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enthralled but not a mature knight such as Curan. Her hair looked delicate against his fingers. Her head did not reach to his chin, and she felt small next to him.
    “Until later, Bridget. No one will disturb you.”
    He turned and left with that final warning spoken. Her arms came up to hug her body as all of the heat he’d inspired left her. Her body became chilled, and the need pooling in her belly made it ache.
    It was by far the most confusing thing.
    Curan didn’t sleep very much. His discipline failed him. After only a few hours of rest his mind became too crowded with thoughts to sleep. He knew better, had served too many days on hostile soil to not take sleep when he might.
    His bride was a distraction.
    Of course that was not something to be lamented. Most men battled to find enough interest in their negotiated wives to beget their heirs. His cock throbbed softly with unsatisfied hunger. It would seem that he would not have to suffer that difficulty.
    Bridget’s mother descended the stairs at the first sign of light on the horizon. Lady Connolly clearly was not content with his intention to claim her daughter. The woman strode straight up to him without flinching. It was clear where Bridget learned her courage from.
    Jane did not lower her eyes.
    “You should understand that these times call for adjustments.”
    “What I understand, madam, are things that you do not know of.” Her demeanor softened, allowing Curan to moderate his tone. “Your husband is a compatriot of Chancellor Wriothesley.”
    “I am aware of that.”
    “Are you likewise aware of the fact that Lord Oswald is another compatriot of the chancellor?”
    Jane clasped her hands tightly together. “Your tone implies that you are angry with my husband’s choices.”
    “I am certainly not happy to discover my bride being readied to travel to another man’s bed.”
    “My daughter was heading to the marriage her father arranged for her. Not to be anyone’s mistress.”
    Curan drew himself up in the face of her outrage. He did not suffer such a tone from many men and even fewer women. Yet the woman was insulted on behalf of her daughter, and that was a just cause. He had spent his entire adult life serving honor. A mother was right to defend her daughter’s name.
    “I should have said marriage.”
    Jane looked ready to argue further, but she paused and bit back her reply.
    “The king sent me here to claim my bride. With full knowledge that I plan to take her to my border holding and settle into family life.”
    Jane’s face became one of confusion. “Yet my husband writes of a very different course for Bridget. I cannot ignore his summons.”
    Curan drew in a stiff breath. “Court is a place full of men trying to achieve their own goals.” He paused for a long moment, clearly weighing his next words. “The chancellor is rumored to be seeking evidence against Queen Catherine Parr.”
    “What?
That is madness. I hear nothing but good tidings concerning our queen. She is a devoted wife.” Jane’s eyes went large.
    “Yet she would not be the first queen brought low by men seeking to install some other in her place.”
    Jane’s face drained of color. “You should not say such things. I shall not have such things spoken of beneath my roof, be you noble or common.”
    “A wise rule to keep.”
    She shot him a hard look. “I do not understand what youare hinting at, Lord Ryppon. It still remains that I was doing only as instructed by my husband. You should understand that being dutiful is not something that may be questioned.”
    “I do.” He stepped closer but took a look about to see if there was anyone listening. “Yet I believe that your husband is placing his name on a very risky gamble. If the chancellor is working to bring down the queen, be very sure that blood will flow.”
    She nodded and began to make the sign of the cross over herself. Curan captured her wrist, stopping her.
    “Careful, lady. There are men with me who