Choosing Hearts - The Fighter's Passion (Gritty, Explicit Romance Novel) (A Lusty Stand Alone Story) Read Online Free PDF Page A

voice and strived hard to stop
it from trembling. “And I would be a fool to not see that… and yet, I
cannot...”
     
    “Have no fear; my
uncle will know none of this.” She assured him with a little smile.
     
    “It is not the
Duke’s ire I fear, milady.” Rogan felt his heart swell as the image of Alicia’s
smiling face filled his mind.
     
    “Then why do you
not seize the opportunity every man would kill for.” She looked at him in
wonder.
     
    “For my heart
belongs to another,” Rogan said firmly. “And I will not betray her… ever.”
     
    “Oh, I see.” The
young woman looked away, her slender hands clasped close to her breast.
     
    “Do not despair,
milady.” Rogan said softly. “There are others who would give everything for
you.”
     
    “Yes, brave sir.”
She nodded, her lips quivering, fighting to hide her embarrassment. “And yet I
had my heart set…”
     
    “I cannot be
unfaithful, milady.” Rogan turned towards the door. “My love for her is
eternal.”
     
    He opened the door
and quietly slipped away before the young noblewoman could reply. His heart
beating the fastest it ever had, Rogan swiftly ran down the stairs. Never had
he felt this ill at ease, in all the battles and fights, even when his life was
at grave risk. 
     
    The heat of battle
was his element; he enjoyed the rush, the bloodlust and the adrenaline that
flowed through him in combat. Yet when it came to women, somehow he always had
cold feet. But never with Alicia. She would always make him feel like he
belonged. When he was in her arms, nothing else mattered. He lost all sense of
time and place in her company. He was a whole new person; he was a man in love.
     
    And now he was a
man with a large patch of land, prime fertile land, and was free to ask for her
hand in marriage. He mounted his horse and kicked it into a fast gallop.
Grimond’s farm was an hour’s ride away and he intended to be there before long.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     

 
     
    “You have done
rather well… since the time you arrived here at Kirk Falls, as a roaming
mercenary,”  Grimond said, placing his hand on Rogan’s broad shoulder.
     
    “Yes, it has been
a very good three years, my lord.” The tall warrior nodded.
     
    “It is our honor
to have you in the Landowner’s Guild of Kirk Falls, Sir Rogan.” The prosperous
farmer went on. “As it is an honor to have you as a part of my family.”
     
    “The honor is
mine. Your daughter will be the queen of my home.” Rogan assured the prosperous
man as he showed him around his new home, built on the meadow he had acquired a
mere week ago.
     
    “Yes, I have no
doubt of that, my boy.” Grimond smiled. “And I see you have spared no expense
in building this fine dwelling in  such short order. Alicia will be happy
here.”
     
    “It is my only
wish, kind sir.” Rogan bowed his head. “She will be happy forever.”
     
    “Then, we must
tarry no longer, Captain Rogan.” The farmer clapped his hands. “You two must be
wed come the new day.”
     
    “That is most
generous of you, my lord.” Rogan bowed again. “I have all the preparations
underway. The Duke, my patron, will himself preside over the ceremony.”
     
    “You do us all
proud, Northman.” Grimond smiled, satisfied that his only daughter was going to
be well cared for by a man of great worth. “Kirk Falls may not have survived
the incursions of the south-west without you.”
     
    “With your leave,
my lord.” Rogan smiled back. “If I may take my bride-to-be to the sacred well
for a blessing this night.”
     
    “Aye, that you
may.” The farmer nodded and waved at his two horse carriage. “Alicia! You may
come out of there now, my dear.”
     
    Rogan stood
straight as the love of his life slowly stepped down from the carriage. Her
lovely face was radiant. Her father had given his consent to her even before
leaving their farm that morning. She couldn’t contain her happiness as she ran
up to her father, the man who