Lionheart’s Bride

Michelle Willingham

King Richard and Princess Berengaria, 1191

Princess Berengaria’s lady-in-waiting, Adriana, takes her duty to the future Queen of England seriously—she will defend her to the death! When their sea voyage to the Holy Land ends up in shipwreck and capture Adriana knows her only hope lies with the mysterious Irishman, Liam MacEgan.

Liam escapes to reach Richard the Lionheart and together they plan a rescue mission. Nothing will stop these warriors from succeeding—their future brides are captive on Cyprus and they’ll raise hell to claim them!

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Author Note

About the Author

Prologue

Pamplona, the Kingdom of Navarre, 1187

‘I didn’t know if you would come,’ Richard said, reaching for her hand. He had removed the chain-mail armour he’d worn earlier and wore a blue silk tunic trimmed with fur. His dark mantle rested over his shoulders, and even in the moonlight, Berengaria could see the cool grey of his eyes and the reddish glint of his hair.

‘What choice did I have?’ she accused. ‘You stole my ring at the tournament when you kissed my hand.’ Holding out her palm, she sent him a warning look. ‘I want it back.’

‘I wanted an excuse to see you again.’ He sent her a slow smile that quickened her pulse. Opening his hand, he revealed the emerald and gold ring. ‘Is this what you want?’

When she tried to seize it, he curled his fingers over his palm. ‘Come closer, and you shall have it.’

‘Do not play games, Your Grace. I’ve no interest in them.’

‘If that were true, you wouldn’t have come. You’d have sent a servant for the ring.’

‘And you’d have refused to return it.’

He drew closer, pressing the ring into her hands. ‘Do you think me such a villain?’

‘I don’t know who you are.’ Though her hands were gloved, she could feel the heat of his skin. Something about this man intrigued her, slipping past her defences like the warrior he was.

Don’t stay,  Berengaria warned herself. Leave now. Her father, King Sancho, would be furious if she knew she was standing in the garden with the Duke of Aquitaine, the son of King Henry Plantagenet of England.

‘I want to know you,’ Richard said slowly. ‘No woman has ever dared to speak to me in the way that you do.’

‘No,’ she whispered. ‘You aren’t my betrothed husband and never will be.’

‘You’re right.’ His hand moved up to her cheek, and when she tried to move away, he held her in place. ‘Berengaria, you remind me of Eve. You tempt me with the tartness of your tongue. The flashing of your dark eyes.’

She shivered slightly, and her mind warned her again to move away. But his voice held her captive, while his thumb edged her cheekbone. ‘I admire your spirit.’

Richard tipped her face up to look at him. Then he leaned in closer, resting his forehead against hers. ‘You should know that this is your last chance to walk away untouched. If you stay, I’m going to claim a kiss.’ He released her and stood motionless, waiting for her decision.

Her mind cried out for her to flee, even as her feet remained rooted in place. Richard was not a man who was free to court her. He was already betrothed to another woman.

But she wanted to experience the forbidden taste of a kiss from a man who wanted her. Not her kingdom, nor her wealth, for he could have neither. Richard knew what it was to be caught in a world full of rules, a world in which they had no freedom.

His lips covered hers, and at the first moment of the kiss, she forgot all the reasons why this was never meant to happen. Richard rested his hands upon her hips, drawing her body nearer. ‘Close your eyes,’ he said softly. ‘You’re not a princess anymore. And I am not a duke.’

She obeyed, and the barriers seemed to vanish between them. Against her mouth he murmured, ‘If you were my betrothed wife, I’d steal away from my duties to seize moments like this. And you’d never tell false compliments to me, would you?’

‘Your arrogance is great enough, my lord.’

‘Richard,’ he corrected. This time, he captured her lips like a ruthless invader. There was nothing kind or polite about the kiss. She opened her mouth, shocked at the wild feelings that coursed through her. He trapped her face between his hands, kissing her as though he wanted to shred all of her defences and find the woman beneath.

Though inwardly she knew that he had an insatiable need to win, to conquer, she hardly cared. The rush of need provoked a tremulous response inside her. She couldn’t catch her breath as he plundered her mouth. And when she began to kiss him back, he softened the intensity. Warm and wet, his tongue slid inside her mouth. He drew her hips against him, and she could feel the hot length of his arousal against the folds of her skirts. The knowledge, that he wanted to claim her body, made her tremble. She clung to him, so afraid of the feelings that ran untamed within her.

‘Innocent,’ he murmured against her skin. ‘I knew it when first I saw you.’

She caught her breath as his mouth travelled over her cheek. ‘I must go now.’

‘You should.’ But he didn’t release her from his embrace, and she wondered what he intended. His palms moved up her spine, and when he kissed her again, she sensed that this was farewell.

But now, she had a memory to call her own. One that her father could not govern or take away from her. And as she kissed him for the last time, Berengaria thought to herself, I’m glad it was Richard.

Chapter One

Off the coast of Cyprus, April 12, 1191

Liam MacEgan hated ships. Though he’d spent many years of his life exploring the waters of his native Éireann, being trapped aboard a wooden vessel for months was somewhere between purgatory and hellfire.

It was your idea to go on Crusade, he reminded himself. He’d believed he was embarking on an adventure, to see the Holy Land and fight to free Jerusalem. His family had been firmly opposed to it. His father, King Patrick of Laochre, had demanded that he face his responsibilities as a future provincial king.

But he’d needed an escape from his homeland. He’d grown up listening to the stories of distant lands, told to him by his uncle Trahern. He longed to see the glittering foreign cities and taste new foods. He needed this last chance to see the worlds that were forbidden to him…to feel the sting of desert sand against his face…to learn the secrets of exotic women.

And so, defying his family’s wishes, he’d slipped out one night and arranged passage to France, to join in the service of the King Richard, Coeur de Lion.

Liam stared out at the fierce blue of the Mediterranean, and a bittersweet tang of homesickness caught him. The sky was a dark grey, and clouds rolled in the distance. He was dimly aware of a woman moving along the side of the boat, just behind the oarsmen. Her long dark hair was covered by a veil, but the length of it stirred in the sea winds.

Adriana, daughter of the Vicomte de Manzano, was one of the Princess Berengaria’s ladies. She was a dark beauty, with olive skin and raven hair. He watched as her hands curved over the wood of the ship, and she turned back to stare at the waves.

He wanted to go and talk to her, but he sensed it would be an intrusion of her time alone. Her eyes lifted to the darkening skies, as though she were afraid.

Instinct made him glance behind him, and he spied the Count of Berduria staring at the young woman. The unrestrained lust on his face made Liam cross over to Lady Adriana’s side. Though she shied away from him, he said in a low voice, ‘Don’t be afraid. I came to offer my protection, not to disturb you.’

When she sent him a confused look, he added, ‘The count is watching.’ At that, Lady Adriana settled her gaze back upon the sea. Liam wasn’t certain whether or not she wanted him to stay. ‘Would you rather I left you alone with him?’

‘Stay,’ she whispered. ‘Unless your intent is the same as his.’ She shivered in the wind, rubbing her shoulders. Liam unfastened his cloak and settled it around her shoulders. It was meant to offer her warmth, but it also sent an unmistakable message to the count.

She pulled the cloak around her. ‘You’re one of King Richard’s men, aren’t you?’

‘I chose to fight at his side, aye. But I am not his vassal.’ He refrained from mentioning anything further, not wanting to admit his own rank. During this journey, he’d told no one that he was an Irish prince, save King Richard. He wanted to experience life as a common man, as a soldier. It had meant giving up the luxuries he’d come to enjoy, but in return, he’d seen a side of life that his family had tried to protect him from.

