Read Online Velvet & steel by Sylvie F. Sommerfield - Free Book Online

arms went about him. She surrendered to the uncoiling heat that was filling her. She could not resist the heady taste of him and the strength that took away her breath and her thoughts.
    As suddenly as he had taken her, he released her. He put his hands about her slender waist to lift her into the saddle.
    For a moment she could only look down into his eyes, eyes filled with silent laughter. So he thought one kiss would undo her. His utter conceit filled her with such a wave of hot rage that she lashed out with the end of her reins. The leather caught him across the cheek and drew a fine line of blood. He did not raise a hand to touch his face. Instead he smiled a smile that turned her heart to ice and sent a shiver of fear through her
    "I will be master here. Creganwald will be William's, and you will come to my bed, willing or no. When the rule of Creganwald is secure, I will leave you in peace, demoiselle, for I have no hunger to be wed any more than you do. But understand this. What is mine, I hold. There is no need for your interference in my affairs."
    She felt anger at her own helplessness. He did not want her, nor the child of his loins. Would he want a child of her body? She thought not. When William was satisfied, Royce would leave Creganwald. At that moment she hated William with every sense she had.
    Lynette urged her horse into motion, and Royce stood immobile, watching her until she disappeared from sight.

Chapter Six
    On her return from her ride, Lynette went directly to the kitchen, where she found Cerise the center of attraction. She had been warmed, not only by the fire but by the attention she had received. She had responded to it like a flower to water.
    Lynette worried how the little girl would react if she were forced to go back to Oriel. With her jaw clenched in determination, she decided to take Cerise to her chamber with her. If Oriel wanted the girl, she would have to come and get her, and Lynette would make it as difficult for her as possible.
    She was distressed that she no longer ruled in this hall, and that her orders could be countermanded by someone as cruel as Oriel.
    Once settled in her chamber, Lynette set about putting Cerise in order. She brushed her long mink-colored hair until it gleamed, then braided it carefully in two long braids. While she did, she listened to the child's chatter.
    As the time for the midday meal approached, there was still no sign of Oriel.
    "Cerise, would you like to go outside for a while? I could show you where we slide down the hill, and where the ice is on the stream."
    "Oh, yes!" Cerise's face lit, and her eyes turned worshipfully toward Lynette.
    "Then you must dress very warm, and find your warmest boots. Run back to your chamber and get them."
    Cerise sat immobile for a moment, the smile disappearing from her face.
    "Cerise, do hurry or we will be called to the midday meal before we get a chance to have any fun."
    But still Cerise didn't move. Then she looked up at Lynette again. "If ... if I go back to my chamber, will she be there? She won't let me go."
    Lynette stood up resolutely. "Come, I'll go with you. There will be no problem."
    But there was no sign of Oriel, and Lynette waited while Cerise put on her warm clothes. The two slipped from the hall like a pair of conspirators. Soon Cerise's laughter filled the air as Lynette displayed how she would take a short run, then slide across the frozen ice of the stream. With flushed face and happy laughter, Cerise played like a child for the first time in her memory.
    Within the hall, Royce and Lynette's father were discussing the condition of the manor itself, and the serfs outside it. Eldwyn was relieved that Royce seemed to understand everything and was supplying new ideas for the improvement of the manor. Eldwyn looked on Royce with new eyes. He began to believe that this man could hold his land and care for it as well as he could. Finally Royce brought up a subject he had been skirting: Lynette.
    "You