Mistletoe Kisses and Yuletide Joy by Jo Beverley

Author:Jo Beverley [Beverley, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Romance, Anthologies, Historical, Medieval, Regency, Collections & Anthologies, Historical Romance, Holidays
Amazon: B00G1MBIJI
Published: 2013-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

Rape was what the convent feared, the threat that had hunted her as she made her way alone across the countryside. She'd told herself that she was far enough inland to be safe from Vikings, but she'd kept every sense alert, and constantly sought out possible hiding places. In these times, there were English wolves as well as Danish ones on the prowl.

"How"—she cleared her throat—"how did Alfrida fall into the hands of the Danes?"

"We didn't know about the horses, so we didn't expect the Danes here. Even so, she shouldn't have been out alone, but you know Alfrida." He shrugged. "Whatever the reason, it happened."

No wonder Froxton was in such a state. The family was absent or wounded in one way or another, and Raef and his men had brought extra souls to care for.

It was too much. Hera didn't know what to do. She longed to throw herself into Raef's arms to be comforted, and if they were still just friends, she would. To her, however, they were not just friends, and she feared to betray herself. Anyway, Edith must be around somewhere, and Hera would do anything not to face Edith from within her husband's friendly arms.

"But why lock her away?"

"To save her from herself. She's not in her right mind."

"Then she needs help!"

Oh, what point in talking? Though she quivered at the thought of seeing her sister's state, Hera put on her cold shoes and worked her way through the crowded hall to the end, where the private rooms lay.

Her parents' room took up the center, with the separate chambers for the unmarried men and women of the family on either side. The men's side was empty now, she assumed, unless Raef and his housecarls had taken it over. Alfrida would be in the other side.

The door really was barred on the outside, with hastily-constructed holders and a plank across. Hera glanced back at Raef, staring moodily into a blind distance, and wondered for the first time if he was entirely sane. Her sister couldn't be mad enough for this, and if she was, she shouldn't be left alone.

Perhaps she'd misunderstood, and she had her women with her.

Her eyes were lingering on Raef, however. Be he sane or mad, nothing in her had changed. Her feelings for him were as strong, as wild as ever, and now everything was worse. With his home in the hands of the Danes, he'd be here day after day. She'd have to see him, work with him to keep Froxton running. Have to talk. Touch....

Worse. She'd have to watch Raef with Edith. Kissing perhaps. Watch them leaving the company to go to their intimate bed. Ridiculous to care when the world was falling apart around her, when it might be coming to an end, but she did care. She cared most deeply and bitterly.

She crossed herself and said a prayer for forgiveness for the sin of envy, for the sin of coveting her neighbor's husband, for lust. Then she asked

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