A Knight Most Wicked

A Knight Most Wicked
Joanne Rock

Baseborn Sir Tristan Carlisle had fought his way to a knighthood.On the threshold of gaining land and power, he would not be distracted from his ultimate goal. Until, deep in the Bohemian forest, he encountered a woman with unforgettable green eyes. He never expected to see her again–but then the gypsy arrived at court as a lady-in-waiting.Convinced that she was an ambitious impostor, Tristan set out to seduce the truth from Arabella–assuming he could resist the power of her charms. . . .

A Knight Most Wicked

Joanne Rock

TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON

AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG

STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID

PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND

This book is dedicated with love to Katie Sue Morgan,

my friend and mentor who guided me into a writers’

group when I found myself alone and new in town upon

arrival in Shreveport, Louisiana. Thank you, Sue, not

only for finding me a romance writers’ chapter to join,

but for your immediate invitation to lunch two days

after my first phone call. I’ve never been so grateful for

a reprieve from unpacking boxes! Your generous spirit,

your nurturing strength and your creative eye helped me

take my work seriously as a writer and nudged me down

a path that has given me so much joy.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Prologue

Bohemia

Autumn 1381

Arabella Rowan darted into the safety of the woods and forced herself to be still, eyes fixed on her mother’s cottage in the open meadow beyond. Five horses bearing the king’s standard were tethered near the door, stomping and snorting in the late afternoon air.

Men.

Arabella knew better than to approach her home if there were men within the walls. The rule had been clear all her life, though it had been stressed more since the arrival of her monthly courses some seven summers ago. Whether peasant or noble, men could pose a threat to a household of women living alone.

When the planked door swung open, five massive knights garbed in silks and velvets trooped out to their impatient mounts.

Arabella waited in the forest as the king’s men tore out of sight in a cloud of dust. After she dared to breathe a sigh of relief, curiosity consumed her. Barefoot despite the chill of the earth, she ran up the grassy hill to the stone cottage. She burst through the front door, almost tripping on the top step.

“What happened? What did those men—”

Her voice trailed off as she noted the mood in the cottage. Her mother and grandmother huddled together in hushed conversation. Lines of worry added somber age to their expressions.