To Kiss in the Shadows
Page 1
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Lynn Kurland
Till There Was You
“One of those feel-good romances that expertly mixes past with present to prove that love endures all things and outlasts almost everything, including time itself. With an eye to detail and deliciously vivid imagery, this paranormal tale of matchmaking comes fully to life ... Spellbinding and lovely, this is one story readers won’t want to miss.”
—Romance Reader at Heart
“A fantastic story that will delight both readers who are familiar with the families and those who aren’t.”
—Romance Reviews Today (Perfect 10 Award)
“This is an amusing time-travel romance starring a terrific, fully developed hero whose good intentions, present and past, are devastated by love ... fast-paced.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Enjoyable ... a strong romance.”
—All About Romance
With Every Breath
“As always, [Kurland] delivers a delightful read!”
—Romantic Times
“Kurland is a skilled enchantress ... With Every Breath is breathtaking in its magnificent scope, a true invitation to the delights of romance.”
––Night Owl Romance
When I Fall in Love
“Kurland infuses her polished writing with a deliciously dry wit, and her latest time-travel love story is sweetly romantic and thoroughly satisfying.”
—Booklist
“The continuation of a wonderful series, this story can also be read alone. It’s an extremely good book.”
—Affaire de Coeur
Much Ado in the Moonlight
“A pure delight.”
—Huntress Book Reviews
“A consummate storyteller ... will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, unable to put the book down until the very last word.”
—ParaNormalRomance
“No one melds ghosts and time travel better than the awesome Kurland.”
—Romantic Times
Dreams of Stardust
“Kurland weaves another fabulous read with just the right amounts of laughter, romance, and fantasy.”
—Affaire de Coeur
“Kurland crafts some of the most ingenious time-travel romances readers can find ... wonderfully clever and completely enchanting.”
—Romantic Times
A Garden in the Rain
“Kurland laces her exquisitely romantic, utterly bewitching blend of contemporary romance and time travel with a delectable touch of tart wit, leaving readers savoring every word of this superbly written romance.”
—Booklist
“Kurland is clearly one of romance’s finest writers—she consistently delivers the kind of stories readers dream about. Don’t miss this one.”
—The Oakland Press
From This Moment On
“A disarming blend of romance, suspense, and heartwarming humor, this book is romantic comedy at its best.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A deftly plotted delight, seasoned with a wonderfully wry sense of humor and graced with endearing, unforgettable characters.”
—Booklist
My Heart Stood Still
“Written with poetic grace and a wickedly subtle sense of humor ... the essence of pure romance. Sweet, poignant, and truly magical, this is a rare treat: romance with characters readers will come to care about and a love story they will cherish.”
—Booklist
“A totally enchanting tale, sensual and breathtaking ... an absolute must-read.”
—Rendezvous
If I Had You
“Kurland brings history to life ... in this tender medieval romance.”
—Booklist
“A passionate story filled with danger, intrigue, and sparkling dialogue.”
—Rendezvous
The More I See You
“The superlative Ms. Kurland once again wows her readers with her formidable talent as she weaves a tale of enchantment that blends history with spellbinding passion and impressive characterization, not to mention a magnificent plot.”
—Rendezvous
Another Chance to Dream
“Kurland creates a special romance between a memorable knight and his lady.”
—Publishers Weekly
The Very Thought of You
“A masterpiece ... this fabulous tale will enchant anyone who reads it.”
—Painted Rock Reviews
This Is All I Ask
“An exceptional read.”
—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Both powerful and sensitive ... a wonderfully rich and rewarding book.”