‘Has King Richard spoken of the princess?’ Adriana asked. ‘My lady Berengaria worries that he seems so…distant, ever since the new betrothal.’

Liam shrugged. ‘His Majesty is preoccupied with the journey to the Holy Land. He’s eager to fight for Jerusalem.’

‘What of the Princess Alys? He broke his betrothal to her only a few months ago. Does he desire to reconcile—?’

‘Given that his father took Alys as his mistress and she bore him a daughter, rest assured, King Richard had little desire to take her to wife.’ Liam sent her a sidelong glance. ‘Berengaria didn’t tell you?’

Adriana shook her head. ‘She didn’t know. Queen Eleanor never spoke of why the betrothal was broken, but it was she who brought Berengaria to become the king’s bride.’

‘And what of you?’ Liam asked. ‘You intend to travel wherever the princess wishes to go? Even to the Holy Land?’

She nodded. ‘She has no choice, any more than I do.’ The young woman clasped her hands together.

‘You could marry or return to your family,’ he suggested. ‘Jerusalem is dangerous for a woman.’

‘Not for me.’

He stared at her, and she sent him a confident smile. ‘I have four brothers. I know ways to protect myself.’

‘How?’ He moved closer, until his knee brushed the edge of her silk gown.

The tip of a knife touched the soft skin above his throat. ‘Like this.’ Adriana’s dark brown eyes were dancing with amusement. ‘You wouldn’t be likely to harm me now, would you?’ She removed the blade and offered it back to him.

Son of Belenus, it was his own blade. She’d somehow stolen it from his belt without him even sensing her.

‘How did you do that?’

Her face transformed with a knowing smile. ‘You should know better than to underestimate a stranger. I am one of the princess’s guards, just as you protect His Majesty.’

It was rare for a woman to surprise him, but he found himself fascinated by Adriana. Her full mouth drew his attention, and her scent reminded him of aromatic spices, like a heady mulled wine.

‘Men are often distracted by a woman,’ she said. ‘Just as you were.’

‘You are a distraction,’ he agreed. Her expression shifted, and he saw the wariness in her eyes. She wanted nothing from him; that much was evident.

Stepping back, he asked, ‘What if your enemy overpowered you? Your strength would be no match for an attacker’s.’

‘I rely on myself. And I protect the princess when there is need of my blade.’ She squared her shoulders and removed his cloak. ‘Take this back. You’ll be cold.’

‘It’s far colder than this in my homeland. I’m accustomed to it.’ He nodded toward the aft side of the ship. ‘Are you wanting me to escort you back to the princess?’

‘Not yet.’ Lady Adriana took a deep breath. ‘She gave me leave to do as I please for the next hour. I’ll go back soon enough.’ She donned his cloak once more, and the wind buffeted the sails, the sky turning ominous. Within minutes, the rain began to fall. The change in the weather was enough to send the count away from his pursuit. The lady lifted her face to the droplets, smiling wryly. ‘Isn’t it my ill luck to have rain during the only moments of freedom I’ve had?’

Liam ignored the rain and studied the waves. The seawater reflected the grey skies, and as they continued eastward, the waves were rising. ‘You should go below, a chara. The storm is going to get worse.’ Already the oarsmen were fighting the winds, their arms straining to keep control of the ship.

As if in response to his warning, the vessel lurched, and Adriana went flying. Liam caught her before her head could hit the deck, and he steadied her on her feet. ‘Are you all right?’ She nodded, but he kept her hands at her waist for balance. ‘You need to go back to the princess. I wouldn’t want you to be swept overboard.’

Her face had gone pale, and she glanced out at the waves. ‘How far are we from land?’

‘Don’t think about that now.’ Aye, it was likely that if the ship capsized, they might drown. Liam was a fair enough swimmer, but it was spring and the water would be uncomfortably cold.

Adriana removed his cloak and handed it to him. ‘Take me back to the princess.’ Liam donned the garment and walked behind her as she returned to the princess’s tiny chamber.

‘Stay with Her Royal Highness,’ Liam said. ‘And tell her not to be afraid.’ Even as he spoke the words, he knew they were unconvincing. He was struggling to remain on his feet, and when the ship tossed again, Adriana struck the wall hard.

She rubbed her shoulders, wincing at the pain. ‘I’ll be all right,’ she said before he could ask. ‘But promise me something.’

Liam rested his hand against the wall for balance. Adriana stood only inches away, her dark hair resting over the shoulder of her crimson gown. He waited for her to speak, though his gaze was caught by her lips and soft skin.

‘If the ship is going to sink, I want to know. We may lose the king’s treasure for the Crusade, but I don’t want him to lose his bride.’ She knew, as he did, that this ship was one of two that held the king’s gold and treasure to fund the Crusade.

‘If the storm seizes the ship, I’ll do what I can to help the sailors,’ he said.

Adriana dipped her head in a nod. ‘What is your name?’

‘Liam MacEgan.’

She studied him, and her expression held doubt. ‘You’re not like the other men I’ve seen aboard this ship.’

‘Why?’

‘You don’t behave as though you serve the king. You carry yourself like an equal.’

‘Perhaps I am his equal,’ he said in a low voice.

Though her gaze said she didn’t quite believe him, there was enough hesitancy in her face to suggest that she knew he was not as he seemed to be.

‘I’ll come for you if the storm worsens,’ he promised. Lifting her gloved hand, he pressed his mouth upon it. ‘Guard your princess. And I’ll guard you.’

But the worry didn’t dim in her eyes. If the storm worsened, as he suspected it would, there was a very real chance that all of them would die.

All through the night, Berengaria clung to her bed, praying. She hadn’t slept at all, but she clenched the gold-and-ruby-encrusted cross necklace Richard had sent as a gift. Though she’d given him her own token, she didn’t know if he valued it in the same way. Her fingers ran along the edges of the jewels, as if they held the warmth of Richard’s hands.

She still couldn’t believe he had asked for her hand in marriage. Within a matter of months, her life had been utterly changed. Queen Eleanor had escorted her to Sicily, and later, the king’s sister, Queen Joan of Sicily, had joined their party as her new companion while Eleanor returned home. The months of travelling were gruelling, but Berengaria’s greatest fear was seeing Richard again.

Her predication had come back to haunt her: You aren’t my betrothed husband and never will be.

How wrong she’d been. Her father had seized the marriage offer from Richard, leaving Berengaria to wonder whether it was Queen Eleanor’s idea…or Richard’s. She’d been unable to stop thinking about the stolen kiss in the garden. He’d awakened such feelings within her, tremulous thoughts that made her blood quicken.

On their arrival in Sicily, he’d stood awaiting the ship. And later that day, he’d arranged for a private meal with her.

‘For once, I can make a royal alliance that pleases me,’ he’d said.

Though Berengaria wanted to believe him, her doubts held strong. The table was set so that her chair was at his left, and during the meal, he’d touched her hand several times.

‘My lord, why? There are dozens of princesses who would make a stronger alliance for you. Some wealthier than I.’

‘It’s true that your dowry will help our Crusade. I won’t lie about that.’ He kissed the knuckles of her hand. ‘But I remembered you, long after our ways parted. I wanted you then, just as I do now.’

Her nerves tightened as Richard pulled her to stand. He remained in his chair, his hands sliding about her waist as he drew her to sit on his knee. He was taller than most men, and it brought her face even to his. ‘Was I wrong to ask you to wed?’

His steel eyes held hers, and she shook her head. ‘I don’t suppose a marriage with you would be any different than any other king.’

‘It would, ma chère. And you know this already.’ He brought his hand to caress her cheek. ‘I prefer a wife who can speak her mind. One who desires me, as much as I want her.’ His fingers stopped at her chin. ‘I demand your honesty, Berengaria. Is it your will to be my bride?’

