The Virgin's Pursuit Read Free Page B

enough, yet to her, the claim could have been in a foreign tongue.
    It made no sense. It was not possible.
    â€œThe Normans left many retainers on the walls….” She shivered at the hurtful old memories. “I remained close to the land long enough to see there would be no easy return. The Normans entrenched themselves at Iness and I thought—my family had thought—they would use Iness as a base for further Scots conquests.”
    Her father had warned her of such a possibility. Her mother had been ready to run away before the first riders even arrived at the gates. Isolda had heard rumors from the keep that her mother had wed one of the invaders in the aftermath. If those tales proved true, her mother had sailed to Normandy many moons ago. Isolda had left the grounds closest to Iness only when all hope of return seemed lost.
    â€œThe Normans have fled and will not come back again.” He gripped her arms, as if to impress his words more fully upon her. “Iness is mine, but I would share it with you if you will come back and bind our fates in marriage.”
    She shivered beneath his touch, remembering how ready she’d been to give herself to him earlier, when she thought they would never meet for a second time. Now she knew he had planned the encounter long ago, seeking her out for her political importance. Surely he wanted his babe in her belly as much as she had earlier this day. But he wanted the legitimacy his offspring could give his rule, and nothing more.
    â€œI cannot wed you.” Her plans had come to naught. Her fertility potion was wasted on a day that would bring no seed to her womb. “I chose you because I found your ways appealing, while you sought me merely for my name and title. A marriage between us will only remind me how I’ve failed my family by selling my name and birthright far too cheaply.”
    Hurt and saddened, she turned to retreat into the forest, certain she could elude him and fade back into the woods forever.
    â€œWe have not finished our business here,” he warned, his warrior voice so commanding and certain she wondered how she had ever mistaken him for a simpler man.
    â€œI have spoken my piece, Cormac of Glenmore.” She did not hurry, but her eyes looked ahead to find a break in the hawthorn hedges that would help guide her back home. “I will never accept your proposal.”
    She could stay in the forest indefinitely. One day, she would find someone else to give her the child she craved….
    The very idea made her wince. She had not realized how much she’d come to idealize her hunter, a man who did not even exist.
    â€œI’m sorry, Isolda.” He was suddenly right behind her, his words warm against her ear as he dragged her back and held her fast. “But I cannot allow you to slip away again.”
    Â 
    Cormac had never experienced such teeth-grinding torment as he knew now.
    Isolda squirmed against him in a futile attempt to free herself, and every shift and movement of her delectable form tempted him to take what she’d so freely offered earlier.
    Before he’d informed her they would wed.
    He would get to the bottom of her behavior later, since her kisses had been passionate, but obviously innocent. Right now, he just needed to bring her home. Preferably before he forgot all about the need for restraint and reminded her exactly how fast he could coax a sweeter response from her.
    â€œYou have no right.” Isolda finally stilled, though she glared at him over her shoulder as if her gaze alone could cast him into the fiery depths of hell itself.
    â€œNot only do I have a right, I have a moral obligation to ensure a noblewoman is not struggling to survive on my lands when I could provide for her. You are my responsibility now.” He whistled to the horse he’d left grazing in a meadow nearby.
    â€œWho struggles?” Her raised voice let loose her frustration with a directness most