Come Back to Me Read Online Free PDF

in Hawkforte, but again, why not just say that? Could she have some reason for concealing her brother's identity, more even than her own?
    In his most recent letter, Hawk had written of putting down an attempted rebellion by a Mercian lord. Mercia was allied to Wessex, ruled by the great Alfred, who had extended his dominion in other directions including Essex, where men of good sense, Hawk chief among them, were glad to acknowledge him as king. Mercia had done the same but not, apparently, without discord. Could the girl's family have been involved in that?
    Dragon frowned, thinking on. Since his brother Wolf's marriage to the Hawk's sister, Dragon had visited Essex several times. He knew it fairly well now but the rest of England was a little hazy in his mind. If he remembered correctly, Mercia was landlocked. Anyone seeking to flee from there would have to go south into Wessex or southeast to Essex. Any other way out would mean going through territory still held by the Danes.
    He glanced down at the girl. Sooner or later, he would find out how much trouble she was in. He would not let her go until he did.
    The realization that somewhere in the course of the last hour he had come to that decision didn't surprise him. His mind often worked beneath the layers of his awareness. Nor did he much care that acquiring the company of a beautiful Saxon girl would raise eyebrows, at the very least. He was prepared to do his duty. If that didn't satisfy everyone, too bad.
    Having decided on a course of action, Dragon continued on in better humor. It did not escape his notice that for a man who had been kicked in the balls only a few hours before, he was in a remarkably good mood. Indeed, he felt far more cheerful than he had in months, ever since realizing he could not dodge what fate had in store for him. Nothing had really changed yet somehow he felt more the master of his destiny. After all the lovely, accommodating women he had known in his life, why being assaulted and snarled at by a copper-haired spitfire should improve his outlook bewildered him. But he did like a challenge and she was that.
    However, she was also injured, and honor demanded he put aside all other consideration until she was healed. That being the case, he was relieved to see the roof of the lodge come into view beyond a copse of pines.
    It was a small building of rough-hewn planks roofed in thatch. Another, smaller structure was nearby, meant to house the horses that, as he had expected, had already arrived. His attendants had left them as arranged before continuing on their own way to Hawkforte. They would also have fed and watered the beasts since Dragon had no fondness for doing either.
    He pushed open the door with his shoulder and stepped inside. There was only one room but it was spacious and comfortably appointed. A large iron brazier sat in the center of the floor below the smoke hole in the roof. A fire had already been laid and awaited only the addition of the glowing embers left in the metal box beside the hearth. Near the fire, set along one wall, was a sleep bench covered with a down-filled mattress, coverlets of finely woven wool, and a lush fur throw. If that was not sufficient indication that the lodge was the property of a wealthy lord, the choice selection of shields and banners hanging from the walls would have informed the least tutored eye.
    A finely carved table with chairs and several chests completed the furnishings. From previous visits, Dragon knew there was a shed at the back for food storage and a sauna dug into the nearby hillside. Hawk had built the lodge as a gift for his beloved wife, the Lady Krysta. The pair of them with their baby son used it when they felt the need to escape from their duties and enjoy a few days together. They were also generous about lending it to friends, including Dragon.
    He crossed the room and laid the girl carefully on the sleep bench. She scarcely stirred. After a moment's hesitation, Dragon removed