Page 23 of Midnight Shadow

Bria pursued, bounding up the steps. Inside there were fewer people, and she moved a little faster. He was directly in front of her, walking down the hallway. His black hair just touched his strong shoulders. At this range, she could see blue highlights in his hair as he moved past the torchlight. It looked thick and wavy, and she wondered if it would feel as soft as it looked.

She shrugged off the thought. He could have the most luxurious hair in the land, and it wouldn’t make his late arrival any more correct.

“Excuse me!” she called.

He didn’t stop.

“Excuse me!” she called louder. Her voice echoed in the hallway.

He halted in the middle of the corridor.

Bria slowed her rushed walk to stop directly behind him. She’d opened her mouth to reprimand him for his ungracious behavior when he turned. She stood, staring, unable to say a word. Her anger dissipated like water in a drought.

The visitor’s face was rugged, a knight’s face, but there was more to it. His jaw was strong and square, clean of stubble. His sensual lips were curved in a cynical twist. His nose was straight. But it was his eyes that captured Bria’s attention. They were black, the darkest eyes she’d ever seen. Yet there was something gentle in them, something that called to her. His glorious hair framed his face with black waves.

Bria stared, unable to utter a word. For here she stood, face to face, with the most handsome man she had ever seen.

Chapter nine

“You!” Terran gasped, recognizing the woman he’d seen standing at the gatehouse at Castle Knowles. What was she doing here? Who was she?

He could only stare into those blue eyes. Like rare gems, they shone and sparkled with an inner light. His eyes perused her face slowly, savoring every gorgeous inch, her slightly uplifted nose, her high cheekbones, her full, kissable lips. He had a sudden desire to take her into some alcove and sample those lips to see if they were as soft and delicious as they appeared. Her hair was uncovered, and the wild, rebellious locks hung loose, curling around her cheeks and neck, as if to call attention to her most delicate attributes.

He’d never in his life felt this kind of desire. With Odella it had been different. He’d wanted to worship her beauty, not touch her. He realized with unexpected shock that Odella had been more like a prize to him than a flesh-and-blood woman. But this woman, God save him, this woman he wanted to kiss and ravish and worship in a very different way.

Is this some sort of witchcraft? he wondered. How could I possibly feel such an attraction when I’ve only just come face to face with her?

“Welcome to Castle Delaney,” she greeted. Her voice was soft and husky. Terran found himself strangely mesmerized by the movement of her lips.

“Thank you,” he said and found it was all he could say.

“You arrived late last night.”

Terran stared at her. A scowl crossed his brow as her accusation penetrated his musings. He nodded. “How did you...” Then he remembered seeing the woman far above in the keep, watching. At first glance he’d believed her to be an angel floating far above him. But slowly he realized she’d been seated on a ledge and her ethereal glow was due to her white night dress and the light of the moon. “Ahh,” he said. “It was you who greeted me with your silent gaze.”

“I’m sure Lord Delaney would have greeted you himself if you hadn’t arrived at such a late hour.”

A grin curved his lips. This bewitching little nymph had spirit. It took courage for a woman to speak so boldly to a lord. He found himself liking that willful energy very much. “We rode long and hard, but could not have made it earlier.”

She nodded, thoughtfully. “I see,” she said softly. “And who does Castle Delaney have the pleasure of welcoming?”

Terran opened his mouth to reply, but closed it promptly. How much did she know about Lord Knowles? He wasn’t oblivious to some of the foul rumors that had been spread about him. If she were anyone in the castle of importance, or even anyone who lived in the castle at all, she would already know of him. And most likely dislike him. “You may call me lord.”

A frown crossed her brow and her lips gave a sensual little pout, but she assented with a nod.

“And you?” he wondered.

“You may address me as lady.”

Terran chuckled. “This game could become most dangerous.”

“Oh,” she asked innocently, “how so?”

Was she truly so innocent, or was she enticing him? One side of his lips rose in a grin. “How so, indeed,” he whispered. “Perhaps lady would like to give me a tour of this grand castle.”

Her gaze swept him and he felt his blood race. A mere look from those blue eyes was enough to call forth images of her naked body below his, her lovely lips parted in a moan of ecstasy.

“Very well,” she agreed.