The Lady of the Forest
By Barbara Bettis
Blurb:
He must pursue his
enemy; she must protect her people. Can their love survive the duties that
drive them apart? When her elderly husband dies, Lady
Katherine fakes her own death and disappears into the forest with
others escaping the brutish new lord. Determined to protect her
people, she knocks the wrong man senseless. But Lord Henry isn’t an enemy,
he’s the brother of her childhood friend. Although his tender confidence tempts
her, she’s bound by duty. Henry of Chauvere has found the one
lady he wants for his own, never mind she’s tied him hand and foot. When
he learns the king has ordered her to wed Stonehill’s ruthless new master, he
insists Kate seek haven with his sister. But she won’t desert her friends.
Henry vows to solve her problem, provided he catches a traitor before the
threat from Kate's past catches her.
When a daring rescue compels Henry
and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn’t
drive them apart.
When a daring rescue compels Henry
and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn’t
drive them apart.
Excerpt: He was a fine specimen of a knight.
Pity he had to die. Lady Katherine, late of Stonehill Castle, straddled a
low-slung branch and watched the intruder work toward her. Closer he came, guiding his black
gelding in a careful walk as he searched the October leaves mounding the forest
floor. Late-afternoon sun reflected off his arm, and she bit back a
curse. The traitor wore chain mail beneath his deep green surcoat. Of course.
Why would her task be easy? At least his coif lay folded back to expose his
head. She could strike there. Sharp, thick bark bit through Kate’s rough hose. She ignored
the discomfort and leaned forward for a better look. Another sunbeam touched
the rider’s rich chestnut hair. A strand drooped across his forehead. He shoved
it back with a ruthless jab, revealing a wide brow and strong nose. From her vantage point, he looked to be a fearsome warrior.
Pray God he didn’t glance up. The ancient oak’s few tenacious leaves didn’t
provide nearly enough cover. But his attention never wavered. One step, then
another brought him nearer. She curled in her lips to cushion
her teeth and gripped the knife between them. Breath by shallow, silent breath,
she eased into a crouch. Balanced on her toes. Blanked her mind. And waited. He
stopped. Right beneath her perch. Praise God. Kate slid the knife into her hand and jumped.
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BIO
for Barbara Bettis
Award-winning
author Barbara Bettis has always loved history and English. As a college
freshman, she considered becoming an archeologist until she realized there
likely would be bugs and snakes involved. And math. Through careers as a
reporter, editor and, later, a college journalism and English professor, she’s
retained her fascination with history. Give her a research book and a pot of
tea, and she’s happy for hours. But what really makes her smile is working on a
new story. She now lives in Missouri, where by day she’s a mild-mannered English
teacher and by night she spins tales of heroines to die for—and heroes to live
for.
