Page 7 of The Warrior’s Forbidden Virgin

“And neither will I. But look.” He stepped back, and Katherine saw that she was still wearing her shift and nothing else. “You cannot confront him h-half clothed.”

He removed his cloak and gave it to her. Katherine wrapped herself in the garment, feeling the heat of his body through the wool.

“I’ll get your sister out. I promise you.”

She met his gaze and saw the intensity in his face. “Protect her,” Katherine pleaded. The idea of her sister coming to harm was unbearable, regardless of what Honora had done. Ademar caressed her cheek, and she covered his fingers with her own.

“You have my vow.”

Katherine forced herself to return to her chamber, murmuring silent prayers for her sister. Ademar was right—she could do nothing yet. The best way to help Honora was to alert their father and ask for his intervention. Surely the earl would come to Honora’s assistance.

She dressed quickly and was about to leave when she spied her sister’s chest. Although Honora had already taken her belongings, perhaps she’d left behind a weapon.

Reaching for the secret latch, Katherine removed the false bottom and revealed a small chainmail suit of armor. She was the only one who knew of her sister’s fighting talents.

Although she lacked Honora's abilities, she wasn’t entirely defenseless. She knew how to use a blade, though perhaps not with Honora’s skill.

After a thorough search, she still found no dagger or sword. Katherine let out a curse, but Honora likely had her weapons with her. It was just as well; her sister needed some means of defending herself.

Her chamber door opened without warning, and Ademar stood there. His form seemed to fill up the doorway, and her heartbeat quickened at the sight of him.

“Your father is out hunting. I sent one of my men to fetch him.” He entered the chamber, and Katherine saw a length of rope in his hand.

“What is that for?”

After Ademar had haltingly finished explaining, Katherine stared at him. “You’ve gone mad.”

There was a stubborn glint in his eye that suggested he didn’t agree. “It will work.”

“It won’t. She’ll be hurt, and then she won’t be able to—”

Her throat grew tight, but Ademar prompted gently, “Won’t be able to do what?”

“Catch up to Ewan,” she finished. “He was leaving at dawn. I told her to go with him.”

Ademar hefted the rope over one shoulder. “Did you?” His voice was soft, holding a hint of curiosity.

“He loves her. The way he doesn’t love me.” The words were full of self-pity, but she couldn’t stop herself.

Ademar stared at her, and in his blue eyes, she saw a hunger. A shiver ripped through her as though he had physically touched her. “Then he’s a fool, isn’t he?”

She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him, and just as before, she found herself responding to him. Confusion warred with her purpose, and her fingers closed over the edge of the chest.

“Do you really think you can get her out of the chamber?” she asked. “It’s a great risk.”

He nodded. “She’ll h-have time to catch up to Ewan on horseback.” Seeming to read the doubts on her face, he added, “Trust me. And John will . . . face the penalty when your father arrives.”

Katherine used both arms to lift the armor, straining under its weight. “Take this to my sister. She can use it to disguise herself and get out of the castle.”

Sir Ademar accepted the chainmail but caught her by the nape. His fingers slipped beneath her veil and into her hair. Leaning down, he kissed her lightly. “Wait for me here.”

The brief touch of his lips wasn’t enough. Katherine wanted to taste more of him, to lose herself in his kiss and feel his hard body pressing against hers.

When Ademar left, her mind imagined all the things that could go wrong. And though it might not be wise, she waited a brief moment and then followed him.

Ademar tied the thick rope to one of the stone merlons, above the window where John was holding Honora prisoner. He lowered himself down, praying that the woven hemp would hold his weight as he dropped the armor for Honora to retrieve. Though he questioned whether she could manage the weight of the suit, it was her best hope of escaping the castle grounds undetected.

His muscles strained as he continued over the side wall. Almost there…