Autumn's Flame by Domning Denise

Author:Domning, Denise [Domning, Denise]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance
Published: 2011-04-10T16:00:00+00:00

Seated in his workroom, Geoffrey stared at the parchment in his hand while Martin read over his shoulder. The other pages lay strewn across his lap. Unbelievable! The only thing Crosswell's miners hadn’t requested in their latest contract was God's throne. A soldier came to stand before him. Geoff finished reading a line before he looked up at the man.

"What is it?" he asked, a little sharply at this interruption.

The man extended a fold of parchment toward him. "My lord, Lady Freyne asked me to bring you this. She requests you meet her in the garden."

Geoffrey took the skin and flipped it open. Elyssa's hand was even and strong, flowing with well-formed characters across the bit of skin.

Lord Coudray, we must speak about Cecilia. Do not ignore me. Please recall that within weeks you will sit at my side, trapped with me while I give birth. It would be better for you if you heard me out in private else I'll be forced to spill what needs saying before the midwife and my cousin.

Horror and desperation tore through him. As he knew she would, Cecilia had finally spoken to Elyssa about Maud's death. The need to save his daughter grew until he was drowning in it. Trapped in helplessness, he read the note again, only to have helplessness give way to rage. That manipulative bitch! Who did she think she was threatening him with exposure!

He jerked to his feet, parchments sliding to the floor, contracts and negotiations forgotten, and was through the doorway before Martin lifted his gaze from the page he was reading.

“My lord?” his undersheriff called after him.

Geoff paid him no heed only stormed down the stairs and through the inner courtyard until he stopped in the open garden gate. Wearing that golden gown of hers and a sleeveless white overgown atop it, Lady Elyssa sat upon a stool near the hedge. Her arms were crossed tightly over the bulge of her belly.

She was angry at him? He stepped inside the garden, shutting the gate behind him, then stalked to stand before her. "Who do you think you are, threatening me?” he snarled at her, his words honed to a vicious edge.

"Threaten?" she retorted boldly. "I made no threats, only promises. How do you dare face me with anger when you abandoned your daughter to carry what she did all by herself?"

Geoffrey felt his skin heat at her words so deep was the rage within him. "I did no such thing. Had Cecilia given me half a chance, I'd have let her spill what she held onto me. Instead, she chose you, damned harridan that you are.” He leaned toward her, his finger pointed. "Best you mark your own words, madam. My daughter, not yours."

She slapped his hand away. "Not mine by birth, mayhap, but surely mine by rebirth."

"No longer," Geoffrey snapped back. "Cecilia needs you no more. I so command. You will relinquish her to me now."

"You command?!" Her cheeks burned bright red. She struggled to her feet, then dared to grab the front of his tunic, hauling her bulky body closer to him.

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