“Is something wrong, my foul-mouthed lass?”
He didn’t seem disturbed but rather amused by her unfortunate affliction for using words deemed improper by polite society.
“Already?” she asked.
He ran his hand over her breast and across her stomach. It ventured lower still until it came to rest down below.
“Aye, already. Though it may be too soon. You’re likely quite tender.” He brought his hand back to rest on her stomach. “You are mine, Catrina.”
She smiled and was pleased to see his answering smile. This time, all it had taken was one look at her.
“Just as you are mine, my lord.”
And though a part of her wanted to forget everything other than the blessedly peaceful feeling of lying next to her English knight, she had to be sure.
“You realize that marrying me means aligning yourself with Clan Kerr?”
Did she imagine it or did his normally harsh features look softer than before, even now, after she’d just mentioned her family?
“I do.”
“And I am extremely close to my brothers. They will be visiting often.”
“I understand.”
He actually smiled.
“And I will want to visit Brockburg as well. With my husband.”
His eyes held hers. “I look forward to speaking to the esteemed Father Simon and taking him to task for the wretched job he did of curbing your blasphemous tongue.”
She opened her mouth to chastise him, but nothing came out. He was actually teasing her.
“At least you don’t deny it, my lady.”
That he continued to smile told Catrina everything she needed to know.
“My tongue may be blasphemous, but my future husband seems to enjoy capturing it well enough.”
“Aye, I do.” He reached out and pulled her on top of him.
His hands explored her body, making it difficult to think. “Bryce! You said it’s too soon.”
“I’ve changed my mind.” He stopped caressing her and cupped her face in his hand. “About many things.”
And she was glad for it. But she liked this playful side of Bryce too much for him to stop. Her smile broadened, the cool morning air barely noticeable in the warmth of his embrace.
“Well then, there is one thing I’m curious about.”
“I suppose I’m your prisoner now. Do your worst, my lady.”
And though she was just learning, Catrina intended to do just that.
Epilogue
She missed Bryce horribly.
Catrina and Sara sat on the countess’s overly large bed poring over details of the upcoming nuptials. Although she was thrilled with the idea of a wedding at Kenshire Castle, it entailed a temporary separation from Bryce.
The banns had been posted. And both Bryce and her brothers had wanted to return to their respective holdings before returning for the wedding. Her future husband had been none too pleased with Sara’s insistence that Catrina remain at Kenshire to assist with the preparations. The countess’s counter-argument was that the bride shouldn’t be without an escort before they were married.
Catrina thought it a rather weak argument since they had not been escorted for some time, not to mention the fact that it was Sara who’d insisted she seduce her husband-to-be. Still, it was great fun to plan with Sara and Emma. Catrina had thrown herself into the preparations, meeting with the tailor and others who would assist with the wedding. This was about more than two people coming together as husband and wife. Her marriage to Bryce also meant the official end of a decades-long feud between Waryn and Kerr.
Though she was thrilled her brothers would be returning, Catrina was sorry some of her friends at Brockburg would not be in attendance. Most of all, she was disappointed that Alex and Reid had denied her request that Father Simon be allowed to accompany them. They’d told her it was too dangerous. The border was becoming more and more dangerous, and there were too many raids of late.
“Catrina?”
She looked up at the expectant face of her future sister-in-law, who was even more beautiful, if such a thing were possible, when she smiled.
“I wondered your opinion on—”
A knock at the door was promptly followed by Faye’s entrance. “He’s back,” was all she managed to say before Catrina sprang off the bed and ran down the corridor. She slowed her pace at the top of the winding staircase that led to the hall. Darkness had already fallen, so she’d assumed the earliest Bryce would return was tomorrow.
Lifting the hem of her deep green gown, Catrina hurried down the narrow stairs.
Once she reached the bottom, she froze.
Bryce stood before her as proud and stoic as the day they had met. It wasn’t his demeanor that gave her pause, however. It was the cloaked man behind him that made her smile.
How is this possible?
