Love's Call Read Online Free

deeply for her role.
    She squared her shoulders and her green cloak shifted. When she caught him looking at her, Ansley smiled shyly.
    His stomach fluttered, and he made himself look away as heat crept up his neck.
    “Goodnight, Leargan.” Jorrin’s voice made him jump and he swallowed. The duke shot him a knowing glance, and he bit back a groan. “I’ll brief you on the scroll in the morning if need be.”
    Damn empathic magic.
    Leargan was transparent, whether he wanted to be or not.
    The duke’s gift allowed him to literally feel other people’s emotions. The closer he was to a person, the more he felt for them, the stronger his ability.
    “Understood.” Leargan forced a nod.
    “I’ll call a maid to show Ansley to a room and order her a bath,” Lady Cera said.
    “Don’t go to any trouble.” The Rider gestured and shook her head.
    “It’s not trouble. You need to rest as much as the girl in that room. A bath will loosen your muscles. I remember long runs well. It’s hard on the body.”
    Lord Aldern laughed. “Don’t argue with her.”
    Ansley smirked. “I know all about that.”
    “I’ll do it.” Leargan’s voice startled him and he almost fidgeted
    The duchess smiled. “Put her on the far end; it’s the nicest room.”
    Leargan nodded.
    The Lady and Lord of Greenwald slipped down the wide hallway, their conversation too low to hear.
    “Thank you, Sir Tegran. I don’t want to be any trouble.”
    “You’re not. At all. You saved that girl’s life tonight. If you hadn’t found her, she wouldn’t have lasted until morning.”
    “Well, Ali found her. But thank you.” Again a shy smile curved her lips, her cheeks stained pink.
    She’s blushing? Why?
    And why did it please him?
    She glanced at the door to the girl’s room. “Will she be all right?”
    “She’s safe, and Roduch will protect her.”
    “That I believe.”
    The black wolf sidled up to them, leaning into the Rider’s thigh and destroying his concentration on her mistress’s lovely face. The beast put him on edge, though he was long comfortable with wolves in the castle. Both ladies of the castle were bonded to wolves.
    Ansley’s Ali didn’t like him.
    Leargan could feel it in his bones. The hair stood up at the back of his neck. He made split second contact with Ali’s yellow eyes, but forced his away, not wanting her to think he was challenging her.
    Ali growled.
    “Ali, no.” Ansley’s voice stopped the noise coming from the beast, but it took all he was made of not to shift on his feet. She patted the wolf’s head, but it was admonition, not caress.
    “She doesn’t trust me.”
    “Sorry, Sir Tegran, she doesn’t trust anyone but me.”
    “Leargan. Please call me Leargan.”
    Her cheeks went crimson again and he smiled. Leargan took her hand and tucked her arm into his elbow. “Let’s get you to your room. It’s late.”
    ****
    Ansley looked around the lavish guestroom Leargan had shown her to.
    A young maid had met them at the door and introduced herself as Daicy. She was a pretty and petite, with dark honey locks and brown eyes. Even at the late hour, her clothing was crisp, her hair partially covered with a white linen kerchief. Her skirt and tunic were tan in color, covered by a white apron.
    Daicy promised she would be back with hot water.
    The large tub had been placed in front of the fireplace for warmth, instead of in the sizable privy in the corner of the room.
    Sir Leargan had taken his leave then. Ansley had had a hard time not staring at his retreating figure, especially the tight breeches that hugged his rear and muscled legs.
    She rubbed her arm, and the touch reminded her of his fingertips brushing her skin.
    The knight’s presence in Greenwald wasn’t a surprise. Her father had told her he was the captain of Cera and her husband’s personal guard, but she’d never imagined he’d be one of the first people she’d meet.
    He has no idea who you are.
    Ansley sighed. It didn’t matter