Read Vengeance 02 - Trust In Me for Free Online Page A

seemed to hold the same awareness that echoed inside him. The woman before him was much different from the reserved lady he’d met earlier. This one was open, approachable, and even more desirable.
    The light from the hearth cast a soft glow over her features. The arch of her brow, the length of her lashes, and her sweet fragrance could turn him into a poet for certain.
    How could she smell of flowers when none yet bloomed?
    Her light brown hair was twisted into a loose braid that fell past her waist. The firelight spun strands of it to red and gold. He could picture it unfastened and flowing around her. Her bare feet brought to mind bare limbs, teasing him – stirring him.
    And those full lips. How was he supposed to resist them when they begged to be kissed? They parted as though she’d read his mind.
    He leaned forward to taste her, defenseless against her charms, and pressed his lips to hers. The soft brush was not nearly enough. He moved closer still to better taste her.
    “Lady Elizabeth?” A man’s voice intruded from the other side of the kitchen.
    Elizabeth jerked back from Nicholas, her expression filled with alarm.
    Nicholas cursed under his breath, unsure if he swore because of the interruption or at himself. Did no one in this keep ever sleep?
    “Aye, Robert,” she answered, obviously recognizing the quiet voice.
    “Is all well?” The steward stepped into the kitchen, his form visible in the shadows, his tone full of suspicion.
    “Indeed,” she said. “Thank you, Lord Trisbane, for keeping me company.” She flicked a glance at him from under her lashes, her polite mask in place except for the high color in her cheeks.
    Nicholas bowed. “My pleasure.” Indeed, it had been. A moment more, and he would’ve...what? Ravished her thoroughly? What was he doing?
    “Lord Trisbane was having difficulty sleeping.” She looked at Robert and back to Nicholas. “And I was hungry.” Somehow, the emphasis she put on the word ‘hungry’ implied something other than food. Or was that just his wish?
    Robert remained at the entrance of the kitchen and nodded, but made no move to leave.
    “Please see Lord Trisbane back to his pallet. I wouldn’t want him to lose his way in the dark.”
    “Certainly, my lady.”
    She gave Nicholas a small, polite smile. “Good night. Sleep well.” She retrieved her candle from the table and, without a backwards glance, moved to the stairs and out of sight.
    “My lord?” Robert’s tone was polite but firm. “May I show you to your bed?”
    Nicholas sighed. His attempt to get a look at the dungeon had been thwarted. He’d certainly touched the lady, but no vision had come forth, not that he’d remembered his intention while in her presence.
    He would indeed delay his stay, but the reason why had just become less clear.
    *
    Mortified, Elizabeth fell onto her bed and buried her face in the pillow. What had she done? Kissed a complete stranger in the darkness of the kitchen, that was all. Which didn’t sound so terrible until she thought of how forward she’d acted.
    She moaned. Her actions had been far from those of a proper lady. She’d reached for him – actually leaned forward and kissed him .
    Oh, heavens!
    How could she face Lord Trisbane again?
    She couldn’t. She’d hide in her chamber until he and his men left.
    Relieved at the idea, she turned from the pillow to gaze into the coals of the fire, drawing deep breaths to slow her pounding heart.
    Though embarrassed at what had passed between them, she was fiercely glad she hadn’t let the opportunity pass her by. He’d looked so good – smelled so good – what else could she have done except kiss him? Her stomach did a peculiar flip at the memory of that barest brush of his lips on hers.
    In truth, she’d been robbed. To have her first kiss be so brief as to hardly have happened at all was a theft of the worst sort. She should demand another! The idea of doing just that made her smile.
    The blame for the