The Cursed One
Page 25
“Let’s ride again while Mother and Father are entertaining Treville. I want to show off our horses so that everyone rushes to us to purchase one.”
“Maybe we can find a secluded spot where I can steal a proper kiss,” he said against her ear.
She giggled. “I’m sure you can steal more than that if just such a spot can be found.”
“You are shocking,” he said, smiling down at her.
“I do my best,” she countered, then took his hand and led him toward their waiting horses. Today, if they were not simply an ordinary couple enjoying a day in the park, they were an extraordinary couple. She wouldn’t worry that her husband might one day be forced to embrace the spirit of the wolf again and protect the country from invasion.
Lucinda had confided to her that such espionage should be handled by other men. Men without the responsibility of children and wives to worry over them. Men who would willingly accept a curse as a gift and do battle for those still blessedly ignorant. For if Lucinda said so, it usually came to pass.
Damn the witch who cursed me.
I thought her heart was pure.
Alas, no woman understands duty,
be it to family, name, or war.
I found no way to break it,
no potion, chant, or deed.
From the day she cast the spell,
it will pass from seed to seed.
Betrayed by love, my own false tongue,
she bade the moon transform me.
The family name, once my pride,
becomes the beast that haunts me.
And in the witch’s passing hour
she called me to her side.
Forgiveness lost, of mercy none,
she spoke before she died:
“Seek you and find your worst enemy;
stand brave and do not flee.
Love is the curse that binds you,
but ’tis also the key to set you free.”
Her curse and riddle my bane,
this witch I loved yet could not wed.
Battles I have fought and won,
and still defeat I leave in my stead.
To the Wulfs who suffer my sins,
the sons who are neither man nor beast,
solve the conundrum I could not,
and be from this curse released.
IVAN WULF,
In the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and fifteen
ST. MARTIN’S PAPERBACKS TITLES
BY RONDA THOMPSON
The Dark One
The Untamed One
The Cursed One
Praise for RONDA THOMPSON’s
Previous Novels
THE UNTAMED ONE
“Thompson cleverly blends paranormal elements into a fine-tuned historical romance with well-crafted characters and a tender, blossoming romance.”
—RT BOOKclub magazine
“The Untamed One … is compelling and sexy. It’s also smart and well-written.”
—Romance Reader at Heart
THE DARK ONE
“Gripping, intriguing, and sexy. Engaging characters and edge-of-the-seat action—this book has it all.”
—Christine Feehan
“The Dark One grabbed me and wouldn’t let me go. Sensual and engaging, Thompson redefines the werewolf story even as her characters redefine for themselves the meaning of love.”
—Susan Squires
“This story hooked me from page one and never let me go. I can’t wait for the next one!”
—Amanda Ashley
“A deliciously dark world … with speckles of humor, great passion, and exceptional characters.”
—RT BOOKclub magazine
“This well-written tale, complete with fascinating characters, utterly romantic love story, and divine sensuality captivated me from the very beginning to the heart-stopping ending.”
—Paranormal Romance Writers
“Completely, utterly, absolutely engaging. I was swept away by the story of Armond Wulf and Rosalind Rutherford. The Dark One is one of the most wonderful tales I’ve gotten my hands on in a long time. I’m so thankful Ms. Thompson decided to make this a series. The Wild Wulfs of London will definitely be on my ‘must buy’ list!”
—Romance Divas
“Ronda Thompson delivers a fresh and everlasting Regency romance with a touch of magic and evil that will stand the test of time. Oh, and the smokin’ hero helps!”
—Romance Reader at Heart
“I love paranormals, and this one is one of the best!”
—Romance Junkies
“Readers will believe in the existence of the werewolf … subgenre fans will fully treasure the first Wild Wulfs of London thriller. 5 stars!”
—Harriet Klausner
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE CURSED ONE
Copyright © 2006 by Ronda Thompson.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
Photo of man © Shirley Green
Photo of castle © James Osmond/Alamy
eISBN 9781429934053
First eBook Edition : May 2011
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / December 2006