The Court of Love by Serena Zane Read Free Book Online Page A

his. The warmth of his bare skin closed around hers. He continued to meet her gaze and Kat felt warmth spread throughout her body.
    His hair was black and cut short, as though he might be in the military. Her eyes made a full inventory. Broad shoulders, and great arms - Kat had a thing for strong arms, and emerald-colored eyes that glinted with promise.
    He leaned forward and brushed his lips gently over her knuckles. “Milady, if I may be so bold. Your beauty outshines the stars.” He rose in place, and only then slowly relinquished her hand. He turned and leapt back over the barricade. With a quick glance back over his shoulder, he flashed Kat  a grin and called, “Lay on!”
    His opponent didn’t waste any time, and the bout continued. Kat sucked in a deep breath.
    “That gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, ‘a heaving bosom,’” Magdalena giggled beside her with a glance toward Kat’s chest.
    A laugh escaped her lips. “I suppose you’re right.”
    Magdalena tugged on her arm. “Come on. It’s freezing out here.”
    The bite of February licked at their exposed skin above the squared necklines of their gowns. Snow had fallen earlier that day, and Kat had the strange thought that nature was covering old wounds. Perhaps in a way, she was right. Mother Nature had a way of taking care of its own. The ground was covered in a blanket of white pure and unblemished.  It would be nice to go back to a time when she was unblemished.  Kat sucked in another deep breath and started down the ramp. As her foot came down, her shoe slipped and she felt herself fall.

Chapter Two

    “Do you think she’s okay?” A concerned voice that Kat didn’t recognize whispered above her.
    “I don’t know. Let’s take her inside, and the physician can look her over.” The voice above her was deep and laced with curiosity.  She felt herself lifted in strong arms. Kat tried to lift her eyelids, but they were heavy and she couldn’t seem to pry them open. 
    “Where did she come from?” The other person asked, as they walked beside them.
    “Don’t know. It is strange.”
    “I’ll get the physician.” She heard footsteps running away.
    They must be inside. Kat felt the stillness of the air around them. The man lowered her onto a soft surface, and her eyelids fluttered open as he ran a finger down her cheek.
    “Well, hello.” A grin lifted the corner of his mouth and a dimple appeared. She knew this man, but she couldn’t remember why. Her head ached when she tried to sit up. “Don’t try to move. You’ve had a nasty fall.”
    Kat closed her eyes and lifted her hand to her head. She winced as her fingers brushed over a large goose-egg on the back of her scalp. A large hand enclosed hers and her eyes opened to meet his. She felt her heart speed up as he leaned close.
    “Where did you come from?” His thumb rubbed circles on her palm, and she felt dizzy.
    She must still be at the event. Where was Magdalena? “Seattle.”
    His hand tightened on hers for the briefest of moments and her eyes snapped open to meet his skeptical gaze. He’d sat back and looked her over. “I have never heard of such a place.”
    Great, the man was in character. She must have hit her head harder than she thought. “Look, do you know where my friend is? I think I should go.”
    As she tried to rise, his other hand pressed her back onto the settee where she lay. The movement put him leaning over her. She felt the attraction between them as a tangible string that was about to snap. The feeling rubbed against her and she felt defiant and restless. She didn’t want to spend the whole event laying down. His gaze drifted to her lips and then back to her eyes.
    “You’re injured, and obviously confused. You will stay here.” He was obviously used to being obeyed. “Who is this friend you speak of?”
    “Magdalena. She should be here somewhere.” Kat’s eyes searched the room. It appeared to be an anti-chamber, or a private meeting room.