His lips covered hers, and at the first moment of the kiss, she forgot all the reasons why this was never meant to happen. Richard rested his hands upon her hips, drawing her body nearer. ‘Close your eyes,’ he said softly. ‘You’re not a princess anymore. And I am not a duke.’
She obeyed, and the barriers seemed to vanish between them. Against her mouth he murmured, ‘If you were my betrothed wife, I’d steal away from my duties to seize moments like this. And you’d never tell false compliments to me, would you?’
‘Your arrogance is great enough, my lord.’
‘Richard,’ he corrected. This time, he captured her lips like a ruthless invader. There was nothing kind or polite about the kiss. She opened her mouth, shocked at the wild feelings that coursed through her. He trapped her face between his hands, kissing her as though he wanted to shred all of her defences and find the woman beneath.
Though inwardly she knew that he had an insatiable need to win, to conquer, she hardly cared. The rush of need provoked a tremulous response inside her. She couldn’t catch her breath as he plundered her mouth. And when she began to kiss him back, he softened the intensity. Warm and wet, his tongue slid inside her mouth. He drew her hips against him, and she could feel the hot length of his arousal against the folds of her skirts. The knowledge, that he wanted to claim her body, made her tremble. She clung to him, so afraid of the feelings that ran untamed within her.
‘Innocent,’ he murmured against her skin. ‘I knew it when first I saw you.’
She caught her breath as his mouth travelled over her cheek. ‘I must go now.’
‘You should.’ But he didn’t release her from his embrace, and she wondered what he intended. His palms moved up her spine, and when he kissed her again, she sensed that this was farewell.
But now, she had a memory to call her own. One that her father could not govern or take away from her. And as she kissed him for the last time, Berengaria thought to herself, I’m glad it was Richard.
Chapter One
Off the coast of Cyprus, April 12, 1191
Liam MacEgan hated ships. Though he’d spent many years of his life exploring the waters of his native Éireann, being trapped aboard a wooden vessel for months was somewhere between purgatory and hellfire.
It was your idea to go on Crusade, he reminded himself. He’d believed he was embarking on an adventure, to see the Holy Land and fight to free Jerusalem. His family had been firmly opposed to it. His father, King Patrick of Laochre, had demanded that he face his responsibilities as a future provincial king.
But he’d needed an escape from his homeland. He’d grown up listening to the stories of distant lands, told to him by his uncle Trahern. He longed to see the glittering foreign cities and taste new foods. He needed this last chance to see the worlds that were forbidden to him… to feel the sting of desert sand against his face… to learn the secrets of exotic women.
And so, defying his family’s wishes, he’d slipped out one night and arranged passage to France, to join in the service of the King Richard, Coeur de Lion.
Liam stared out at the fierce blue of the Mediterranean, and a bittersweet tang of homesickness caught him. The sky was a dark grey, and clouds rolled in the distance. He was dimly aware of a woman moving along the side of the boat, just behind the oarsmen. Her long dark hair was covered by a veil, but the length of it stirred in the sea winds.
Adriana, daughter of the Vicomte de Manzano, was one of the Princess Berengaria’s ladies. She was a dark beauty, with olive skin and raven hair. He watched as her hands curved over the wood of the ship, and she turned back to stare at the waves.
He wanted to go and talk to her, but he sensed it would be an intrusion of her time alone. Her eyes lifted to the darkening skies, as though she were afraid.
Instinct made him glance behind him, and he spied the Count of Berduria staring at the young woman. The unrestrained lust on his face made Liam cross over to Lady Adriana’s side. Though she shied away from him, he said in a low voice, ‘Don’t be afraid. I came to offer my protection, not to disturb you.’
When she sent him a confused look, he added, ‘The count is watching.’ At that, Lady Adriana settled her gaze back upon the sea. Liam wasn’t certain whether or not she wanted him to stay. ‘Would you rather I left you alone with him?’
‘Stay,’ she whispered. ‘Unless your intent is the same as his.’ She shivered in the wind, rubbing her shoulders. Liam unfastened his cloak and settled it around her shoulders. It was meant to offer her warmth, but it also sent an unmistakable message to the count.
She pulled the cloak around her. ‘You’re one of King Richard’s men, aren’t you?’
‘I chose to fight at his side, aye. But I am not his vassal.’ He refrained from mentioning anything further, not wanting to admit his own rank. During this journey, he’d told no one that he was an Irish prince, save King Richard. He wanted to experience life as a common man, as a soldier. It had meant giving up the luxuries he’d come to enjoy, but in return, he’d seen a side of life that his family had tried to protect him from.
‘Has King Richard spoken of the princess?’ Adriana asked. ‘My lady Berengaria worries that he seems so… distant, ever since the new betrothal.’
Liam shrugged. ‘His Majesty is preoccupied with the journey to the Holy Land. He’s eager to fight for Jerusalem.’
‘What of the Princess Alys? He broke his betrothal to her only a few months ago. Does he desire to reconcile—?’
‘Given that his father took Alys as his mistress and she bore him a daughter, rest assured, King Richard had little desire to take her to wife.’ Liam sent her a sidelong glance. ‘Berengaria didn’t tell you?’
Adriana shook her head. ‘She didn’t know. Queen Eleanor never spoke of why the betrothal was broken, but it was she who brought Berengaria to become the king’s bride.’
‘And what of you?’ Liam asked. ‘You intend to travel wherever the princess wishes to go? Even to the Holy Land?’
She nodded. ‘She has no choice, any more than I do.’ The young woman clasped her hands together.
‘You could marry or return to your family,’ he suggested. ‘Jerusalem is dangerous for a woman.’
‘Not for me.’
He stared at her, and she sent him a confident smile. ‘I have four brothers. I know ways to protect myself.’
‘How?’ He moved closer, until his knee brushed the edge of her silk gown.
The tip of a knife touched the soft skin above his throat. ‘Like this.’ Adriana’s dark brown eyes were dancing with amusement. ‘You wouldn’t be likely to harm me now, would you?’ She removed the blade and offered it back to him.
Son of Belenus, it was his own blade. She’d somehow stolen it from his belt without him even sensing her.
‘How did you do that?’
Her face transformed with a knowing smile. ‘You should know better than to underestimate a stranger. I am one of the princess’s guards, just as you protect His Majesty.’
It was rare for a woman to surprise him, but he found himself fascinated by Adriana. Her full mouth drew his attention, and her scent reminded him of aromatic spices, like a heady mulled wine.
‘Men are often distracted by a woman,’ she said. ‘Just as you were.’
‘You are a distraction,’ he agreed. Her expression shifted, and he saw the wariness in her eyes. She wanted nothing from him; that much was evident.
Stepping back, he asked,