Sworn to support King Edward, Sir Alex de Beaumont had to leave his new bride on their wedding night to fight in the Crusades. Captured and left to languise in a lonely prison, the warrior knight is kept alive by the memory of love -- and of Lady Katherine's innocent passion as she cried out his name in ecstasy and made him her own. Upon his escape and return to England, he is shocked to find his beloved is about to marry another man...

Kat refuses to forgive him. But Alex will not be gainsaid. He vows to seduce her all over again and his searching kisses reawaken the sensual fire they once knew--until an enemy determined to destroy them both closes in. Now Alex must risk everything for the one woman whose love he wants forever...

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Excerpt Chapter One

Westminster Palace
In the year of our Lord, 1276
Fourth year in the reign of King Edward I

Today was her wedding day.  Kat stumbled on the flagstone floor.  She clutched her cousin Sir Rand Montague’s arm tighter, quickly recovering her step.  Afraid she would lose her composure should she look upon the capricious faces of the courtiers gathered in the chapel, her gaze sought her groom.  Sir Luc de Joinville stood near the priest before the gilded rood screen.  His smile eager and blonde hair burnished bronze beneath the candlelit coronas hanging from the vaulted ceiling, Luc was handsome beyond belief. 

He wore a dark green surcoate or over-tunic embroidered with gold leaves around the neck and calf-length hem.  It was cinched in at the waist with a jeweled belt that emphasized his narrow hips and broad shoulders.

Hot and intimate, his gaze slid down her body and back up, meeting her eyes once more.  Awe, pride and masculine appreciation gleamed in his golden eyes, the green flecks brilliant in the light.  Then he flashed a smile at her, his teeth straight and white.  

Kat raised her chin a notch higher and continued walking down the nave of the smaller, more intimate palace chapel of St. John.  Breaking protocol, Luc strode forward, taking the few remaining steps between them, and commandeered her gloved hand.  Without causing a tug of war, Rand could do naught but release her.  Sir Luc led her back before the scowling priest, his strong clasp warm through her calfskin glove.

Shocked gasps and smothered giggles of the court were drowned out by King Edward’s booming laughter.  “Father, I believe the groom is most anxious to see the ceremony completed so he might enjoy his lovely new bride.  Let us proceed with alacrity, not unseemly but succinct.  Shall we?”

Posed as a question, it was a command nevertheless.  The disgruntled priest nodded, cleared his throat and began the rite with the blessings of the ring.

At Edward’s ribald comment, a flush crept up Kat’s neck.  She was unsure what the night would bring.  Although Sir Luc’s kisses had been pleasant, they lacked the fire and excitement her body craved.  But it was unfair to condemn Luc for her inadequacies.  He loved her and that was more important than any temporary sexual gratification she might achieve.  Lust was fleeting, as her first husband, Alex, had so readily proved. 

“If anything is contrary to the law of God why this couple may not marry, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.”

Kat held her breath in the pause and even Sir Luc tensed beside her. 

With her marriage to Sir Luc, she was one step closer to achieving her dream of having a child.  Ever since her mother died giving birth to a precious male heir when Kat was five years old, she had longed to be loved for who she was.  She believed having a child of her own to love and cherish would replace the emptiness she felt inside and give her life meaning.  But, deep down, she feared someone or something might shatter the peace and happiness she sensed was so near.

When no one voiced dissent, Kat willed her racing heartbeat to slow.  The priest continued with the ceremony.

The churchman turned to Sir Luc and asked him, “Sir Luc de Joinville, do you want this woman?”

Sir Luc, his gaze boldly holding hers, replied in a deep, clear voice, “Aye.”

“Do you wish to serve her in faith of God as your own, in health and infirmity, as a Christian man should serve his wife?”

“Aye.”

The priest turned to Kat.  The heat and musky smell of incense was overpowering as perspiration trickled down her cleavage.  “Lady Katherine de Beaumont, do you want this man?”

