THE WARLORD Read Online Free PDF Page A

marrying me whether you like it or not," he said in his own language. He was uncomfortable with the difficult Gaelic burrs and wanted the lady to understand his every word. It didn't matter if she'd rather marry a three-headed goat. The King of England had gifted him with Tess of Remmington, and Kenric had every intention of keeping her. He paused to give her a brief, chilling smile of triumph. "Or do you dare defy our king's command?"
    Tess struggled to recover her composure under the baron's icy glare. It was a near impossible task, since she'd been caught so completely off guard. But who wouldn't be startled to see an image from their dreams come to life? It was too eerie. Surely that was the reason her stomach was acting queerly and she suddenly felt light-headed.
    Don't be a goose, she scolded herself, shaking her head to brush away the foolish notion. So she'd seen the image of a dark-haired man while she slept, a man whose face haunted her dreams so completely that she thought she knew him. So she'd had the same dream every night for the past week. Coincidence. Aye, pure and simple coincidence.
    She risked another glance at the baron's face, just to assure herself on the matter. Chilling, ruthless power emanated from the man who stood before her, a man who could kill without emotion or regret. There wasn't a trace of warmth in the cold black eyes that glared down at her, nor the barest hint of gentleness in that clenched jaw. Their eyes met again and this time she didn't miss the meaning behind his fierce expression. Why, he was trying to intimidate her!
    He was succeeding.
    She felt a shiver run down her spine and goose bumps prick her arms. She was snared by those eyes as surely as any trapped prey. They held her captive, the power she sensed there absolute, capable of forcing anyone to submit to his will. Surprisingly, the emotions swirling through her were the complete opposite of the fear or horror she should be experiencing. It was the strangest thing, but she had an indescribable urge to stand closer to the warlord. To touch him. To—
    "Do you intend to answer, Lady Remmington?" Baron Montague's voice was laced with sarcasm. "Or shall I repeat the question? You do appear confused."
    Tess bristled, her temper flaring to life. " 'Tis rude to glare at a gentle lady so evilly."
    She turned to Father Olwen, missing the look of disbelief on Kenric's face. "Perhaps you can help these men see reason, Father. I would like to explain the situation, then I am sure you will see the wisdom of my decision and advise everyone accordingly."
    "I will do my best," Father Olwen said uncertainly. "You should know that King Edward informed me of the reason for this marriage, Lady Remmington."
    Tess nodded, then drew her braid over one shoulder and began to twist the ends.
    "Tess…" Ian objected, her name long and drawn out, sounding almost like the hiss of a snake. Or a warning.
    "I do not wish to marry." Tess saw Ian step forward and she hurried to give the priest her reasons. "My wish is to become a nun. As is customary, my estates can be divided when I take the vows. It will be as though I have died."
    "You are hardly dead, Lady."
    "Remmington would revert to King Edward," Tess continued, ignoring the baron's interruption. She tried not to think about the deepness of his voice, how it effortlessly filled the room, so penetrating, she could almost feel the sound vibrate through her body.
Dear God, what is happen' ing to me
? she wondered in a panic, struggling to hold on to her argument. "If I enter a convent, Remmington will stay in English hands without bloodshed. My stepfather and King Alexander cannot object because the religious laws are the same in both countries and they would not dare defy the church in such a matter. If I marry anyone, there will be a war."
    She ended her small speech by bowing her head, unable to look Father Olwen in the eye another moment. She'd lied outright to a priest! "You do see the wisdom of my