Desire's Ransom by Glynnis Campbell

Author:Glynnis Campbell [Campbell, Glynnis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Glynnis Campbell
Published: 2017-08-19T04:00:00+00:00

Temair was still shaken from her encounter in the middle of the night.

It was silly, she supposed. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen a man naked. It wouldn’t be the last.

But somehow seeing Sir Ryland had been different.

Maybe it was different because his vulnerable state was so unexpected. She’d truly believed he’d been trying to escape. Not once did it occur to her that he might be innocent. The fact that she’d forced him to turn around under threat of death, only to discover that not only was he blameless, but she’d caught him with his trius down, made her feel like a brutish fool.

Maybe it was different because Sir Ryland was more than just another man. They’d shared a kiss. They’d forged an undeniable connection. Something had happened between the two of them, some manifest spark that she felt lingering inside her like a coal, banked and waiting to burst into flame.

Maybe it was different because Ryland was dangerous, more menacing in a way than her father. He threatened her independence, her claim to the O’Keeffe land, her future. And seeing him standing there, unabashed, in all his manly glory, had made that threat all the more real.

To make matters worse, she didn’t dare leave the camp—not with the roads crowded with fair-goers and the ransom demand delivered to her father. Cormac had a formidable temper. When it was roused, he was capable of seeking revenge with a single-minded drive that was terrifying to behold. Now, more than ever, Temair had to be cautious, for her father would definitely have placed a target on her back.

But remaining behind, Temair wasn’t sure she could bear to look Ryland in the eyes. She was ashamed of what she’d done to him, embarrassed by her lack of trust, and humiliated that she’d been caught by Ronan, who was bound to spread the news around the camp faster than wildfire.

Temair pulled her hood over her head, wishing she could hide.

As she turned aside, she almost smacked into Ronan. Prepared for the worst sort of teasing after last night’s mishap, she was surprised when he only nodded his head in greeting and continued on. She stared after him in wonder.

One by one, the woodkerns left on their missions. Fair days were always lucrative for outlaws. From far afield, the rich came with full purses, intent on spoiling their sweethearts with trinkets.

As a matter of tradition, the woodkerns stole only half of what they found on fair days. After all, they didn’t wish to deprive anyone of an enjoyable day at the fair. But they figured most could afford to part with a sizable share of what they carried and still impress their mistresses.

The fewer outlaws that remained behind in the camp, the more tense Temair grew. So far she’d managed to avoid confronting Ryland. But soon it would be unavoidable.

It was Lady Mor who managed to keep Ryland busy, chatting with him beside the cave while Temair threw sticks for Flann and Bran to fetch.

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