Free Joanna Fulford by His Lady of Castlemora

know exactly what to expect from him.
    ‘Then we understand each other.’
    ‘I believe we do.’ She paused. ‘I will try to be a good wife to you.’
    ‘And I a good husband to you.’ He smiled faintly. ‘I don’t imagine that will be too difficult. May I say I look forward to our closer union.’
    A rosy flush bloomed in her face. It was unwittingly becoming and he realised he had spoken the exact truth. That turned his mind in a more pleasurable direction.
    ‘Shall we seal the bargain, my lady?’
    Isabelle felt herself grow hotter. ‘I... We are not yet betrothed, my lord. It would be—’ She broke off awkwardly.
    Ban regarded her in cool amusement. ‘Improper?’ As her silence confirmed it his eyes gleamed. ‘I have seen you without your clothes on. It’s a little late to worry about propriety.’
    Her chin came up at once. ‘That isn’t fair and you know it.’
    ‘Not fair? But you’re going to do the same again on Thursday.’
    Isabelle was reduced to speechless silence. There were many things she would like to have said but, unfortunately, denial and refusal were equally impossible. Indignation was fuelled by his evident enjoyment.
    ‘I will do what I must, my lord.’
    ‘Then you will seal the bargain with me now.’
    The words, though quietly spoken, were uncompromising, like the arm around her waist drawing her against him. He took the kiss at leisure, ignoring resistance until resistance was abandoned and she yielded herself to the embrace. Under the scent of lavender she breathed the scent of the man, warm, heady and dangerous, arousing sensations that were unfamiliar and unexpected.
    He drew back a little, looking down into her face, his expression unreadable. Breathless now, she waited, heart thumping. He was alarmingly strong. They were alone and the place private. If he chose to pursue this... However, it seemed that was not his intention because his hold slackened.
    ‘I consider the bargain well sealed, my lady, and hold that kiss in token of many more.’
    ‘I told you, I will do what I must.’
    ‘Aye, and enjoy it too, I promise you.’
    ‘A bold promise, my lord. There is little pleasure for a woman in the marriage bed.’
    He strolled to the door, pausing on the threshold. ‘Reserve your judgement until you have shared mine.’
    With that he left her. As she listened to his retreating footsteps, Isabelle found herself trembling, though not with fear. Automatically she raised a hand to her lips where the memory of his kiss still lingered; a kiss that aroused all manner of emotion in her, but which meant only the sealing of a bargain to him. He would bed her the same way. She bit her lip. He had been honest with her about that. Theirs was a business arrangement. If it engendered warmer feelings that was good but it was by no means certain. I do not regard it as an indispensable condition of marriage. The only indispensable condition was that she should provide him with an heir.

Chapter Six
    B an left the building and escaped into the fresh air, away from the heady and sensual smell of lavender and the recollection of that kiss. He had no idea why he’d done that. It hadn’t been his intention when first he went to speak with her. Nor had he anticipated the consequences; had not expected to feel quite so aroused or so tempted to follow his inclination. Fortunately common sense had prevailed. In two days she was his; he could be patient a little longer. The rest would follow soon enough.
    He had been walking without any set destination in mind and his steps had taken him in the direction of the stables. It occurred to him that he could go and look in on Firecrest and make sure that all was well there. However, as he rounded the end of the building he checked in surprise to see a large group of men in the yard beyond. At first he thought they were all from Castlemora, but then he caught sight of Ewan and Davy in their midst. From their stance and their expressions he knew