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Maris jerked her attention to the spot behind Rayht and filled with humor, darkness flashed in his eyes and she knew to beware of his anger Raymond’s face paled and he stepped in front of Maris as if to protect her, hand dropping to the dagger that rode at his waist
"Do not be a fool, man," Dirick said when he saw Rayht, and I intend no harm to the lady anyway" He looked at Maris as if to quell any argument on her part, then ordered the other man, "Leave us"
Before Ray that Dirick would have his way "You reed With a quick look to assure her that he would be nearby if she was in need of him, Raymond left their presence
"Co it fire to close her fingers over the pronounced th
They proceeded down the hallway and directly to an opening that led to a courtyard He did not speak, but walked her out into the spring sunshine, leading her to a single bench at one end Proffering her a seat, Dirick waited until she sank down before sitting next to her
Maris busied herself by arranging her gown, grateful for an excuse to ree of her skirt, and when she looked up at hier in his eyes Suddenly, she knehy he’d brought her outside: so that they would be alone and no one could overhear
"No sooner is our betrothal announced than you are plotting to rid yourself of h that she felt the warmth of his breath on her cheek Dirick tipped up her chin, forcing her to look at him "You’ll not be rid of me that easily You haven’t a chance in the world, Maris"
She pulled back, disturbed by the fluttering in her stoiven everything I want in this world"
"Nay," she whispered, wondering, hoping, that perhaps she had been part of what he wanted in the world…she, not her lands But the hope was futile, as his next words proved
"I’ve been given a title, and e to the Barony of Ludingdon ’Tis ht possible" If Maris hadn’t been so hurt by his words--for there was no mention of her, only her lands--she would have been warmed by the pride and happiness that lit his silvery-blue eyes "If you are so repulsed by the notion of wedding with me, so be it--but do you not squander my own life for your whim" The warer that had been there before
She rose, looking down at him "It was only the concern of my loyal man that you heard, as I’d made it clear to him in the past that I’d not suffer Victor d’Arcy in ardless"
Dirick’s face took on a serious cast "Aye, lady, ’tis certain d’Arcy is miffed by the dissolution of your betrothal to him Have a care to yourself"
Mayhap he did care for her Nay, ’twas ht would happen to her before their wedding gained hiht by har me--’tis you who should watch your back" A cool smile flitted across her mouth "In less than the space of one day, you’ve made two enemies on my behalf"
He pulled to his feet, tall and powerful in his great height "My dearest Maris, I have many, many eneht todowncast as he took one of her hands He raised it to hisfull, warm lips over the sensitive skin of the back of her hand She shivered and tried to pull it free, but he held her firentle kiss to the cup of her hand Little prickles of awareness shivered up her arht chest
"I require a kiss to seal our betrothal," he told her, gathering her to his chest "It isband holding her to him Dirick looked down at her, not to seek her acquiescence, but for her to see the deteraze before his mouth descended
When their lips met, it ith a clash of heat and tenderness, a rush of pleasure A new strength, a possessiveness, colored his kiss as bold confidence exuded from his person…and yet there was an easiness about it all As if he had every bit of time he needed to explore, to taste, to coax and tease--as if he would do it so thoroughly that she would be left fully plundered
And Maris, for her part, could hardly recall that she must breathe at some point The world fell away and there was only Dirick, only his strength about her, only his clean, sharp scent the heat of his body burning into hers
His hands slipped froe of his arousal He sighed, dipped his head to gently bite her neck, and released her They looked at each other for athat in four days they would be wed