“You looked for me.”
He had no reason to lie.
“I did.”
He was vaguely aware of the chaos around them. Shouts and screams from the galleries as new contenders took to the field. Merchants who were given leave by the earl to sell their wares called to passersby, turning the wide-open field into a makeshift marketplace.
“Why?”
Asked innocently enough, her question sent blood flowing to various parts of his body. The answer was simple—the chaste kiss had left him wanting much more. But whether or not he took it depended on her answers to some important questions.
“You never told me your name.” Or your marital status. But he left that unsaid. He was fairly certain she was no man’s widow, unless her husband had done a piss-poor job of instructing her. Neither was she a woman of loose morals, judging by that same kiss. Which meant his unmarried lass was either well-positioned, in which case he would not take his pleasure with her, despite her beauty and apparent willingness, or a well-dressed but low-born noble, allowing for the slightest chance of a dalliance, one that would leave her virginity intact.
Cocking her head to the side, his lass opened her mouth but then promptly shut it. And whether on purpose or innocently, she licked her bottom lip. Toren spied the tip of her pink tongue and imagined capturing it with his own.
“I think, perhaps, it may serve me well not to tell you my name.”
She may not be experienced, but the lass knew how to flirt.
“Then I shall ask someone else to tell me.”
He moved as if to stop two ladies walking past them, but she grabbed his arm.
Though he couldn’t feel her hand beneath the padding and mail that covered it, Toren stilled. His reaction to her was instantaneous.
“Nay, do not!”
Her panic was evident. So there was a reason she wished to remain anonymous?
“If you meet me this eve after supper in the same spot as we. . . well. . .”
“Kissed?” She was an innocent, indeed.
As if on cue, her cheeks pinkened under his gaze. How did she manage to appear both deliciously enticing and unquestionably innocent all at once? Who the devil was this woman?
“Aye, that. If you promise not to make inquiries, I will tell you my name this eve.”
Though it was almost certainly a bad idea, Toren found himself agreeing nonetheless.
“Very well. When?”
She looked over his shoulder toward the galleries.
“If you’re attempting to appear inconspicuous, searching for your companions thusly won’t help your cause.”
Though he only teased, she did not appear to be amused. Just the opposite.
“Meet me there when the play begins.”
“The play?”
“Aye, there will be a play honoring the countess, ’tis the highlight of tonight’s entertainment. I will find a way to meet you.”
And as quickly as she had appeared, his English maiden was gone.
It was the strangest wooing of his life. Toren watched as she walked back toward the spectators. He really had no time for assignations, even with such a lovely maid.
And yet. . . she intrigued him—the mixture of boldness and innocence, inexperience and wit. What was he to make of it?
Epilogue
“What do you mean, he’s missing?”
Toren and Juliette had stopped at Bristol on their way to Brockburg, and after an overnight stay, they now stood in the courtyard preparing to leave once again. But he refused to leave without Alfred. After being away from home for so long, he was anxious to return.
Toren had never intended to be away so long—the tournament, their first visit to Bristol and then the wedding. . . Jules’s mother had wanted him to return home to put his affairs in order to give them more time to plan a “proper wedding,” but he’d respectfully declined.
His bride, more apt every day to voice the thoughts she’d previously kept to herself—although never with him, of course—had a more direct response: “Either we arrange it quickly or your daughter will be the scandal of the north when she runs away to Scotland unwed.”
Neither he nor Christina, who had visited them days after their arrival at Chauncy Manor, had been surprised by such a statement. This was the woman he’d fallen in love with. But not the one, it seemed, she’d presented to her family. With the exception of her younger brother, Jules acted much more subdued around her parents and many of the servants.
He’d been eager to get her away from there.
After a quick announcement and mere days of planning, the woman who’d fallen into his arms while running from an ardent admirer at Condren Castle had become his wife.
Toren couldn’t be happier.
“We cannot leave without the squire,” he said.
“The squire?” His wife walked up from behind them and slipped her hand in his. Toren squeezed it.
“The squire. You know, the one from the tournament. The young lad I planned to bring to Brockburg.”
“Nay, young girl,” Juliette clarified.
Toren simply stared at her. “Girl?”
Was it possible? A flood of memories came back to him. Her struggle to lift the lance. Her refusal to look him in the eyes. Her modesty as they traveled. Of course.
“But how—?”
Juliette simply smiled. “Although I did wonder how she could have been strong enough to assist with your equipment.”
“Apparently women are quite good at some things.”
As if to prove him correct, his saucy wife rubbed the palm of his hand in a most suggestive manner.
Perhaps they didn’t need to leave just yet.
He’d asked Bryce to search for her and was genuinely concerned she’d not yet been found.
“’Tis not your fault,” Jules said.
“What’s not your fault?” Bryce asked, joining them.
“The girl,” Juliette answered.
Bryce frowned. “I looked for her everywhere. None of the servants have seen her. I searched the village as well.”
“Thank you,” Toren said. And when Bryce reached out his hand, Toren, though reluctant to release his wife for even a moment, shook it with sincerity. “And thank you for your help with Juliette’s father.”