She covered his hand with her own. ‘I’ve never been permitted to choose my husband.’ Fear trebled her heartbeat as she lifted her face to his. ‘But although you intimidate me, there is no other man I’ve wanted.’

His mouth curved in a smile. ‘Were it not Lent, I would wed you this day.’ He brushed a light kiss against her mouth, and she shivered at the sudden rise of heat within her. ‘As it is, we’ll wait until after Easter and marry before I bring you to Acre.’

She wasn’t looking forward to their travels to the Holy Land. Though she understood that this Crusade meant everything to him, she knew that as his queen, she would be the target of assassins.

‘I’ve never been so far from Navarre before,’ she admitted. ‘And I can’t say that I wish to live so close to the war.’

His face hardened. ‘You doubt my ability to keep you safe?’

‘No. But if you are away fighting—’

‘I protect what belongs to me,’ he asserted. Taking her hand, he led her away from her ladies and his attendants. A tall Oriental screen, decorated with flowers and birds, stood in the corner. Richard took her behind it, giving them what privacy he could.

‘Berengaria,’ he whispered, framing her face with his hands. ‘From the first moment I saw you, you cast a spell over me.’ His hands slid down her cheeks, and the caress made her breath catch. When she touched his hands with hers, he leaned in for a kiss.

Just as before, the brush of his mouth was searching, kindling a response that she didn’t understand. He drew her against the far wall, the wood pressing against her spine as his mouth moved away from her lips, down to her throat.

‘There’s no reason for you to be afraid,’ he said against her skin. ‘Not of the Saracens. And not of me.’

She ventured a shaky smile, catching his hands. ‘I can’t stop my fear. Whenever I’m near you, I can hardly breathe.’

He moved in, pulling her hips to his. ‘That isn’t fear, ma chère. It’s desire.’ His mouth moved to her throat, kissing her softly. ‘I don’t want you to breathe. I want to possess every part of you. And were it not a sin, I would claim you tonight.

‘We’ll wed in the Holy Land,’ he swore. With another smile, he added, ‘You’ll have to travel on a different ship than me, Berengaria. Otherwise, I won’t be able to keep my hands from you.’ He stole another soft kiss and released her. He brought her the gold-and-ruby-encrusted cross necklace, fastening it around her throat. ‘Take this token, and think of me when you’re asleep at night.’

Berengaria held on to the necklace, tracing the rough gold. The ship heaved in the water, and she gripped her skirts, terrified of being flung across the room.

‘Are we going to die?’ she whispered to her lady-in-waiting, Adriana.

The young woman came and gripped her hand. ‘The king’s man assured me that he would let us know if we were in danger. It’s just a bad storm.’

Though Berengaria wanted to believe it, instinct told her otherwise. The king’s sister, Queen Joan, reached for a strand of rosary beads, dropping to her knees in prayer.

A loud knocking resounded at the door, and her gaze snapped toward the sound. Adriana hurried to answer it, and a tall man stood at the entrance. He had dark blond hair and grey eyes, and he wore a black cloak fastened with a brooch the size of her palm.

‘My lord MacEgan?’ Adriana addressed the man.

Berengaria saw the look that passed between them, and it escalated her fear. ‘Are we going to sink?’ she interrupted.

‘We’re near the coast of Cyprus,’ MacEgan said. ‘The captain is going to divert the ship towards the shore, so that if the worst happens—’

‘—we can swim to the shore,’ Berengaria finished.

She turned away from them, her eyes burning. She couldn’t swim at all. If the ship capsized or sank, she was going to die. Her hand clenched into a fist around the necklace, and she tried to quell the terror that rose up inside.

Then, a loud cracking noise resounded, and the ship tipped violently.

It was less than an hour before water came pouring within the ship. Adriana’s feet were soaked, and she left Berengaria with the king’s sister while she went in search of MacEgan.

He’d kept his word, and she trusted that he would tell her the truth. She saw him rowing alongside the other sailors, his arms straining against the oars as the men fought against the sea’s power. Adriana took one of the ropes and wound it around her arm as she moved forward. On one side of the ship, she saw half a dozen men bailing water with buckets.

As soon as he saw her standing there, MacEgan yelled at one of the men to take his place at the oars. He fought his way toward her and gripped another rope to hold his balance.

‘I told you to stay with the princess!’ he yelled over the roar of the storm.

Adriana’s arm wrenched with the motion of the rope, and MacEgan pulled her back, unfastening the rope and guiding her to him. His grey eyes glared at hers. ‘You could have been tossed overboard.’

‘We’re going to die anyway, aren’t we?’ Her hands were shaking, her clothing soaked from the rain and the seawater.

Liam kept her in his arms, warming her shoulders. ‘Not if I can help it.’ He nodded outside. ‘We’re only a few miles from the shore.’

‘And we’re sinking.’ She gripped his shirt, her feet frigid in the cold water. ‘We don’t have time to reach land.’

He kept his hands around her waist, and she made no effort to push them away. ‘Listen to me.’ His voice was commanding, reaching inside her to push back the fear. ‘If the worst happens, swim as hard as you can toward the shore. I’ll find you.’

Her hands were shaking, and she felt his arms come around her, as if to offer shelter from her fear. ‘I won’t let anything happen to you,’ he murmured.

Despite the freezing water and rain, there was a steady warmth in his embrace. Her instinct was to trust him, to let herself believe that there was a man whom she could believe in…unlike her father and brothers, who had betrayed her.

‘Now return to the princess and Queen Joan,’ he insisted. ‘And we’ll get as close to the shore as we can.’

She held on to his forearms, as if she could take a piece of his courage with her. Then, unexpectedly, he leaned down and touched his lips to hers. ‘For luck,’ he said.

He left her standing there, while he went back to the others.

The ship was going down. Liam knew it with a surety in his blood, but he’d be damned before he’d let the sea claim him. The vessel shuddered, and it was reaching the breaking point. They couldn’t bail the water out fast enough, and now it was only a matter of time before they abandoned the ship.

He let out a curse as another wave soaked the deck. A moment later, the women appeared, their gowns sodden above the waist. Adriana led them forward, holding Princess Berengaria’s hand. Queen Joan followed behind, gripping a strand of rosary beads.

Liam gathered the women together and pointed toward the shore. ‘We’re doing what we can to stay above water as long as we can. But if the sea takes us, try to make it towards land.’

The princess’s face was white, her hands gripped together. ‘I can’t swim.’

He gave a nod and surveyed the others. ‘What of the rest of you?’

‘I can,’ Adriana said. Queen Joan nodded as well.

‘Try to stay together,’ Liam urged. To the princess, he added, ‘If the ship breaks apart, hold on to the largest piece of wood you can find. It will keep you afloat.’

The vessel started to tip as the lower quarters filled with water. Liam heard their shrieks, and saw Adriana lunge toward one of the younger maids, who was pulled under by the force of the water. She caught the girl’s hand, struggling to hold on, but the sea fought to keep its prey.

‘Adriana, no!’ Berengaria cried out. And then both women disappeared beneath the water.

Chapter Two

Liam fought to catch the women, but it was too late. His lungs burned as he swam underwater, his eyes unable to see them in the darkness. He swept his arms through the water, reaching for them. His fingers touched wood, but no flesh. He dived deeper, kicking hard through the water, and suddenly his hand gripped a length of silk.

He pulled hard, the water fighting against him to drag the woman down. And when at last he managed to bring her head above water, Adriana coughed, her body shaking. He saw that she was still holding the other woman’s hand, and when he pulled the maid above water, she was lifeless, her limbs unmoving.

