Choosing Hearts - The Fighter's Passion (Gritty, Explicit Romance Novel) (A Lusty Stand Alone Story) Read Online Free Page B

it was only going to get better.
     
    “Sir Rogan…
Captain Rogan…” A soft voice called out to him.
     
    Rogan froze
midstride and looked behind him. A woman dressed in the garb of a chamber maid
was looking at him intently. He looked at her and she nodded her head.
     
    “Yes, my lady?” He
asked, stepping up to her and bowing. “How may I be of service?”
     
    “Her ladyship
wishes to see you?” The older woman smiled, curtsying in response to his bow.
     
    “The Duchess?” He
raised an eyebrow questioningly.
     
    “Nay, her niece.”
The woman smiled. “The young Lady Gwendolyn.”
     
    “Lady Gwendolyn?”
His eyebrows shot up in unison.
     
    “Aye, she asks to
see you.” She stifled a giggle. “Right away…”
     
    “It is my honor.”
Rogan bowed, unable to hide his discomfiture.
     
    The chamber maid
led him across the Duke’s manor and up the stairway to a secluded section of
the building. She went up a few flights of stairs and then held open a large
oaken door for him. Rogan stepped inside to find a lovely young woman seated
primly on a lavish chair in the middle of the exquisitely decorated room. He
heard the door close behind him and looked back. The chamber maid had left,
closing the door after her.
     
    “My lady.” He
bowed swiftly, turning back to the Duke’s niece. “How may I be of service?”
     
    “Sir Rogan, I am
indebted to you.” The young woman blushed. She couldn’t have been older than
eighteen. “…for saving my life and my honor.”
     
    Rogan looked at
her closely for the first time and took a sharp breath. She was dressed in a
gown of glimmering crimson that made her snowy complexion glow even brighter
and her rich blonde hair was tied in an exotic cascade that fell all around her
face like a golden halo. He could see why Belen was so enthralled by this
ethereal creature. Her radiant beauty would make any man fall to his knees and
worship her as a goddess. But Rogan had his own goddess and would consider no
other. He was quite uncomfortable to be in the room alone with the Duke’s
niece, especially since the Duke had honored him so much that day. He closed
his eyes and thought of Alicia. The vision of her lovely face calmed his nerves
and gave him strength.
     
    “I only did my
duty, milady.” Rogan smiled briefly at Gwendolyn. “For that, I have been well
rewarded by his eminence, your uncle, the Duke.”
     
    “Yes, you have,
brave sir.” Gwendolyn rose up and slowly walked up to him. “I have witnessed
the pride in my uncle’s eyes when he honored you with… his rewards.”
     
    “As do I feel
pride to be in his service.” Rogan stared ahead at the wall.
     
    “But it was not my
uncle whose life you saved, risking your own, Rogan of Vindarland.” She said
softly, touching his thick corded forearm. “It was mine… and I have rewards for
you as well.”
     
    Rogan stiffened at
her touch and the mention of his forsaken homeland. The harsh ice covered
northlands of his birth were a distant memory, a life that was more dream than
real now. He felt her slender fingers dancing over his muscular arm and stood
very still. A bead of sweat popped over his brow as the warmth of her touch
made his blood stir.
     
    “Yes, I know much
about you, Northman… as much as every young noblewoman does.” The blonde
heiress continued. “And for the first of my many rewards to you… you may take
me, brave warrior.You have won the right to enjoy me as you wish, right here
and now.”
     
    Rogan jerked as if
struck by a viper and took a step back. He steeled his nerves and swallowed
hard. His large, callused and scarred hands shook. He forced himself to look at
her, meeting her sultry gaze and feeling his heart skip a beat.
     
    “What is wrong,
brave sir?” she said softly, caressing her golden hair. “Do you not find me
pleasing? Am I not the most beautiful woman you have ever seen?”
     
    “You are more than
any man could desire, milady.” Rogan found his