The Marriage Prize Read Free Page B

into
    Kenilworth.
    Water had been dammed from the River Avon to create a
    mere around the outer wal s of the castle, and the only
    entrance was over an earthen causeway and through the
    portcul is. The morning sun glistened on the water, and
    Rosamond thought it the most beautiful place on earth. Her
    heart sang with happiness that the fighting was finished. She
    shaded her eyes, trying to identify the devices on the fluttering
    pennons, but from this distance the flags and the men al
    looked alike, so she left the ramparts, curbing her impatience
    to catch a glimpse of Sir Rickard de Burgh.
    She had made herself late for her lesson with Brother Adam,
    so she hurried along an upper passageway that led to a stone
    staircase descending to the library. Suddenly, about thirty feet
    ahead of her, she spied Sir Rickard de Burgh. Delighted to
    find him right in front of her, walking down the same
    passageway, Rosamond quickened her steps and
    breathlessly cal ed, "Sir Rickard."
    When he did not turn around, she realized he hadn't heard her.
    She hesitated for a second, wondering if she was doing the
    right thing. What harm is there in welcoming him back to
    Kenilworth? she asked herself as she closed the distance
    between them. "Sir Rickard?" she repeated.
    He turned and Rosamond's heart hammered as she saw the
    wide mail-clad shoulders, the jet black hair, and the green
    wide mail-clad shoulders, the jet black hair, and the green
    eyes. But these green eyes were not the ones she had
    expected to see. The expression in them was so bold, she
    gasped in protest, "You are not Sir Rickard!"
    "Alas, I am not." The man openly assessed her, his green
    gaze sweeping over her, lingering on hair that flowed about
    her like pale golden honey. Her eyes were neither blue nor
    purple, but some unique shade in between, and her
    generously shaped mouth looked equal y capable of laughter
    or a sensual pout. Her breasts were high and thrust
    impudently from the neckline of her expensive gown, and
    beneath that
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    gown he imagined legs as long as a colt's. He couldn't help
    but smile at her. "Wil I do in his stead, chérie?"
    Rosamond stiffened and froze him with a haughty stare.
    "Indeed you wil not!" Inexplicably, she was furious at the
    resemblance between this insolent devil and the honorable
    knight of whom she daydreamed. "How dare you look at me in
    such a bold fashion?"
    His eyes fil ed with amusement. "I was but paying homage to
    your beauty, chérie."
    "Indeed you were not! You looked at me as if—"
    "As if I'd like to bed you? Such conceit. You are obviously an
    ice maiden in need of a thawing. I'm on my way to the baths, if
    you'd care to join me. A plunge in hot water might be just the
    cure."
    Rosamond drew back her hand with every intent to slap the
    dark insolent expression off his face, but quick as mercury he
    captured her fingers and drew them to his lips. "Mmm,
    apricots and almonds ... good enough to eat." His white teeth
    flashed as if he would bite her.
    "Unhand me, you uncouth knave, or I shal scream!"
    "In hope that the worthy Sir Rickard wil come running to your
    rescue?" he asked mockingly.
    Rosamond's temper exploded. "You bastard, I need no man to
    rescue me." Swiftly she brought her knee up between his legs
    and made contact with the codpiece that protected his
    genitals.
    Just the thought of the damage she could have done him lit a
    fierce green flame in his eyes.
    Rosamond gave him her sweetest smile, then her eyes slid
    down his body to the apex of his legs. "A plunge in hot water
    might be just the cure."
    Stormy green eyes watched her descend the stone steps.
    "Just wait, my beautiful little witch, we have a score to settle."
    He shook his head, both angered and impressed by the girl's
    fighting spirit, then suddenly he laughed, his good nature
    restored.
    ******************
    In the late afternoon it was the custom at Kenilworth for the
    females to gather in the solar. The countess had a wardrobe
    mistress and a