The Iron Knight (The De Russe Legacy Book 3) by Kathryn Le Veque

had two big chambers while the third level had four small ones. This was the level for guests and their servants, and it was this level that Colton intended for Lady Juno and her cousin. As they were passing the second level on their way to the third, however, they could hear someone shouting from one of the chambers.
    “Who is there?” It was a girl’s voice, shouting. “ Tell me who is there !”
    Juno looked at Colton, who soundly ignored the cries. He simply continued up the stairs and they followed, listening to the girl on the second level as she continued to shout. Once on the third level, however, the voice was blocked by the heavy stone walls of the castle. Colton led Juno and Aricia to one of the small chambers and pushed open the door.
    “Here you are, my lady,” he said. “The room is small but it is comfortable and well appointed. I will send servants up with water and food and kindling for the fire. If you require anything else, please do not hesitate to ask the servants or send for me. We will make your stay here as comfortable as possible.”
    Juno looked around the room. It was tiny, indeed, but it had two lovely windows facing north and west, and a rather large and fluffy bed shoved into a corner. There was a chair, a small table, and a small wardrobe against one wall. The wardrobe was painted with flowers and it was quite lovely. There was also a small modesty screen next to it, painted with the same flowers that were on the wardrobe. She turned to smile at Colton.
    “It is all quite lovely and cozy,” she assured him. “Thank you for being so gracious, Sir Colton. We are grateful.”
    Colton nodded. “It is my pleasure, my lady,” he said. “I will have your bags sent up shortly.”
    Hand on the latch, he started to pull the door shut but Juno stopped him. “My lord,” she said quickly, preventing him from leaving, but the moment he looked at her with polite curiosity, she felt quite foolish. Her cheeks were starting to flush again. “The crying we heard when we came up the stairs… is that someone we should be introduced to? That is to say, is that the Lady Susanna the servant spoke of? I am concerned that she believes me to be quite rude not to come at her bidding.”
    Colton shook his head. “I would not worry about it,” he said. “That is Sir Lucien’s young daughter and any introduction should come from Sir Lucien himself. She knows that. Is there anything else, my lady?”
    Juno simply shook her head, not wanting to trouble the man further. Colton smiled politely at her before shutting the door, leaving Juno and Aricia to settle in to their small chamber. Once the door closed, however, Aricia turned to Juno excitedly.
    “He is so handsome!” she exclaimed softly. “ ’Tis a cruel twist of fate that he cannot be your husband.”
    Juno’s thoughts lingered on the attractive young knight. “I would be just as averse to marrying him if he were the man I was pledged to,” she said quietly. “His degree of comeliness does not matter to me.”
    Aricia’s gaze lingered on her cousin’s dark head. “I know,” she said, her voice considerably softer. “I did not mean it as it sounded. Forgive me.”
    Juno knew that. Aricia was very kind, usually very tactful. More than that, she knew what was in Juno’s heart… and it wasn’t fine young knights or even an older, prestigious one.
    “There is nothing to forgive,” she said, forcing a smile as she began to remove her delicate doeskin gloves. “Besides… Papa would not dare permit me to marry anyone who was not an earl or better. Nothing but the most prestigious husband in England will do for me and to the devil with my wants. You know this as well as I do. He has never listened to me.”
    Aricia nodded faintly and began to remove the scarf from around her face and neck. “I know,” she said. “His wants take precedence over all.”
    “That is true.”
    “ L’homme est avide et moyenne ,” Aricia hissed. “ Il ne