Anice's Bargain by Madeline Martin

Author:Madeline Martin [Martin, Madeline]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Madeline Martin

James was familiar with Caldrick Castle and the rich land surrounding it. He’d done a raid or two to it in his day, but never had he dreamed he would be its lord.

Anice did not speak on the journey to Carlisle, her expression somber despite the smile she’d woken up with. How he’d loved having her in his arms when he woke, the quiet joy shining in her eyes, the sensual roll of her hips against his, hungry with lust.

The thought made his groin tighten. He shifted in his saddle and focused on the great castle rising in front of them. A cockstand wouldn’t do now. Not when he was about to take ownership of the castle.

All it took was regarding Drake, who rode irritatingly close to Anice, to quell James’s rising desire. The warrior sat straight and perfect in his saddle, his handsome face serious with his task of protection. The cur.

Of all the warriors in Werrick, of course it was Drake who had come.

Laird Graham edged his horse closer to James. “I see the bonny man came too, eh?”

James grunted.

“Ye watch yerself with such a fine wife, lad. Ye’re no’ as pretty as that man.” His father gave a wheezing laugh. “That’s the thing about the loveliest ladies. They’re lusty. Eager to spread their legs for men to get what they want.”

“That is my wife,” James snarled in warning.

Laird Graham shrugged, nonplussed. “Mind her. Or he might do it for ye.” He nodded his grizzled head in Drake’s direction.

Were the old man not so frail, James would have been tempted to knock him hard enough to throw him from the horse. Damn the old goat for being so bloody weak.

James said nothing more to his father, but rode at a faster pace the aging laird could not match in his fragile condition.

The lingering warmth of James and Anice’s wedding night cooled, as had the heat in his groin. He would not be a cuckold. He would not be subjected to what he had with Morna. Not again.

He gritted his teeth as he entered the courtyard and forced his thoughts from Drake. Instead, he pushed them to the castle. His castle. Powerful, imposing, the walls strong with stone gone dark with the passing of time. The servants waited in an anxious line to greet their new master.

James jumped from his horse and strode toward Anice to help her dismount. Drake had the good sense to step back and let James have the honor.

Anice’s smile at his approach was small, barely a lift at either side of her lips, as though mayhap the ride had been difficult for her.

“Anice.” He spoke in a gentle tone and lifted his hand, indicating his intent to assist her from her horse.

She placed her icy hand in his and allowed him to aid her from her horse. He tenderly touched her cheek. “Are ye well, lass?”

She drew in a hard, pained breath and nodded resolutely. “Aye.”

He took her freezing hands between his and chafed them together several times to warm them, then offered his arm.

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