Karolina's survival is dependent upon her wits and beauty. She uses men as they use her, remaining with them only long enough to take what she needs before disappearing in the night. Barely escaping her last relationship with her life, and with little more than the clothes on her back, she is in desperate need of a benefactor.
She hatches a plan to feign amnesia in the hope of obtaining assistance from a stranger, but not just any stranger. If she is lucky, she will employ the ruse on a man of means. When she spies a grand house nestled on the outskirts of Vienna, she decides upon it as her destination. Will she convince the inhabitant to provide her shelter until she determines her next move? No widow, spinster, or doddering old fool—the master of this house is a handsome and virile man, whose eyes sparkle with intelligence. Lukas Holt is surprised by the appearance of a woman at his door. Although skeptical of her story, he allows her entry. As a doctor, he is eager to help her regain her memory, as a man, he is intent upon healing her—body and soul. She is clearly in need, but more so, there is something hauntingly familiar about her...
Nothing will prepare him for her shocking revelations. The good doctor comes to a stunning conclusion regarding who this woman is...and why he can never let her go.
Reader Alert! Did spanking and voyeurism exist in the 19th century? What do you think? I'll bet it's been going on for centuries...
To My Readers: Time after time, Karolina seems to lose the man she loves. Will this time be different?
It was too late. Alyce could never deny him her body, for he owned it—just as she owned his...
“Tis true, Jofre.” Alyce panted with desire. “But, but, I must safeguard my reputation, for I’ve no future if my name is sullied. Your family will never accept me if someone should spy our activities. Please, let us go to a place where we’ll not be seen by prying eyes. I shall promise you something special if you do...”
“What might that be, lass?”
He continued the circular motion against her nubbin and she pressed hard against him raising her hips to meet his thrusting fingers.
“It is a secret, Jofre." She smiled coyly. "Will you follow me and learn what it is?”
He cocked his head to one side and licked his lips. "Come then, my love," he said, and swatted her backside. Quickly smoothing their clothing, they made haste to the location of the tryst. They would meet just as soon as they returned to the manor. He would await her in his chambers. He rode left to the stables and she skipped off to the right. Racing forward, the long grass tickled her ankles as she ran.
Once inside, she slipped unnoticed through the great hall. Turning sharply to the right, she hurried up the stairwell that led to her room, that of a lowly serving girl. "Kitchen wench," said the crusty lot of hags she was forced to work with. Nay, their time had passed and they had nothing in this life to care for except idle gossip, of which she was often the subject. They whispered behind her back, but she did not care. Jofre promised she would one day be his.
“Broken and used, then tossed aside when the next pretty maid comes round,” said Agathe.
"Stuffs you like a Christmas goose, does he?" asked Louise.
"Slut," Rose chimed in.
It did not matter what they said. She could see in his eyes that he loved her. Jofre said she was his mischievous sprite, part fairy, part nymph. He loved their games, as did she. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for him.
Quickly, as she did not want to keep him waiting, Alyce ran to retrieve her mirror, a gift from Jofre. She had just time enough to pin her hair into place, although she knew he would undo the stays and unleash the wild copper curls he loved. Frantically she searched for her cloak and although the weather now grew warm, she tossed it about her shoulders and lifted the hood to cover her face.
She knew the secret passage to his quarters. It would serve neither one if they were discovered. Jofre had no love for the woman he’d soon be forced to wed. “But how will you wed me if you will already have married her?” she'd once asked. She need not worry, he said. He would find a way, and she would be his. She must be patient.
Enough, thought Alyce. She'd already spent too long primping herself. She ran with haste through the narrow halls and swiftly slipped into his chambers. He’d already removed his riding gear and wore a simple tunic. Jofre stood with his back to her. Powerful legs led upward to slim hips and upward still to a broad and powerful chest. Alyce loved looking upon him. She heard the splashing of water as he washed the dust of the road from his face and neck. He dried himself and turned round.
“My sweet kitten, do not just stand there. Come to me.” He held out his arms and smiled. “I have missed you greatly.”
She ran to him and nestled her face into his shoulder, careful not to press too tightly against the bright red line of the wound he'd incurred during a recent skirmish. She inhaled his scent of salt and sea and felt that familiar stirring in her loins. Everything about Jofre was perfect. He took her hand and led her to the large feather stuffed bed. He pulled her upon his lap and wrapped his arms round her tightly. His cock grew large beneath her skirts and she squirmed across his strong thighs.
“Tell me sweet one, what special gift have you for me?”
He rubbed his face into the crook of her neck and nibbled her ear lobe. “I have forgotten, Jofre.” Alyce hung her head in mock shame and spoke shyly. “I have been a naughty lass,” she said.
“Indeed you have. And what shall we do so that Alyse learns her lesson, and does not tease her lord with false promises of secret delights?” He laughed roguishly and pressed her more closely to him.
She twisted a lock of hair round her finger and met his eyes. “I do not know, my lord. Whatever you wish, for I have been a bad girl.”
