Five Unforgettable Knights by Tanya Anne Crosby & Glynnis Campbell & Claire Delacroix & Colleen Gleason & Laurin Wittig

Author:Tanya Anne Crosby & Glynnis Campbell & Claire Delacroix & Colleen Gleason & Laurin Wittig
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Medieval
Published: 2013-09-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Cambria chuckled in triumph as her grinning opponent retreated toward the stream. They’d been sparring happily for only a few minutes, and already she’d won the advantage. She raised her blade for the symbolic kill.

Suddenly she was grabbed from behind. One thick arm wrapped around her waist, and another tore the sword from her grasp, flinging it across the clearing. Before she could even lay eyes on her attacker’s face, she knew it was Holden―something about his scent or the familiar heat of his fury―and she was livid that he’d interfered with her sport. She opened her mouth to curse him when, to her amazement, he wound a cruel fist in her hair. Pressing her roughly down to her knees on the damp forest floor, he forced her to bow her head.

“I beg you to forgive her, Your Majesty,” he said all too clearly.

Cambria’s bones turned to jelly. She didn’t dare move. She didn’t dare speak. She didn’t dare lift her eyes. Satan’s ballocks, she’d been fighting the king!

It all made sense now. No wonder the man’s companions were nearly apoplectic with concern. Everything she’d heard about the ruthless English monarch came rushing into her head. Bloody hell, she wondered if she’d live out the day. She racked her brain. What had she said to him? What blunt opinions had she offered to the king of England? Screwing up her courage, she peeked at him from beneath worried brows.

Edward, watching her cower like a kicked hound, fell into robust gales of laughter. “Perhaps I shall forgive you, Holden, for interrupting my play! I’ve not been so entertained in a long while!”

As she knelt before the king, her heart rattling rapidly in her chest, the pressure of Holden’s hand lessened slightly, and he shook his head in wonder.

“My wife is gone from me for only a moment, and I arrive to find my lady and my liege engaged in mortal combat,” he said in mock disgust, “and now you tell me it’s play!”

The golden king chuckled. “You were right, de Ware. Your lady is a rare gem. I wholly approve of your choice.”

Holden bowed. “My thanks, Your Majesty.”

“Although, if I were you,” Edward said with a twinkle in his eye, “I think I’d prefer a little more honey and a little less mustard with my game!”

Holden smiled at the king’s pun. “Ah, but you’re a gentleman, Majesty. I’m a soldier. I’ve always loved a good battle.”

“Was it one of your ‘battles’ then that cost your lady her gown?” the king said slyly.

At his reminder, Cambria reached behind her to hold the edges of the torn garment together. Edward bid her rise with a gesture, and then winked conspiratorially at Holden. “Do learn to untie the laces, de Ware, or you’ll deplete your wealth purchasing new gowns.”

Holden managed to chuckle politely at the jest, but his mind was fixed on the disobedient vixen rising to her feet before him. He was furious with Cambria, despite the fact that the soft scent of her hair beneath his chin was driving him to distraction.

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