Read Online Midnight's Bride by Sophia Johnson - Free Book Online Page A

at that crucial time. Had he not, another man would have laid claim to what rightfully belonged to Mereck—Caer Cad-well. His mother had escaped the slaughter of her family at Cad-well. Donald Morgan found her close inside the Scottish border and took her home to Blackthorn. Mereck was birthed the following year.
    Netta belonged to Mereck now. His wife by contract, and soon-to-be-wife by vows.
    His .
    Caer Cad-well would again belong to a descendant of Gruffyd ap Tewdwr, his great-great-grandfather.
    He bounded to his feet, startling the women. Elise scrambled up, but Netta did not move, not even when he crooked a finger at her.
    He reached down and grasped her hand. She soon stood.
    â€œCome, I will show you where you sleep this night.”
    Mereck enjoyed the feel of her soft hand enveloped in his, like a small, restless kitten as she tried to pull away. He did not release her until they reached the small tent Dafydd had prepared. It would be cozy on chilly nights, nights that would become colder yet as they made their way to the Highlands.
    â€œPrepare your mistress for sleep, Netta, then seek your own pallet.” He nodded toward the narrow bedding placed outside the tent. Beckoning to Elise, he held the tent flap open for her.
    Netta spied the bedding prepared for Elise, dug in her feet and frowned. Why, it was twice the size of her pallet outside, with large, plush fur coverings inviting a warm sleep.
    â€œDafydd may remove my pallet. I will sleep with Elise.”
    â€œI think not. This is for your mistress, not her maid.” Crossing his arms, Mereck looked down at her, his gaze stern. “You will sleep next to me, close-by your mistress should she need your services during the night.”
    â€œWhy must I sleep in the open, sir, with insects and animals? This shelter is large enough for both of us.” She tilted her nose up and stared at him.
    His cold gaze moved over her, stopping for a moment at her hands on hips as she defied him.
    â€œYou will sleep on the pallet next to mine, girl. Dinna push me further.”
    She raised a finger in front of his nose to silence him. He glared down at her.
    â€œWhy must you be stubborn, sir? Elise will not mind.”
    Before she could speak again, he lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Because I am an unchivalrous warrior and an enormous man. I also have my way about everything, and would not shrink from murder, if it so warrants ,” he added ominously.
    Netta gulped, her eyes rounded wide on meeting his gaze. She remembered her own words at the noon break. She prayed the ground would open and swallow her into its depths.
    Anger turned Mereck’s light green eyes to cold emerald. Unable to look away, she studied his face. Tawny brown eyebrows and thick lashes added emphasis to commanding eyes. Hair not brown, not golden but a mixture of both flowed around his face and fell past his shoulders. Its untamed look teased her memory. The fine hairs on her nape stirred. Eyes squinted, she tried to summon that missing face to mind. It would not come.
    Her searching gaze studied him. Could one call Mereck’s nose strong? Arrogant, even? Her gaze lowered to stop on his lips.
    Oh, my! Full and sensuous. Soft. Enticing.
    They twitched at the corners. Did her perusal amuse him? Blinking, she pulled back. Nay, she could not have seen this man afore. She would have remembered a face that sent such strange flutters through her stomach. Would she not?
    â€œAfter you prepare your lady for bed, I will come for you.”
    Mereck’s voice halted her wayward thoughts. His glint-eyed stare warned he would allow no further carping. Nodding, he left.
    Peeking out the tent opening, Netta watched him assign the night guards. “He makes me so angry I want to stomp his toes.” She stamped the ground instead. “I’m no peasant who must sleep in the open. I’ll not do as he says.”
    â€œOh, Netta, do not rile him,”