Bewitching in Boots Read Free Page A

see, my father knows how much I love to fence and has always provided me with fine instructors in the past. I’ve learned all I can from my last instructor. Therefore, I need a new one. He has ordered you to assist me in finding one to my liking, and I’ve chosen the instructor I want. You .”
    Tristan gave a harsh laugh. “ Me ? Madame, are you blind? Perhaps you missed my injured leg?” he all but growled at her.
    Unfazed, she responded, “I’m aware of your injury. It won’t hinder you, I’m sure. You are the best swordsman in the country. You have a lot to teach me. And you’ll not disobey your King’s orders.”
    She stepped around him. Without turning back, she walked toward the château with purposeful strides, passing the small group of servants who’d formed a line outside, her sister and maid on her heels. She hated sounding spoiled and demanding, knowing it fed into his preconceived notions of her, but he left her no choice. He needed persuasion. Only by throwing the King’s name and authority around could she bend his will to hers.
    “Oh, this is good. This is so much better than the seminary.” Gabriel snickered. “Tristan, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a woman order you about.”
    Tristan watched the saucy sway of Elisabeth’s luscious derrière as she walked away. He held back the expletives bellowing in his head. He was at a full cock stand—in front of a fucking squad of his former men. In fact, the moment she’d stepped close and he’d noticed the telltale sign of her pebbled nipples, he was slammed with a hot wave of arousal. He was exciting her. Merde . It was affecting him.
    He didn’t need this. He was already in torment thanks to his leg. He didn’t need his prick to add to his misery. Elisabeth de Roussel was nothing more than a coquette—a flirt who didn’t offer up the ultimate prize. He’d seen her cock-teasing at court. She had it down to an art. With her beauty and wit, she had men all but panting for her. She lapped it up, purring with pleasure over their interest and thriving on the power she wielded over them. Countless fools had vied for her attention and were ultimately turned down.
    Few had ever made it to her bed. It was a game to her. A mere diversion.
    The royal family was, by and large, self-absorbed and full of artifice—Veronique and Elisabeth among the worst. Only Veronique never received preferential treatment from the King the way Elisabeth did. Loyalty, honesty and honor meant nothing to any member of His Majesty’s family. Not a sincere soul in the bunch. He didn’t miss the games at court or those who played them.
    Clearly, Elisabeth was bored, looking for new diversions.
    He wasn’t about to become that diversion.
    Tristan glanced at the men he used to command. Most were dismounting and wouldn’t make eye contact with him. Their first meeting since his dismissal, the awkwardness and tension in the air was palpable. He missed leading these men. Every one of the twenty-seven hundred that made up the King’s private Guard was of noble birth, impeccable character, and superior skill. If he were still in charge, he could order them to escort the Duchesse de Roussel back to the palace with a letter to the King recommending that for her own safety his daughter not travel the countryside in her outrageous attire. But he had no authority over them any longer. They had to abide by their mistress’s wishes, unable to take orders from him.
    “Tristan, what do you wish to do with all these men?” Richard asked.
    Out of the corner of his eye he could see Gabriel grinning, thoroughly enjoying himself.
    “Send them to the stables until I settle this matter.”
    They wouldn’t be there long.
    She was leaving.
    *****
    She wasn’t leaving, she told herself. You are going to collect yourself and not allow him to overwhelm you. Not with his size. Not with his scratchy temperament, and most especially not with his potent allure . It was bad enough she was