Free Her One Desire by Kimberly Killion Page A

going to her. He reached out to offer her comfort, but never found the courage to actually touch her. “I’m sorry. I should have—“ “Nay.” She pivoted on her heel and tried to rush past him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her into his chest, fully prepared for any words she might spit at him. “Forgive me.” She looked up at him, eyes overflowing with angry tears. “You vowed it upon your soul. You promised she would be safe. You lied” She had no idea how deeply her words cut him. “I’m sorry.”
    Her fists made a pathetic attempt to hit him, but lost their might when she collapsed in his arms. She sobbed openmouthed against his chest. “Curse him! Curse him to Hades!” she screamed against his skin. “She was a blind, defenseless old woman.”
    Broc could do little more than hold her and prevent her from falling until the last of her tears dried themselves. He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head, shushing her with empty words of comfort. The same words he’d used to console Mam when Lilian and Mattie died. He’d lived this scene before—the day he returned from Dumfriesshire. Lady Ives sucked in a shaky breath, wiped her face, and then pulled away from him. Her transformation happened so quickly, he nearly missed it. Her trembling ceased, and her face smoothed. He could only imagine how much pain she caged behind her mask of indifference. ‘Twas the same pain that made her cry in her sleep. She hastened around the room gathering her things. “I thank you for your aid thus far, Lord Maxwell, but I feel it best if I continue to York alone. I do not wish to bring misfortune to you or your friends.”
    “Nay. I have promised ye protection. I will see you safely to York, with or without your permission.”
    She turned on her heel, her eyes golden flames of fury. “You have delivered me safely out of London. I have mended your wounds. Our association ends here.”
    “Nay.” He denied her selfless request, angered by her rejection. He stepped toward her.
    She stepped back, guarding her person with her satchels. Her bottom lip quivered. She bit it and snapped her shoulders back. “I will not endanger your life.”
    “But you will endanger yours. For the crown?” Her loyalty to her king, while admirable, was foolish. “What has your crown done for ye, Lizbeth? Why do ye risk so much?”
    “You cannot understand. Tis complicated.”
    “Tell me, and I will protect ye.” He cursed her obstinacy.
    “Ye have no one else.”
    “I have my father.” Her chin tilted to a presumptuous angle.
    “And where is he?” He splayed his hands wide and made a show of searching the chamber. “Where was he when Edlynn needed him?”
    Her eyes narrowed; her nostrils flared. Her blind faith in her father infuriated him to the point of madness. “My father is a servant to the king and is bound by the demands of the chief warder. ‘Tis his duty to punish those who threaten the crown.”
    He backed her up against the wall. “And did Edlynn threaten the crown? Was it her punishment to die in that fire for poisoning your king?” He knew the answers, but wanted to goad her into telling him what she knew.
    “Nay!”
    He braced his hands on either side of her head, his toes touching the tips of her boots.
    “Then who threatens the crown, Lizbeth?” Her golden eyes revealed her fear, but damned if he would take ease with her now. “I will protect ye, but I must know who I am protecting ye from.” Her eyes twitched, searching his face.
    Trust me, he begged her silently.
    Her breaths escalated, yet her lips never opened.
    God save him, but the woman was as stubborn as he.
    “Give me the name of the man who seeks the crown. Now!”
    He shouted so loud, birds took flight out the window.
    She jumped and slammed her eyes shut. “Henry Stafford.” He pushed off the wall away from her. a little surprised she’d provided him a name. “The Duke of Buckingham?” He inhaled, unaware he’d been holding his