THE WARLORD Read Online Free PDF Page B

the powerful arms, again crossed over his chest. She almost smiled at the irony of the situation. Why, Baron Montague was the only man in England whose reputation for wickedness surpassed MacLeith's. No matter how long this marriage lasted, she'd give almost anything to be in the hall when Dunmore MacLeith learned she'd wed the Butcher of Wales.
    "I am ready, milord."

2
    Barely an hour passed before the marriage papers were signed and the small group was shown to their horses. The ceremony was a blur to Tess, dazed as she was. Her uncle's words of good wishes were vague to her ears as he took her arm at the end of the ceremony and led her from the chapel.
    "Do your duty," Ian told his niece gruffly. They stood outside the abbey gates where he engulfed the girl in a tight hug. "Make your family proud, lass."
    "I will." Tess lowered her gaze guiltily. It was possible that her plan would make her family proud, she reasoned. Much as she'd like, she knew she couldn't go to Scotland with her uncle. Scotland's King Alexander was Dunmore MacLeith's ally and would only order Uncle Ian to return her to her stepfather. She couldn't allow her uncle to fall into ill favor with his king. She hugged her uncle fiercely, wondering what her reception would be if she ever saw him again. "God keep you safe."
    "Try not to worry," he said lightly, his troubled expression belying his words. "You'll frown so much that the Montagues will think you related to bears."
    Tess tried to give him an encouraging smile but failed. She knew her time was running out when Uncle Ian gave her hand a quick, reassuring squeeze. Baron Montague nudged his horse forward, then leaned down and lifted her effortlessly into his lap.
    'Twas odd, being held so close to the stranger who was her husband. Her head barely reached his shoulders and his arms easily circled her to hold the reins. She was pressed against his hard body from the top of her head to her heels and his warmth surrounded her on every side. She decided she rather enjoyed the feeling of being protected by so much power. Scowling over her fanciful thoughts, she reminded herself that his power might be used against her someday.
    "I know you will treat her well, Baron," Ian called over his shoulder. There was a clear note of warning in his voice.
    "I'll keep her safe," the baron replied arrogantly, as if insulted by the implication that he wouldn't.
    Safe. That was the word Tess was searching for. She hadn't felt safe in years. Wasn't it odd that the man known throughout England for his cruelty should provide the feeling so effortlessly? Her body relaxed a little, and she leaned her head back against the baron's broad shoulders.
    Kenric raised one hand in farewell, then wheeled his horse around, anxious to get closer to his fortress. The sky was beginning to turn pink on the horizon, and he knew Tess would be discovered missing within the hour. Fortunately, he didn't have to cross Remmington land as Ian must. The Scot would be damned lucky to make the ride across the border to his own fortress without coming across one of MacLeith's patrols. There was a hard two-day ride ahead of them, but they would reach his first patrol in a few hours. He'd stationed over two hundred men farther ahead at intervals along the road, knowing they were less likely to be set upon early in their flight. He wanted his men and their horses fresh and rested if they needed to face MacLeith in the open. He took a moment to wrap the edges of his cloak around his wife, then spurred the stallion forward.
    With the plan well under way, he had no need to worry about their journey. Kenric's thoughts turned instead to his new bride and what a pleasant surprise she'd turned out to be. A moment later, he felt her head nod against his chest as she drifted off to sleep. Every soft curve seemed to melt against his hard frame, bringing an unexpectedly heated reaction from his loins. He was amazed again at how easily the girl could inflame him. He