Free Heartsong by Allison Knight

my Lord, no one will say a word.” Mildred grinned. “Besides, you have no choice. He said to tell you he would come for you himself if you refused. He waits at the bottom of the stairs.”
    Rhianna gritted her teeth and glared at Mildred. Fear was the last thing she wanted the maid to think affected her. She raised her chin and ignoring Mildred marched to the door.
    deShay stood waiting for her just as Mildred had said. In fact, he smiled at her and Rhianna felt her heart miss a beat. She drew herself up stiff and rigid, fighting the catch in her breath. He was her enemy.
    He extended his arm. She had no choice. Either she accepted his assistance or shamed herself. With great care, she placed her fingers on the velvet of his tunic. A streak of fire traveled through her fingers to lodge just below her heart.
    She stared up at him in surprise. From the look on his face, he had felt it too.
    She jerked her fingers to her side. How could touching this man affect her as it did? Confusion made her shake her head.
    However, he seemed intent on escorting her to a seat at table. He snatched her hand, then laid it on his arm. At his touch, her knees weakened. It’s fear for Lily and Arthur . Aye, the crazy tingling that rushed through her was nothing more than concern and anxiety.
    She tried to swallow, but found it more difficult than taking a deep breath of air. Concern for Lily and Arthur. She repeated it over and over like a litany.
    “I hope you slept well.” His rich tones poured over her, breaking through her thoughts.
    He smiled. Not only was breathing toilsome, she also wondered if her legs would hold her weight.
    But he moved quick and sure toward the main table.
    “This day you eat next to me.”
    Rhianna tried to pull away, away from the searing heat and the strength next to her. She would never be able to eat a bite if she had to sit beside him.
    He gave her no choice, guiding her toward the lord’s table. After she sat, he took a place next to her. The tightness in her throat nearly choked her. Eating would be impossible.
    With no wish to look at those gathered before her, she lowered her eyes and studied him beneath her long lashes. He was a big man, handsome and carried an arrogance that named him a leader. His features were so pleasing. From his square bronze face and his bright, blue-gray eyes, to his trim golden-brown beard, he looked good. Nay, better than good—wonderful.
    She cringed at her thoughts and played with her food, picking at bits of meat and bread. Nor could she swallow with any ease. Even the warm ale stuck in her throat. Heat then cold coursed though her as conversation whirled around her. Was she sickening or had strain of her situation made consuming nourishment impossible?
    She gave up any attempts at her meal to concentrate on the Lord of Knockin. Mayhap she could learn something
    about him that would explain her reaction to him.
    He was so different from other men she’d met. She fought to take a deep breath. For one thing, deShay had a masculine scent about him, much different from the men at home. He smelled only of leather and man, not the rank smell of smoke, sweat and horses that even her brothers wore.
    Although his clothing was plain, it appeared clean. The cloth of his tunic was well woven, of quality but without the decorations worn by the nobility of her country. Aye, deShay was different from the men of her acquaintance. Was that why he affected her breathing and her heartbeat?
    With the meal finished, Rhianna excused herself and rushed from the hall. She would never understand why deShay’s presence bothered her so, and she intended to stay far away from him until she could find Arthur and make plans to leave.
    For the rest of the day, she mended the garments Mildred had brought that morning. While she sewed, she fought the image of deShay who practiced below her window slits. She struggled to chase his face from her mind.
    Mildred stayed with her all day and Rhianna guessed