Master of Desire Read Online Free PDF Page B

been apart before. They were closer than just sisters, they were best friends.
    â€œIt will be all right, Joanne, I swear it. You shall see, in a year we will laugh over this.”
    â€œI hope so,” Joanne breathed. “It won’t be the same without you here.”
    Tears stung the back of her eyes, but Emily refused to let them fall anymore. She must be strong for her family. Though the youngest, she was the one who had always been strong for them all.
    â€œJust think,” she said in an effort to cheer Joanne, “in a few weeks you won’t even be here to miss me. You’ll have your own household to run. Now, please, make Father go to bed.”
    Joanne nodded, then pulled back. Tears streamed down her face again, and she could tell her sister had passed the point of being able to speak.
    Her own throat tight, Emily brushed a stray tendril of blond hair off Joanne’s temple. “May God watch over you while I’m gone.”
    Joanne grabbed her hand and sobbed as if her heart were breaking. Wishing she could give such rein to her emotions, Emily kissed her sister’s cheek, then gently extracted her hand. “All shall be fine, you will see.”
    She turned to wish her father well, only to discover he had finally passed out. Approaching his chair again, she touched his whiskered face.
    â€œI know you love me, Father. I never doubted it. But we are grown women and you must let us live our lives for ourselves,” she whispered. “Please forgive me for what I do. I’d never do anything to hurt you, and I pray one day you’ll understand.” She brushed her lips across his forehead, then turned about and left the hall.
    With a deep breath to fortify her courage, Emily took one last look at the only home she had ever known, then made her way to the door and down the stairs, where her entourage waited.
    One of the king’s messengers came forward to help her mount her horse.
    Thanking him for the kindness, she watched as her maid, Alys, climbed aboard the first wagon and took a seat.
    The messenger returned to his horse, and once he mounted, they were on their way.
    Lord Draven and his men were waiting for them on the other side of the gate. His helm was in place and she found it disturbing that she couldn’t see his face.
    She could, however, hear his muffled curse as he spied the three wagons behind her.
    â€œDid you pack the entire castle?” he demanded.
    â€œI packed what was necessary.”
    Laughter rang out from the knight to the right of Lord Draven. His black surcoat bore a golden raven that was only slightly different from Lord Draven’s.
    â€œShut up, Simon, before I run you through,” Lord Draven snapped.
    The one called Simon removed his helm and cast a glowing smile in her direction. He was every bit as handsome as Lord Draven, but his looks were entirely different and he lacked that raw, primal charisma that his brother seemed to excrete from every pore. Simon’s red hair was just a shade darker than a pumpkin and his blue eyes twinkled in easygoing friendship. He wore a small, well-trimmed beard.
    Kicking his horse forward, he paused by her side. “Allow me to present myself, milady,” he said charmingly. “I am Simon of Ravenswood, brother to the ogre, and your most fervent protector for this journey.”
    â€œWonderful,” Lord Draven said dryly. “And pray tell who will protect her from your drooling? Should I have my squire fetch rags now, or should I wait until she starts to drown?”
    Simon leaned forward ever so slightly, then spoke in a low tone for her ears alone. “His bite is nowhere near as bad as his bark.”
    She cast a quick glance to the man whose name was synonymous with death. “That is not what I have heard.”
    â€œAye, but you’ve heard from those who have faced him in battle. There, he is a champion to be feared like a charging lion. But away from battle he