Read Sword for His Lady for Free Online Page A

into.
    The ones her marriage had proved so bitterly wrong…
    He stroked her inner wrist, his fingertips sending ripples of delight up her arm.
    A feeling of heat licked its way through her insides, urging her toward recklessly needling the baron further…so he would put his hands on her…and she’d reach for him…
    â€œThe bathhouse, then. I shall attend you there.”
    A warm hand cupped her chin. She gasped, shivering as she felt the heat of his skin through his leather gauntlet.
    How long had it been since a man had touched her?
    Was that the reason her body was so full of impulses that she found it difficult to think?
    â€œI find myself doubting your word, Isabel.” His fingers moved gently along the side of her jaw while his gaze cut into her. “You claim to be a woman of experience and yet you blush like a maid. Were you a wife or a bride?”
    She stiffened, lifting her chin from his grasp. “A wife. Although I found the title of possession more appropriate. I had a place among my husband’s playthings. To be used or toyed with at his leisure. You cannot expect me to resume such a position when I have a choice.”
    For all her fascination with him, Ramon was like any other man. He would expect her to perform to his satisfaction or suffer his displeasure.
    â€œWhat I expect, lady, is not to be judged guilty of another man’s crimes.”
    She drew in a deep breath and lifted her arms so that his grip on her wrist was clearly in sight. “Do you not even now make it clear your will shall become mine?”
    He released her. For a moment, she was disappointed. But he reached out and stroked the surface of her scarlet cheek.
    â€œDo you not blush, lady? Is that not the sign of inexperience?”
    It was a sign of something she wasn’t willing to admit.
    â€œI never claimed to be experienced, Lord de Segrave. My marriage lasted less than a season. What I said was, I am no longer a virgin.”
    He withdrew his hand and stepped back, his hands returning to his belt. There was a hard look on his face, but he offered her a single nod in agreement.
    â€œWell then, lady, I shall await your hospitality at my bath.” His eyes narrowed. “I assure you, you will be more experienced when you finish tending to me.”
    â€œAnd I assure you, my lord baron, you shall not be so pleased with your victory.”
    * * *
    â€œThe brute,” Mildred said softly from her hiding place. She emerged from behind the door frame. “He enjoyed baiting you.”
    Isabel snorted, not caring that the sound wasn’t genteel. “That is the nature of a man, to gain what they crave. A wagon full of barley or a wife, men seem to see little difference.”
    Mildred frowned. “I’ll attend him with you.”
    â€œNay,” Isabel responded. “I am not afraid of him, nor shall I have him thinking I cannot find the courage to look upon him in naught but his skin. He has nothing I have not seen before. Best to settle this matter of whether or not I am interested in sharing a bed with him now.”
    She refused to be intimidated. The brute wanted his back scrubbed? Well, she may not have much experience when it came to the marriage bed but she knew how to put a shine on a clod of dirt if need be. He’d not be so pleased with himself when she was finished. Her attention settled on Mildred’s covered head.
    â€œLet me have your wimple.”
    Mildred clicked her tongue but there was a glint of merriment in her eyes. “Careful now. Play games with that man and I fear he’ll not be satisfied until he has bested you. Knights who become barons often do not know how to admit defeat.”
    â€œNeither do I.” Isabel spoke confidently. “We’d all have empty bellies if I were given to shying away from situations that appeared too difficult to manage. Or that the rest of the world felt only a man could manage.”
    â€œRight