A Dusting of Syn
As the seventh son of a duke, Keran of Bristol never thought to have his own lordship. So when King Edward IV offers him a bride and a castle near the Scottish border, he is ecstatic. However, when he arrives at the country keep, he finds that His Majesty’s court is not the only place where intrigue resides.
Syndra of Mardoon knew that after her father’s death, her stepmother would never allow her to be anything more than a servant in her own home. Threatened with the death of her friend if she doesn’t cooperate, she hides in the shadows while her younger half sister is introduced to the new lord as his intended.
With the scheming ploys put forth by her stepmother already in play, Syndra is reluctant to believe that the handsome new lord can set things right at Mardoon. But one touch of Keran’s lips convinces Syndra otherwise, and she finds herself surrendering to him… mind, body and soul.
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Excerpt:
The three took off with Keran in the lead. He pushed open a door in time to have leather fly backwards and hit his arm. He grabbed it and pulled it hard, jerking Elizabeth backward onto her bottom.
“What in God’s name do you think you are doing?” His angry voice echoed in the mostly empty room. Patrick rushed past him toward Tillie, who fought like a mad woman against her bonds.
“Exacting punishment.” Elizabeth stood and faced him. “This is not your concern.”
“You forget, madam, this is my keep now. Everything is my concern. You will not whip people like cattle.” He kept his tone even and menacing, and when she glared at him, he wanted to bind her to the post, show her what it felt like.
“I am lady of this keep until you marry my daughter. And as such, it is my duty-”
“You are no longer mistress here.” He stepped closer. “I thought I made myself clear. If not, let me make it clearer. You are nothing here, and if I hear of you touching one more person, or issuing one more order without my consent, I will have you shipped to court to stand before the king in judgment for disobeying your new lord. Do you understand me?”
Keran thought she would try to take the whip back and turn it on him. He had never seen such venom in someone before. He cut his eyes to the doorway where Nathaniel pushed inside.
“Milady.” He crossed to her and tried to pull her close, but she pushed him off and focused a penetrating gaze on Keran.
“You will whip her for her insolence.”
“What is her offense?”
“Nothing.” Syndra pushed forward. “She is whipping her to get to me, nothing more.”
Keran stared at her, barely concealing his surprise. What was she doing here? Had he not told her last night they needed to play things quietly until he decided what to do?
He prayed she would follow his lead. “And who are you?”
“No one, milord.” Her words tumbled out and he almost sighed in relief. “Just a kitchen worker. The Lady Elizabeth is angry with me for-spilling food.”
“Then why did she not whip you?”
“I will whip them both,” Elizabeth said, reaching for the leather. “One is clumsy and the other laughed at me.”
“You will do no such thing.” Keran wrapped the length in his hand, then glanced at his future wife. “What is your name?”
“Syn…” She glanced at Elizabeth, then clamped her mouth shut.
“Syn, hum? A perfect name for such a beauty. It would be a shame to waste you in the kitchen. Curves such as yours are indeed made for sinning.” He turned to Elizabeth and glared at her. “You will go to your chamber and stay there until I call for you. I will have your meals delivered. If I see you outside your rooms even once, I will tie you to the post.”
He looked to where Patrick held Tillie close. “Is she injured?”
“No, milord. The whip missed her flesh and hit her skirts.” He shot an evil look at Elizabeth, and Keran could tell he wanted to strike out at the woman, but held back.
Satisfied Tillie was well, Keran turned to Syndra. “You will come with me. I am dirty after my ride, and you can help me wash the dust from my body. And then, we will see if you can live up to your name, sweet Syn.”
Elizabeth stepped in between them, an angry glare in her eyes. “You would disgrace my daughter by taking a whore to your bed?”
“Disgrace her? You offered your daughter’s body to me just two nights ago, without the benefit of marriage. Do not dare to question my morals.” He glanced at Nathaniel. “Take her from my sight. Now.”
Elizabeth violently brushed off Nathaniel’s hands and stormed out.
When the room emptied, Syndra rushed to Tillie. “I am so sorry.”
“It is not your fault,” Tillie said. “Besides, she did not touch me. I think she was trying to draw it out, to frighten us both.” She laid her head on Patrick’s shoulder. He promptly gathered her in his arms and carried her from the room.
“I will go back upstairs,” Syndra said, keeping her voice low.
“You will do no such thing. You are mine now. If I let you leave without coming to my rooms, she would know something is amiss. You are my bedmate, Syn. And I could not be happier about it.”