Free The Lady's Choice by Bernadette Rowley Page A

hope?’
    A muscle in Prince Zialni’s jaw twitched and Ramón knew he had pushed the prince as far as he could. ‘I will never give up on Alecia and the searches will resume when I return. In the meantime I have two operatives on the hunt for my daughter and that vermin, Anton. Perhaps they will succeed where larger groups have failed. Anton may get sloppy if he thinks I have given up.’ The prince’s faraway look disappeared and his eyes snapped back to Ramón. ‘Suffice to say that I believe my presence is needed more to the north than in escorting my lady to Wildecoast. You will follow orders and your orders are to accompany my betrothed to the coast and back so that she can be fitted for her wedding gown. I will not delay my marriage or place the kingdom in jeopardy because my wilful daughter has run away from home. Is that clear?’
    Ramón swallowed the desperation that bubbled up inside him and bowed stiffly to the prince and to Benae. ‘May I take my leave? I have preparations to make.’
    The prince frowned deeply at him but nodded at last. ‘You depart tomorrow at first light. I rely on you to keep my lady safe.’
    Ramón bowed again. ‘Have no fear, Your Highness. Your lady will be safe with me.’ He threw Benae a look that said
he
at least could be trusted and swept from the room.
    Benae could not sleep. The news that she would travel with Ramón instead of Jiseve made her restless. It was what she had wanted, wasn’t it? To spend some time with Ramón, get to know him better? Perhaps have one last flirtation before she settled down with Jiseve. She would not let it go too far. Perhaps some passionate kisses in secret or even . . . She imagined Ramón’s hands on her bare skin and groaned. Who was she deceiving? The way she felt about the squire, she would not be able to stop if he were willing. Lucky for her he wasn’t. She only hoped he had enough strength for both of them.
    Why did she feel thus? Her marriage to Jiseve was what she had come to Brightcastle for and she had succeeded. He was besotted with her. Tonight after dinner, he had invited her to his room and she had thought he meant to take her to his bed. But no. The last night before they would be separated for weeks and he had kissed her to within an inch of her life, had her panting for more and then escorted her back to her room! What was wrong with the man? He had only to begin undressing her and she could not have refused him. Perhaps that was what ailed her. Jiseve had brought her to the edge of longing each night since their betrothal and then walked away. Her body could not take much more of this teasing without combusting. She needed release and she needed it now.
    Benae flung herself out of bed and drew her robe around the folds of her nightgown. He would not deny her if he saw her in this filmy creation. It left little to the imagination and since she never wore pantaloons to bed, there would be no barrier to deny her betrothed. As she stood in the light of her parlour’s flickering fire she hesitated. What if he turned her away again? Desire coiled its way up from her core and she groaned. She must have her release!
    She opened the door quietly and slipped into the dark hallway. Leaving her door ajar, she turned in the direction of Jiseve’s room only to be halted by a familiar, masculine chest. She knew immediately it was not her betrothed. Hard, callused hands gripped her upper arms and the scent of lemons and limes swirled around her.
    Her heart leapt and raced away. ‘Ramón! What are you doing here?’ In her aroused state, Benae was intensely aware that his hands had tightened on her arms. She swayed towards him but he kept her at bay, a stray moonbeam outlining the convulsive movement of his throat.
    â€˜Prince Zialni had some late instructions. Are you on your way to bid him goodnight?’ His glance took in her clothing and