Bound to the Warrior

Bound to the Warrior
Barbara Phinney

A HEART UNCONQUEREDWidowed Saxon lady Ediva Dunmow will do anything to protect her people—even marry one of the invading Norman knights. The king sees it as a way to keep Ediva, her lands, and her tenants subdued. But Ediva’s embittered heart, still healing from the abuse of her first husband, will not yield so easily. Marriage never held any appeal for Adrien de Ries.Yet, it is his king’s will, and perhaps his Lord’s too—though he finds his faith tested daily by Ediva’s staunch refusal to trust him. As a knight, Adrien survived many battles, but the fight to win Ediva’s heart may be his most challenging—and rewarding.

A Heart Unconquered

Widowed Saxon Lady Ediva Dunmow will do anything to protect her people—even marry one of the invading Norman knights. The king sees it as a way to keep Ediva, her lands and her tenants subdued. But Ediva’s embittered heart, still healing from the abuse of her first husband, will not yield so easily.

Marriage never held any appeal for Adrien de Ries. Yet it is his king’s will, and perhaps his Lord’s, too—though he finds his faith tested daily by Ediva’s staunch refusal to trust him. As a knight, Adrien survived many battles, but the fight to win Ediva’s heart may be his most challenging—and rewarding.

“You’re crying.”

Blinking, Ediva lifted one small hand to her cheek.

Adrien sat down beside her. He took up her hand and held it quietly. “I have seen you on the parapet. You’d mentioned that you dreamed of running away.”

“I thought about escaping to the forest. I wondered how long I could survive there.”

“Why didn’t you try?”

She looked at him, her eyes softened by tears. “If I left, my husband would have turned his rage on my people.”

“Ganute is gone, Ediva.” Adrien squeezed her hand firmly. “He can’t hurt you anymore.”

“And you, Adrien? You’re a soldier, with violence in your blood.”

’Twas true. In the past, he’d justified his nature and work well enough and not given it another thought.

Until now, sitting beside Ediva with her questioning eyes and her pain so deep he feared no one could heal her.

At a loss, all he could do was lift her hand to his lips and kiss it.

BARBARA PHINNEY

was born in England and raised in Canada. She has traveled throughout her life, loving to explore the various countries and cultures of the world. After she retired from the Canadian Armed Forces, Barbara turned her hand to romance writing. The thrill of adventure and the love of happy endings, coupled with a too-active imagination, have merged to help her create this and other wonderful stories. Barbara spends her days writing, building her dream home with her husband and enjoying their fast-growing children.

Bound to the Warrior

Barbara Phinney

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Whoever does not love does not know God,

because God is love.

—1 John 4:8

To my writer friends, the Domino Divas, and all the Love Inspired authors. Thank you for your support and encouragement. This book is for you.

Contents

Prologue (#u8aed8b4d-3f61-544c-a587-a500de3928cc)

Chapter One (#u3743ae14-9ea0-5de7-9f4e-b42609177916)

Chapter Two (#u1d7c3041-e6a6-538e-b40d-cda2d84e2bd7)

Chapter Three (#u621a3c51-0025-5ce6-af45-eb3bc2033c0a)

Chapter Four (#u79db5ae6-4547-5b6d-a736-d409ba1cf16e)

Chapter Five (#ud8f154ff-f1a0-518a-8eb2-d6ff501ca991)

Chapter Six (#ua1fbe28b-5d85-590a-b432-cc6e3001854f)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Three (#litres_trial_promo)