An Oath Broken Read Free Page A

hard-won control. The man was dangerous, a fact she’d noted from the first.
    So preoccupied by her anger over her guardian’s news of her betrothal, she’d ignored the knight’s request for a meeting. She’d struggled with the reality that once she left her home, if Lord Bretane denied her request and forced her to marry his son, she might never return to Rancourt Castle. And her intent to depart immediately to confront her guardian had become smothered by fear.
    Shame filled Sarra at her poor manners. The Scottish knight was hired to perform a task. He didn’t deserve her avoidance. “Apologize,” he breathed.
    His voice, as potent as thunder, rattled through her thoughts to the fore. Sarra shoved against his chest.
    He didn’t move.
    “Release me.” At his noncompliance, her mouth grew dry. She licked her lips, and his eyes followed the act.
    The knight muttered a soft curse, and a new worry shot through her. She glanced down the spiral steps to where her men ate, oblivious to her peril.
    The knight tilted his head and fragments of light spilled over his face. Anger still raged within his ice-blue eyes, but now desire churned as well.
    Stunned, she shoved harder. “Comply or I will order you hung!”
    With a look of disguist, the knight loosened his grip, but he didn’t let go. “Rest assured, my lady, I have no personal intentions. A boar would offer more warmth than you.”
    “Ho—How dare you!”
    “And how dare you ignore my requests for the last three days.”
    He was right, neither did he understand that his dark presence evoked painful memories of the reivers who’d murdered her parents, and reminded her of her future, promised to a Scot she abhorred.“My decisions are those of the mistress of Rancourt Castle. And ’twas not I who skulked through the castle without permission.”
    “ ’Twas your rudeness that forced my hand.”
    “I am firm but fair.”
    He arched a skeptical brow. “Have you deluded yourself into believing that as well?”
    Anger slid through her with a sharp bite. “You know naught about me.”
    His eyes narrowed. “Then we are even, are we nae?”
    Again she shoved against his chest. To her surprise, this time he released her, but he didn’t step away.
    Silence clattered between them. She should be afraid. Terrified. Never before had a man dared touch her so. But she remained still, as intrigued as afraid.
    “ ’Tis what you are good at, is it nae?” he pressed. “Ignoring those you do nae wish to see. Allowing others to deal with issues that you refuse to face?” The Scot leaned closer, one hand pressed against the wall where he’d held her trapped moments ago, his eyes riveted upon her.
    The image of a wolf flashed in her mind. Dark. Wild. Untamed.
    Refusing to allow him the satisfaction of discovering that he’d unnerved her, she angled her chin. “Once I leave, fate may never allow me to return.”
    “So you ignore me? Refuse to explain your reasons?”
    What did he know about her and what did she care? “My reasons are not your concern.” With as much dignity as she could muster, she turned, then walked up the stairs. The lonely shuffle of her slippers on the stone steps echoed around her, but she sensed he still watched.
    Waited.
    Though the writ from her guardian had tossed her organized life into chaos, ’twould appear that with the arrival of the Scottish knight, fate had thrown in another curve as well.
    Whatever lay between them was far from over.
     
    Blast it! Giric slammed the door to the keep. Air, bitter with cold, gusted against his face as he stepped into the night. Moonlight slashed through the shield of clouds racing overhead. The pale beams melded with the torchlight lending a majestic beauty to the well-kept stronghold.
    One day his castle would stand as proud. Neither Lady Sarra nor any other would deter him from his goal.
    Giric willed the English noble from his mind, but flashes of her vulnerability on the turret steps moments before