Introduction to the extract:
In The Knight’s Bride Prize Bronwen is a young lady desperate to escape her home and her oppressive father. She does not want to love her new husband; she wants no one to have a hold over her again. A tournament is held for with the winner offered her hand in marriage. Sir Hugh is one of the contestants but he is not who he seems, for he is there to investigate her father for treason, a fact he must keep hidden from Bronwen. The below extract comes towards the end of their first conversation. Hugh knows Bronwen can never be the woman for him and yet…

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‘She stepped closer in order to pass, and a faint floral scent caught his attention. It twisted something inside him, rooting his feet to the ground. ‘You should tell me more of your requirements in your future husband.’

‘Why should I do that?’

Because he didn’t want to move away from her, because he wanted to talk to her, because her hair, glinting in the morning sun looked like spun gold. ‘The men will be putting on a good show for you, I’ll get to see the men as they really are. I can help you filter out the bad ones.’

She paused, her head tilted slightly to one side. She reminded him of a small bird ready for flight at the first sign of danger.

‘Why would you help me?’

‘Would you accept the answer that I believe it’s the right thing to do?’ Again, it wasn’t the whole truth but a palatable version of it.

‘Is that truly what you think?’ Her hazel eyes gazed up at him and his heart twisted oddly, he ignored it. He’d been taken in by a pair of pretty eyes before, and he would not do so again.

‘Yes.’ And he did believe what he had said. Reporting back to her on which of the knights might make a decent husband was the right thing to do both for the mission—because he might find out information from her that would help with his mission—and because he wouldn’t wish a bad spouse on anyone. It was also the only way of getting close to her that would sit well on his conscience.

‘Very well,’ she said. ‘I will take your offer of help with gratitude and wish you luck for the first contest.’

‘I do not need luck, I will win.’ He winked at her, and she burst out laughing, the sound joyous.

He was still smiling about making her laugh as he climbed onto his horse’s saddle a while later.

 

The Knight’s Bride Prize

A dramatic Medieval convenient marriage story

Will he risk his mission… for her hand in marriage?

Part of The Knights’ Missions. On a secret quest to expose a traitor, Sir Hugh enlists in a tournament to win the hand of his target’s daughter, Lady Bronwen. But the clever, driven maiden jeopardises his plans when their unexpected attraction threatens to distract him from his duty! She’s desperate to escape her father, and Hugh can protect her by claiming his prize and marrying her. Yet honour demands the noble knight keeps their desire at bay, for completing his mission means betraying his new bride’s trust…

From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.

The Knights’ Missions
Book 1: The Knight’s Rebellious Maiden
Book 2: The Knight’s Bride Prize

Amazon US * Amazon UK

 

Ella Matthews writes sweeping historical novels with a dash of danger, steamy scenes and full of romantic heart. She writes for Mills & Boon / Harlequin but is also planning some self-published novels, so watch this space for those.

She writes in beautiful South Wales, where you can’t go for a walk without tripping over the remains of a castle. She lives with her husband, who’s very technical and who’s set up her website but still doesn’t seem to know how to use a washing machine, her two children and an exceptionally timid rescue guinea pig. When she’s not writing, she’s working with teenagers on their literacy skills (she’s discovered there’s nothing a thirteen year old loves more than discussing commas!).

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