His efforts to revive the maid met with no success, and Adriana broke down in tears.

‘You tried,’ he said, holding her tightly. ‘Her life was in God’s hands.’

‘I thought I could save her,’ Adriana whispered, her body trembling hard. ‘Before the water took her under. ‘

He let her cry, holding her against him. Her arms embraced him, and strangely, it brought him his own sense of calm. In her courage, he saw a piece of himself. She’d gone after the young maid with no fear, never minding that she’d nearly lost her own life in the effort.

Liam helped bring Adriana to the side of the ship. Berengaria gripped a large rope, but terror lingered in her eyes. ‘When the water fills the remainder of the lower chambers, the ship may split in half,’ he told her. ‘If that happens, be ready to let go of the rope or you might be pulled under. Hold on to any piece of the deck you can find.’ The princess’s face was white with fear, and Adriana took her place at Berengaria’s side, Queen Joan at the other.

‘MacEgan,’ came Adriana’s voice softly. He looked into her dark eyes, and she steadied herself. ‘You saved my life.’

‘I kept my promise,’ he answered, ‘to let nothing happen to you.’ But even so, the sea had claimed one life. He only prayed it would be the last.

Within minutes, Berengaria watched in horror as the ship split apart, the wood fragmenting beneath her feet. She held fast to the side of the boat, but she was plunged into the frigid water without warning. Her head went below the surface and she tasted salt.

She struggled, trying not to panic, when an arm caught her waist and forced her above the surface. She took a deep breath, and saw MacEgan holding her. He swam away from the wreckage, guiding her toward a large section of the ship. ‘Hold this,’ he ordered. Her fingers dug into the wooden surface, and she gripped it with all her strength. Then Adriana joined her, while Joan floated on a piece of wood further away.

She lost track of time, but Adriana never left her side. Her lady-in-waiting fought to swim with the current, bringing them closer to shore. From time to time, Liam adjusted their direction, swimming alongside them. Though he ensured that each of the women were safe, Berengaria didn’t miss the way he was watching Adriana. There was an intensity in his eyes, as though the young lady meant something to him.

Her heart faltered, for Richard had looked at her that way on the first day they’d met. Sometimes a single flicker of interest was all that was needed to give rise to the seedling of love.

Will I see him again? she wondered. She rested her head against the wood, her body exhausted from the immense force of the storm. Along the edge of the sea, the sky had grown lighter, the rose of dawn painting the edge of the grey water. And after endless hours, her feet touched the sand.

An unexpected laugh broke forth, and she beamed at her lady-in-waiting. ‘Adriana, we’re going to live.’ They struggled towards the shore, their skirts weighing them down, while Liam escorted them forward.

The storm had ceased, and pieces of blue sky broke through the clouds. The waves had grown calmer, though Berengaria still struggled to keep her balance in the waist-high water. Ahead, she saw the Count of Berduria, who had reached the sandy beach before any of them.

Within moments, men on horseback emerged along the shoreline, their armour gleaming in the sunlight. Liam drew close to the women. ‘Don’t trust them,’ he warned. ‘We don’t know anything about the Cypriots.’

Berengaria’s smile faded, and the chill of the water made her nerves grow uneasy. A few yards away, Queen Joan was walking out of the water towards the shore.

‘Do not tell them who you are,’ Liam warned, but the young woman made no indication that she’d heard him.

He started to move toward the queen, but Adriana caught his arm. ‘Be careful, MacEgan.’

His grey eyes studied hers, and he covered her hand with his. ‘Wait here.’

He made his way towards Joan, and Berengaria eyed Adriana. ‘He means something to you, doesn’t he?’

Adriana didn’t answer, nor did she pull her gaze away from MacEgan. ‘I only met him a day ago. And yet it feels like far longer.’

‘He is handsome,’ Berengaria admitted, ‘but not as handsome as Richard.’ Her voice held more melancholy than she’d intended. Inwardly, she worried that she would not see the king again. She might die a maiden, before ever becoming a bride.

‘Were it not for him, I would have drowned,’ Adriana whispered.

Berengaria took her lady’s hand in hers, and they walked together towards the shoreline. Although MacEgan was trying to bring Queen Joan closer to them, she ignored him and kept walking away.

The Count of Berduria had reached the men and was speaking to them. Although they remained mounted, Adriana tensed.

‘Something’s wrong,’ she predicted. Her hand went to her leg, where Berengaria knew her lady-in-waiting kept a knife. ‘MacEgan was right. Stay close to me.’

She didn’t understand what bothered Adriana so, and when she asked, the woman replied, ‘If you saw a shipwreck, wouldn’t you try to help the survivors? These men are only watching.’

With a glance behind her, Berengaria saw that three other ships had also been blown off course and were anchored less than a mile from the shore. ‘Should we try to reach those ships?’

‘Not yet.’

Both of them watched as the count spoke to the men. His tone held arrogance, but Berengaria thought she heard him speaking Greek to the men. Queen Joan had already reached the shore and was preparing to join the count. The woman marched forward, her bearing filled with pride. The count pointed to her, and then to Berengaria and Adriana.

‘Don’t tell them,’ Adriana whispered, as if pleading for the man to remain silent.

But it was too late. To her horror, one of the armed men unsheathed his sword and plunged it into the count’s chest. The nobleman sank to his knees, falling against the sand while his lifeblood spilled out.

Saints deliver us. Berengaria covered her mouth, shocked by what she’d just seen. Queen Joan grasped her skirts and fled back to the water. Liam called out for her to come toward them, and he reached them a moment later.

Berengaria couldn’t stop from shaking, and from the gleam in the soldiers’ eyes, she didn’t know if she would become a prisoner or die the moment she emerged from the water.

‘The count told them who you are,’ he said grimly. ‘Our best hope is that they take you hostage.’

But Berengaria knew that MacEgan’s life was in greater danger than her own. Already these men had killed the count, so it was clear they had no use for the men. ‘You need to swim hard towards the other three ships anchored off the coast,’ she ordered. ‘If you reach one of them, you can sail back and alert Richard.’

‘I can’t leave you here alone.’

The horsemen started to ride forward, and their time was running out. ‘You must,’ Berengaria insisted. ‘If what you say is true, then they won’t kill us because they’ll want to use our lives to bargain with Richard. If you stay, your fate will be the same as the count’s.’

His face hardened, but she saw her words were breaking through to him. ‘Go, MacEgan. I am commanding you, as your future queen.’

An unnamed expression crossed his face, and she remembered that he was Irish, not English. Correcting herself, she added, ‘Please. Go to Richard.’

Before he could move, the soldiers charged forward with their horses. Armed men surrounded them, with spears and swords raised as a visible threat. Berengaria held her breath, not knowing what to do now. The soldiers reached for MacEgan, but he made no effort to fight.

In the Norman tongue, he commanded, ‘Obey their orders.’ His eyes met Adriana’s, and she saw the softer assurance within them. ‘I’ll return to you. I swear it.’

MacEgan moved so fast, Berengaria barely had time to get out of the way. It took only seconds for him to drag a soldier down from his horse, smashing his fist into the man’s face. When a second man tried to stab him with a spear, MacEgan grasped the weapon, twisting it free of the soldier’s hands. Now armed, he seized the first soldier’s horse and rode the animal hard along the shoreline, forcing the others to follow. Three men remained behind with her and Adriana, one of them seizing Queen Joan.

Berengaria held her breath as MacEgan reached the deeper water. He stood on the horse’s back and dived into the waves, disappearing from view. Adriana clung to her, hot tears breaking free.

‘Don’t be afraid,’ Berengaria whispered to her lady-in-waiting. ‘I believe him. He’ll find a way to send a rescue.’

