The Lord's Pleasure

By Isadora Rose

Tamsyn Tremayne has no choice but to throw herself upon the mercy of the infamous Lord Jory Dynham, for her son's life depends upon it. She has nothing to barter with but herself, but it soon becomes clear that she is all he has ever wanted. Under his care, she comes to learn that submitting to his command can bring them both the greatest of pleasures. Her lust for the lascivious lord knows no bounds, but when it threatens to develop into something far stronger, how can she find it within her to trust the man with such a fearsome reputation?

***

Jory Dynham was dangerous, far more so than any other man. Tamsyn could not allow herself even the briefest moment of indulging the lust that she should not be allowing herself to feel, for her son’s life rested upon what would happen here tonight.

A stilled hush fell across the hall as heads began to turn towards her – and with the new silence, Jory looked up towards where she stood mutely awaiting him. His pale eyes almost imperceptibly widened as they raked across her before he nodded decisively and clapped his hands together.

“Clear the hall!”

Her heart plummeted as without protest all those in the hall leapt up to obey his barked order. His impassive face gave nothing away, but his words made his reaction to her arrival all too plain. With a choked sob, she turned on her heel to join the crowds now streaming past her – but before she could take more than three steps, the sound of heavy footsteps hastening towards her stopped her where she stood. She twisted her head back as Jory’s hand closed possessively around her shoulder.

“Oh no, pet. I have dismissed everyone else so that we might be alone; you will not flee from me now that you are come to the lion’s den.”

***

• Language: English
• Publisher: Isadora Rose
• Release date: Sep 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301696659

Isadora Rose

Isadora Rose is a nom de plume for this author to unleash some of her darker tales upon the users of Smashwords. You won't find PWP here - if that's your thing, then great, but I believe that the experience of reading erotica is enhanced by a story woven throughout that pulls you in just as surely as the erotic encounters themselves. My stories are written with that aim in mind. I make no apology for the dark twists and turns they might make, and I only hope that you enjoy the journey in every way. All reviews are gratefully read and much appreciated.

Book preview

THE LORD’S PLEASURE

by Isadora Rose

Copyright 2012 Isadora Rose

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for the recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter One

Cornwall, England

1153

Tamsyn Tremayne shook from head to toe as she cradled her sleeping son against her chest and lifted her head to look up at their destination. Coming here was possibly the most foolish gamble she had ever taken, but she was out of options. Lord Jory Dynham was their only remaining hope.

His reputation was known and feared throughout all of Cornwall. His word was law, and even the other lords in their beautiful corner of England bowed down to and respected him; grudgingly, but the important truth was that they did so. If she could only win his support, then her son’s birthright would be safe – and so would his life.

Tamsyn kissed the top of Godric’s mop of blond curls as she climbed the glacis and took in the looming shape of the sprawling castle above them. Set into the hills that overlooked the Cornish moors, Penormel Castle was as grand and intimidating as its lord. In the light of the clear and cloudless night, its towers rose majestically into the velvet sky, and the thin panes of expensive glass set into the windows reflected the starlight with what seemed to her to be a near ethereal ease.

Yet despite the castle’s splendour, it was Lord Dynham that consumed her thoughts. She could delay the moment of their meeting any longer, for time was not her friend. Though she feared that doing so was the most reckless thing she had ever done, Tamsyn walked across the lowered drawbridge until an outstretched broadsword barred her path.

She breathed in sharply as she twisted to the side and protectively tightened her hold on her son. I am Lady Tremayne, she called into the darkness, willing her voice not to tremble. I require an audience with Lord Dynham. I assure you, I do not mean him any harm.

A guardsman stepped out of the shadows and lowered his sword as he cast an appraising glance over the two of them. His laughter chilled her to the bone. As if you could trouble him in the least, girl! Nay, it will be him who does you harm, I have no doubt of that; but if you want to present yourself to him, then go through. The lord will be delighted to see you. He is in the hall still taking dinner.

I must go, she whispered, more to herself than to the guardsman who unashamedly stared after her until she was out of sight. Tamsyn had come too far already to turn back now, for all that was awaiting her should she return to what was once her marital home was death and despair. Penormel Castle was, incredibly, the lesser of two evils.

With a wry, tired smile, she reflected that that was most likely the first time that had ever been said about Lord Dynham’s home.

It was easy to find the hall. All she needed to do was follow the raucous sounds of revelry that drifted out into the inner ward. From the tales she had heard, there was no doubt that the salacious lord would be in their midst. Sure enough, when she found where it emanated from, she emerged into the vast hall – and he was there.

Tamsyn saw the lord before he saw her. Seated in the centre of the long table that stretched along the far side of the hall, all eyes were fixed upon him. It was no wonder, for even from the distance that separated them she found herself near overcome by the magnetic pull he seemed to have. All those in the castle gravitated towards their lord, and he clearly revelled in being the centre of attention.

Laughing loudly as he set his tankard back down on the table, he lounged back in his high-backed chair and shook his jaw-length hair back out of his face. He was clean-shaven in accordance with the Norman fashions that had come to the country of late, and the faint flash of stubble that darkened his jaw line only afforded more prominence to its strength and his high cheekbones. The tan tunic he wore was tight across his chest, and it was all she could do to fight back the throb of desire that instantly erupted in her core at the sight of him.

Jory Dynham was dangerous, far more so than any other man. Tamsyn could not allow herself even the briefest moment of indulging the lust that she should not be allowing herself to feel, for her son’s life rested upon what would happen here tonight.

A stilled hush fell across the hall as heads began to turn towards her – and with the new silence, Jory looked up towards where she stood mutely awaiting him. His pale eyes almost imperceptibly widened as they raked across her before he nodded decisively and clapped his hands together.

Clear the hall!

Her heart plummeted as without protest all those in the hall leapt up to obey his barked order. His impassive face gave nothing away, but his words made his reaction to her arrival all too plain. With a choked sob, she turned on her heel to join the crowds now streaming past her – but before she could take more than three steps, the sound of heavy footsteps hastening towards her stopped her where she stood. She twisted her head back as Jory’s hand closed possessively around her shoulder.

"Oh no, pet! I have dismissed everyone else so that we might be alone; you will not flee from me now that you are come to the lion’s den."

The instant that he had touched her and turned her to face him, her nipples had treacherously stiffened beneath her gown. Tamsyn was suddenly deeply grateful that she still held her son against her chest to conceal that fact, but the deep flush that blazed across her face was impossible to hide from the watchful lord. As his forceful command echoed around the high ceiling, he nodded again in clear satisfaction and reached out to lift Godric out of her arms.

He turned to one of the waiting servants as the boy stirred with a low, whimpered protest at being awoken. Take the child and ensure that he is cared for as if he were my own trueborn son. I will have no harm come to him under my roof.

Panic erupted in her chest, mingling with the dizzying relief that he would at least hear her out to leave her dazed and confused by his unexpected words. My lord, please -

Jory held up his hand to silence her as Godric was carried away from the hall. Do not question me, my lady! You have intruded upon my home and my hospitality for reasons I have yet to discover; the very least you can do is obey my word. The boy goes. I want you all to myself whilst we talk, with nothing to distract you from the most important thing that there is.

Tamsyn swallowed hard as he advanced upon her once more. And what is that?

He leaned in so close that she could feel his warm breath upon her neck; and to her dismay, the sensation was as far from unpleasant as it was possible to be. "Me, pet. Tonight, I want you to think of nothing but me."

The lord’s words