Word of Honor (Knights of Valor Book 1)
Page 23
“Come,” he told the boys. “Let us go look for my brothers.”
“They’re upstairs in their bedchamber,” Geoffrey called after him.
Hardi puffed out his cheeks as he let a long breath escape. “Those boys will be the death of me.”
“And just think,” Geoffrey told him. “You’ll be taking on seven-year-old Hal after this holiday. You will certainly have your hands full with that one, Hardi.”
“That is going to break his little brother’s heart,” Merryn added. “Mayhap you’d like to add another one to foster in your household?” she teased. “He’s only five but already tall for his age.”
Hardi laughed. “I doubt you’d let him come to me that early, Merryn. ‘Twould only leave you with your two girls.”
Geoffrey drew his wife close. “Ah, we can always work on adding to our fold.” He kissed her temple, inhaling her vanilla scent and wishing he could excuse them and bed her. He would never grow tired of making love to this woman.
She caressed his cheek, a twinkle in her eye, as if she knew his very thoughts. And agreed with them.
“Enough of that, you two,” Johamma exclaimed as she joined their circle. “I would swear if a stranger met you, he’d insist you were newly wedded.”
Merryn placed a hand upon his chest. “I cannot help it, Johamma. Geoffrey is the love of my life.” She beamed. “I do not care who knows.”
“Greetings!” Hugh called out. He and Milla crossed the Great Hall, their two children looking about.
“Alys, take your sister and cousins upstairs to play. We shall call you when ‘tis time for the feast and games to begin.”
Alys put her sister down and let the child toddle toward her older cousins excitedly before she led the group from the Great Hall.
Geoffrey watched them leave, thinking how blessed he was to have five healthy children and good friends and family in their midst to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season. He turned and greeted Hugh and Milla as Tilda brought a tray of mulled wine for the adults to share. They adjourned to a trestle table and spoke of their children and news Alys had brought from court.
As he basked in the warmth of the nearby fire and listened to the conversation, Merryn slipped her hand in his.
Geoffrey gazed down at his wife—the woman whose image had kept him going during his years of battle in France and whilst imprisoned at Winterbourne. The one he had always loved from childhood. The one who would remain beautiful to him, even when her hair had turned gray and wrinkles from laughter lined her face.
He bent and said in her ear, “We are most fortunate, my love. We were a love match from the first.”
“And we will stay a love match until the grave and beyond,” Merryn replied, entwining her fingers through his.
Geoffrey touched his mouth to hers for a lingering kiss. The taste of her mouth would always mean coming home.
Coming home. To love. Forever and always.
Coming Soon – Marked by Honor – Book 2 in the Knights of Valor Series
Available July 2016
Lady Beatrice Bordel blames herself for the riding accident that cost her father his life when she was a child. Tragedy strikes again when her mother and grandfather die on the same day, leaving her homeless. The young woman decides to travel to visit her grandfather’s closest friend, hoping she can use her domestic skills and lute-playing talent to find a permanent place in his household. Barely into her journey, a band of highwaymen accosts Beatrice and her sole servant. All seems lost—until Raynor Le Roux arrives.
As a knight of the realm, the code of chivalry guides Raynor’s life. While returning to his family’s home after many months away, he rescues Beatrice—who tells a white lie to this handsome stranger. Raynor takes her to safety at Ashcroft, but his home has changed during his time away. No longer a thriving estate, Ashcroft has fallen into disrepair because his brother Peter is no longer interested in its welfare after his wife’s untimely death. Raynor determines to restore his home before he escorts Beatrice north so she may unite with the man he believes is her betrothed.
The couple’s growing attraction turns to love, but Beatrice’s dishonesty stands between her and Raynor’s happiness. Will she finally tell him the truth—and hope he forgives her deception—or will it be too late?
Coming Soon – Code of Honor – Book 3 in the Knights of Valor Series
Available October 2016
After the earl of Sandbourne banishes his wife to a convent, his young son Michael swears never to set foot on the family’s estate until after his father’s death. He will then claim his title as the new earl, locate his mother, and bring her home.
Fifteen years pass, and the now-knighted Sir Michael Devereux serves Lord Geoffrey de Montfort at Kinwick Castle. He accompanies the nobleman and his family to a wedding where Michael unknowingly falls in love with the bride before he even knows her identity.
Lady Elysande Le Cler is angry that her usually indulgent father went against her wishes and betrothed her to a stranger prior to his death. Now as her wedding day approaches, dread fills her—until she meets a dashing stranger who helps her deliver a foal. She loses her heart to the knight, frustrated that they can never be together.
But fate has other plans in store for Elysande and Michael . . .
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A Note from Lauren
Thank you for reading Word of Honor. I hope you enjoyed reading Geoffrey & Merryn’s love story as much as I did writing it!
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