But when they didn’t see him resurface above the waves, she feared the worst.

The Isle of Rhodes, April 22, 1191

‘Where are they, Sir Bernard?’ King Richard demanded.

The knight’s face paled. ‘We—we don’t know, Your Majesty. There are twenty-five ships missing, and unfortunately, Princess Berengaria’s was among them.’ He lowered his head in regret. ‘We believe the storm may have blown them off course.’

‘There were two hundred and nineteen ships, Bernard.’ Richard fought to keep his temper under control. ‘And you mean to tell me that not one of them saw where Berengaria’s ship disappeared?’

‘I’m sorry, Your Majesty. But we’ll send out ships to search for your bride—’

‘Out,’ Richard ordered, pointing towards the door. The knight fled, like the coward he was. Right now, Richard’s temper was about to break loose. Crete and Rhodes were meant to be rendezvous points, where they would stop for a few days en route to Acre. But his betrothed wife wasn’t on either island.

She might be dead, her body resting at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. He expelled a breath, imagining Berengaria’s dark hair, her lovely eyes and form. He’d been looking forward to marrying her, understanding what sort of woman lay behind the unbridled honesty. He hardly knew her at all, but her spirit intrigued him.

Outside, the sky was clear, the sun bright and warm. The deep azure water nestled against white sand, an idyllic place to walk with a lover. He traced the emerald ring that lay upon his smallest finger. She’d given it to him in Sicily, a token that had aroused strong memories of the night he’d first taken it from her. Seeing it now only fuelled his anger. He would find her, no matter how long it took. She belonged to him.

He gestured for a servant to summon one of the ships’ captains. If no one could find the women or the ships containing the treasures for his Crusade, he would stop on every island en route to Syria.

But when the captain arrived, he bowed and pleaded, ‘Your Majesty, we have news of the princess.’

Moments later, the Irish prince, Liam MacEgan, emerged from among the men. The man looked as though he hadn’t slept in days, and bloodstains marred his face.

‘They are at Cyprus, Your Majesty.’ MacEgan drew closer, lowering his voice so that only Richard could hear. ‘Soldiers took the women captive.’

‘Come.’ Richard wanted no other men to hear what MacEgan had to reveal. He brought the man within his chamber and ordered, ‘Tell me what you know.’

‘The Cypriots murdered the Count of Berduria,’ the Irishman explained. ‘Afterwards, Princess Berengaria bade me to seek help, so I swam to one of the ships nearby, and we sailed west. We found your galleys here.’

Richard’s gaze narrowed. ‘You left the women unguarded.’

MacEgan met his gaze with no fear. ‘Your bride gave me a direct order to seek help. Would you have me disobey her?’

‘If her life is harmed in any way, I’ll take yours.’ Richard used his height to his advantage, staring down at the Irish prince.

MacEgan didn’t back down, but chose his words carefully. ‘The women will be safe enough. The princess’s lady-in-waiting is as good as any trained guard. I’ve seen it myself.’

Though Richard didn’t like it, he didn’t doubt that Isaac Ducas Comnenus, the Emperor of Cyprus, would want to use Berengaria to further his own purpose. The man was allied with Saladin, and it was rumoured that they had drunk each other’s blood, as an oath of loyalty.

The idea of his betrothed wife falling into the hands of the emperor was unthinkable. Richard stared hard at MacEgan.

‘Tell no one that Berengaria and the queen were taken captive,’ Richard warned. If anyone learned that his betrothed wife was in the custody of the enemy, they would believe that she’d been violated, whether or not it was true. He wanted nothing to threaten their marriage alliance.

‘Let them believe that Berengaria and the queen remained on board one of the other ships. Tell them that the emperor invited them to disembark, but they refused.’

MacEgan nodded, understanding the implications. ‘No one will know.’

‘I will send you with a group of men to attack the coast of Cyprus. Find the women, and bring them back to me alive.’

Richard returned to his place by the window, dismissing MacEgan. His gaze fixated upon the sea. If Isaac Comnenus had threatened Berengaria in any way…God help the man. For Richard would tear him apart.

Limassol, Cyprus, May 1191

Nearly three weeks had passed, and there was no sign of Liam MacEgan or the king. Adriana had seen the princess’s hope fading from her eyes, as they realised that they would remain prisoners of the emperor. Although Isaac Comnenus had not bound them in chains, they were locked in a chamber guarded inside and out. There was no privacy at all, and though she tried to shield the princess from the humiliation, there was little Adriana could do. The guards cast lots for the right to guard the interior of the chamber where they hoped to catch a glimpse of them.

Queen Joan never stopped complaining. From the moment they’d been taken captive, she’d made outrageous demands, for which the emperor had mocked her. When she’d insisted upon softer beds, he’d sent her a length of silk, removing the only mattress in the room. That night, they’d huddled together on a wooden floor, with nothing but the silk.

Joan had refused to humble herself, and they’d endured weeks of stale food and uncomfortable living conditions. But it was the princess who concerned Adriana the most. Berengaria had grown so thin over the weeks, her face pale while she stared for hours on end at the sea outside their barred window.

‘We’re not going to be rescued, are we?’ she whispered. ‘The crusaders who came on those ships…they’re dead, aren’t they?’

The remaining two ships had arrived only hours after their imprisonment, but the emperor had seized control of them, taking the king’s treasure and murdering the men. From their window, they’d seen the bodies of the crusaders, displayed like bloody prizes of war.

Adriana tried to reassure the princess. ‘The emperor knows Richard will come. He wouldn’t bother with guarding the shore otherwise.’ She crossed the small room and pointed to the hills where the Cypriots were bringing down carts filled with wood and stone. Over the next few hours, the men set out large stones, chests, doors of wood and all manner of building materials to fortify the beach.

One of their guards stepped in front of the window, barring their view. Though he could not speak their language, his message was clear. Adriana hesitated before moving back, sending him a slight smile as she withdrew.

The distraction was enough, and she stole his curved knife, hiding it behind her back. If the Cypriots were preparing for battle, it meant that an invasion was imminent.

The door to their chamber swung open, and a young maiden appeared, trailed by two of her ladies. She gave a sharp order to the guards, and they obeyed the command, leaving the room. In heavily accented French, she said, ‘I have been ordered to bring the princess and the queen to my father.’ Adriana remained against the wall for a moment, slipping the guard’s curved blade beneath the girdle at her waist, just behind her back. Neither Joan nor Berengaria moved forward, but while the guard was focused upon the noblewomen, Adriana donned the princess’s cloak to hide the knife.

‘Why does he want to see us?’ Berengaria asked, her voice calm. But Adriana knew that the soft voice hid the young woman’s fears. All of them knew that they had been kept alive only to be used as hostages…or worse.

The young girl shook her head. ‘I do not know.’ She wrinkled her nose when they drew closer and added, ‘I will arrange for you to bathe and refresh yourselves before you are presented to him.’

Berengaria cast a worried look back at her, but Adriana nodded. The girl’s offer was made in good faith. To the princess, she said, ‘If they intended to kill us, they would not bother with the way we look now.’

‘That’s what I am afraid of,’ Berengaria said.

She closed her eyes, and Adriana went to her side. ‘He probably wants to prove to Richard that we are well, despite the captivity.’

Berengaria reached for her hand and Adriana took it. As they followed the girl down the winding stairs, she took them into a walled garden. The warmth of the sun and the lush fragrance of jasmine flowers lifted her spirits, though she was more reassured by the weapon she’d hidden.

As the girl brought them up another set of stone stairs, Adriana drew Berengaria to a stop and pointed towards the sea. There, she spied the sails of nearly a hundred ships.