Kat did not hesitate.  “Aye,” she replied to both questions.  She had no qualms about her decision to marry Sir Luc.   Indeed, Luc’s devotion to her and no other, along with his desire to have children, would assure their lasting happiness.  He would never abandon her, as had every other person she had ever cared about.

Next, the priest inquired, “Who giveth this woman in Holy Matrimony to this man?”

Rand stepped forward and took her right hand—her palm was damp inside her glove.  “I do, Sir Rand Montague.”  Giving her hand an encouraging squeeze, he placed it in the priest’s hands.

The doors at the back of the chapel crashed open, shattering the reverent silence.  Kat cried out and spun around, even as the whole court turned to gape at the madman who charged inside. 

Wearing a dirty, tattered hooded cloak, the intruder paused just beyond the threshold.  Though the voluminous hood concealed the man’s face except for the untamed black beard he sported, Kat sensed his penetrating stare upon her.  A curl of fear rose up her spine.  Feeling trapped, hunted, she did not move or even breathe.  Then the man surged forward.   

"Guards, seize him,” Edward roared.

The frozen guards posted at the door belatedly charged forward and grabbed the cloaked intruder by the arms. 

He struggled in their grip, hauling the men forward with the strength of his fury.  Men and women tripped over each other as they scrambled to get away from the resulting scuffle.  Beside Kat, Luc wrapped a strong arm around her and drew her close.  Rand charged down the nave to aid the guards. 

"Release me,” roared a deep, vibrating voice.  “ I demand to see King Edward."

A shiver of awareness raised the hairs on her arms; the voice was strangely familiar.  Before she could place to whom it belonged, Rand approached the stranger, who immediately stopped struggling.  The air laden with a hushed expectancy, a brief exchange of words ensued between Rand and the intruder.  Then suddenly, the two men embraced, slapping each other on the back and laughing as the confused and muttering crowd watched on.

Kat, meanwhile, felt a murmur of unease—an instinctual response she had learned to heed after the debacle of her first marriage.

The king, his face livid, brushed past her and Sir Luc and strode down the nave towards Rand.  "What is the meaning of this?  Who dares to invade the sanctity of the Lord's house and disrupt these proceedings?  I could have you brought up on charges of treason,” he thundered.

Kat wanted to know the answer to that question, too.  But Queen Eleanor and her ladies-in-waiting—Kat’s sister-in-law, Rose, among them—crowded past and blocked her view of the king.  Luc’s arm tightened around her shoulders and she looked up.  His smile gone, unease dimmed his eyes to tarnished gold. 

He quickly composed his features.  With a brief, reassuring smile, he held his arm out to her.  “Shall we join the king and see who this knave is who interrupted our wedding?  He has caused quite an uproar and I would see our marriage concluded forthwith.”

A growing sense of dread rippled through Kat.  To Luc, she nodded and threaded her arm through his.  “We are in agreement.  Knave, indeed.”

He laughed, his gaze once more bright with anticipation, and led her towards those gathered around King Edward.  When they drew near, several courtiers looked back at them.  Their expressions were very disturbing—stunned and maliciously gleeful at the same time.  Then the crowd parted before them like a herd of titillated sheep.  Kat faltered, full-blown trepidation dogging her steps.

Standing beside King Edward, the cloaked stranger turned as Kat approached on Luc’s arm.  Almost as tall as the king, the man removed the hood of his dirt-begrimed cloak.  The first thing she noticed was his long, shaggy black hair and beard.  He should have looked completely out of place among the richly garbed court.  But his bearing was as proud, arrogant and unapologetic as the noblest noble.  Then his penetrating gaze locked on hers.

Kat froze in disbelief, while her blood slowed and thickened as though time reversed.  Her gaze was snared by the blue, blue eyes of a dead man.  But a fierce inner light glowing within them belied this state.  Blazing heat speared her core.

“Alex,” she breathed.  She would recognize his distinctive eyes anywhere, no matter how different he looked, for she had dreamed of those eyes for six long years.  Suddenly, her heart jolted with joy—Alex was alive!  He had not died in the attack four years ago while on Crusade.

