into the forest with others escaping the brutish new lord. Determined to protect her people, she knocks the wrong man senseless. But Lord Henry isn't an enemy, he's the brother of her childhood friend. Although his tender confidence tempts her, she's bound by duty.
Henry of Chauvere has found the one lady he wants for his own, never mind she's tied him hand and foot. When he learns the king has ordered her to wed Stonehill's ruthless new master, he insists Kate seek haven with his sister. But she won't desert her friends. Henry vows to solve her problem, provided he catches a traitor before the threat from Kate's past catches her.
When a daring rescue compels Henry and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn't drive them apart.
EXCERPT:
Kate drew the dagger sheathed at
her waist and set to the knots at his wrist. “Two days ago, soldiers began
searching for strangers. Friends at the castle told us a traitor roamed the
forest, and Sir Mortimer gave orders to apprehend or kill him.”
“Then it appears Sir Paxton has
reached your lord and recruited help. He has a talent for
spinning tales.”
The ropes gave way and Kate stepped
back.
Henry massaged his wrists. “Your
men tie a good knot. Have a lot of practice, do they?”
Kate jerked her gaze to his face.
He jested at a time like this? Yes, blast the man, a smile lurked at the
corners of his lips.
Her glance slid from his mouth to
his eyes, and she gasped. “Your poor face. Here,” she handed him the dagger and
waved at the binding around his ankles, “you cut while I pour more water. If
that wound isn’t cleaned, it may turn bad.”
She’d retrieved the bowl from the
floor where she’d dropped it earlier, and turned to fill it with cool water when
a pair of strong hands gripped her shoulders. A deep, rough whisper brushed her
ears.
“Never give a weapon to the enemy.”
Bio:
Award winning author Barbara Bettis
has always loved history and English. As a college freshman, she briefly
considered becoming an archeologist until she realized there likely would be
bugs and snakes involved. And math.
She now lives in Missouri, where by
day she’s a mild-mannered English teacher, and by night she’s an intrepid
plotter of tales featuring heroines to die for—and heroes to live for.
Visit her at: www.barbarbbettis.blogspot.com
I'm so glad to be here today, Trish. Thanks for hosting me!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is my kind of tale and I love the excerpt. Really tasty. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a phenomenal story. Best wishes for sales!
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt! Sounds like a fun, lively story.
ReplyDelete