Tempted By The Knight (Medieval MFM Menage Romance) Read Online Free Page A

eyes inflaming like diamonds on fire as he regarded his evident rival. “Do ye think it is humorous to come between a lord and his betrothed? To toil with and possibly endanger their future together—as well as the future of their families and kingdoms?”
    Gaston shrugged.
    “As the knight servant of our beloved Lady Catherine, milord, I have a single role and purpose in life,” he answered, holding up a single strong finger for emphasis. “That purpose revolves at all times around the protection and satisfaction of our lady. And I do assure ye, my good man; I shall go to any lengths to fulfill that mission—along with the extraordinary woman that I’ve been proud to serve since the time of our childhood.”
    Gerald nodded.
    “And is that what ye were doing in her chamber last eve, my good man?” he shot back, tone angry and brittle. “Serving and protecting Catherine?”
    He glowered outright as his rival met these words with a smooth, catlike grin.
    “Indeed I was milord,” he declared, squaring his substantial shoulders as he added, “Since ye were not there by her side, to fulfill your duties as her lover and protector, then I as her knight felt compelled to take your place.”
    Gasping outright at Gaston’s brazen words, Lady Catherine covered her mouth as her gaze shot to the face of her intended; who, as she could have guessed, was good and furious.
    For a long moment he glared outright at a smirking, boastful Gaston. Then he hopped off his horse and struck a bold stance in the face of his rival.
    “Sir,” he said, tone low and deathly serious. “Draw your sword.”

Chapter Four
    Catherine’s eyes flew wide as she sat frozen on her horse; watching a ghastly scene unfold before her, shattering the peace of a dew glistened meadow lined with heather, freshest dandelions and fragrant lavender. Ignoring the beauty and serenity of their lush, beautiful nature borne surroundings, the two men in her life drew their long, gold hilted swords from their metal bound scabbards and poised them high in the air; their cold eyes issuing a mirrored challenge as their long, firm legs braced simultaneous in a strong, hard stance.
    For a timeless moment she watched with mouth agape as Gerald and Gaston circled one another like hungry tigers; their steeled gazes holding hard and fast as their muscled bodies clenched in a mutual show of fury driven machismo.
    Her breath released seconds later in the form of a gasp, as metal met metal in a furious crash, the warriors’ agile arms shifting and angling as they parried and advanced.
    “Halt!” she exclaimed, finding her voice as she hoisted a restraining hand in the direction of each opponent. “Stop this nonsense, and now. I shall not see a single drop of blood shed for my benefit—and I shall not see either of ye hurt.” She paused here, adding as she shook her head slowly from side to side, “Am I not able to have a say in this foolish battle, waged on my behalf? Or am I supposed to stand silently back and watch other people determine my future? Ye both know me better! And if either of ye wishes to remain a part of my life in any role, for any length of time, I command that ye stop this madness. Now!”
    Gerald shot her an apologetic look, but ultimately shook his golden head in rejection of her plea.
    “I know full well that he has wanted ye, for so very long,” he told her, adding as he again locked gazes with a still, stalwart Gaston, “And in the interest of proving to him—and to you, my love—my place as the man in your life—the only man—then I fear that this is the sole solution.”
    Gaston had heard enough.
    “Then halt yer yakkin’ and fight like a man!” he commanded, adding under his breath, “Blast ye bloody noblemen!”
    Now Gerald had heard enough.
    “En garde!” he screeched, lurching with sword drawn in the direction of his rival.
    Catherine watched in abject horror as the two rivals descended into a primitive state of enraged combat;