Free The Bargain by Julia Templeton Page A

shortly, the loss of her beloved twin.
    Feeling wretched, he removed his boots, chausses, and tunic, and lay down on the bed beside her.
    Her sobs tore at his heart. How he ached to comfort her, to pull her into his arms and just hold her. Tell her everything would be all right.
    But it would be a lie.
    And they both knew it.
    His gaze slid from her quaking shoulders, down her slender back, over the curve of her hip. The chemise hugged her body, outlining its perfection. Her bent knees pulled the fabric tight, emphasizing her buttocks and long legs, and his body responded to the sensual sight.
    He could feel his heart pounding, hear the crackle of the wood in the fire, burning, much like the blood within his veins.
    She shivered, so he pulled a blanket over her, tucking it around her, relieved it covered her curves, for he desired her greatly—and seeing her in the thin chemise aroused him nearly as much as if she lay naked.
    Within minutes her breathing evened out and he realized she had fallen asleep. Going up on his elbow, he looked down at her. How solemn she looked, almost angelic, save for the tears.
    Resisting the urge to brush them away, he instead lay back on the bed, staring at the canopy above him. He wondered if he'd have been better off rejecting her bargain. Mayhap he should have sent her back to Scotland.
     

CHAPTER 7
    The healer's small hut sat alone in a wooded area east of the village. Smoke curled from the chimney, filling the air with a strange scent.
    Aleysia remembered her mother telling her when she was a child that the healer's hut had sat apart from the village because the old woman needed to be near the forests, where she grew her potent herbs. She had also heard that many of the villagers feared the healer, claiming her to be a witch, but Aleysia did not believe the dear woman to be evil. Nay, she had always been incredibly kind, and though she must be one hundred years old, her mind was still sharp.
    Aleysia looked over her shoulder to make sure she had not been followed. Thankfully, Renaud was busy with his troops, wielding swords and practicing archery. She had managed to slip away from the guard who had fallen asleep beside a large oak, while she had been busy picking berries.
    It had been nearly a week since she'd visited Adelstan in the tower. In that time she had done nothing to raise Renaud's suspicion, doing what he said, and making no argument. She had even cuddled close to him at night, but not once since Duncan's departure had he made love to her.
    In truth, he seemed to be spending more time in the great hall with his men. And last night he had not come to the chamber at all. Aleysia had awoken in the early morning hours to find herself alone, and experienced a moment of frustration while she wondered where Renaud had slept.
    She had noticed how the female servants watched him, particularly the big-breasted servant who had wanted to rub his back—and no doubt more than that—when he had bathed that first night upon taking Braemere. Aye, it seemed all the women wanted him, making eyes at him, hoping to catch his interest. Had he spent the night in another woman's arms? The thought made her stomach tighten painfully.
    She had seen him this morning in the great hall. He looked well rested and in good spirits, completely ignoring her as she made her way to his side. He had merely nodded at her in greeting, a soft smile on his handsome face, before turning to converse with Galeran.
    Shaking away the memory, she refocused her attention and took a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure she had not been followed. Seeing no one, Aleysia knocked on the door. A moment later, the healer opened the door and smiled.
    "I was expecting you, my dear. Do you have time for tea?"
    "I am sorry, but I must return before the guard awakes and realizes where I am." Aleysia glanced over her shoulder once more, before handing the healer the note she had written earlier, when she had stolen a few moments