Read Online Joanna Davis - Knights In Shining Armor by Haven; Taken By The Soldier - Free Book Online Page B

wished they had. That her knight had come for her at last.
                  All too quickly reality would set in. She was his layman, not his wife. He was her master, not her loving husband. Her status of the lady of the manor had changed forever. Her servants might treat her with the same cheerful respect but the way the soldiers looked at her made her stomach turn. Knowing, lustful glances were cast her way constantly. Not by Wyeth and Kenneth of course. They'd become her champions, setting her at ease when she longed to run away during meals in the great hall.              She headed there now to prepare the evening meal. The only other peace she got was in hard work. As a result she had increased her duties as chatelain tenfold. Truth be told, the castle had never looked better.
                  She felt pride her in accomplishment, despite the sour thought that lingered in the back of her mind.
                  Everything she did now would soon be enjoyed by another woman.
                  His wife, whoever that might be.
                  It was hard not to resent that cold hard truth.
                  The other woman was blameless in all of this of course. It wasn't the fault of his bride to be. Emeline knew wouldn't subject another woman to her presence in the Lord's bed. She'd have to leave, well before the wedding was to take place.
                  The trouble was, she no longer wanted to. As unwanted as his attentions might have originally been, she was starting to crave them. With her body, and with her heart. She might not have his love but what he'd given her the past weeks was feeding her desire for him.
                  Perhaps if she stayed just a little while longer he would come to truly love her again… She hated the weak voice in her head that kept whispering 'it's not so bad.' She only wished there wasn't another person involved. She'd given up her pride and her maidenhood to him, but she would not infringe on his marriage to another, no matter how much she loved him.
                  Love. There was that word again.
                  She sighed and turned down the hallway to the kitchens. There was no use lying to herself. She loved him still.
                  "Some men have all the luck. That gorgeous creature in his bed, and another rich bride on the way! Imagine having that honey pot to dip into every night!"
                  "Sweet Jesu, the lady is a sweet piece."
                  "She's not a lady anymore!"
                  Emeline froze in the hallway. A group of soldiers were jesting with each other bawdily. They were speaking about her .
                  "What a beauty. And those tits! The things I'd like to do to her."
                  "Mayhap he'll pass her along when his bride comes."
                  "He can't very well keep them both can he? He said as much the other day."
                  "He did? Oh please let him give her to us. I'll take her six ways from Sunday."
                  "Not if I get to her first!"
                  They laughed and made another joke but Emeline wasn't listening. The soldiers coarse words were echoing in her head.
                  He's said as much the other day.
                  She had to leave.
                  Today.
                  Now.
                  Her letters to her Aunt had gone unanswered thus far but she could no longer wait. Emeline was about to storm back up to her room for her cloak when she realized that she needed food. No one would question the former lady of the manor if she took what she would need to survive. She hurried to the kitchen and took an old grain sack, filling it with a loaf of fresh bread, a small metal cup and a wedge of cheese. She tucked a