Free A Lady's Charade (Medieval Romance Novel) by Eliza Knight Page B

her? As it was, she found it getting easier as she spoke to each person. Chloe pulled on her thin cape.
    Maude opened the door to the little house and Chloe followed her out. The bailey was already teaming with people. Knights gathered, their armor on and weapons at the ready for training. Servants ran here and there going about their various duties. Merchants milled about, some with baskets of wares and others with their wagons.
    The sun was just barely skimming the horizon. Pink and orange hues touched down on the courtyard. She was shocked so many people were already about, not just starting their day, but working it. This would be her new life, she had to remind herself again. She would be up this early going about the tasks that Lord Hardwyck would assign to her. If he’d assign her work at all. She didn’t have any skills—except managing a household, but with the way she looked he wouldn’t believe that truth for a minute. Ironic, that the one truth she might say would be misconstrued for a lie.
    Maude led her through the throngs of people in the bailey up to the courtyard in front of the castle doors. Chloe almost fell backward staring at the tall fortress. The stone walls led almost to the sky. Slit windows sprinkled the walls, but the most impressive sight of all, was the two large carved oak doors. Her eyes tenderly caressed the intricate carvings of ivy and dragons that looked out of place on such a stark building. This castle was built for security. As she stared in speculation of the building, the large wooden doors opened and out walked two giants. Lord Hardwyck was one of them she could tell by the regale dragon on its hind legs, fire shooting from its mouth that was embroidered on his wide leather belt.
    Chloe sucked in a breath at the sight of him, her hand instinctively coming to her throat. He looked so different in the light than when she’d seen him before, outside South Hearth in the night, and the previous evening at dusk. Somehow even more menacing.
    And yet…
    It was hard for her to remember that he was her enemy. Her body reacted of its own accord. Nipples taut, skin dancing, a tingling knot formed in her belly. She sucked in a breath and darted her gaze around. Could anyone tell what their master did to her? How he made her feel?
    He walked slightly in front of the other warrior. They were followed by two squires carrying their weapons and shields. She stared in awe at the Herculean men. A tremor ran up her spine. She couldn’t figure out if it was from fear or something else. Her palms became moist as her heart pounded at a rapid pace.
    Lord Hardwyck was the same height as the other man, but broader. The air about him exuded strength and power. His strides were long and calculated, accentuating the strength of the muscles in his legs. Obviously, he spent much time in training and riding to keep his physique in such well form. His broad shoulders and expansive chest filled out the linen shirt he wore, the fabric clinging to every curve and contour. Seeing him in such a state made him seem all the more indomitable. Her breath hitched as her body sang to a tune she found all too distracting. He was the type of man a woman dreamed of having. A strong man ready to take on the world. A man that could take her on. What would it be like to touch such sinewy muscle? She had to shake her head at the thought. She hated this man, was bent on secretly making his life miserable, how could she betray herself with such wanton thoughts?
    Then he raked his hand through his hair. Her gaze was drawn to the dark curls that came down to touch just above his shoulders. A man’s hair shouldn’t be so silky. His hair reminded her of a dark spicy tea she’d had in France, tangy, exotic, black. A stray lock fell over his forehead. His tanned skin glowed even in the dim light of day. Was he tan all over?
    Lord Hardwyck’s silver gaze came her way and their eyes locked. She couldn’t look away or escape the sense