Maiden and the Monster by Michelle M Pillow

Author:Michelle M Pillow [Pillow, Michelle M]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi, pdf
Tags: Man-woman relationships, Prisoners, Fiction, Romance, Great Britain, Historical, Erotica
ISBN: 9781419955242
Publisher: Elloras Cave Pub Inc
Published: 2007-04-30T04:00:00+00:00

daughter. He felt exhilaration at the torment in the older man’s face and it wasn’t lost on him that Eden’s actions were the cause of that torment.

The gathered crowd waited in silence for the maid to return with the linens.

Vladamir felt Eden’s hand shake as she hugged herself to him. When he glanced down, he saw her bloodied face. Her body trembled against his and he saw her fear. At that moment he knew that he was the lesser of two evils for her and that she was indeed not in league with her father.

Vladamir trained his eyes steadily on the intruders. Their gazes met in silent battle.

It seemed an eternity before Lizbeth’s steps sounded on the stairwell. The maid emerged carrying the linen and the soldier solemnly trailed behind her.

Clifton’s knight appeared as if he saw a spirit flitting about the manor’s hall. When he stepped before the throng, he couldn’t meet the earl’s eye. His face was ashen and he gulped as he looked to the floor. Lizbeth’s face was pale and drawn. Without waiting to be commanded, she jerked the satiny material and unrolled it for all to see.

The onlookers gasped at the sight. A light murmur began in the crowd as they all looked to Eden in horror. The noblewoman blushed at the scrutiny, drawing closer to his side. A few of the Saxon soldiers shook their heads in puzzlement. One of the duke’s Northumbrian warriors chuckled.

As the red bloodstain stared back at them, Clifton’s face turned scarlet with anger.

“What have you done to my daughter, you barbarian? You unearthly monster. You demon spawn. You’ll pay for this!”

Vladamir hid his amusement at the stain, not caring what damage it might do to his reputation. His wife poured the whole of the vial on the linens, making it look as if he was most barbaric in his treatment of her the eve before. But it wasn’t the size of the oblong stain in which he found the most amusement, it was the placement of it. From the look of the linen he’d taken her maidenhead through her throat.

“You have your proof, now draw your soldiers away,” Vladamir stated coldly. He had to bit the inside of his lip in the effort it took not to laugh. Pushing Eden behind his back, he put his fists to his hips. “Or I’ll petition King Alfred. ‘Tis my land you trespass on.”

“Lizbeth, you can take that to laundry,” Eden commanded in a frantic hush from behind him. He felt her move and could just imagine the hurried wave she gave the woman.

“But—the ceremony! It cannot be binding. It doesn’t stand if ‘tis done to his pagan gods. It won’t be recognized,” Clifton protested weakly. His broad chest puffed with rage.

“I’m converted to King Alfred’s religion a year past. Mayhap you didn’t know.

King Alfred himself was at my baptism and one of the king’s priests performed the wedding ceremony. ‘Tis most binding.” Vladamir smiled wickedly at the man’s discomfort. “The documents are being finished by the priest today.

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