She ran to Father Simon and threw her arms around the priest who had been like a father to her. She had her brothers, of course, but even they took advice from this wise man.
“Good eve, my sweet lass. I’ve missed you.”
She pulled back to look at the priest, who was much older than Toren but so wise they’d always said Father Simon must have lived another life. His deep brown hair fell to his shoulders. He smelled distinctly like…Father Simon.
“Where are my brothers?” She assumed they must have changed their minds and brought the priest with them. But where were they?
“All three are on their way, but they are at least two days behind,” said Father Simon.
“Then how—” Catrina looked at Bryce, who stood to the side watching their exchange.
He hadn’t gone back to Bristol.
“You brought him here.” It wasn’t a question. Bryce knew how much Father Simon meant to her.
“But Alex and Reid said—”
“They changed their minds,” Bryce said. And she had an idea of who’d changed them.
If Catrina had once thought her brothers stubborn, it was only because she had not yet met Bryce.
When Father Simon cleared his throat, Catrina realized Sara and Geoffrey stood just behind her. Sara must have followed her down to the hall, and Geoffrey had likely heard all of the fuss. She wanted to run to Bryce and throw her arms around him, but it wasn’t the time or place. It was her duty to make the introductions.
“Father Simon, let me introduce you to Lady Sara, the Countess of Kenshire and her husband, Sir Geoffrey Waryn, Bryce’s brother.”
Father Simon inclined his head first to Sara and then to her husband.
It was all rather polite until Catrina remembered something. In her haste to reunite with Bryce, she had forgotten about her promise to Emma. The girl was the best chess player Catrina had ever encountered, and she was determined to beat her just once. She was supposed to have met her in her chamber after the meal.
“Goddamn it.” She placed a hand over her mouth.
Father Simon looked at Bryce. “Mayhap you can do better than I, my lord, in curbing the lady’s habit of taking the Lord’s name in vain.”
Though his words were scolding, Father Simon’s eyes twinkled as he allowed Sara to lead him from the hall. Without waiting for an answer, they disappeared up the stairs with Geoffrey following close behind. Catrina was left with Bryce, who reached her in two strides and pulled her to him.
“Bryce…Father Simon will see us!”
He kissed her in response, his mouth moving over hers in a way that was sure to drive her mad. When he finally released her, Catrina looked over her shoulder, relieved to see no one other than a few servants milling about.
“If he does, I’ll tell him I’m working on containing that errant tongue of yours.”
Catrina smiled as she imagined the priest’s response to that particular impertinence. “You wouldn’t.”
He kissed her nose, her cheek. Her lips. And whispered into her ear, “I would never lie to a priest.”
“In that case, you should begin immediate
ly, my lord. I can be quite stubborn.”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, my lady.”
She returned his kiss.
He may have taken her captive, but it was she who had stolen the English lord’s heart.
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Also by Cecelia Mecca
The Ward’s Bride: Prequel Novella (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 (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.
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 her 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.
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 her 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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Acknowledgments
I have a lot of crazy ideas. From starting a cosmetics company with an education background and no retail experience, to spending every spare moment of my free time writing medieval romance, some of these have worked and others . . . not so much. Thank you to my husband Mike for supporting all of them including the Border Series which is so dear to my heart.
Thank you to my father, Mont, for showing me what a real knight in shining armor looks like.
There are three people I intend to thank profusely in every book. Without Angela, Kim and Wendy, The Lord’s Captive would never have reached its full potential. I’d also like to thank those I’ve learned so much from in the past year including Marie Force and Mark Dawson. Their willingness to share has likely saved me from more missteps than I can possibly count.
And to all those who have lent support and continue to do so including my family and friends who have endured years of listening to me talk of medieval romance . . . thank you.
Finally, I’d like to thank the early readers who joined my Border Ambassador group and spread the word about the Border Series. I have so many more stories to tell, and thanks to these super fans, I now have an audience to listen.
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.
ISBN: 978-1-946510-03-7
The Lord's Captive (Border Series Book 2) Page 25
