In the Knight's Chamber

By JoMarie DeGioia

Sir Justin Beverley is the youngest son of a noble family. He believes no one expects anything more from him than drinking and charming his way through life. Riana, his eldest brother’s ward and sister-in-law, tempts him with her sweet sensuality, but he vows to never give in. But when the temptation proves too much can he step up and be the man she deserves?

Lady Riana Lichfield has always been different, more in tune with the emotional than the intellectual. Though safe under the protection of her sister’s new husband, Riana believes she’ll never have her own life. She wants a love of her own, a hero to save her like her sister was saved.

When a threat from her past returns, can Justin be the man to keep her safe? Can everything she craves be found in the knight’s chamber?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JoMarie DeGioia
• Release date: Jun 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781944181260

JoMarie DeGioia

JoMarie DeGioia is a bestselling author of Historical and Contemporary Romance. She's known Mickey Mouse from the "inside," has been a copyeditor for her tiny town's newspaper, and a bookseller. She is the author of 50 Romances, and writes Young Adult Fantasy/Adventure stories and Paranormal Romance too. She gets lost in DIY projects around the house and works out plot ideas during long runs. She divides her time between Central Florida and New England, and you may contact her at [e-mail]

Book preview

In the Knight’s Chamber

by

JoMarie DeGioia

PUBLISHED BY:

Bailey Park Publishing at Smashwords

Copyright © JoMarie DeGioia 2015

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law.

ISBN:978-1-944181-26-0

Pontefract, England 1169

Chapter 1

Sir Justin Beverley sat in the hall of his family’s holding, a goblet of wine held in his hand. His bleary gaze fell on his eldest brother and baron, Clay, where he sat at the head of the family table. The evening’s meal was long concluded but Clay and his bride of six months still sat, apparently in deep conversation. From the blush on Lady Liana Beverley’s cheeks and the gleam in his brother’s eye, it wasn’t difficult to guess the topic.

Besotted fool, he muttered.

Whas’that, milord?

One of Clay’s men sat at Justin’s elbow, and he looked to be as deep in his cups as Justin himself.

’Tis naught, Alden, Justin answered.

The soldier shrugged and set his empty cup aside. Standing, he braced his big hands on the top of the trestle table. I be off to me bed, then. He scanned the great hall, taking note of the maids who worked to keep the Beverley holding up to the baron’s standards. Not alone, I hope.

Justin forced a laugh at the man’s words, since he guessed Alden expected as much. As the soldier made his way away from the table, Justin drained his own cup. He’d had nearly every one of the maids at Beverley himself, to one brother’s amusement and the other’s disdain. ‘Twas a pity that Jordan, the middle son, was with his wife Sara at that lady’s holding to the west. And there he would stay for the foreseeable future, leaving Justin to his eldest brother’s censure. Their parents were gone for nearly ten summers now. When had Clay taken on the role of father?

Don’t need one, thank you, he grumbled.

What, pray, did Sir Justin say?

The soft female voice sent tendrils of awareness down his spine. As he brought his gaze up to a face he recognized to be the most exquisite he’d ever beheld, he took in the body below it. He knew he shouldn’t. Lady Riana’s form was perfection, shown to advantage in the fine gown that dressed it. For one blessed moment Justin let his gaze caress the flawless skin spilling from the bodice of her gown, a dress done in precisely the shade of blue that colored her amazing eyes. Zounds, and he thought Clay was besotted?

Good evening, Lady Riana, he choked out.

She tilted her head to one side, the pale golden braids wrapped around her head catching the light of the candles suspended above. She was a twin to his brother’s wife but, although the similarities were many, he could see a difference. Riana looked almost fragile despite her lush body and dew-kissed flesh.

Sir Justin is troubled? she