Because of Toren’s efforts and Bryce’s influence, they had received word the day before the wedding that his mission had officially been called off. And though he didn’t look forward to a meeting with Douglas, at least an innocent man would live and he and Jules could be together without jeopardizing his clan.
“If you find her, please let me know.”
He turned to Jules, who looked at him with a glint in her eye. Suddenly, he was glad he’d traveled to England without a retinue. It would be an interesting journey indeed.
“In the meantime,” he said to his sister and her husband, “my wife and I are going home.”
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Reviews are extremely important for any author. For me, as I make my debut into the world of romance, they are an essential way to spread the word about the Border Series. There is nothing more important that having a committed and loyal group of readers share their opinion with the world.
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Also by Cecelia Mecca
The Ward’s Bride: Prequel (Available Now)
English knight Sir Adam Dayne, to keep peace along the border, must accept a betrothal to the Scottish Marcher warden’s beautiful daughter. Lady Cora Maxwell hates everything English. When Adam proposes a unique challenge, Cora is forced to face her greatest fears and the burgeoning desire he has awakened.
The Thief’s Countess: Book 1 (Available Now)
The son of a baron, Sir Geoffrey has been reduced to stealing the resources he needs to reclaim his family legacy. Lady Sara is distraction he resents. With her betrothed coming to claim her hand in marriage and a distant cousin intent on usurping her earldom, the countess feels beset by controlling, unwanted men including the reiver sent to protect her. As the threats continue to mount, Sara must decide what’s more important—her duty or her heart.
The Lord’s Captive: Book 2 (Available Now)
After reclaiming his brother’s inheritance, Sir Bryce is faced with an unwanted distraction—the sister of his greatest enemy. Divided loyalties pull the English knight and his Scottish captive, Lady Cora, apart even as passion ignites between the unlikely pair.
Get a release notice for Book 3 coming in December.
About the Author
Cecelia Mecca is the author of medieval romance, including the Border Series, and sometimes wishes she could be transported back in time to the days of knights and castles. Although the former English teacher’s actual home is in Northeast Pennsylvania where she lives with her husband and two children, her online home can be found at CeceliaMecca.com. She would love to hear from you.
Stay in touch:
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Copyright © 2017 by Cecelia Mecca
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Border Ambassador Bonus
Greetings Ambassadors,
First of all, thank you for grabbing this copy of The Chief’s Maiden. As you know, the early reviews and shares have made all of the difference in helping the Border Series get discovered.
If you are not a Border Ambassador and found this special copy of The Chief’s Maiden on Amazon before it’s official release date, enjoy! Consider becoming a CM Insider for additional bonus content on the books.
Although I’d love to give you a larger sample of the next book, it has not been edited or proofread professionally yet. But I know some of you wondered about “Alfred” so I wanted to share an update.
Shhhh…the following is just between us.
First of all, Border Series book four finally has a name. I’m excited to share for the first time that the next book is. . . The Scot’s Secret. And I bet you already know the secret.
You guessed it! Book four is “Alfred’s” story. You wondered what happened to her. Why did she disappear? And why is she disguised as a squire? Don’t worry, all will be revealed in November. That’s right! Since I’m now writing full-time, I’m able to get the next book out a bit more quickly and am currently shooting for mid-November with a specific release date TBD.
As I mentioned, the following sample has not be edited or proofed, but I wanted you to be the first to learn about who Alfred will be seeking her HEA with in book four.
So without further ado, a sample from The Scot’s Secret: Border Series Book 4:
From Chapter 1
“My wife and I would like you to serve in our household.”
She whipped her head back to look at the battled-hardened Scot whose quick wit had been evident the first time they met. Though she’d never before served a Scotsman, Clara was not in a position to refuse. It was Toren Kerr alone who had procured her services at the tournament, and he’d treated her kindly since.
“Nay, my lord—”
“Before you refuse, as I suspected you might, think on it. I don’t know your story or why you are so afraid to reveal yourself—”
As much as she wanted to accept, she would not, could not, reveal herself. “If that is a condition of my retention—”
“It is not. You served me well at Condren, and my initial offer stands. When you disappeared. . .” He shrugged. “Tis your right to keep your own counsel. Both I and Lady Juliette will forever be grateful for what you’ve done for us.”
She’d hardly done anything at all.
“I offered you training when I thought you a lad. But I must warn you. My brother Alex is unrelenting. The men. . . you hardly belong among such brutes.”
The idea obviously made him uncomfortable, but she’d been fighting among men long enough to keep her identify concealed. She would make it work.
“Then I shall serve you and your brother well.”
We’re heading back to Scotland for a visit with Toren’s second in command, Alex Kerr under whom “Alfred” will be training as a squire.
Please do not distribute this sample, and thank you again for all of your help as a Border Ambassador spreading the word about the Border Series. If you haven’t had a chance to review it on Amazon yet, here is a direct link.
Thank you,
Cecelia
The Chief's Maiden (Border Series Book 3) Page 24
