Free Carried Away by Anna Markland Page A

wouldn’t blame you for hating me. I’m sorry I’ve hurt you and your family. I couldn’t help myself. I want you so badly.”
    The warmth of his hands travelled into her belly and warred with the chills running up and down her spine. “You want me? For what?”
    He put his hands on her waist and drew her to his body. “For my wife, Blythe. I love you. I’ve loved you from the moment we met. I’ve denied it, but I can’t stand the thought of your leaving here. My life will be empty without you.”
    She felt the hard evidence of his passion pressed against her and wetness pooled between her legs. Her breasts tingled. Words rushed out of her mouth. “But how can you love me? I’ve been cold and rude. I was afraid to fall in love with you and pretended to be aloof. If you knew how many times I itched to put my hands on your body and explore every part of you. I’ve longed to comb my fingers through your beautiful hair, to feel your hands on my body. Dieter, ich liebe dich ! I love you so much I would die if I had to remain here and not—”
    His deep passionate kiss interrupted her. His tongue delved into her mouth and she sucked on it. The sensation sent heat surging from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.
    He tore his mouth from hers. They were both panting hard. He took her hand and placed it on the side of his face. “Touch me, Blythe. I’ve longed for you to caress me. I want to make you my wife in every possible way.”
    Before she could respond, he put a fingertip to her lips. “I must tell you something before you make your decision.”
    She had an urge to suck his finger into her mouth, but he looked worried. “What is it?”
    “I have a son.”
    This wasn’t what she expected. If he had a son, it would mean— “A son?”
    He went down on one knee, but never took his eyes from her face. “I am a widower, Blythe. My wife died. My son’s name is Johann. You need to understand he is my heir.”
    Her heart went out to the child she’d never met. Her mother and father had always been an important part of her life. She could not imagine growing up without a mother. “Oh, Dieter, to be a motherless child. How would he feel about—me?”
    He came to his feet. “I might have known your first thought would not be for yourself, but for my child. I love you Blythe Lacey FitzRam. Johann will love you too. Please accept my proposal of marriage.”
    Her body burned for him. Was this really happening? “Yes, I accept, but my father—”
    He hugged her tightly. “I’ve spoken to your father. I don’t foresee a problem.”
    She laughed. “I wondered why you two were so amicable this evening! You rogue!”
    He crushed her to his body, raking his fingers through her hair. “ Ja , I’m a rogue who carried you away, but you stole my heart with your ugly braids and sullen pouts! I didn’t know you spoke any German, and yet you tell me you love me in my language!”
    “Dieter, I’m on fire for you. You’ve awakened feelings in me I’ve never experienced before. My body aches for you.”
    He kissed her again. “You’re a passionate woman, mein Schatz . I hope I’ll be able to satisfy your needs.”
    He flashed his enigmatic smile and rocked his hips against her. “As you can probably tell I would like to do that very thing right now, but I prefer to wait until we’re married. I’ll speak to Archbishop Frederick on the morrow.”

CHAPTER TEN
     
    Dieter’s widowed father and older sister travelled from Wolfenberg, bringing three year old Johann. Blythe fell in love with the child as soon as she saw him. He was a miniature Dieter. The boy seemed overwhelmed and tired after the journey. He clung to his grandfather’s leg, wide-eyed as the adults greeted each other. Vormund licked his face and he laughed as he swiped his sleeve across his mouth. Dieter knelt and held his arms out to his son, but it took a definite push for him to relinquish his grandfather’s leg and go into his father’s