Taden studied Miranda, intrigued. She obviously
had a hold of some kind on the surly cousins, Corin
more than Nathaniel, though what Nathaniel’s
feelings for the girl were…
He didn’t want to think of that. Miranda met his
gaze and smiled shyly. The cornflower blue eyes
blinked, and Taden’s anxiety uncoiled and fell from
him. His spirit lightened.
“Who are you?” he asked, awed by abilities he’d
never imagined before.
The woman’s smile widened. “I’m Nathaniel’s
friend. I’d like to be yours.” She cocked her head to
the side and studied him. “Are you Nattie’s new
lover?”
Hot blood flooded Taden’s face, but he felt
compelled to answer. In that moment he would have
told her anything. “I hope to be,” he breathed, and
heard the desperateness in his tones.
“I’m glad.” Miranda turned on her heel, and
Taden was released from a spell he hadn’t been aware
of. He felt out of his depth and quickly drowning.
He joined the group waiting with the horses and
gripped the pommel of the saddle to his stallion,
grateful for the solid feel of it. Nothing seemed real.
He swung astride and winced as pain shot through
his head. He’d forgotten his wound, and it took a
moment for his sight to clear. He jerked back when a
hand touched his face. He quickly blinked Nathaniel
into focus, conscious of the heat from Nathaniel’s
thigh against his as the young man leaned towards
him from his horse.
“Is there pain?” Nathaniel asked, warming
Taden’s heart with his concern.
“Nothing to speak of.”
Nathaniel unexpectedly pressed against him, the
vibrant body setting him on fire. “I’ll come to you
tonight,” Nathaniel whispered, his breath warm in
Taden’s ear, sending shivers of desire through him.
Nathaniel brushed Taden’s lips with his own, then
nudged his horse after the others. It took Taden a
moment to remember to breathe, his body aching
with need. Then he glanced around and found
Corin’s watching him. A sensuous smile crossed the
handsome face, and Taden was appalled at the
overwhelming, lustful desire to have both cousins in
his bed, one fair and one dark, fulfilling his every
fantasy.
He found it hard to concentrate with his blood
and imagination running wild. He desperately urged
his horse forward. Corin’s soft laughter burned in his
ears as he caught the others up and joined Bryce at
the lead.
“Problem?” the captain asked after a glance at his
face.
“No.” Taden kicked his horse to a trot across the
lush fields to his home. Pride stirred in his heart at the
imposing manor resting on the crown of a green hill,
its stones mellowed to a soft blue-grey with age. He
called to the guards on the wall, and the gates swung
open to admit them. They dismounted in the
courtyard, and several boys ran forward to gather the
reins of the horses and lead them away.
Taden turned to his guests, though his eyes rested
on Nathaniel. “Welcome to my home.”
The ornate door to the manor opened, and a
pretty woman came out, tall and slim in a green dress.
She halted at the top of the stone steps.
“Do we have company, Taden?” The woman
glided down the stairway and paused a second to
touch Bryce’s arm. “Thank you for bringing him back
safely.”
Taden hid a smile at the warm light in the
captain’s eyes as he bowed over her hand. Taden slid
an arm around her waist as she looked expectantly at
the others. “This is my sister, Maribel. Darling, please
meet Miranda and Corin and Nathaniel.”
His tone must have changed at Nathaniel’s name.
Maribel gave him a quick glance then reached out and
touched Nathaniel’s hand, surprising him. “Welcome
to our home.” Her glance included the others. “Won’t
you come in? Taden, you’ve been hurt again.”
Taden chuckled at her motherly tone. “Just a
scratch, dear.”
Maribel pursed her lips. “We’ll see what the
doctor thinks. Your last scratch festered.”
“It’s been well cared for,” he assured her, not
meeting Corin’s eyes. He wished he could send the
man on his way, but bit his tongue. He wouldn’t risk
his time with Nathaniel just to be rid of his dangerous
cousin.
“I’ll fetch the doctor,” Bryce offered as they
followed Maribel up the steps. Maribel thanked him,
and Taden watched a rosy blush stain her cheeks
when Bryce smiled. The color deepened when she
caught Taden’s eyes on her. Then she laughed in
good humor and sent servants running to prepare
food and rooms for the unexpected company.
Chapter Five
Taden gingerly touched his scalp after the doctor
left and felt the jagged skin of a forming scar. The
wound had already knit together. All that remained
was a slight tenderness to the touch. He didn’t know
if he should thank Corin or scream in frothing
madness for the magic used on him.
He lit several candles against the growing
darkness and put his room in order, covering the bed
with fresh linens. A nervous chill ran through him as
he straightened the comforter, and he fled the
confines of the room to the balcony at the back.
He stared a moment at the wide cot he used
during the warm summer nights, then fetched a thick
blanket to cover it. He lay down on the cot, but found
he couldn’t rest, not with Nathaniel’s tantalizing body [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]