Captive Heart (56 page)

Mylan pulled her close, kissing her temple softly, “Would you have remained shut up in that drafty old place until I finally had the sense to return?”

“The convent is far more comfortable than it appears to be from the exterior, but no, actually I did not plan to stay much longer.” Celiese began to blush, her cheeks filling with a burst of color she couldn’t suppress, but she could think of no way to confide her suspicions.

“Celiese?” Mylan wound his fingers in her lustrous curls to force her gaze up to his. “What is it, tell me. I don’t care what you’d planned to do, it could not have been nearly so silly as battering down the door of the convent was. You were sweet enough not to laugh at me for that folly, and I will not laugh at you now, I promise.”

Celiese looked down at his hand, which held hers so firmly. His skin was deeply tanned, his grasp warm, as comforting as his words, but her eyes filled with tears as she explained, “No, I am not afraid that you will laugh, nor be angry; it is only that I did not want a child until you were proud to call me your wife, and I was uncertain that day would ever come.”

Mylan turned her gently in his arms, kissing her damp eyelashes sweetly before he spoke. “Are you still thinking about what Raktor told you? Why is it you remember that one insult of his rather than being impressed by all I have done to win your affection? That you were forced to submit to the lusts of the Torgvalds pains me greatly, for no woman should ever have to suffer what you did, but it does not diminish your value to me, Celiese. I adore you and will never call another woman my wife.” Seeing the light of hope fill her emerald gaze, he sought to end her needless torment with a question. “I want only to know how many men you have truly loved with all your heart as I love you.”

Celiese began to smile, her eyes sparkling with the affection she no longer had to hide. “You are the only man I have ever loved, Mylan, only you, and no matter what you choose to call yourself, I will love you still!”

Mylan hugged Celiese tightly, returning her enthusiastic embrace with a satisfied grin. “Now is there still some doubt as to the depth of my pride in you, my beloved bride?”

Celiese shook her head, too happy to respond in words when she knew she would be moved to tears with the joy he had given her. She kissed him instead, her obvious pride in him making her gesture irresistibly appealing.

“I hope this babe is only the first child of many for us, Celiese, for I know a woman as loving as you will be the best of mothers. Since I helped to raise my three younger brothers, I don’t think I’ll do too badly as the babe’s father, do you?”

Astonished that he would ask such a question, she hastened to reassure him. “I know you will be a marvelous father, since you are so very clever. You have sailed to so many exciting places and know how to raise abundant crops, as well as hunt with a skill any man would envy. I could ask for no finer man to help me raise a family and rebuild my home. Our home.” She corrected herself quickly and was relieved to see by Mylan’s amused glance that he was not offended by her unintentional slip.

“The first thing I am going to do is teach your countrymen how to use a sword effectively, for I certainly don’t want to have to depend upon them to form our defense armed with no more than their pitchforks!”

Surprised by that prospect, Celiese gripped his hand tightly, “Do you think we will need to defend ourselves now that our province is the property of a Dane? Surely Robert’s name alone will keep other Vikings from attacking us.”

“I am certain it will, but skill with weapons will give the men the confidence they lack, and they’ll be better farmers as a result.”

Celiese understood his reasoning well, for in the months they had been together Mylan had again become the man he’d once been, courageous and proud, and she liked to think it was her belief in him that had made the difference in his attitude toward life. She reached out to touch the shiny silver hammer he wore suspended around his neck, but did not ask him to return it, for she wanted it to again be his gift to her.

As if he could read her mind, Mylan took the silver chain from around his neck and slipped it over her head. “Forgive me for taking this, since it was a present. I think only that I wanted something of yours to keep.”

Celiese gripped the tiny hammer in a firm grasp. “Thor has brought us both good luck today, hasn’t he?”

With a deep chuckle, Mylan helped Celiese to rise, then got to his feet and brushed the leaves from his clothes. “Well, let us hope his magic works with my mother-in-law, as well. I will have to rely upon you to translate my words into something she will understand and admire, and then I will see to that door.” His mind suddenly filled with tasks that needed to be accomplished without delay, and he continued, “When we get back to your home, I think we should give the reconstruction of the house more thought. I think we should build a larger one.” Mylan took her arm, hurrying her along toward the convent. “I do not want our children to lack for room in which to play and grow.”

“Larger, Michael? It was of considerable size; perhaps you cannot visualize it as well as I can, but it was an enormous house.”

“You were a child when you last saw it, Celiese, and I’m certain houses must seem larger to children. No, I am right, you will see.”

Celiese opened her mouth to argue that the proportions should not be changed, but then she began to laugh with a delicious giggle that made Mylan laugh as well. “I am certain you can build a magnificent home, and as long as you agree to reside there I will be content. You have changed your mind about not living with me, haven’t you?”

“You must have known I could never have kept that vow,” Mylan admitted with a rakish grin.

“I only hoped that you would not wish to,” Celiese teased playfully. “May I tell you again that I love you? I know I cannot hear that too often from you.”

Mylan pulled her around to face him, his slow, deep kiss the only response he cared to give. She truly had changed, but so had he. She was no longer the high-spirited young woman he’d wanted to tame, but the wife he adored. He pressed her supple body against the length of his, wanting only to savor her nearness to the fullest before they joined the others, but when he drew away, Celiese’s eyes were bright with mischief, not tears.

“My mother was so terribly frightened by your arrival that I doubt she has had sufficient time to recover, and I can hear the sounds of hammering, so your men must already be working upon the door. Must we go back just yet?” She raised her hands to his chest, then his neck, pulling his mouth back down to hers as she whispered seductively, “Must we?”

