Commanded to His Bed

Queen Eleanor's Court at Poitiers--May 1171
In the three months she'd been at Queen Eleanor's court, men had called her many things--the least unpleasant, and familiar, had something to do with ice and frost. She'd heard that complaint more times than not.
Yet now, each article of clothing seemed to evaporate like the morning mists. Her gown fell from her body, leaving the evening air free to whisper across her quivering flesh. With nothing more than a smoldering stare, he undressed her slowly, one agonizing layer at a time.
Adrienna of Hallison trembled with anticipation, fear and a longing so intense she was certain she'd die. She wanted more than just his gaze. She wanted his breath on her neck, his lips against hers. Her breasts strained against the bodice of her gown, seeking his caress, aching for the touch of his hands.
Beneath the tight layers of linen and silk that concealed her body, her skin tingled. Fire and ice coursed through her veins. She prayed she'd not reveal her desire by blushing. To her utter dismay, heat filled her cheeks. She studied the richly laden table before her, hoping to hide her flaming face from him.
Men were the same everywhere. Fortified keep or lush palace mattered not. They had fought for the right to thaw her composure. All had failed.
Their false, near-fawning attention held little interest. At times, when it wasn't downright tiresome, it bordered on the ridiculous.
If they could perceive her thoughts at this moment they would be shocked. No man had ever caused her blood to rush in this manner. Never had anyone conjured this unbidden state of desire from her. They would be appalled by the heat coursing through her body at the mere stare of a stranger. A dark and dangerous stranger dressed in the deepest shade of blue she'd ever seen. The near-black attire made him even more noticeable than the brightly adorned peacocks that filled Eleanor's court.
Yet, those peacocks had been correct. Her body, as well as her heart, had been frozen for what seemed a lifetime.
Until now.
The stranger's stare bore through her, forcing her attention back to him. His eyes stripped away her clothing and laid her body bare.
With a quick ragged breath she yearned for his touch. Would his fingers be rough against her soft flesh? Would his hands carry the same flame that burned from his eyes?
Adrienna tore her gaze away and stared at the ornate tapestries hanging on the walls. His unwanted attention would do naught but give lie to her carefully built reputation. He would peel away the cloak she'd so carefully wrapped around herself in an attempt to shield her heart from pain.
Nay. No matter how extreme the temptation, she'd not let any man, especially this unknown one, break through. She'd cared about one man and he'd deserted her, leaving her alone and a maiden still in her father's keep.
Never again would she be drawn into any man's promises or lies. No. This time she would do the choosing. Her life, her future, would be laid out by her own hand alone.
"Adrienna."
Torn from her thoughts, Adrienna leaned toward her dinner partner.
Elise of Fairway nodded toward the stranger. "Who do you think he is? I've not seen him here before."
With feigned indifference, Adrienna glanced about the crowded hall. "Who? There are so many strangers here this night."
Her friend lowered her voice to a whisper. "The one staring at you as if he'd like to dine on your body for his supper."
There was little she could hide from Elise. They'd been friends since the moment they'd both arrived at the queen's court. Two not-quite-young widows with little to offer except the power inherent in land and men. They shared a common bond--both had been sent to court to find a husband.
Not just any husband, but someone who could advance their fathers'ambitions.A goal neither of them cherished.