My Heart Belongs to You (Medieval Romance Trilogy Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

only reason he’d ridden hotspur to England the moment word had reached him that the English king sought to wed Ysabelle to another man. To keep what was his and to secure whatever happiness it might bring.
    Having seen Ysabelle, Nicholas counted his good fortune. The fact that she was more delicate and beautiful than any woman he’d ever looked upon was an added blessing. The thought of kissing her soft lips and holding her close made his heart pound. But love? Perhaps he wasn’t worthy of such emotion. If Ysabelle knew all the horrid things he’d done throughout his life, she would undoubtedly hate him.
    Bah! He cared not at all about her feelings. She would be his wife and do her duty.
    Yet, he wanted more. Surely the fates would not be so cruel to steal his one chance at happiness. To finally lay down his sword in peace.
    Pushing his fears aside, he returned to his horse and offered the animal a drink of water from his supplies. His reverie was broken moments later when one of his men called a warning and raced toward him through the trees. Nicholas lifted his head and stared into the darkness.
    “She’s gone, my lord. Lady Ysabelle has escaped,” the man gasped.
    An angry screech came from the undergrowth as two guards pulled Ada back into camp. Glaring at Nicholas, the woman spat on the ground at his feet. “You’ll not abuse her, you vile Scotsman. Go back from where you came from and leave my lady alone. She’s too delicate to wed a horrid beast like you.”
    In a glance, Nicholas noticed her bare feet and understood exactly what had occurred. And in that moment, he knew he’d underestimated his betrothed. But he would not do so again.
    Without pause, he swept up onto his stallion’s back and spurred the animal into a run.
     
     

Chapter Three
     
    Clouds squeezed the moon into a narrow point of light. The night air carried the fragrant scent of heather. In the darkness, Ysabelle picked her way over the hills, fretting she might become lost among the twisting turns.
    The pounding of hooves sounded behind her. She glanced over her shoulder. A great black beast descended on her like a demon from the netherworld. She caught the glitter of harness as the horse and rider came nearer. Her eyes widened. The posture of the man on the charger’s back was unmistakable.
    Nicholas Ramsay!
    How had he followed her so quickly? She prayed he hadn’t harmed Ada.
    With a cry of alarm, Ysabelle picked up the folds of her cloak and ran. Her heart thudded in her chest and her lungs burned as she tried to catch her breath.
    A horrible cry ripped through the cold air, tingling down Ysabelle’s spine like the shiver of death. She dare not look back and prayed he didn’t kill her for defying him.
    Visions of being battered and left to die alone on the moors filled her mind. Her pulse skittered and she ran faster. The large borrowed shoes flopped around on her feet and she stumbled over the shadowed ground. Twisting her ankle, she fell, bruising her hip on a stone. The shoes slipped off her feet.
    Lying in the scratchy heather, Ysabelle pushed herself up. A breath of pain hissed past her lips. Nicholas hurled off his horse, lifted her, and gave her a quick shake. Her heart pounded, her long hair falling around them like silken twine.
    “Let me go.” She pounded his chest with her fists.
    “Little fool,” he rasped, holding her wrists with his gauntleted hands.
    His eyes pierced the dark like twin points of steel. Still she fought him, feeling impaled by his angry gaze. Fearing he might knock her to the ground with a single blow, just as he’d done to her bridal wreath.
    “What did you think to accomplish by running off?” His voice rumbled as he grappled with her flailing hands.
    Her defiant gaze clashed with his. “I planned to secure Sutcliffe, of course.”
    “Against me?” Furrows of amazement lined his high forehead.
    “Of course, and also against Lord Marshal. Better that I close the gates and send all of you