Read Online HealingPassion by Katherine Kingston - Free Book Online Page B

delicate, almost fragile in
his arms. The warmth of her body lit fires in his, while the feel of her skin
turned his desire for her into a raging need. He’d known other women, had
bedded a few, admired his friends’ wives, but he’d never wanted anyone with
this possessive ferocity. It surprised him to feel that way about a woman he’d
known such a short time. But something in his soul seemed to recognize it had
met its mate in her. In deep, important ways, Juliana resembled those other
women he’d admired and even, though he rebuked himself for it, coveted.
    He let his lips trail along the line of the scar on her
temple. She’d never acquire any further scars if he could do anything to stop
it. He caught the thought and followed where it led. It was too soon, and
perhaps he went too far too quickly, but Juliana would some day be his. He
hoped the day might not be far off, though there was still the complication of
her missing and surely dead husband to be unraveled. But it would be, and then
he would offer for her. The king had promised a substantial reward for
fulfilling his mission, enough to keep them. His majesty would surely approve
Thomas’ request for the lady’s hand.
    The small sounds she made as he kissed and teased her sank
into his soul like music. He could scarce bear to wait for the time he’d hear
those little moans and more.
    His hands rubbed her back and sides, stroking her graceful
curves, feeling the line of her hip, waist, and up to her chest. He pushed her cap
off and undid the braids that held her hair up, letting it fall in a glorious,
silken mass over her shoulders and down her back.
    She relaxed into his embrace, holding onto him and squeezing
herself toward him. He splayed his hands on her sides, so that his fingers were
just touching the undersides of her breasts. Her sharp breath hit him right in
the chest like an arrow to the heart.
    A sound outside the door, just down the hall, reminded them
they were not alone or particularly private. Juliana jumped back, her breath
harsh and panting. A servant went on past the entrance, intent on his own
errand. She dropped back into her chair and began to rebraid her hair, though
she continued to watch him.
    Thomas touched her face, traced the line of the scar on her temple
with a finger. “How did this happen?”
    For a moment she remained quiet. “An accident with a piece
of broken pottery a few years ago.”
    “You were fortunate it came no closer to your eye.”
    She sighed and nodded. “Very fortunate.”
    “Juliana—”
    The lady looked up at him, eyes wide and still soft with
passion and… “Sir Thomas.” Her smile was gentle and sweet. “I am comforted. And
for that I do thank you a great deal.”
    He felt a somewhat more wry grin twist his own mouth.
“You’ll arrange for the bath tonight.”
    After a moment, she nodded and gave him a smile. Then she
turned to get back in her chair. But as he was leaving she stopped him. “Sir
Thomas? Might I ask a favor of you?”
    “Whatever you will, my lady.”
    For a moment her eyes widened and her gaze lost focus, but
then she shook herself out of it. “I worry about our defenses here. We have no
knights and few skilled men at arms. Would you review our guards and their
deployment and tell me what we might do to improve? We have a few more young
men eager to learn, but no one well qualified to train them. Samuel of Merimon
is our captain and I believe him competent enough, but he has little
imagination or patience.
    Thomas nodded. “I’ll do so. I have a few more of your
household I’d like to question today. If you’ll let your captain know about it,
tomorrow I’ll review your defenses with him.”
    Her smile held both relief and gratitude. He felt it more
than adequate payment for whatever effort he put forth on her behalf.
    * * * * *
    Thomas found the bailiff, William Randolph, conferring with
the steward. Randolph pointedly ignored him, continuing his conversation,
despite the