Caversham's Bride (The Caversham Chronicles - Book One) by Sandy Raven

all a seven year old boy wants.”
    She began to cry now, unable to stop herself, but she continued with her story. Lia told him how she was abducted. That the two men had been instructed to kill her, but saw an opportunity for profit instead and sold her into slavery.
    She exhaled a weary sigh. “I feigned unconsciousness to discover their plans. My abductors were ordered to return for my brother and Maura in a few months. He just turned eight years old. I wasn’t there for Christmas, or for his birthday, and he probably thinks I’m dead. Maura is old and doesn’t move so easily as she did. Your Grace, I don’t know how much time I have, but I must hurry if I am to save them. If they’re still alive.”
    She cried harder now, breaking into sobs and trembling violently as she released all the fears pent up inside her these past weeks. Since awakening in the harem she’d been able to keep it all within because of her plan to escape if the prince refused to help her.
    Now, everything had changed. She was bound for a country even farther away, decreasing any chance of rescuing her only remaining family.
    Ren understood all too well the pain Lia felt at the betrayal of her aunt, and the fear for her sibling and nurse. Betrayal by a relative was why he was here in Morocco. He stood and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close. She felt so fragile and small as her body finally gave in to all the pressures she’d been under. He hadn’t decided yet what he’d do, but if he was to do anything at all, time was of the essence.
    After several minutes, Lia pulled away, wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands. “I will please you every night. Live out my time in service to you, gladly. And I will repay any expenses you incur on my behalf, if you will only rescue my brother and our nurse from my aunt’s home. I will do whatever you ask of me— anything —for them. Please? Will you help me?”
    “I will think on it,” he replied, as he mentally wondered at the speed with which he could recall his crews and sail to Italy.
    Large green eyes, red-rimmed and glistening with tears looked up at him and something constricted in his chest. Wisps of sable-colored hair had fallen loose from her comb, and blew into her face from the gentle breeze in the garden. He brushed it back with his fingers, his palm touching her wet cheek. She rested her face in his hand, closing her eyes.
    “I haven’t much time,” she whispered. Backing away, she fell to her knees before him, her hands rubbing her legs nervously as she stared up at him. “What can I say, what can I do, to persuade you to help me? I would give my own life to spare his.” She folded her hands together in a praying fashion, begging him as a fresh wash of tears began to fall freely down her face. “He’s just a baby. My parents loved him so.”
    “I haven’t refused you, Lia. I said I would think on it, meaning my current plans must be altered, and arrangements made.” He wiped the tears from her cheeks, and rested his hand on her face. “And I’m sure your parents loved you as much as they did your brother.”
    “They did,” she whispered.
    Lia took his hand and brought the palm to her lips. The simple gesture sent a raging inferno through Ren’s body. The tip of her tongue traced a line between his fingers, causing his breeches to become uncomfortably tight. He groaned as she took his middle finger between her lips and gently sucked, the tip of her tongue sliding up and down the digit, making his cock harder.
    Taking his hand away, he stared into her eyes. Right at that moment he decided. It was the solution to both their problems. “I know a way.” His gaze lowered to her moist, full lower lip, wondering how it would feel on his.
    “Anything, Your Grace,” she whispered. Bringing his hand back, she kissed his palm once again, then his wrist, and then the inside of his bare forearm.
    “You should hear what my dilemma is first, and understand my