Romantic Legends by Kathryn Le Veque & Hildie McQueen & Madeline Martin & Meara Platt & Collette Cameron & Anna Markland & Victoria Vane & Catherine Kean & Elizabeth Rose

Author:Kathryn Le Veque & Hildie McQueen & Madeline Martin & Meara Platt & Collette Cameron & Anna Markland & Victoria Vane & Catherine Kean & Elizabeth Rose [Le Veque, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, Anthology, Medieval, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Kathryn Le Veque Novels, Inc.
Published: 2017-04-27T05:00:00+00:00

Formal introductions were made before the evening meal. Both young officers politely kissed Francesca’s knuckles when Duke Heinrich presented them to her, but it was the moist warmth of Lute Wolfenberg’s lips that sent a warm, wanton sensation spiralling unexpectedly into her womb.

“Countess Francesca,” he said in a husky, accented voice that echoed in her fluttering belly.

“Captain Wolf…berg,” she stammered like a giddy girl.

The crooked smile he sent her way at the mispronunciation of his name compounded her confusion. She feared she might drown in the sparkling depths of his blue eyes.

The Saxons were in high spirits. Evidently both babes whose births they were celebrating were heirs to the title of count. That meant Lute Wolfenberg was the son of a count, above Francesca’s rank. Her uncle had withdrawn his sister’s titles after her marriage to a lowly Bavarian. That was long before Francesca was born, and he had never blamed her for her mother’s perceived treachery. But then of course Francesca had been gifted with something her deeply religious uncle prized and respected.

For an emperor and a duke to be so obviously pleased at the turn of events spoke to the high regard in which the Wolfenberg and Rödermark families were held. It came as a surprise to learn that Duke Heinrich also had a young son. The white hair suggested he was too old to have an eight-year-old. The feared warrior came close to tears simply mentioning the boy.

The festive mood seemed to relax William’s stern demeanor. Having recently lost his father, he was under tremendous strain. He must know her uncle would exact revenge when he regained Termoli, but he was trying too hard to please the Germans. He could easily have concealed her escort among his own soldiers.

Annoyingly, the servants had taken to the invaders. Peasants who served her with sullen faces laughed and jested with the imperial noblemen.

She held her shoulders rigid and her spine stiff as long as she could, but it was impossible not to find pleasure in the obvious happiness of the Saxons. Lute in particular was full of fun and good humor. She found herself laughing at his jests, despite the rebellious schemes running around in her head.

It was difficult to resist his charm, especially when his eyes sought her reaction to everything he said.

She was confident that if Lute were a nobleman visiting Palermo, her uncle would actively encourage a friendship between them. King Ruggero would approve of his humor and his rank.

But Fate had made them enemies.

Feigning a headache, she begged leave to be excused. William scowled as the men came to their feet to bid her goodnight. She hastened away to the kitchens to meet with the peasant who had agreed to supply the first weapon in her campaign against the imperial usurpers.