Free Love's Magic by Traci E. Hall Page A

Christ, Jesu. His eyes dropped to the pink buds of her breasts beneath her gown and the way her loose golden hair curled over the curves of her hips. She was the epitome of womanhood, and so beautiful he ached. He gulped and looked away before he did something stupid. Like lunge across the bed and truly claim her.
    His voice was raspy as he changed the subject entirely. “Petyr said that the Scottish rebels are creating havoc along the borders. The baron probably thinks a show of colors will suffice to make them stay clear of the keep.”
    She didn’t appear to hold a grudge as she stood by the bed. “Ah! That does make sense. By sending you he sends a warrior as well as his son, who has a rightful claim on the property.” Celestia faced him, unaware that a long tendril of silky hair cupped around a full breast. The sheer gown teased the senses. The heat rose in the room as they gazed at one another until Nicholas ground his back teeth and paced the floor. Witch. If there was anything magical, it had to be the instant desire between them. Ancient chemistry, male calling to female.
    Keeping his eyes on anything but his bride, Nicholas talked as a distraction. “The baron probably thinks I’ll be grateful for his interference in my life. He doesn’t know me.” He pushed up the sleeves of his tunic, which were scratching at the irritated skin on his wrists. “The bastard has much to answer for.”
    “And Petyr, will you give him a chance to prove his loyalty to you?”
    Nicholas stopped before the fire, his eyes on the dancing flames. Putting together a story when one had only torn pages was difficult, but he’d finally gotten Petyr to admit that he’d never worked for Abbot Crispin, and that he’d always been Baron Peregrine’s man, until now. The betrayal of his mentor burned, and he absently rubbed the scar at the base of his throat. “I trust no one.”
    A waft of oranges and cinnamon warned him that Celestia was at his back. He remained unyielding as he felt her hand at his shoulder. She slid around so that she could see his face, and he made sure to keep his expression neutral. “Try me,” she said in earnest. “I’ll not betray you.”
    “You would be the very last person I would ever trust.” He held her gaze until her smile faded. It hurt him to see the wounded look in her eyes. She is innocent, his heart cried. But in his head, he knew there was no such thing, and he had to protect himself. “Go to sleep.”
    Celestia dipped her head before returning to the raised bed. Climbing in, she sat against the headboard, making a commotion, smoothing the blankets around her waist. Nicholas felt the pulse beat at the base of his neck as he waited to see what she would do.
    Opening her mouth as if she might argue, again, she paused and then shrugged. “You must do what you think is right. Will you sleep? I could make you a—”
    “I want nothing, my lady.” His chest tightened at the lie, and he placed a chair in front of the slowly dying fire. “Our secret will be safe, until we are ready to make our move.” He sat, compelled to listen to the soft rustlings Celestia made as she got comfortable. It felt like he was spying, since he’d never slept in the same room with a lady before. Leah, though female, was definitely not a lady, and what they’d done together didn’t involve sleep.
    His stomach churned, and he banished the dark memories to the back of his head. Thinking of that evil woman in the same breath as Celestia was sacrilege.
    He waited until he heard her even breathing before taking a fur rug and stretching out, as he’d promised, in front of the door. Dozing fitfully, controlling his wayward thoughts, he passed the night through.
    At the first hint of dawn coming from the tiny slats of the window shutters, Nicholas got up. He couldn’t help peeking at Celestia as she slept. Her delicate beauty drew him like a moth to flame, and he stared at her pink lips, lightly turned down at the