walls. What precisely had she said to him? “My father charged me with holding Claredon—”
“So you contend. But you failed abominably in your aim, did you not? You are now my prisoner.”
Fury and despair warred in her eyes. “What do you intend?”
“At the onset, to gain the surrender of the castle garrison. I doubt your men will wish to risk your life. Once they realize I have their lady in my grasp, they will quickly lay down their arms.”
“Are you such a coward that you would make war on women?”
“Have a care, demoiselle.” The hard voice had turned softly menacing. “You stand guilty of treason. I could have you hanged and no one would gainsay me.”
When she remained silent, he reached for her again, his hand closing gently over her throat, forcing her chin up. Those long, battle-roughened fingers had the power to crush the life from her, Ariane realized with renewed fear. She could feel her heart hammering wildly as Ranulf’s golden gaze bored into hers. “Do not defy me, lady. You will not win.”
Ariane bit her lip so fiercely that it stung. She knew his warning was no idle boast. Within his corded, muscular frame lay the might of two normal men.
He released his grip on her throat and leaned back, bracing his weight on one hand. “Dress yourself.”
“Why?” she managed to ask in a shaky voice.
“Because I command it. And because you doubtless have no wish to be paraded naked before your household for all to gawk at.” He cocked one dark eyebrow at her. “Such treatment is only befitting a traitor, but I will spare you the indignity if you accept your defeat with proper meekness.”
Meekness! It was all Ariane could do to clamp down on the retort that sprang to her tongue.
“Why do you tarry? I gave you a command.” And I expect immediate obedience, his tone said clearly.
Not daring to delay any longer, she attempted to take the woolen coverlet with her to cover her nakedness, but Ranulf’s hand came up to close over hers. Holding her apprehensive gaze, he deliberately tugged the fabric from her grasp. “There is no need for such modesty between us.”
Her eyes widened. “Do you mean to watch?” she asked incredulously.
“Aye, I must. I cannot trust you out of my sight.” That maddening grin flashed again. “Not that I consider such duty a hardship. I’ve always found it a great pleasure to observe a comely wench as she leaves her bed, flushed from sleep—or more arduous activity.”
When she remained immobile, he added, “Must I dress you myself, demoiselle? I assure you, you would not wish for my services.”
Gritting her teeth, Ariane forced herself to throw off the other covers—a difficult task with Ranulf sitting on much of them—and slipped through the bed curtains on the opposite side. Her hope for privacy was short-lived, though; almost lazily Ranulf leaned over to part the bed curtains, giving him a clear vantage.
Shaking with rage and fear, Ariane gave him her back while he remained casually lounging on the bed. Never before had she been so grateful for her hip-length hair, which shielded much of her nakedness. Even so, she could feel Ranulf’s gaze boldly traveling over her as she fumbled for the clothing that her tirewoman had left folded on a chest beside the bed.
Hastily she dragged on her shift before risking a nervous glance over her shoulder. The lout was grinning at her, she realized. A bold, appreciative regard that made her blood boil. Sweet Virgin, how she wanted to box his ears!
“Your curves have filled out since last I saw you,” he murmured wickedly. “The effect is quite appealing. Highly arousing to a man.”
Her jaw clenched so hard the muscles ached. Not only was his provocative taunt inflaming for its sheer brazenness, but it reminded Ariane of the fierce resentment she’d harbored against the lord of Vernay for neglecting her for so many years. She dared not reply, though; to answer as scathingly as she wished would be to
“So you contend. But you failed abominably in your aim, did you not? You are now my prisoner.”
Fury and despair warred in her eyes. “What do you intend?”
“At the onset, to gain the surrender of the castle garrison. I doubt your men will wish to risk your life. Once they realize I have their lady in my grasp, they will quickly lay down their arms.”
“Are you such a coward that you would make war on women?”
“Have a care, demoiselle.” The hard voice had turned softly menacing. “You stand guilty of treason. I could have you hanged and no one would gainsay me.”
When she remained silent, he reached for her again, his hand closing gently over her throat, forcing her chin up. Those long, battle-roughened fingers had the power to crush the life from her, Ariane realized with renewed fear. She could feel her heart hammering wildly as Ranulf’s golden gaze bored into hers. “Do not defy me, lady. You will not win.”
Ariane bit her lip so fiercely that it stung. She knew his warning was no idle boast. Within his corded, muscular frame lay the might of two normal men.
He released his grip on her throat and leaned back, bracing his weight on one hand. “Dress yourself.”
“Why?” she managed to ask in a shaky voice.
“Because I command it. And because you doubtless have no wish to be paraded naked before your household for all to gawk at.” He cocked one dark eyebrow at her. “Such treatment is only befitting a traitor, but I will spare you the indignity if you accept your defeat with proper meekness.”
Meekness! It was all Ariane could do to clamp down on the retort that sprang to her tongue.
“Why do you tarry? I gave you a command.” And I expect immediate obedience, his tone said clearly.
Not daring to delay any longer, she attempted to take the woolen coverlet with her to cover her nakedness, but Ranulf’s hand came up to close over hers. Holding her apprehensive gaze, he deliberately tugged the fabric from her grasp. “There is no need for such modesty between us.”
Her eyes widened. “Do you mean to watch?” she asked incredulously.
“Aye, I must. I cannot trust you out of my sight.” That maddening grin flashed again. “Not that I consider such duty a hardship. I’ve always found it a great pleasure to observe a comely wench as she leaves her bed, flushed from sleep—or more arduous activity.”
When she remained immobile, he added, “Must I dress you myself, demoiselle? I assure you, you would not wish for my services.”
Gritting her teeth, Ariane forced herself to throw off the other covers—a difficult task with Ranulf sitting on much of them—and slipped through the bed curtains on the opposite side. Her hope for privacy was short-lived, though; almost lazily Ranulf leaned over to part the bed curtains, giving him a clear vantage.
Shaking with rage and fear, Ariane gave him her back while he remained casually lounging on the bed. Never before had she been so grateful for her hip-length hair, which shielded much of her nakedness. Even so, she could feel Ranulf’s gaze boldly traveling over her as she fumbled for the clothing that her tirewoman had left folded on a chest beside the bed.
Hastily she dragged on her shift before risking a nervous glance over her shoulder. The lout was grinning at her, she realized. A bold, appreciative regard that made her blood boil. Sweet Virgin, how she wanted to box his ears!
“Your curves have filled out since last I saw you,” he murmured wickedly. “The effect is quite appealing. Highly arousing to a man.”
Her jaw clenched so hard the muscles ached. Not only was his provocative taunt inflaming for its sheer brazenness, but it reminded Ariane of the fierce resentment she’d harbored against the lord of Vernay for neglecting her for so many years. She dared not reply, though; to answer as scathingly as she wished would be to
Similar Books
