A Shadow's Kiss by Kirsten S. Blacketer

Author:Kirsten S. Blacketer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: medieval romance, scottish romance, steamy romance, english romance, historical romance, knight, highland romance
Publisher: Kirsten S. Blacketer
Published: 2023-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

Madeline rode ahead of the men, refusing to speak to them. Her mind raced, and she pressed her lips together to keep from speaking out of anger. As if Angus had the authority to tell her what to do. She was tired of it all, the tournament, the charade, all of it. When she returned to the keep, she would tell her father exactly what she thought of this whole arrangement. He could take her promise and cast it into the loch with the fish.

The horse trudged through the mud as they came into the clearing. Madeline could see the stone walls of the keep reaching for the sky. Glancing over her shoulder, she spied the two men walking side by side. Their legs covered in mud. They stomped and kicked, trying to shake it off or wipe it in the tall grass. She stifled a giggle. They deserve it. She nudged the horse into a trot, leaving Alexander and Angus behind.

As soon as she reached the postern gate, she slowed the horse to a walk and entered the keep. Her father stood in the bailey, giving instructions to the stable boy. He turned and caught sight of her. She swallowed. Now or never.

“Madeline,” he said, his voice stern but laced with concern. “We were worried for you, lass. Why in the blazes would you run off in the middle of the night? You could have been injured, or worse.” He helped her down off the horse and handed the reins to the stable boy.

“Father, I am well. No harm has come to me.” Madeline embraced him, and then took his arm as he led her toward the great hall.

“You must be famished,” he said, patting her arm. “Come, Cook will find something for you in the kitchens.” He wanted to speak again but pursed his lips together in hesitation.

“Say it.” Madeline knew the look spoke of a forthcoming lecture. She could feel it in her bones. He reached up and stroked his beard. Och, not now. It was a tell-tale sign he pondered a difficult decision.

He turned to Madeline, taking her face between his callused hands. “Lass, you look like your mother, rest her soul. You have her sweet spirit as well.” He sighed. “I would hate to see you broken at the hands of a man who would not care for you properly. I have a confession to make.”

Madeline’s blood froze. What is he talking about? She blinked, a bit confused by his statement, but her frustration soon overwhelmed it. “What confession, Father?”

He glanced around the empty bailey, making sure no one lingered to hear his words. He shook his head. “Come with me, child. I will tell you.”

Her father led her into the great hall, sent a servant to fetch her some food, and hurried into his presence chamber. Madeline sat in the chair by the hearth as he closed the door.

“The tournament, the festivities, are all for show, Madeline. I never had any intention of marrying you to any of them.

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