A Viking For The Viscountess by Michelle Willingham Read Free Book Online Page A

William might have been gone for many years, but she could not set aside her marriage so easily. Especially after Marcus had claimed she was nothing more than William’s mistress. She wasn’t. She had spoken her vows before a clergyman and signed the register.
    Her husband had not yet been declared legally dead, and she could not risk bringing another man into her life—even if he was trying to help her.
    “I thought you were a woman who kept her word,” he said. “But I can see upon your face that you do not intend to keep the wager.”
    She said nothing, though the guilt began to take root. You cannot let him stay, her conscience chided. It was madness to consider letting him interfere with her troubles. This was her mistake, and she should be the one to find the answers. Not a man who claimed he was a thousand-year-old Viking. Any woman would be wary of accepting help from a stranger.
    But then, he had taken them sailing today and had shown her son nothing but kindness. Despite his overbearing nature, she sensed that there was honor in him. And the truth was, as a woman, her rights were limited, and she could only do so much.
    “I will keep my word to give you shelter for the night,” she said slowly. “But you cannot take William’s place.”
    “I already have.” He adjusted the sail and moved to sit beside her. “I am your protector now. In all ways.” The deep timbre of his voice reminded her of exactly how he had taken care of her…and the sensual way he’d touched her.
    Juliana couldn’t deny that she had enjoyed the night they’d spent together, though it had been sinful. “Being with you last night was a mistake,” she whispered. “It won’t happen again.” If she behaved immorally, it would only add weight to Marcus’s lies.
    “It might,” he answered. She was conscious of how close his body was pressed to hers, and she knew, too well, what it felt like to lie beneath him.
    “We were brought together by the gods,” he continued. “It is my fate to defend your son’s inheritance. And once I have slain your enemies, I will have my reward.”
    Her eyes widened at the horrifying image of him wielding a battle-ax against her brother-in-law. “Truly, you don’t need to slay anyone.”
    He ignored her words and reached out to one of the ropes, adjusting the sail. “Hold this with both hands.”
    She obeyed, the wind filling up the sail. Only then did she realize that he’d trapped her, making it impossible for her to release the ropes. His arm closed around her shoulders. “I will do whatever I must to win this battle, Juliana.”
    She grew still, wondering if he intended to claim her as his conquest. Already she knew the wildness of being in his arms and succumbing to his touch. Somehow she had to stay away from this man.
    As his mouth closed over hers, capturing her lips in another kiss, she realized just how difficult that would be.

CHAPTER THREE

    H e sensed her reticence as he tasted her lips again. They were as soft as cream, and he’d made no effort to resist the urge. Juliana was a beautiful woman, but she confused him. In his homeland, the women were forthright and honest. If they wanted a man, they told him so.
    But although Juliana claimed she did not want him, she released the ropes and rested her hands upon his chest. She appeared torn between resisting him and allowing herself the desires she craved.
    “I can’t,” she whispered. “Please don’t ask this of me.”
    He ignored her plea. “Do not protect you? Then who will, Juliana of Arthur?”
    Her hands were poised upon his heart as she stared beyond him at the sea. “I may have been seduced once. But that isn’t the sort of woman I am.” Closing her eyes, she admitted, “I’m ashamed of what I did. If anyone learns of it, it only makes their case against me stronger. Harry will suffer for it.”
    Her gaze centered upon her son, her face filled with worry. In her life, the boy’s needs came first, while she