—Susan Wiggs
Titles by Lynn Kurland
STARDUST OF YESTERDAY
A DANCE THROUGH TIME
THIS IS ALL I ASK
THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU
ANOTHER CHANCE TO DREAM
THE MORE I SEE YOU
IF I HAD YOU
MY HEART STOOD STILL
FROM THIS MOMENT ON
A GARDEN IN THE RAIN
DREAMS OF STARDUST
MUCH ADO IN THE MOONLIGHT
WHEN I FALL IN LOVE
WITH EVERY BREATH
TILL THERE WAS YOU
ONE ENCHANTED EVENING
The Novels of the Nine Kingdoms
STAR OF THE MORNING
THE MAGE’S DAUGHTER
PRINCESS OF THE SWORD
A TAPESTRY OF SPELLS
Anthologies
THE CHRISTMAS CAT
(with Julie Beard, Barbara Bretton, and Jo Beverley)
CHRISTMAS SPIRITS
(with Casey Claybourne, Elizabeth Bevarly, and Jenny Lykins)
VEILS OF TIME
(with Maggie Shayne, Angie Ray, and Ingrid Weaver)
OPPOSITES ATTRACT
(with Elizabeth Bevarly, Emily Carmichael, and Elda Minger)
LOVE CAME JUST IN TIME
A KNIGHT’S VOW
(with Patricia Potter, Deborah Simmons, and Glynnis Campbell)
TAPESTRY
(with Madeline Hunter, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Karen Marie Moning)
TO WEAVE A WEB OF MAGIC
(with Patricia A. McKillip, Sharon Shinn, and Claire Delacroix)
THE QUEEN IN WINTER
(with Sharon Shinn, Claire Delacroix, and Sarah Monette)
THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
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TO KISS IN THE SHADOWS
A Jove eBook / published by arrangement with the author
PRINTING HISTORY
Jove eSpecial edition / April 2010
Copyright © 2002 by Lynn Curland.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
eISBN : 978-1-101-42754-5
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Version_1
One
‘Tis said that in a woman’s solar the course of wars and the fate of countries is decided.
‘Tis also said that therein is determined the fate of men and the manner of their course to a woman’s bed.
Lianna of Grasleigh suspected that a woman had said the former and a man the latter, for ’twas a certainty that no man she knew would have accorded a woman the cleverness to determine the destiny of his realm. But if any man had heard the plotting and scheming going on behind her, he would have perhaps thought differently. At the very least, he would have quivered in fear for the fate of his own poor soul.
“Bind him,” suggested the first of the other women in the solar.
“Nay, lure him,” said the second.
“Help him slip into his cups, lure him, and then bind him,” said the third. Then she gulped in surprise, as if that thought were too bold a one to voice.
Lianna let the peat smoke, perfumed oils, and stratagem flow over her. She had no stomach for joining in the talk—not that the ladies behind her would have allowed it. A member of court though she might be by command of the king, she was not accepted by that court. It had troubled her at first, that shunning, but she had grown accustomed to it. Besides, ’twas better that she keep to the work under her hands. Let the tapestry of the court be woven without her single thread running through it. She had her own pattern to see to.
She tilted her frame to catch the final shaft of sunlight that bravely entered the chamber despite the daunting thickness of the walls. To have fully succeeded in seeing her work, she would have had to turn her face to the women behind her, but that she could not do. Instead, she sat with her back to the chamber and made do with less light than was needful.
Much as she did in her life.
“Lie in wait for him,” said the first. “In the passageway, where he must speak as he passes.”
“Lie in wait in his bed,” corrected the second with a lusty laugh, “and then see if he can pass on such an invitation.”
“I would lie anywhere,” said the third breathlessly. “Mayhap he would tread upon me.”
“He will not be trapped by such simple ploys,” said a fourth voice in a tone that cut through the speculation like a sword through living flesh.
Silence descended, silence broken only by Lianna’s needle as it pierced the cloth again and again. She was powerfully tempted to look over her shoulder and see the looks the other women—save the one who had spoken in the end, of course—were wearing fixed to their no-doubt quite pale visages. But drawing their attention would only draw the attention of their sharp tongues as well, so she forbore. Perhaps listening to what she was certain would be a severe rebuke would be amusement enough for the afternoon.
“Kendrick of Artane will not be trapped by foolish gels who have no head for strategies,” Maud of Harrow said, and she said it so decidedly that only a fool would have dared argue with her. “He is cunning and shrewd. To catch him, one must be his equal in stealth.”
