The Warrior's Forbidden Virgin Read Online Free PDF Page B

earlier.
    “What are you doing, Katherine?” he murmured, his large hands stroking her spine. He brought her closer, so that she was almost sitting in his lap. And Lord help her, she wanted to rest against him, to feel the heat of his kiss and release some of her unbearable tension.
    But instead, she stepped backwards. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered. “Was that the only place where you were hurt?”
    He nodded slowly, his gaze indiscernible. Rising to his feet, he towered over her.
    “Thank you for helping my sister,” Katherine managed.
    “She isn’t safe yet.” Ademar strode over to the window, looking out upon the inner bailey. “She still has to find Ewan. And John might pursue her.”
    Katherine exhaled, hoping her sister would escape. Perhaps her father would agree to send escorts to help Honora, despite their disagreements.
    She rested her hand upon Ademar’s shoulder, drawing comfort from his nearness. Though she didn’t know how it had happened, his steady presence made her feel safe.
    Beloved.
    He turned toward her, and for a heart-stopping moment, she thought he would kiss her again. His hand moved to her nape, threading through her long braid.
    “I don’t trust John,” Katherine whispered. “He’s not going to let Honora go, is he?”
    Ademar shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
    “She’s alone. Someone should escort her and ensure that she finds Ewan.” She touched his cheek, imploring him, “Will you go?”
    His blue eyes locked into hers and she saw the ruthless air once more. “Only if you marry me.”

Chapter Four
    It was an hour before sunset. Ademar had tracked Honora’s path toward Wales, and it wouldn’t be long before they found her. Though he’d intended to go alone, Katherine had refused to be left behind. She struggled to keep up with his furious pace, and her posture sagged on horseback.
    His betrothed. He still couldn’t believe she’d agreed to wed him. Not when there were men better spoken than himself, with vast holdings far beyond that of his own estate.
    Ademar gripped the reins of his horse, uneasy about what he’d done. What kind of man had to coerce his bride into marriage? Was it because he’d agreed to follow her sister and ensure Honora’s safety? He’d have done so, even without Katherine’s acceptance of his proposal. Despite the chain mail disguise, he didn’t like the thought of Honora traveling alone, not with the dangers she might face.
    Nervous energy twisted his gut. He wasn’t the man Katherine had wanted, while she was everything he’d dared to dream about. Risking a glance back at her, he saw the exhaustion on her face, along with resignation.
    She wasn’t happy about wedding him. He was nothing but a stuttering fool, and if he had any honor, he’d release her from the agreement. He hadn’t spoken to her father yet. There was time enough for her to change her mind.
    But God help him, he didn’t want that. And he hadn’t the faintest idea of how to keep her at his side.
    Ahead, he spied the light of a single fire and the silhouettes of two people. Ademar signaled for Katherine to stop. When she brought her horse beside his, he pointed. “I think we’ve found her.”
    Katherine shielded her eyes from the dying sunlight. “Are you sure it’s Honora?”
    “These are the tracks from Ardennes. One horse, and no one followed.”
    She stood staring at the fire, her face masking an uncertain expression. “They’re together, aren’t they?”
    He nodded. Katherine reached out for his hand, gripping it tightly. He held her palm, offering silent reassurance. Nonetheless, she appeared tired and downtrodden. He supposed that seeing her sister and Ewan together didn’t make it any easier to bear.
    “I wanted her to be safe. I did. She’s my sister, and I…told her to go with him.”
    He could hear the pain in her voice, and it seemed cruel to stay any longer. It would only hurt her more. “We’re going to go back to