The Shielded Heart by Schulze Sharon

Author:Schulze, Sharon [Schulze, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2011-07-15T04:00:00+00:00

Unfortunately William had been right about their luck. Swen returned to Murat empty-handed, to be greeted by the news that their captive had died while they gave chase to the others. The day’s fighting had yielded them absolutely nothing—except the knowledge that someone still wanted Anna.

He and William retreated to the gatehouse as soon as he got back to discuss the situation at length, but they couldn’t arrive at any other reason for there to be armed men lurking about in the forest near the village. There were no other settlements anywhere close by, and no other reason to be watching them. The only thing of value in Murat was Anna.

Though why they hadn’t tried to take her while she was with Swen made no sense, unless the men he’d fought were simply part of a larger group who’d waited in the woods for an opportunity to attack the town. It didn’t appear the group had been large enough for that, but anything was possible, Swen supposed.

And that might explain why the men Swen fought didn’t know who’d hired them—they’d been hired by someone else who’d pulled together the group.

One thing Swen knew for certain, however—they’d keep the gates closed, and Anna inside, from now on. William would arrange to double the guards in the forest as well, for their sentry this morning had been completely unaware of the men hidden so near the village.

“‘Tis enough for now, lad. We’ve set our plans in motion, and now there’s naught to do but wait—and train our troops some more.” William heaved himself off the bench with a sigh. “I’m a mite too old to be running through the forest like Robin o’ the Wood,” he added with a laugh. “Bess tells me so after every skirmish. She gets tired of listening to my joints creak, I suspect”

Swen laughed; he could well imagine Bess taking her husband to task, her harangue wrapped in loving words and soft comfort. William was a fortunate man, to have a woman care for him so.

“You don’t fight like an old man,” he said, and meant it. “I’d sooner do battle with you than against you.”

William grinned. “Good. Then you won’t mind coming home with me now. I could use an ally. Bess dragged Anna off with her as soon as she staggered through the gates. By now one of them’ll need rescuing from the other, I’ll wager.” He fixed his gaze upon Swen. “Or one of us will, for allowing Anna outside the gates in the first place.”

Considering the temper Anna had been in last night—and this morning, before their encounter in the woods—Swen had little doubt who the attacker would be.

But he had to face her sooner or later; it might as well be now. “I look forward to it,” he told William.

And he did. The thought of Anna—in any mood—sent a firestorm of anticipation to heat his blood.

He met William’s measuring gaze; Swen knew that somehow, the other man understood exactly what he meant.

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