Mary Wine | Exclusive Excerpt from A SWORD FOR HIS LADY

About A SWORD FOR HIS LADY

Exclusive Excerpt

“What shocks you lady?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “A knight of
honor may
share a bed with a widow so long as his sword is placed down the center of
it.” He
reached over and lifted his sword in one sure motion and placed it on the
surface
of the bed.

“That is acceptable within the chivalric code.” Triumph flickered in his
eyes as
his lips curled into a victory smile.

The man was attempting to outmaneuver her.

Isabel tried to resist admitting that Ramon de Segrave was very good at
forming
strategy.

Far too good.

“I will sleep elsewhere.” She kept her tone low, to hide the emotions that
were
roaring through her. She struggled to remain poised and calm so the beast
wouldn’t
know how much he needled her.

“There is not a foot of space anywhere in this keep not being used by my
knights.”

“But—”

He turned and picked his goblet back up. “I have spoken.”

Isabel lost her patience. “Indeed you have, Sir Ramon, but that does not
mean I
shall meekly obey you. One of the reasons I have declined to wed you is that
I have
no desire to be submissive.”

“Ahh…” He chuckled and set the goblet down. “I have noticed you play the
game of
meekness when it suits you and only when you have something to gain from
doing so.”

She felt her breath lodged in her throat. “That is insulting of you to say,”
she
sputtered at last.

He watched her over the rim of his goblet, his eyes full of some emotion
that
looked very much like enjoyment. “I mean it as a compliment, Isabel. I enjoy
the
vixen in you.” He used her name deliberately, drawing it out in his deep
voice. His
gaze traveled over her hair. “You are too young for a widow’s wimple.”

“Yet I am a widow, and your eyes are too bold by far.” Her hands settled on
her
hips. “A true knight does not leer at a lady.”

One of his dark eyebrows rose. “Ah…but a lady does not look at a man’s form,
even
if he stands in front of her.” He set the goblet aside. “Yet you looked, and
I dare
say you were pleased at the sight.”

“You dare too much.” He was also too correct for her comfort. “It seems you
have
honor only when it suits your agenda.”

His eyes flashed with warning. Isabel stepped back, but it was too late.

“As I warned you, question my honor and I shall be happy to show you how I
deal
with a vixen.”

“I am not a vixen,” she said. “Go back to the hall if that is the sort of
entertainment you seek.”

She stopped, but he remained in place, watching her from beneath lowered
brows. “To
the women you set upon me?”

The judgment in his tone was impossible to hide from. What she had done was
questionable at best. Less than honorable at worst. But she wasn’t
repentant. She
squared off with him.

“It was no worse than you hauling me across your saddle for the
entertainment of
all.”

“It was,” he agreed.

His expression should have filled her with foreboding. Instead she
discovered
herself pleased to have landed a blow worthy of gaining an admission from
him.

Isabel lifted her chin, victory warming her. “If you seek some sort of
apology, you
shall not hear it. You had no right to treat me as you did or to kiss me.”

A warning flashed in his eyes. “What I seek is the ability to keep you from
retiring after delivering your last blow. When you start a competition with
me, be
prepared for me to battle until the bitter end.” He closed the distance
between
them once more and she winced as she heard each soft foot fall. “And you
enjoy my
kisses.”

GIVEAWAY

About Mary Wine

Acclaimed author Mary Wine has written over 30 works of erotic fantasy,
romantic
suspense, and historical romance. An avid history-buff and historical
costumer, she
and her family enjoy participating in historical reenactments. Mary lives
with her
husband and two sons in Yorba Linda, California.