‘They’ve found us,’ Berengaria breathed with thankfulness.

Adriana wondered if Liam MacEgan had alerted the king. Or whether he was still alive. She remembered the light kiss he’d stolen for luck, and the memory darkened her heart with regret. The handsome Irishman had been like no other man she’d met. Brave and strong, he was one she’d wanted to know better.

When the young girl took them within her own chambers, she arranged for them to bathe in privacy and offered them clothing in the Cyprian style. Though Berengaria refused to wear the foreign garments, Adriana agreed to try them. The soft diaphanous fabric was like nothing she’d ever felt against her skin. She wore a cream-coloured anteri tunic and soft salvar trousers. Though it was strange, not to be wearing skirts, she liked the clothing.

‘You must feel like a concubine,’ Berengaria teased. ‘I can’t imagine wearing clothes like that.’

Queen Joan stiffened, smoothing her own silk gown. ‘I prefer not to look like a savage.’

The princess’s mood dimmed at Joan’s words. Adriana adjusted a fold of her clothing and admitted, ‘It’s more comfortable than what we were wearing earlier.’ But she had other reasons for wearing the new clothes. If she needed to defend the princess against an attack, the lighter trousers gave her more freedom of movement.

The girl led them from her chamber to a large, open pavilion. The sun had grown hotter, and though Adriana tried to see if any of the ships had come closer, the walls were too high to view them.

The emperor awaited them upon a throne inlaid with gold, while servants waved palm branches over his head to provide cooler air.

With the help of a servant who translated, the emperor announced, ‘The invaders have come for you. My men have seized the treasures that were within your ships, and your king must decide which he wants returned to him. His gold…or his bride.’

Berengaria’s face changed, and there was anger within it that Adriana had never seen. The princess stood tall, and whispered in the Norman language, ‘Adriana, when they take us back, I want you to make your escape. Tell the king what has happened to us. Make certain he knows where we are.’

‘I’m not leaving your side,’ she insisted. She couldn’t rely on Joan to protect Berengaria, not when the queen might say something to offend the emperor.

‘They’ll use us for bargaining. But I worry about your life.’ The princess reached out and squeezed her hand. ‘Forgive me, but you have no value to them. They may use you as an example.’

Though Adriana didn’t like it at all, she understood what the princess meant. No doubt Isaac Comnenus would display the queen and princess, using them as leverage to get what he wanted from Richard.

‘I don’t want you to die,’ Berengaria insisted. ‘I’m afraid for you, if you stay.’

Adriana bowed her head in acquiescence, but inwardly she knew if anyone discovered her, she would be killed. Either way, her life was in danger.

Isaac looked displeased with their private conversation, and he ordered his men to separate them. Adriana was dragged away from the princess, who gave her a nod of permission.

As the guard brought her back towards the courtyard, Adriana studied their surroundings, wondering how she could possibly break free. Her gaze settled upon some of the women who had veiled their faces.

And then she knew exactly what to do.

Just before dawn, Liam MacEgan rowed alongside the other men, bringing the smaller boats closer to the shore. The beach was covered with obstructions meant to prevent them from using war horses. It wouldn’t stop Richard, however. Already, several of the smaller boats were within distance that the horses could swim to the shore. Liam’s task was to bring the soldiers close enough to clear a path.

The archers launched a shower of arrows upon the Cypriots, and from the chaos, it was clear that they’d taken them by surprise. When they reached shallow water, Liam unsheathed his sword and charged forward with the others. His blood raced with fear and the thrill of fighting. He’d been trained by his father and uncles since he was old enough to hold a sword, and as he faced his enemy, it soon became clear that these men were not warriors.

Farmers and merchants, they’d been ordered by their emperor to defend the land…but without weapons, they were dying by the hundreds. Liam stopped attacking and moved into a defensive posture. Only if they made the first move would they taste his sword.

As they moved past the enemy, they climbed uphill toward the city. The grey morning light was starting to illuminate the ancient Roman ruins dotting the landscape. Nearer to the centre lay the fortress where Liam suspected the princess and queen were held captive. Adriana would be among them.

The image of her face remained strong within his mind, with her beautiful dark eyes and slim form. She had more courage than any other woman he’d met, for she was a survivor. He’d hated leaving them here, but without Richard knowing their whereabouts, there could be no rescue.

When they reached the fortress, it appeared to be constructed around the ruins of an old basilica. Liam ordered his men to fall back, and they retreated behind one of the stone buildings. He needed to study the defences, to determine the best approach. Aye, they could likely make it through the front gate, but without knowing how many guardsmen were waiting, it could endanger his men unnecessarily.

He lifted his gaze to the upper segment of the fortress, for he suspected the princess and queen were being held in a fortified location. He hadn’t told any of the men about the prisoners, only that they were to seek information about the emperor’s defences. Just when he had decided to lead his men along the outer walls, he heard the sound of a confrontation nearby with men shouting orders.

He gestured for two of the men to follow him while the others retreated along the left side of the fortress. Liam ran lightly, his hand resting upon his sword. Ahead, he spied a veiled woman running through the streets. Two guards pursued her, and it was clear that their speed was overtaking hers. He was torn between helping the woman and remaining focused upon their mission. But when the woman saw them, instead of fleeing, she ran straight towards them.

She didn’t make it. One of the guards grasped her by the veil and jerked her backwards. When the man unsheathed a curved blade, Liam didn’t stop to think, but charged forward, a roar tearing from his mouth. The guard’s attention shifted just long enough for Liam to drive his own sword into the man’s gut.

Shocked eyes met his, but the blade fell from his enemy’s hand and he let go of the woman. When the other guard caught up, he took one look at his fallen companion and fled.

A curse slipped from Liam’s mouth. Their chances of infiltrating the fortress would be gone as soon as the man alerted the others. He sheathed his weapon, and held out his hand to the woman. He couldn’t have been more surprised when she suddenly threw herself into his arms.

Berengaria’s heart beat so fast, she could hardly catch her breath. The emperor had ordered her and Queen Joan bound with silken ropes, and neither of them had slept last night while they awaited Richard’s arrival. From the hundreds of ships that lined the coast, Berengaria had no doubt that the men would come soon.

The question was, what would the emperor do with them, once the king’s men arrived? Though she wanted to believe that Richard cared enough about her to bargain for her life, she didn’t know.

It seemed like almost a dream when she’d seen him last in Sicily. But his kiss lingered with her still. She stared out into the blinding sun, twisting her fingers around the chain of the jewelled cross that hung hidden beneath her gown.

Hours passed, and she ignored the food and drink that were offered to her. From deep within, she reached for courage. If Adriana were there, her lady-in-waiting would offer words of encouragement, insisting that they would be rescued. And though she knew that her friend had managed to escape, using the blade she’d stolen from their guard, she was afraid of what would happen if they caught her. They wouldn’t hesitate to take her life, in return for the men Adriana had wounded. Berengaria closed her eyes, hoping to God that the young woman was still alive.

The noise of battle rose within the air like the rumbling of thunder, and Berengaria’s heart raced as crusaders surrounded the fortress. She lost count of the dozens of armoured men who poured through the gates and tried not to stare at the death and destruction that was happening all around her.

At last, she spied Richard. He was mounted on horseback, fully armed, and his chain mail glinted with gold and silver. Tall and strong, he rode forward, his sword cutting down the men who dared to oppose him. She understood now why they named him Lionheart, for not once did he flinch in battle. When he finally spied her, she couldn’t stop the smile that broke forth. The look in his eyes was filled with relief, and she wanted nothing more than to race forward and fall into his arms.

But something reflected against her eyes, forcing her to look up. It was then that she saw the dozens of archers with their bows drawn…aimed directly at her and Joan.