Vaguely, she realized Luc went rigid beside her.  Alex shifted his gaze to Luc, glowering at his arm around her shoulders.  Alex took a threatening step forward, his voice chill.  “Unhand my wife, Sir Luc.  Now.” 

Kat stiffened at Alex’s command, the full implications of his return registering at last.  Alex was alive.  She was no longer a widow, apparently had never been one, and she could not marry Sir Luc.  Her euphoria plummeted as quickly as it came upon her.

Nay, I am dreaming, this cannot be true.  Her vision blurred.  Everything was happening too fast, her thoughts were a jumble.  She could not think or move or feel.

Then the king motioned to her, breaking the expectant silence.  “Come, Cousin, your husband has returned to you after six years, four of which he spent in captivity when we all believed him dead.  Will you not greet him like a good, dutiful wife?”

Someone nudged Kat from behind.  Rose, she thought, Alex’s sister, and she stumbled forward.  Frantic, Kat turned back to Luc.  Her heart thundering, her eyes beseeched him.  Luc reached out to her, as though he intended to pull her back, his face twisted with anguish and disbelief. 

From behind her, a rough hand clutched hers and drew her around, not ungentle.  Kat was surprised at the uncertainty flickering in Alex’s eyes, though his voice was sure and steady when he spoke.  "Greetings, wife."  Alex pulled her to him and bussed her cheek, his beard scratching her tender skin, before he whispered into her ear so none but her could hear, "I have missed you, Kit-Kat." 

Kat flinched away.  Finally, his combined touch and careless words woke her from her stupor.  A flash of pure rage struck her like a bolt of lightning.  She slapped him with all her strength, his head pivoting to the side from the impact. 

His shoulders tensed.  Then slowly, Alex turned his face back to her.  The vulnerability she glimpsed earlier in his eyes was gone.  Cold menace crystallized his blue depths, promising retribution.  She shivered, but ire overrode caution. 

"I give you good greeting, husband," she said with biting mockery.  "The likes of which you so richly deserve." 

Reviews

New Reviews for Vow of Seduction

Receives Top Pick at
Night Owl Reviews

“I would immediately recommend this book to all lovers of historical romance. ” --Dreamweaver, Night Owl Reviews

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4 Stars at Single Title Reviews
  “Angela Johnson brilliantly takes the reader back in time with feisty Katherine and mysterious Alex.”—Emily at Single Title Reviews.

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Received 4 and a half Books from Long and Short Reviews.
“Angela Johnson’s attention to the historical facts of the time and her subtle clues of who may be enemies of Alex and Kat, as she weaves a volatile, steamy love story makes Vow of Seduction exciting, sensual, and SO satisfying.”—Camillia, Long and Short Reviews

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7 (Very Good) Raiting from The Season Blog
"Vow of Seduction by Angela Johnson is a tale of fear, regret, hatred and love. It had me in its grip from the first chapter. I was intrigued from the beginning on where the story was going and how this couple’s story would conclude."--- Lisa at The Season Blog

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VOW OF SEDUCTION
receives 4 cups at
Coffee Time Romance Reviews. 

“Vow of Seduction is a lovely story… I really enjoyed the emotion in these scenes. If you, too, enjoy a little spice with your medieval romance, then I highly recommend Vow of Seduction.” --Regina at CTR

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4 stars from The Romance Dish
  “This is a wonderful story, full of betrayal, intrigue, and the up and down journey of two individuals learning to trust and open their hearts to a love full of companionship and passion.”
~ Buffie, The Romance Dish     Read Full Review

“Debut author Angela Johnson's VOW OF SEDUCTION weaves a powerful tale of lost love, betrayal, seduction and determination.  Readers will be ensnared by this endearing tale of love.”
~Mandy Burns, Freshfiction.com      Read Full Review

”This is a fabulous medieval romance starring two likable lead characters with well drawn flaws as each fear love for different reasons . . . fans will enjoy the gender war between the kick butt heroine and her born again wannabe champion.”
~ Harriet Klausner, Genre Go Round reviews      Read Full Review