One Knight's Return by Claire Delacroix

Author:Claire Delacroix [Delacroix, Claire]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-989367-22-3
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke

Melissande slept deeply.

She awakened when the solar was still dark and rolled to her back with satisfaction, feeling restored. The keep was quiet as the household slept on and the shadows were deep in the corners. Melissande heard no sounds of activity from kitchen or village and guessed that even the animals had not been tended yet. It was not yet dawn and the brazier had burned down to cold embers.

She should rise, if she meant to offer that cup to Quinn, although the bed was so wondrously warm that she was reluctant to abandon it.

She stretched, savoring her situation, and her hand brushed against warm muscled flesh.

A man’s chest.

Her fingertips had brushed a tangle of curly hair in its midst that she knew must be russet.

Melissande’s mouth went dry and she pulled her hand back in alarm. Quinn had come to bed after all? There could be no doubt of it for he was beside her, his breath deep and even. She had assumed he would remain in the hall, but he had not said as much.

Of course, the lord slept in the lord’s solar. Of course, Quinn had joined her abed, for there was but one bed.

She had slept with her lord husband by her side. He had not seized her in the night, much less demanded the marital due. Nay, he had let her sleep, as he had vowed.

Melissande turned to study his profile in the shadows. She could barely discern it, but then that seemed a perfect echo of her view of her husband’s truth. When would she be certain that she had married a man of merit or a deceptive villain intent upon claiming all advantage at Annossy? How could she be certain whether he told her the truth? Quinn had thus far, as far as Melissande could determine, but they had not even been wed two days. That was not long to pretend.

She wished she could read his thoughts and intentions as readily as he seemed to be able to read her own. She listened to his breathing, and knew that he was yet asleep.

His scent surrounded her like a cocoon. There was something reassuring about his size and his presence, and Melissande knew she could easily come to rely upon Quinn, should she allow herself to do as much.

Should she?

The man had a power over her, even in sleep, for she doubted her choices with vigor. She might have found that vexing, but at this hour, in this place, she could not be irked. His presence beside her, so large and warm, awakened her curiosity—and more.

Aye. The hum of desire he had stirred on their wedding night reawakened, turning Melissande’s thoughts to their need for a son. She could reach out and touch him again. Stroke him. Awaken him with a kiss, like an enchanted prince in an old tale. The notion made her smile a little. Would he greet her with pleasure? Or would he spurn her?

Melissande was quite certain that his

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