Red Deception Read Free Page B

Blacwin.”
    “You may call me Cal in private. Calvin Blacwin is my name.”
    He took up two crystal chalices and filled each with dark wine. He handed one to her, and she brushed her fingers over the crystal. She had never held a glass so luxurious.
    For a moment, there was only the sound of firewood snapping in the hearth and the whistling of the wind outside.
    She brought the chalice to her lips and tasted the wine. It was sweeter than the glasses she had enjoyed at dinner.
    He followed her example and took a drink, letting his gaze linger on hers.  “As young as you are, you have a woman’s shape. I find it very becoming.”
    “Well, I am nearing my nineteenth year.”
    His voice changed from silk to concern. “Your father said you just celebrated your sixteenth year.”
    Judith inwardly cursed herself and forced a soft laugh. “Oh, there is no fooling you, Lord Blacwin.”
    “No there isn’t,” he answered, squinting.
    She hid her apprehension with a long sip of wine.
    Once they finished their wine, he set their chalices aside.
    “Do you know what your eyes tell me?” he asked as he drew her to him, resting his hand on her waist.
    She could feel warmth of his palm permeating through the dress.
    Her words caught in her throat as she met his gaze. “No. What do they tell you?”
    “That you have a secret.”
    Judith tried to pull away, but his other hand came to rest on her upper back.
    “I have no secrets,” she said, looking over at the stained glass window.
    “No?” he insisted, dipping his head to get her attention.
    “No,” she answered again, looking into his eyes. She wondered if he could hear how hard her heart was beating.
    “Well, I have a secret.”  
    “Do you?”
    She could smell the rich wine on his breath.
    “Yes. I have not kissed another woman since my wife passed six winters ago. Tonight is the first time I desire to.”
    She flushed at his revelation.
    “Will you do me the honor?”
    “Yes,” she answered softly.
    Before she could prepare, his warm lips pressed against hers.
    Heat flowed from her neck to her legs. She had never been kissed with such passion. Her hand grasped at the back of his doublet and she leaned into him. His hold on her tightened, and wrapped her in an embrace.  Their tongues brushed once and the kiss ended. She rested her forehead against his shoulder, feeling weak.
    His lips brushed against her temple. “Would you stay the night with me, if only as innocent company?”
    She swallowed hard, his kiss still lingering on her lips. “I would.”
    She felt his smile without seeing it.
     “If you wish to change into your night clothes, I understand.”
    “I should, yes,” she said, feeling suddenly intoxicated.
    He released her. “I will be waiting here.”
    Judith stumbled over her own feet as she left the solar and hurried back to her room. She closed the doors, pressed her back against them, and laughed. Her mind was clouded with lust and excitement. When she put on Lora Noire’s dress, she never expected she would be seducing the Baron of Caldwell.
    What made it even worse was her enjoyment of this whole affair. She could not wait to feel his warm hands and his inviting lips on her again.
    She rushed to the bed, where a beautiful carmine red robe with snowshoe trim had been laid out for her. She wasted no time undressing and slipping the elegant fabric over her naked body.
    Suddenly, her mind was plagued with thoughts of Garreth: he promised her nice things, much like this. There was a time when Garreth’s touch warmed her, but since they moved to Caldwell, all she felt were cold calloused hands when he touched her. The night that their cottage went up in flames, so did their marriage. She felt alive when the baron kissed her and that was something she never thought she would feel again. She buried her guilt and tied the robe around her waist. Discarding the bejeweled hair net, she let her hair spill over her shoulders and brushed it smooth. She