Heroes of Honor: Historical Romance Collection by Laurel O'Donnell & Celeste Barclay & Laura Landon & Elizabeth Rose

Author:Laurel O'Donnell & Celeste Barclay & Laura Landon & Elizabeth Rose [O'Donnell, Laurel]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Medieval Romance, Highlander Romance
Published: 2019-08-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Forty

The next morning, Bryce and Ryen returned to the castle. Ryen sat before Bryce on his horse, his strong arms around her as he held the reins. The white mare trailed Bryce’s stallion. When they reached the inner ward, Bryce slung his leg from the animal. For a moment, they stood face to face, sharing the secrets of the night before in their heated expressions. Ryen’s lips slowly turned up into a grin.

Bryce’s face lit with a warmth that was foreign to the Prince of Darkness. He took her hand and began to walk into the castle.

A miller who had come from town and was unloading his wares paused to follow them with his eyes. Two knights halted as they walked by to stare after their lord and his enemy.

“Prince!” Talbot called, as they entered the castle. When Bryce did not stop, Talbot was forced to hurry to catch up with him. “There is a matter of the harvest you must see to.”

“It can wait,” Bryce said, staring raptly at Ryen.

Talbot halted his steps. Never had Prince declined to see to the proper running of his estates and his people.

Bryce led Ryen to the Great Hall. When they entered, Ryen faltered. Where would he lead her to sit? Ryen’s gaze swept the table where the peasants sat and noticed that the wild-looking people were now at that table. There were seven of them seated in a row. Was that a good sign? she wondered.

Then her eyes were drawn by Bryce’s empty chair at the front of the room, a frown creasing her brow. Lotte and Elli sat on either side of his chair. Would he choose to sit beside them?

Finally, Bryce moved forward. Hope beat in Ryen’s heart, along with desperation. What will I do if he chooses to sit beside his whores? What will I do if he places Lotte above me?

Murmuring broke out around the room as they strolled toward the peasant’s table.

Her heart raced as he stood looking over the table for a moment. She took her usual chair. Bryce’s gaze shifted to Polly, who sat beside Ryen.

Immediately, the old maid rose and stepped aside. Ryen watched her walk down the table to the extra place they always set.

When Ryen turned back to Bryce, he was taking Polly’s seat. “Later you will eat at my table, by my side,” he said.

Ryen nodded slightly, numb with happiness.

Bryce stared at the food before him for a moment. He turned his gaze to the peasant beside him. “Take another chair.”

Immediately, the man scrambled from his seat and Talbot, who had followed them, replaced him at Bryce’s side.

Contentedly, Bryce’s eyes scanned the table until he came to Grey. He raised an eyebrow and chuckled low in his throat, shaking his head.

Grey shrugged. “The food’s better.”

The bowls were placed before them and Bryce picked up his trencher.

“M’lord,” Talbot said, stopping Bryce before the trencher reached his mouth. Dark eyes focused on Talbot and he continued, “They know not what to do.”

Ryen and Bryce turned together, following Talbot’s stare.

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