They had made love in the forest near his farm, as well as all along the coastline on their journey to France, so it seemed quite natural to Mylan to take her hand in his and lead her back to the soft bed of leaves in the small clearing where they’d stopped to talk. “I think I fell in love with you the moment we met, and if it takes the rest of my life to make up for the fact that it has taken me so damn long to admit that truth, I will gladly do it.” His lips moved hungrily down her throat as he peeled away her silken garments. She was so precious to him, and he’d had no hope the reception she’d give him that day would be such a warm one. “Had I known how dearly you love me, Celiese, I would never have left you, never.”

Celiese returned his playful kisses before she replied, “Well, now you do know, but I know how much you love to sail, so I do not expect you to be content to stay at home. All I ask is that you make your journeys brief ones, so I do not perish of loneliness while you are away.”

“That is a risk I’ll not take.” Mylan pulled her into his arms, lost in the enchantment of her tender affection, and he knew, even though she did not, that he had sailed solely for the thrill of discovering new worlds. It had been an exciting quest, but it was over, for no adventure he could have would ever equal the thrill of knowing her love. That was a secret he’d keep for the moment, but with one thing or another, he knew he would be unlikely to have the time, let alone the inclination ever to leave her side. He would be more than content with being a husband and father for the time being, and perhaps he might even learn to love farming with the assistance of his charming bride. Hagen would be eager to help him handle Robert’s trade, and his brother was clever at arranging high profits, so the duke would present no more problems.

Celiese snuggled against him, her fingertips tracing the scars that crossed his chest, as she wondered what he might be thinking. “Do you realize that had that bear not cut you to shreds you would be married to Estrid? And I shudder to think where I would be at this moment.”

“I will remember to thank God for creating bears every night in my prayers, Celiese, but for the moment you are with me, and I plan to make the most of it.”

Celiese purred softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and she was soon lost in his delicious kiss, for she planned to make the most of each and every moment they had the good fortune to share.

About the Author

New York Times bestseller Phoebe Conn loves to read and began writing her own novel as a fun project for a summer vacation. By the time she returned to teaching in the fall, she had begun her own mythic journey into the land of romance.
Where Dreams Begin
is her thirty-fifth book. With more than seven million copies in print of her historical, contemporary and futuristic books written under her own name as well as her pseudonym, Cinnamon Burke, she is as enthusiastic as ever and still loves writing.

She loves to hear from fans.
www.phoebeconn.com
and
[email protected]

Look for these titles by Phoebe Conn

Now Available:

Defy the World Tomatoes

Where Dreams Begin

Coming Soon:

Fierce Love

She’s a dreamer. He’s a realist. Somewhere in the middle is love—and danger.

Where Dreams Begin

© 2011 Phoebe Conn

After her husband’s death, Catherine Brooks is ready to go back to work—almost. She volunteers at a shelter for homeless teens, Lost Angel, thinking it will ease her return to the classroom. There’s nothing easy about irascible shelter manager Luke Starns, though. His cool detachment rubs her the wrong way, especially when he warns her not to get too attached. Still, the soft heart she senses beneath his stern exterior keeps her coming back—and his face pervades her thoughts.
 

It’s not that Luke finds Catherine’s easy charm and free spirit unappealing—quite the opposite. Life on the streets is hard, and discipline is the only ladder that’ll get and keep these kids out of trouble. He knows what it’s like to care too much, only to have the rug yanked away. He tells himself he’s simply trying to save her the same heartache.

Yet Catherine has him rethinking his approach to life. Just as he lets his guard down, though, a murderer begins stalking the mean streets near the shelter, putting everything they care about at risk. Including their lives.

Warning
:
This book contains a gritty setting, a serial killer in a red satin dress, and a couple who think sizzling sex is the only kind worth having.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Where Dreams Begin:

On Wednesday, Catherine visited the charity thrift shop and dropped off the clothes and shoes she and Joyce had sorted. By Thursday morning, her garden looked beautiful, and she’d run out of excuses to stay away from Lost Angel. She drove on over to Hollywood, but she was determined to avoid Luke Starns and felt certain he would do his best to avoid her.

Pam again put Catherine to work opening the mail, and when she finished, she carried the stack of new flyers over to the hall to post. She’d nearly completed the task when a slender girl in a fuzzy pink sweater and tight jeans came up to look over her shoulder. Catherine turned to smile and found the girl had the remarkable prettiness of Alice in Wonderland, with startling blue eyes and long, blonde hair.

“Hello,” Catherine greeted her. “I hope if you recognize anyone, you’ll encourage them to call home.”

The girl shrugged and slid her hands into her hip pockets. “I don’t see anyone I know.”

Like so many of the teens Catherine had seen on Friday, the girl looked painfully young. Catherine doubted she would have approached her if she hadn’t wanted to talk, but uncertain how best to initiate a conversation, she adjusted the angle of a bright pink flyer and kept quiet.

“You’re new here, aren’t you?” the girl asked without glancing Catherine’s way.

“Yes, I am.” Catherine offered her name as she posted another flyer, but she had a lengthy wait before the girl responded.

“My name’s Violet. I just come here sometimes to look at the books, but I didn’t find anything good today.”

Catherine had noticed the sagging shelves which contained the center’s paperback library. “I’ve got quite a collection of paperbacks at home,” she said. “What sort of books do you like?”

Violet shrugged again. “The ones with pretty covers.” She reached out to finger the rolled corner on a faded orange flyer that had been on display for several months. “You know, the ones where there’s a couple dancing or just staring into each other’s eyes?”