“But,” said the woman who had spoken first, sounding rather hesitant, “would he not find it unpleasing to have a woman as full of wit as he?”
Lianna stitched contentedly. Adela was certainly lacking in wit, so that would not be a problem for her.
“I still say it matters not what wits you have, if you have enough of them to find yourself betwixt his sheets,” said Janet, Adela’s sister, whose most heartfelt desire seemed to be to find herself betwixt sheets—anyone’s sheets—as often as possible.
“I agree,” said the third timidly. She was Linet of Byford, and of the women behind her, the least vicious, to Lianna’s mind. At least Linet flinched when Maud’s tongue began to cut. “Surely,” Linet continued, “his preference is a woman warm and willing in his bed.”
“Many women have tried,” said Maud, “but he refuses them all. Nay, the way to have him must come from a more subtle attack.”
And how would Maud know? Lianna wondered. Perhaps she had given the matter much thought in an effort to find a diversion from her own terrible straits. And why not, given the life she had? The woman was wed to a man with a tongue so cruel few could bear him. Lianna shuddered. Had she been wed to such a man, she soon would have been reduced to cowering in the corner, of that she was certain.
Maud never cowered, not even before her lord. Then again, her tongue was as sharp as his. Lianna knew this because she’d listened to Maud use that weapon on her vile husband more than once. And, of course, she’d felt the bite of it herself—which was part of the reason she placed herself with her back to the chamber. There was little to be gained by giving Maud or her companions a constant view of her ruined visage. Maud tormented her enough while facing naught but her back.
But none of that explained how Maud knew so much about Kendrick of Artane’s habits. Had she tried to have him in the past and failed? Did she intend to try again now? She was at Henry’s court whilst her husband was off on an errand for the king in France. Mayhap she considered this a perfect time to trot out a new strategy.
“We might have more success with his brother,” Linet offered timidly. “The one still free. The youngest.”
The numerous swift intakes of breath were startling. Then there was absolute silence for the space of several heartbeats.
“Jason of Artane?” Maud asked. Her voice could have been full of what another might have termed fear.
Lianna was so surprised, she ventured a look over her shoulder. To her astonishment, Maud looked as frightened as the rest of the women.
“He isn’t of Artane,” Linet said. “Well, he was. But now he is of Blackmour.”
And the women, as one, crossed themselves.
Lianna wondered if she might have passed too much time during her youth with her face pressed against linen to judge its usefulness for her stitching purposes. Obviously, she had missed several delicious rumors.
“The Dragon of Blackmour’s squire,” Adela agreed.
“You’re a fool, sister. Jason de Piaget is the Dragon’s former squire,” Janet corrected. “He’s his own man now. And likely as full of evil habits as the old worm himself.”
“I hear he’s handsome,” Linet ventured.
“He was trained by Blackmour, who we know is a warlock,” Maud said crisply. “No doubt Lord Jason, as fair of face as he might be, mastered many dark arts at his master’s hand. Would you sell your frivolous souls to such a man in return for his deadly kisses?”
There was a bit of low murmuring, as if the other women considered it. Lianna was spared further speculation by
the abrupt bursting open of the door.
“He’s here!” a body announced breathlessly.
“Jason?” Linet asked with a gasp, sounding so terrified that Lianna could only assume she had reflected a bit more on Maud’s words.
“Nay, Kendrick,” the voice from the door said. “He’s here!”
“Have you seen him?” Maud demanded.
“Nay, but I heard tell—”
Apparently, that was enough for the women, even Maud, though Lianna wondered what Maud’s husband would say when he returned from his journeys and found out his wife was pursuing one of the most sought-after knights in the realm. For herself, Lianna was unsurprised by Maud’s actions. She had ceased to be appalled by wedded women hunting desirable, unwedded men, even though in her home such a thing would have been unthinkable. Her parents had been devoted to each other. The thought of her mother having looked at a man other than her father never would have occurred to Lianna.