Bride Of The Tower. Sharon Schulze
Чтение книги онлайн.
Читать онлайн книгу Bride Of The Tower - Sharon Schulze страница 10
Название: Bride Of The Tower
Автор: Sharon Schulze
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Историческая литература
Серия: Mills & Boon Historical
isbn: 9781474016605
isbn:
It infuriated her all the more that he let her.
“You’ll find no outlaws here—” She clamped her mouth shut, afraid her temper might lead her into dangerous waters. She drew in a calming breath. “Nor traitors, either.”
Julianna wanted nothing more than to pound out her anger and frustration upon his chest, but she greatly feared that to touch him thus would do naught but beguile her to lay her hands on him in other, less aggressive ways.
Sweet Mary save her, had she lost all sense of self-preservation, of right and wrong? The man called her robber and traitor, and what did she do but seek to draw his attention to her in any way she could. She knew better.
She stepped away before her temper led her into worse foolishness, pausing an arm’s length away. ’Twould be better to ease the tension between them than to aggravate it further. Closing her eyes, she combed her hair back from her face with one hand and eased her grip on the parchment with the other. “Thus far we’ve managed to do nothing but provoke each other,” she said, trying to infuse her voice with a note of apology. “Surely we can be more civil than that—and resolve our differences, whatever they might be.”
“I’m willing if you are,” he said, his expression amused.
Did he doubt she was capable of civility? If so, he’d reason, she had to admit. She’d shown scant evidence of courtesy to him.
Though she did know the trappings of well-mannered behavior, she’d look a complete fool to curtsey in shirt and braes. He’d have to be satisfied with polite words, not actions.
She eased her crushing grip on the letter and lowered her hands to her sides. “I am Julianna d’Arcy,” she said, nodding. “I bid you welcome to Tuck’s Tower.”
“You are lady of this keep?”
A strange question, but asked in a most reasonable tone—mildly curious, not accusing or judgmental in any way. “Aye, and defender of it, as well.”
He nodded, then, taking her free hand in his, he swept a low bow. “Lady Julianna, I am William Bowman, a simple knight in the service of Lord Rannulf FitzClifford.” His gaze fixed upon hers, he raised her hand to his lips. “’Tis a pleasure to meet you,” he said, the words causing nigh as much effect as the feel of his fingers stroking her palm and his mouth upon her flesh.
Julianna nearly snatched her hand away before he straightened and released her, so intense was her reaction to the change in his voice. ’Twas all she could do to suppress the quiver skimming over her skin at the sound of it, to resist the urge to lean closer to him, to bask in the feel of that audible touch.
Oh, but he was a clever man! No doubt he used that low, caressing murmur as a weapon to manipulate women; he’d be a fool not to.
But he’d soon discover it had no effect upon her.
She’d see to that, she vowed, no matter how difficult it was to accomplish.
No matter how much it went counter to the inclination of her suddenly traitorous body.
She drew herself up to her full height, tried for an imperious bearing, met his gaze and gave a cool nod. “Now then, Sir William—”
“Will,” he said with an easy smile.
Did he think to cozen her with but a smile? She’d dealt with charming men before—aye, she knew any number of persuasive scoundrels. She also knew ’twas best to give them no chance to attempt to work their wiles upon her. It did naught but annoy her, though with Sir William, she feared her reaction would be anything but annoyance.
He’d not find her an easy target.
“Sir William, what were you doing wandering through Sherwood alone?” she asked.
Will held Lady Julianna’s gaze, silently pondering the sudden change in her bearing. Thus far in their brief acquaintance he’d seen her soft and yielding beneath him, and fierce as any warrior. But this serene woman, wearing the mantle of command so effortlessly on her shoulders, showed him another facet of her altogether—for despite the well-worn men’s garb she wore, he could never mistake her for anything but a noble lady.
He weighed the determination in her amber eyes, his mind—still awhirl from the battering he’d taken—pondering the best way to proceed. She still held one of Lord Rannulf’s letters clutched in her hand, and the leather pouch he’d carried them in lay on the floor behind her. Though ’twould be a pleasure indeed to take his time with her, he’d no business toying with a lady.
Nor did he have time to dally here; Lord Rannulf had set him a task, one he’d yet to complete. It was too important for him to let anything go awry.
Could he bargain with her for the letter? Or would she simply hand it over to him if he asked?
Her lips firmed; her expression, though weary, showed not a whit of compliance. Though she’d been civil, indeed, ’twas clear she’d not simply give in. His pulse quickened in anticipation.
He smiled, and Lady Julianna’s chin rose, her look of stubbornness growing more pronounced. Though he knew he’d have to work to regain his possessions, there was no reason he couldn’t enjoy the process. He’d always enjoyed a good fight, especially a verbal one.
And it appeared his warrior lady had every intention of enjoining him in battle.
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.