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Never in her life had Maris been subjected to violent anger such as Victor’s Her father had never raised a hand to either her or Allegra--though the rage in his voice threatened to bring the timbers of the roof down upon the its crazy pace, and now Maris began to get over her fright and becoer was directed at herself, for though she , Maris knew that she owned faults enough to make a man mad

She was furious with herself partly because she’d chosen to enrage ahis temper and disposition…but she wasto his actions without fighting back er and the hu form it had taken…and had not had the presence of mind to bite the hand that held her chin, or raise her knee into his pulsing groin

The h caused bitterness to well up into her throat, and she gagged, sing it back How could she allow hiain? How ever would she submit to his husbandly demands?

Michael d’Arcy stifled a belch and wiped his hand over histhe hall ’Twas e e that it would all soon be his…his and his son’s

Merle had agreed to the betrothal contract only that , and wouldThey would sign the contract after a cereulp of ale, Michael fought to keep a co his face as he conte hie with the king, but with Langumont, Edena and Damona behind him, even Henry must listen to hiht his eye, and Lady Allegra walked into view As always, his body responded to the uorously in Merle’s chair Jesù, but the wootten her over the years, for she’d warmed his bed and tended to his needs better than any whore, noblewoman, or even his oife He supposed he loved her, for even now, after eighteen years, he could not get enough of her body Just this morrow, they’d met in the far corner of the stables as Victor and Maris saddled their mounts for a ride…and Michael had had a pleasant ride of his own

He wasn’t able to keep the self satisfied soblet of ale

Since their arrival at Langu aches in his head, and that, too, was cause for satisfaction Those aches frightened hies that caht ways to expel the fury that clawed inside hi more and more difficult to do so as time passed

Michael pushed suchnearby He wanted her again "My lady," he called, raising his goblet, "coroup that was asse of utra’s face, to anyone who passed even the ht Her eyes were ringed with the purple of sleepless nights, and her usually neat coiffure was loose, leaving several straggling strands of hair about her face

Lord Michael, seated next to Allegra, looked obsessively pleased with himself He was particularly attentive to the wo and spentwith a haunted look in her eyes

Sir Victor could barely keep his burning gaze from his soon to be betrothed There was a proprietary air of complacency about him as well

Maris was subdued She concentrated on her oose from Victor without comment

When the meal was nearly finished--just before the final, sweet course was brought fro carefully to stand behind the long bench on which he and his guests were seated He called for attention, although gossip had spread throughout the keep and all had been waiting for the announcean jovially, with a full cup of ale in his hand, "we shall celebrate a most auspicious event It has taken ht I wish to hter, Maris of Langu behind his silver beard, Merle helped his daughter to her feet as the room erupted in loud cheers--at the prospect of a day of celebration as

"Two days hence," he repeated, s of the lips in response, "the castellans from Cleonis, Firain pledge their fealty to me, and to my heir, Lady Maris At that tihter to Lord Victor d’Arcy of Gladwythe"

The roora slid to the floor in a dead faint

CHAPTER TEN

Dirick was seated comfortably in the corner of Breakston Hall that was the darkest andfire that war meal--if one could call the fare that had been set before him food--and there were fewer people than usual in the hall