THE WINDKEEPER'S DOMAIN

He didn't hesitate. His hand came up to cover hers. "Who are you, mistress Liza?" His voice was soft, confused.

"Someone obviously sent to help you, Milord Conar," she whispered back.

Conar shook his head. "You are a strange girl, Mam'selle."

"And distracting?" she reminded him.

He smiled. "But a distraction that I am learning to enjoy."

"Truly?" she grinned.

"Much to my annoyance," he sighed and shook his head. "I wish I had met you long, long ago."

"Would it have changed anything?" she asked.

"Perhaps." He caressed her fingers as they held his arm. "I believe I would have pledged the moon to have you at my side."

Liza's face burned and she lowered her head. "What of now, Milord Conar? Now before you sign the Joining contract to the Princess Anya and any wedding vows are spoken? What harm would it do? Who would know?" Her face turned redder with her brazenness.

Despite his better judgment, he released her fingers and reached across to touch her cheek, his thumb rubbing a soft circular pattern on the peach and ivory flesh. He felt her trembling beneath his touch and that part of him which had been paying such close attention to her, demanded to be set free to explore the beautiful body so close to his own.

"I would know, Sweeting," he whispered. "It would not be an honorable thing and I fear it would wind up hurting both of us."

"I am willing to take that chance to be with you, Milord," she told him.

"And if you should conceive? What then?" he asked.

She tried to ease her face away, but he would not allow it. She was forced to meet his eyes. Reaching up, she covered his fingers with her own then turned her cheek so that she could plant a feathery soft kiss in the center of his calloused palm, taking sweet pleasure in the contact of his flesh against her mouth. "No one need know," she answered. "I would see to it."

He knew she was telling the truth. From some deep inner source, some deep well of understanding within him, he knew this woman would always be truthful to him. It was a concept he had never entertained before: a woman being capable of honesty. He was all the more touched and his defenses were slowly being breached.

"You would give up the opportunity of being known as one of the Prince Regent's women? Some consider that an honor," he said flatly. He knew many women to whom such a position would be the next best thing to being his Queen.

She let go of his hand. "That means nothing to me," she snapped.

"No?" he questioned.

"NO!" she said. "It is you I want, not the Prince Regent!"

"Not husband? Not 'whatever'? Just lover?" he quipped, wanting to bring the smile back to her lips.

Pain flashed across Liza's face. "You make it sound dirty! You cheapen my feelings with thoughts of other women!" Her voice rose with hurt. "Well, Milord Conar, I am NOT other women!"

Links to other sites on the Web

The Romance Novel Trading Club.....(Excerpts from both Keeper and Seeker!!!)
One Woman's Writing Retreat.....(Excerpt from The Keeper of the Wind)
O'Malley's Bookstore,,,,,(Excerpts from Keeper and Seeker!!!)
The WindLegends Saga...... (Reviews and Excerpts of Conar's Story)
The Lady Liza's Story: The WindKeeper's Destiny.....(Excerpt from Keeper!!!)

READ ABOUT THE LEGENDS OF CONAR MCGREGOR AND HIS LADY-LOVE, LIZA IN BOOK ONE OF THE WINDLEGEND'S SAGA....................

THE KEEPER OF THE WIND
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