Lady
Isabel Calvert hides her true spirit from everyone, especially her best
friend’s brother, Douglas, whom she secretly admires. Isabel’s older brother
attempts to do the unthinkable and one night he almost succeeds. After the
incident, her father’s superstition nature induces him to send her to an asylum.
She must escape, her only hope—Douglas Kerr. Isabel is no shrinking violet, but
she intends to be the timid woman all men want in hope that Douglas will love
her.
Laird
Douglas Kerr is forlorn at his mission to find a wife. He was charming, wasn’t he?
At least that’s what everyone teases him about. Douglas is asked by his sister
to retrieve her friend, Isabel, the fiery, red-haired, cat-eyed, temptress he’d
met when he escorted his sister home for their father’s burial. When he meets
the woman again, he doesn’t find the hellion he believes her to be. Nay, she’s
a sweet, coy woman who intrigues him. As Douglas’ life becomes complicated with
mysterious happenings, he might also find the love he’s been missing all his
life. Can this dagger wielding woman win the heart of the charmer?
Prologue excerpt from Claimed By A Charmer Copyright @ 2019 Kara Griffin
Fairview
Asylum
Newcastle,
England
May
1217
From the distance, the compound loomed in the darkness.
Nigel Calvert listened to the cries drifted into the night. He galloped to an
outbuilding and handed his mount over to a grubby-faced boy who led his steed
away. A woman’s scream pierced the obscurity. The noise drew his gaze to the
shadowed window casements above. His lips curled into a smirk and he hurried
inside. In his excitement, his boots clipped the ground and echoed his haste.
“I didn’t think you would come.”
“Why should I not, Freddy? Your offer was too tempting.”
His friend, the caretaker of the asylum, Friar Frederick
Whickham, roared laughter at his retort.
“Here, it’s more than enough payment for the night’s
entertainment.” Nigel sneered as he pulled a cloth sack from inside his tunic.
He dumped five coins into Freddy’s waiting hand.
“Have yourself a grand time. You’ll find her above, beyond
the first door on the right.”
He nodded as he turned to leave, but Freddy stopped him.
“Aye, My Lord, she’s tied up and ready for you. She just
arrived early this morn. The girl’s not showing yet so you won’t be hindered.”
Freddy snickered when Nigel rounded his desk. “I believe she’s worth an extra
coin.”
“If so, I’ll drop it off on my way out.”
“I expect to see you before the night is over. She’s a
comely girl. Aye, beguiling.” Freddy grinned.
Nigel smiled, knowing he’d secured a girl to his tastes.
“Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask…” He peered over his shoulder as he turned back. “What’s
the fee to have someone placed here?”
“The same as you pay for your visit, My Lord. Do you have
someone you’d like to commit?” Freddy rubbed his hands together, possibly to
ward off the chill in the room, or perhaps at gaining more funds, but most
likely, it was his suggestion to commit someone.
“I might want to keep her here for my sole use. How much for
that?” He relaxed his stance and leaned against the friar’s desk.
“For you, My Lord, five gold pieces and two steeds, good
ones.” Freddy threw in the last hoping he would be generous.
Nigel grinned at his shrewdness. “Quite costly, Freddy, but
well worth it. Done. I’m not sure when she’ll arrive. It may take months before
I make the arrangement.”
“The asylum isn’t going anywhere and neither am I. Her place
will be secure. Be sure to send those horses though.”
“We have an accord. I’ll send the horses in a fortnight.”
As Nigel walked the corridor to the stairs, he thought about
the asylum. His friend made a handsome fortune and provided pleasure for his
young comrades. Fairview Asylum, where the church offered sanctuary to those in
need, had been overtaken by Freddy in less than a year. He was supposed to
support the nuns in caring for the girls sent there. Instead, he arranged for
unwed mothers who were no longer wanted, to be used for wanton endeavors. It
was the perfect place for his commerce.
Many girls were never seen again after they’d been
committed. Families embarrassed by their daughter’s state or those who sought
to rid themselves of worthless daughters entrusted them to Freddy and the
asylum. If the church had knowledge of the happenings at Fairview, Freddy would
hang by his neck, condemned for his sins. Who had not a sin these days?
Nigel reached the door, opened it, and peered inside the
dimly lit chamber. The girl awaited and didn’t know what he had in store for
her. She wouldn’t lie compliant if she had. He closed the door and regarded
her.
His father would find this place highly amusing, and mayhap
in time, he’d tell him about it. At present, he needed to keep it secret. If
his plan to commit his sister succeeded, no one could know of this place.
Isabel denied his advances, and wouldn’t let him bed her. Nigel paid little
attention to her when she was a child, but she’d changed overnight into a
beautiful curvy woman with much appeal. If the color of her auburn hair gave
any indication, she would be high-spirited. The arrangement secured Isabel’s
placement and her future. He grinned at the vision in his mind—the moment she’d
be at his mercy.
When Nigel finished with the girls at the asylum, he left
them to their demise. He never visited the same girl twice and delighted in the
imaginative ways to end their liaisons. The girl before him was a rare beauty
and reminded him of his sister. Perhaps he would keep her for a time. She was
beguiling enough. She whimpered and her eyes widened when he approached.
Nigel removed his dagger, and she stilled. “That’s right.
You should be fearful.” He undid the ties at her wrists because he wanted her
hostility. Her fear and resistance would spur his desire. The girl’s hands
struck him as she fought against his advances. Nigel threw back his head and
laughed. His laughter mixed with the cries of the tormented and drifted into
the moonless night.
Don't miss Claimed By A Charmer
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007C98PRC
Once again Kara delivered a great read. I'm never disappointed by any book I've read by her.
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