Master of Desire Read Online Free PDF

him for touching me?”
    â€œWhy should I doubt it? Henry is a man of his word.”
    â€œPerhaps, but would he dare take the life of one of his champions over a mere dalliance? Father betrayed him far worse than that, and the king did nothing more than fine him and confiscate part of his holdings. Do you not think Lord Draven could petition the king for my hand and be forgiven?”
    â€œThe king did more to Father than just a little fine and confiscation, Em.”
    â€œI know, but the point is, the king didn’t kill Father for his actions. Or harm him beyond repair.”
    Joanne sat back on her heels as she thought the matter over. “I don’t know if the king would forgive him. ’Tis possible, perhaps.”
    â€œWhat choice do we have?” Emily asked.
    â€œBut Em, do you understand the full impact of what you’re thinking? Lord Draven is an enemy to Father. To the father who has sworn he’ll never allow you to marry and leave him.”
    â€œAye, I understand. But I want a husband and I want children.”
    â€œAnd if Lord Draven wants no wife?”
    â€œThen I will make him want one.”
    Joanne gave a short laugh. “You are so very stubborn. I pity Lord Draven for having to contend with you. But promise me one thing?”
    â€œAye?”
    Joanne’s face grew taut and serious. “If you see he is cruel, then I beg you rethink this scheme. I know how much you want children, but the last thing I would have is you married to a man who beats you. Better I should be thrown to the streets of London than see you sacrificed to a monster.”
    Emily nodded gravely. “I promise.”
    Â 
    Dawn came all too soon to Emily, who met it with a mixture of tiredness, hidden tears, and excitement for the unknown. She entered the great hall where her father waited still awake. Drunk, but awake.
    â€™Twas the first time in her life she had seen him in his cups. At this moment, his face bore all the traces of a man who had lived a warrior’s hard life.
    She approached his chair, where he sat on the raised dais. “I’ll kill him!” he slurred as he focused a bloodshot gaze on her. The stench of ale overwhelmed her. “If it’s the last thing I ever do I will tear down his walls and hang him from the tallest tree I can find. I’ll carve his heart out and feed it to the…the wolves…or maybe mice.”
    He hiccupped and looked at his favorite hound, whose head rested in his lap. “What would hurt more? A mouse or a wolf? If a wolf—”
    â€œYou need to get some sleep,” she said, interrupting him.
    â€œI won’t sleep until you return to me where I can keep you safe.”
    He reached out a gentle hand to touch her face, and she saw the tears spring into his eyes. “I can’t lose you, Em. You look just like your mother-fair.” He touched her hair and his eyes grew even mistier. “’Twould be like losing Marian all over again, and I could never survive that. Had it not been for you girls, I wouldn’t have survived her passing.”
    â€œI know,” she whispered. Never in her life had she doubted the fact that her father loved his daughters, or the fact that he would die to protect them. She just wished he had learned to let them go.
    Joanne entered the room from the small door to the right of the table. She held a large basket in her hands, and her eyes were red and bright from her tears. None of them had slept, and Emily wondered if her own eyes had the same purple ring beneath them.
    â€œI know ’tis only a day’s ride, but still I packed you something to eat for the trip.”
    Emily smiled at Joanne’s kindness as she took the basket from her. She was quite sure her sister had shown her usual diligence and prepared enough food to feed a small army. “I shall miss you terribly.”
    Joanne hugged her close as Emily held on to her. She and Joanne had never