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anything you ask without question.”
    He grinned into her hair. “ Makatiel has already given me permission to use your body any time I want, in any way I care to take you.” Releasing an exasperated hiss, she jerked out of his grasp. As she reached for her discarded tunic, her hair fanned out. Enos tangled his fist in her hair and brought her up short. “Did I give you permission to depart?”
    “May I leave, sir?”
    It sounded as if she forced the words out between clenched teeth. “Nay. You gave up too easily. Where is the fun in that? You made an offer. I refused. So make me another offer.”
    Turning slowly to face him, she guided his free hand back to her breast. “Will you help me find a way to free myself from Makatiel ?”
    “Closer, but what’s in that for me?”
    She drew his hand down along her body, her gaze never leaving his. “Will you help me accomplish my assignments so Makatiel will find favor with me?”
    Easing his hand inside her garment, he splayed his fingers low on her soft belly. His middle finger grazed her feminine curls. “Now that’s a much more manageable suggestion. How will you repay me?”
    Frustration emanated from her in waves. “He has already offered you my body. What do you want from me?”
    Enos withdrew his hand and unlaced the front of his breeches. She sank to her knees without having to be told. “When I’ve figured out what I need from you,” he eased his aching cock into her waiting mouth, “I’ll let you know.”
    * * * * *
     
    Nate stood beside Judith at the main gate of Monthamn Castle waiting for the riders to cross the drawbridge. The lower bailey spread behind them, its workshops emptying. Craftsmen climbed to the living quarters above their shops as the sun sank into the horizon. Temperate weather welcomed their visitors, though Nate remained wary. A message had arrived two days before announcing the impending arrival of Daniel, Lord Heavenwood and his cousin Lady Lailah.
    “Were you able to contact any of William’s men?” Judith blinked, her features blurred by the gathering gloom. She held herself erect, head tilted just so. Many dismissed Judith as haughty and distant, but Nate knew the reason she hid her fiery spirit behind an unapproachable façade.
    “One said he recalled a commander named Daniel. The other said he did not.” Nate shrugged. “William spent eight years in France. It’s not surprising you don’t remember every man who served with him.”
    “Lord Heavenwood ?” She crossed her arms beneath her breasts. The transparent veils adorning her elaborate headdress rippled in the breeze. “It’s so fanciful. I think I would have remembered.”
    Why was she so upset? Judith had met Nate’s return a fortnight before with calm affection and enthusiasm. She seemed to have adjusted well to the tragedy. He’d been relieved by her composure.
    “Lord Heavenwood wishes to pay his respects to the widow of a former comrade. What harm can there be in that?”
    “I don’t like it.” She shook her head, lips pressed into a grim line. “He wants something. I know he does.”
    Nate smiled. “You’ve yet to see his face or exchange one word with him.” She offered no further argument, so Nate returned his attention to the riders. He’d chosen to err on the side of caution and leave the portcullis down. The riders entered single file through the narrow tunnel entrance beside the main gate. A guard led the procession, followed by a dark-haired man dressed in gray and black. Though his garments were simple, his bearing emanated authority and discipline.
    A woman entered next, her head and shoulders draped by a black lace veil. Was she disfigured or had Death knocked upon her door? Her gown was a merry combination of gold-brocaded blue trimmed in red velvet, making the veil all the more incongruous.
    The dark-haired man swung down from his horse with lithe agility. He helped the woman dismount and guided her toward them as the final two