Chapter Three

Liam kept Adriana close to his side. It hadn’t taken long to find the princess and queen, given Isaac Comnenus’s desire to display them. Richard had responded by bringing the full force of his army to attack Limassol, and his warships had moved into position, surrounding the Isle of Cyprus.

Isaac was going to lose this battle, and he knew it. The only question was whether or not they could rescue Princess Berengaria and Queen Joan in time.

Though Liam didn’t like bringing a woman into battle with him, neither could he leave Adriana behind. She had a blade palmed in her hand, and she remained at his side. Unlike most women, she didn’t cower at the sight of blood or death. Instead her eyes were alert, her body poised to fight if needed.

He’d never met another woman like her. She fascinated him, and when this was over, he intended to pursue her openly.

When they reached the centre of the fortress, Isaac Comnenus had grown pale. Liam suspected that the emperor hadn’t known how vast Richard’s forces were. It had taken only a matter of hours to take Limassol, and now the man’s life lay in the king’s hands.

With the help of a translator, the emperor came forward to speak with Richard. ‘An invasion was not necessary. We could have negotiated a truce between us.’

Liam saw the king’s mouth twitch, as if Richard were struggling to hold back his temper. ‘And why would I seek to negotiate with a man who seized my betrothed wife and my sister, stealing our treasures and murdering my soldiers?’ He gestured for two dozen of his men to come forward, surrounding the king.

‘If I signal my archers, your women will die,’ the emperor responded.

‘If you harm them, so shall your daughter die.’ Richard nodded towards the back of the fortress where several soldiers held a young girl captive. She was sobbing with fear, knowing that her life lay in the soldiers’ hands.

The emperor’s face reddened with fury. And then, when he gave a signal, Liam glanced up to see the archers poised. Adriana wrenched the shield free of his arms, and he watched in horror as she threw herself in front of the princess and queen. Half a dozen arrows embedded within the wood, and Liam followed her lead, seizing another shield to protect Berengaria and Joan.

God above, Adriana could have been killed. She hadn’t hesitated to offer her life for the princess’s, and he hadn’t known how it would feel to see her in such danger. Both of them held their shields steady, protecting the women.

Arrows shot through the sky, taking down the emperor’s archers, until at last the fighting ceased within the fortress. Isaac was now the king’s prisoner, and Richard had taken possession of Cyprus.

‘Don’t move,’ Liam ordered Adriana. ‘This isn’t over yet.’

She ventured an unsteady smile. ‘I’ll be glad when it is.’

‘Your Majesty,’ the emperor begged, ‘I wish there to be peace between us. As compensation for your losses, I will offer twenty thousand gold marks. In addition, I offer my only daughter as your hostage and I will join my men with yours to fight on Crusade.’

Soldiers gripped Isaac’s arms, and Richard moved in, towering above the man. ‘We will discuss the terms later.’

‘Not in irons, Your Majesty. I beg of you, do not place me in irons.’

A strange smile came over the king’s face when he unsheathed a dagger at his waist, slashing through the silk bonds of Berengaria and Joan. ‘As you will,’ he agreed. And when the emperor had been taken into custody, Richard flashed a smile to his knights. ‘Have his chains made of silver.’

The king moved forward and Liam drew back with Adriana. Her body relaxed against him, and he held her near as Richard took Berengaria into his arms, kissing her. The warmth of Adriana, the softness of her hair against his cheek, felt right. And when she touched her fingertips to her own lips, he wondered if her thoughts mirrored his own.

The next day, Berengaria’s stomach felt like a thousand wings were fluttering inside it. Adriana had spent hours helping her to bathe, dressing her in a gown of blue silk embroidered in silver. Her hair was parted in the centre with a transparent veil of the same length, covering it in the style of a mantilla. Upon her head rested a diadem with several bands of jewels and fleurs-de-lis with enough foliage to resemble a double crown. At her throat, she’d chosen to wear the ruby-encrusted cross that Richard had given. And as a gift to her future husband, she’d given a gold belt inlaid with jewels.

‘You look beautiful,’ Adriana pronounced, stepping back to arrange Berengaria’s train. Soon, it was time for her to join the king.

When she saw Richard riding to greet her at the chapel of St George, Berengaria couldn’t stop her smile. His Spanish steed had a bejewelled golden saddle with two lions upon it, and the horse’s bit was also made of gold. He looked so handsome wearing a satin rose tunic bound by the golden belt she’d given him, while a striped silver tissue mantle rested about his shoulders. A silver sheath encased his sword of Damascus steel with a golden hilt.

Upon his head he wore a scarlet bonnet, brocaded in gold, with figures of animals. As he dismounted, he walked forward with a truncheon in one hand to show his power over the Cypriots. His reddish-gold hair glinted in the bright sun, while in the distance, the sea gleamed like a sapphire.

As he took her hand in his, her heart filled up with happiness. No other man had ever made her feel this way, and she couldn’t have dreamed of a more beautiful island to be married upon. The warm air held the deep scent of jasmine from the vines growing up the stone walls.

I could love him, she realised. And from the answering look on his face, she felt honoured to be his wife.

After they spoke their vows, the Bishop of Evreaux offered blessings upon them and finished the mass. Berengaria took Richard’s arm, and she was then anointed and crowned Queen of England and of Cyprus.

The cheers of the men resonated throughout the old fortress, but Berengaria didn’t care about her new title. She had eyes only for the man who had rescued her from harm, the one who took her hands in his.

‘I’m glad you didn’t have to wear chain-mail armour to our wedding,’ she teased. Richard leaned in and stole a kiss, drawing her close. The warmth of his mouth and the eagerness of his passion made her cling to him as though he could steady the beating of her pulse.

‘I would wear sackcloth and ashes, if it meant having you as my bride,’ he answered. His hands moved over her spine, as if he couldn’t wait to touch her in the privacy of their chamber.

‘All my life, I’ve never been allowed to choose anything for myself,’ Berengaria admitted. ‘Having you as my husband is a gift I never expected. But had I been given a choice, it would have been you.’

Richard grasped her waist, and he lifted her up until her face met his. All around them, she heard the sounds of celebration, the feasting and drinking…and the laughter of their people.

‘It won’t be easy when we journey to the Holy Land,’ Richard admitted. ‘But now that God has given you back to me, I must complete the vow I’ve made.’

She touched his face with her hands. ‘And no matter what comes, we’ll be together.’

The moon hung bright in the sky, and Adriana walked barefoot, with Liam’s hand in hers. She carried her shoes in her other hand, revelling in the intimate feel of the silken sand against her soles.

They walked in silence for long moments, until Liam led her up the side of a hill. In the distance, he pointed to a large rock rising from the sea.

‘A legend says that the goddess Aphrodite rose from the sea, near that stone.’

‘The goddess of love,’ she murmured quietly, sitting back against the grasses.

Liam joined her, and the look in his eyes made her shiver. ‘She wouldn’t compare to you.’ His hand moved up to push a lock of her hair aside, and Adriana felt her blood rising like the tide of the sea.

He laid her back against the grass, his hands resting against her wrists. ‘The first kiss I gave you wasn’t the one I wanted to claim.’

‘Then show me what you wanted,’ Adriana bade him.

When he kissed her, the first touch of his mouth was like a fire she’d never before tasted. His hungry lips plundered hers until she could no longer catch her breath. With his tongue, he tasted the softness of her mouth, inviting her to open for him. And when he invaded the softness of her mouth, her body responded with need.

His hands moved over her shoulders, down to her waist, and when his body moved atop hers, she felt the length of his desire.

