The Bargain Read Online Free PDF

Braemere. In the distance she could see the manor house where she had been born and raised. The beautiful stone mansion would now be overrun with Norman knights, as was the castle. And in the uppermost chamber of the tower, her brother sat, shackled, awaiting certain death. Poor Adelstan.
    Men's laughter brought her out of her musings and the horrible thoughts of her twin's fate. She must find a way to get to Adelstan and together they would escape. They would flee to Scotland and she would marry Laird MacMillan. Duncan had been patient with her delaying their wedding these past months, accepting her excuse that she still mourned for her parents. But even the Scot was growing weary of excuses. When he'd left for Edinburgh, he told her that upon his return, they would go to the chapel and be done with it, once and for all.
    It was not like she was opposed to the match. Duncan was a handsome man, nearly twenty years her senior. She felt safe with him, save for his temper, which frightened her at times. Though she did not desire him the same way he desired her, she knew in her heart that she could be happy. She would be a loyal wife to the Scottish laird who had lost his first wife in childbirth.
    One could love without desire.
    And once again she recalled the desire in the Normans gray eyes. Even now her skin prickled, remembering that hot stare, and the way his gaze lingered on her body.
    Running her hands up and down her arms, she knew she must bear the pain of this night... for her brother's sake.
    Heavy footsteps sounded in the hallway.
    Aleysia's heart pounded loudly in her ears as the door opened and the Norman appeared. He seemed even more massive than he had earlier, standing a full head taller than most men, and broader of shoulder. So large was he, he seemed to fill the entire room with his presence. Silver-gray eyes stared at her intently, sliding over her in a way that made her tremble.
    She kept her gaze averted to just beyond his right shoulder. Her uneasiness grew with each second of silence, while she forced back the panic that threatened to paralyze her. "May I see my brother?"
    "Adelstan is fine," he said, reaching behind his neck and pulling off his tunic, tossing it aside.
    She had not been able to fully see his body before, since she had been so close. But now she could see all of his powerful frame. He had white scars that marred the golden skin of his flesh. Battle wounds. He would have another scar on his back, thanks to her.
    He rolled his shoulders, as though he hoped to release the ache, the motion sending his muscles rippling. Her gaze fastened on the defined bulges of his abdomen and the line of hair right below his navel that escaped beneath the braies he was busy untying.
    Her heart skipped a beat. She had seen a man's naked body before. It could not be helped when she lived in such close confines with Adelstan and his men.
    But she had seen no man quite like the Norman. He was perfectly formed—every solid inch of him. Once again she recalled when the wench in the great hall had touched his huge cock. The flesh between her thighs tingled at the memory.
    Despite the fact he was her enemy, her fingers itched to touch his golden skin, feel the hard planes of muscle and tendons beneath. Strong and powerful, he made her feel impossibly feminine, even in her men's attire.
    Aleysia steadied herself for what was to come. She would give this man her body, but nothing else. She would do what was necessary to save Adelstan.
     
    Renaud could smell her fear.
    Standing with chin lifted high, shoulders ramrod straight, Aleysia's gaze seemed to be on everything in the room but him. His lips twitched. She might pretend to be unaffected by his presence, yet he had seen the fascination in her light green eyes when he'd taken off his tunic. The way they had followed a downward path over his chest and abdomen, stopping at the edge of his braies. Her throat convulsed as she swallowed hard. She was curious.
    In truth,