Besotted (The Fairest Maidens #3) - Jody Hedlund Page 0,92
and regal and with a dignified countenance, my father had served as my regent these many years without once considering taking the throne for himself. As a result, I respected him even more for his loyalty and wisdom. “And I have told you, Father dear, it does not matter who I marry as long as he is good and kind like you.”
As the ambassador entered, I couldn’t keep from stiffening again. Who would he bring? And even after everything I’d just told my father, could I truly make myself go through with the betrothal?
I twisted my hands together, staring at them and wishing for a bouquet of wildflowers from my garden behind the cottage. What I wouldn’t give at this moment to hold something in my hands.
“Oh dear heart, oh dear heart.” At Aunt Elspeth’s gasp from where she stood in the front row, I cringed. What was wrong with my future husband that my aunt would react this way?
I finally peeked up, chancing a small glance. The man stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame as though waiting for my attention. Arms and feet crossed nonchalantly. A lazy smile on his face. And silvery-blue eyes that could light the darkest night.
I squealed and cupped my hands over my mouth. Then without thought to being a queen of one of the greatest nations on earth, I ran. I ran as fast as I could toward the man I loved.
With a growing grin, he pushed away from the door and waited for me.
When I reached him, I flung myself into his arms. I didn’t care that I was laughing and crying or that my courtiers were staring at me and likely murmuring about my unruly behavior. All I cared about was being in Kresten’s arms.
He squeezed me tightly as though he might never let go.
Finally, I tugged back. “How? When? What happened?” I couldn’t get my voice to work properly, especially as he gazed down at me with eyes full of love.
“I’m here to marry you, if you’ll have me.”
“You’re the one arranged for me?”
“Yes. And I couldn’t have picked a better match myself.”
I smiled through my tears of joy. “But I thought you were dying in the sleep of death.”
Over my head, he looked at Aunt Idony standing speechless next to Aunt Elspeth and winked at her. “There’s something called true love’s kiss. I’ve heard it’s the strongest weapon for fighting the battle with death. That if you truly love someone more than you love yourself, then a kiss filled with that love may have the power to bring life where there is none.”
Wonder blossomed inside me. “You heard Aunt Idony?”
“And I heard you. I think you said I’m the only man you have loved and will ever love. Is that still true?”
“It is.” It was more than true. “You still have my heart, soul, and body.”
“Then I pledge to you this day to give you the same.”
I wrapped my arms around him again, and he drew me into another embrace. “Why don’t we just skip the betrothal and get married today?”
Heat rose in my cheeks. “I am agreeable.” Heartily so, but I couldn’t say that.
“And before we do anything else, could I have another one of true love’s kisses? Just to make certain it worked?”
His roguish grin made my heart patter hard, and before he could say anything more, I rose to my toes and kissed him with all the love that I had, love that had the power to bring life where there had been none.
As he kissed me in return, my heart thrilled that somehow, someway, God had brought us through the testing fires to this place where we could finally be together. I hadn’t believed it even possible. And though the future would still be full of challenges, I would rule alongside the man I loved. We would serve the people well. Together.
Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. She lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy teens, and five spoiled cats. Learn more at JodyHedlund.com
Young Adult Fiction from Jody Hedlund
The Fairest Maidens
Beholden
Upon the death of her wealthy father, Lady Gabriella is condemned to work in Warwick’s gem mine. As she struggles to survive the dangerous conditions, her kindness and beauty shine as brightly as the jewels the slaves excavate. While laboring, Gabriella plots how to avenge her father’s death and stop Queen Margery’s cruelty.
Beguiled
Princess Pearl flees for her life after her mother, Queen Margery, tries to have her killed during a hunting expedition. Pearl finds refuge on the Isle of Outcasts among criminals and misfits, disguising her face with a veil so no one recognizes her. She lives for the day when she can return to Warwick and rescue her sister, Ruby, from the queen’s clutches.
Besotted
Queen Aurora of Mercia has spent her entire life deep in Inglewood Forest, hiding from Warwick’s Queen Margery, who seeks her demise. As the time draws near for Aurora to take the throne, she happens upon a handsome woodcutter. Although friendship with outsiders is forbidden and dangerous, she cannot stay away from the charming stranger.
The Lost Princesses
Always: Prequel Novella
On the verge of dying after giving birth to twins, the queen of Mercia pleads with Lady Felicia to save her infant daughters. With the castle overrun by King Ethelwulf’s invading army, Lady Felicia vows to do whatever she can to take the newborn princesses and their three-year-old sister to safety, even though it means sacrificing everything she holds dear, possibly her own life.
Evermore
Raised by a noble family, Lady Adelaide has always known she’s an orphan. Little does she realize she’s one of the lost princesses and the true heir to Mercia’s throne . . . until a visitor arrives at her family estate, reveals her birthright as queen, and thrusts her into a quest for the throne whether she’s ready or not.
Foremost
Raised in an isolated abbey, Lady Maribel desires nothing more than to become a nun and continue practicing her healing arts. She’s carefree and happy with her life . . . until a visitor comes to the abbey and reveals her true identity as one of the lost princesses.
Hereafter
Forced into marriage, Emmeline has one goal—to escape. But Ethelrex takes his marriage vows seriously, including his promise to love and cherish his wife, and he has no intention of letting Emmeline get away. As the battle for the throne rages, will the prince be able to win the battle for Emmeline’s heart?
The Noble Knights
The Vow
Young Rosemarie finds herself drawn to Thomas, the son of the nearby baron. But just as her feelings begin to grow, a man carrying the Plague interrupts their hunting party. While in forced isolation, Rosemarie begins to contemplate her future—could it include Thomas? Could he be the perfect man to one day rule beside her and oversee her parents’ lands?
An Uncertain Choice
Due to her parents’ promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, shortly before her birthday, a friend of her father’s enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents’ will left a second choice—if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.
A Daring Sacrifice
In a reverse twist on the Robin Hood story, a young medieval maiden stands up for the rights of the mistreated, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. All the while, she fights against her cruel uncle who has taken over the land that is rightfully hers.
For Love & Honor
Lady Sabine is harboring a skin blemish, one that if revealed could cause her to be branded as a witch, put her life in danger, and damage her chances of making a good marriage. After all, what nobleman would want to marry a woman so flawed?
A Loyal Heart
When Lady Olivia’s castle is besieged, she and her sister are taken captive and held for ransom by her father’s enemy, Lord Pitt. Loyalty to family means everything to Olivia. She’ll save her sister at any cost and do whatever her father asks—even if that means obeying his order to steal a sacred relic from her captor.
A Worthy Rebel
While fleeing an arranged betrothal to a heartless lord, Lady Isabelle becomes injured and lost. Rescued by a young peasant man, she hides her identity as a noblewoman for fear of reprisal from the peasants who are bitter and angry toward the nobility.
A complete list of my novels can be found at jodyhedlund.com.
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