Marin's Promise by Madeline Martin

Author:Madeline Martin
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-05-28T05:00:00+00:00

BRAN HAD SPENT the better part of the feast not touching his wife. The people were used to an earl, to nobility and chivalry. Bran was the son of a widowed villager from a place so small its name had been forgotten after it was destroyed.

For certes, he was no earl.

While he did not understand the delicate rules of the titled and wealthy, he knew above all else he would do nothing to bring his Marin to shame, regardless of his station or hers. It had been difficult to sit beside her and not caress the length of her arm encased in sumptuous silk or touch her skin that looked like rose petals and cream. He couldn't draw the veil of hair from her face to better see her loveliness. Not when one touch would lead to more, and the rush of his driving need to have her would leave him overwhelmed.

He had contented himself to sit and watch Marin dance with her sisters, their hair fanning about them in gold and onyx, their matching blue eyes bright with joy.

The people of Werrick castle danced as well as the reivers, the two oftentimes coming together. Even Drake had appeared tempted when Lady Anice had tried to draw him into a dance. In the end, he’d resolutely shook his head and refrained.

The evening had been enjoyable, but it had been long, and Bran’s patience was drawing to a close. He could no longer be on display on the dais as he fumbled through dainty eating and frivolous customs. Ones that were apparently created to establish a distinct line between men of his station and the otherwise wealthy and overly educated. The time to claim his bride without restraint was nigh.

He got to his feet and the room hushed. “The hour grows late.”

“That isna all that's growing,” a voice jeered from the back. Laughter followed as well as several more ribald jests.

Bran turned to where Marin had just taken a seat once more after dancing with her sisters, her cheeks flushed from her exertions.

He held out his hand to her. “My lady, shall we retire?”

She smiled up at him with the reserved affection she'd afforded him since they'd spoken their vows. Another few bawdy calls rose above the din, and she placed her hand in his. It did not escape his notice how her fingers trembled.

“Ye dinna need to walk us to the bed chamber,” he called to the waiting crowd as he aided Marin to her feet. “I'm sure enough in my abilities to see the task done without the lot of ye.”

The people laughed at that and settled back to their drinking and dancing. Better to appeal to their tawdry humor than to subject Marin to the humiliation of the barbaric old custom.

His wife moved without thought, the way a warrior does in battle when their body reacts independently from their mind. Her fragile smile continued to hover on her lips as they made their way across the hall. It stayed through the long walk up the stone stairs and into Marin’s room.

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