‘Who are you, Liam MacEgan?’ she murmured against his mouth. ‘You’re like no one I’ve met before.’

‘A man who desires you more than anything in this world.’ He rolled onto his side, and her legs twined with his. She didn’t care that this was improper, for there was no one to see. Her own family had sold her into the princess’s service, and their betrayal left an emptiness inside her. But Liam had filled up the loneliness, offering a hope she’d never expected.

She lifted her arms around his neck, pressing her breasts against his firm chest. ‘When we reach the Holy Land, you’ll be gone from me.’

‘I’ll fight for a time,’ he admitted, ‘but I’ll not let you go.’ He bent and took her mouth again, coaxing her to cast aside her inhibitions and take him as her lover.

‘You’ll go back to Ireland when this is over,’ she said, ‘and I’ll remain with Queen Berengaria.’ She didn’t like to think of it, though she knew there was no other choice.

‘If it is your will, I can take you with me, back to my homeland.’ He rested his cheek against hers, pulling her into a tight embrace. The confidence in his voice, the assurance that the king and queen would follow his own wishes, struck her as impossible.

But Liam MacEgan had never behaved like the king’s servant. And the more she thought of it, Richard had never treated him as such.

‘You’re not a merchant or a serf, are you?’ she ventured. ‘You’re more than a warrior.’

‘Does it matter who I am?’

‘I wouldn’t care if you were a beggar,’ she admitted. ‘I would take you for the man you are.’

‘And what if I were a prince?’ He raised up, touching her shoulder as his grey eyes stared into hers. ‘Would that bother you?’

In his face, she saw a sudden tension. It was true, she realised. This man was not a commoner, but a man of royalty…just as Richard was.

‘It would only bother me if you left me behind,’ she said softly. ‘I want to know the man you are.’

He sat up and brought her into his lap, holding her close to stare out at the sea. ‘My father is King of Laochre, a small kingdom within Ireland. Not a High King,’ he admitted. ‘But I have responsibilities to our people. I came seeking an adventure.’ He brushed a kiss against her temple. ‘But instead I found you.’

She laughed softly. ‘If the past few weeks are any evidence, every day with you will be an adventure.’

‘But I’ll keep you safe,’ he offered. ‘I give you my solemn promise.’

She lifted her mouth to his, giving him the answer hidden inside her. And when he enfolded her in his arms, she could imagine nothing but a future with him…the prince of her heart.

Author Note

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. When I began researching the story of King Richard I and Berengaria, the journey towards their wedding day had all the elements of an adventure. A shipwreck, crusaders being captured, and the King himself overthrowing the ruler of Cyprus to rescue his bride… It was enormously entertaining to research the true-life details.

It is widely believed that Richard was introduced to Berengaria years before they were married, and that there was an attraction between them. However, my sources could not quite pinpoint the exact year when he visited Navarre. I have taken a slight historical licence in predicting the year when he might have met her. Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine did bring Berengaria to Sicily to meet with Richard and to arrange their betrothal. Richard caused a controversy with King Philip II of France when he set aside his betrothal with Alys, the King’s sister. Alys was the ward of Richard’s father, King Henry II, and it is rumoured that Henry seduced her and that she bore him a child. Richard did not want to offend Philip; but neither did he wish to wed his father’s mistress.

Richard set off from Sicily to go on Crusade with over two hundred ships. A storm blew some twenty-five ships off course, one of them containing the King’s future bride Berengaria and the King’s sister Queen Joan of Sicily. It took some time to track down the missing ships, and they later learned that the vessels were wrecked off the coast of Cyprus.

Many sources stated that Berengaria and Joan remained on board their ship and refused to disembark when invited by the Emperor of Cyprus, Isaac Comnenus. I did take historical licence in this story by having them taken captive by the Emperor—as was the case with several shipwrecked crusaders who became the emperor’s prisoners.

Richard did lead an attack upon the island and successfully took Cyprus. The Emperor sued for peace, offering twenty thousand gold marks and his own daughter as the King’s hostage. In return, Isaac begged the King not to place him in irons. Richard agreed, and then had special silver chains made for the King, in order to keep his ‘promise’.

Richard and Berengaria’s marriage, unfortunately, did not have a happy ending. Their separation due to war and the King’s captivity made it a childless marriage. In addition, historians argue over whether or not Richard was bisexual. Berengaria is known as the only Queen never to set foot upon English soil while her husband was King.

The character of Liam MacEgan is the eldest son of King Patrick of Laochre from my MacEgan Brothers series. You can learn more about the MacEgan books by visiting my website at: www.michellewillingham.com. I love to hear from readers and you may e-mail me at michelle@michellewillingham.com or by mail at PO Box 2242 Poquoson, VA 23662 USA.

For further reading, my sources for this story included: Richard the Lionheart: King and Knight by Jean Flori; Richard I by John Gillingham in the Yale English Monarchs series; Lives of the Queens of England From the Norman Conquest with Anecdotes of their Courts by Agnes and Elizabeth Strickland; The Crusade of Richard I 1189-92, selected and arranged by T.A. Archer, in the ‘English History by Contemporary Writers’ series.

Michelle Willingham

On April 29th 2011 the world will be waiting with bated breath for Prince William and Kate Middleton to say ‘I do’!

The bells at Westminster Abbey are chiming, the carriage is waiting and THE dress has finally been unveiled… So join Her Majesty by dusting off your best hat as you prepare for the wedding of the decade!

To celebrate this historic event, Mills & Boon have created a special ebook collection:

Royal Weddings

…through the ages

Read about the future king’s ancestors and the people who helped bring their special days together.

7 couples, 7 marriages, 7 stories for you to enjoy!

What the Duchess Wants by Terri Brisbin

Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine and Henry of Anjou (future Henry II), 1152

Lionheart’s Bride by Michelle Willingham

King Richard and Princess Berengaria, 1191

Prince Charming in Disguise by Bronwyn Scott

Prince George and Caroline of Ansbach, 1704

A Princely Dilemma by Elizabeth Rolls

George, Prince of Wales (future Prince Regent/George IV) and Princess Caroline of Brunswick, 1795

The Problem with Josephine by Lucy Ashford

Napoleon and Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria, 1810

Princess Charlotte’s Choice by Ann Lethbridge

Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, 1816

With Victoria’s Blessing by Mary Nichols

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, 1840

So if you can’t wait until the 29th for your royal wedding fix…download one now!

Michelle Willingham grew up living in places all over the world. When her parents hauled her to antique shows, Michelle entertained herself by making up stories and pondering whether she could afford a broadsword with her allowance. Currently she teaches American History and English, and lives in south-eastern Virginia with her husband and children. She still doesn’t have her broadsword. Visit her website at: www.michellewillingham.com or e-mail her at michelle@michellewillingham.com

Look for
Michelle Willingham’s latest family miniseries
The MacKinloch Clan

Claimed by the Highland Warrior—May 2011

Seduced by Her Highland Warrior—August 2011

Available from Harlequin® Historical and

MICHELLE WILLINGHAM

[*] Her Irish Warrior #850

[*] The Warrior’s Touch #866

[*] Her Warrior King #882

[*] Her Warrior Slave #922

[*] Taming Her Irish Warrior #966

^ The Accidental Countess #981

^ The Accidental Princess #985

[*] Surrender to an Irish Warrior #1010

And in eBook Harlequin Historical Undone!

The Viking’s Forbidden Love-Slave

The Warrior’s Forbidden Virgin

^ An Accidental Seduction

Innocent in the Harem

ISBN: 978-1-4592-0416-4

Lionheart’s Bride

Copyright © 2011 by Michelle Willingham

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

www.eHarlequin.com

[*]The MacEgan Brothers miniseries

^linked by character