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  Rhys squared his shoulders and cleared his throat. “I can’t offer love, but I can offer fidelity and honesty. You know me as a man of integrity.”

  The earl’s leg twitched faster, the fingers drummed incessantly. “She’s not a wealthy woman. I will have to provide her dowry. What would you expect?”

  Rhys did not hesitate. “The release and pardon of my brothers.”

  The drumming stopped. The earl narrowed his eyes.

  Rhys waited.

  At length, Beaumont said, “I can’t release two brigands bent on attacking my lands. What guarantee do I have they’ll cease their raids?”

  Rhys believed that if a man dallied in responding, his adversary doubted him. “You have my word. They will never again attack the lands of the Earl of Warwick.”

  He held his breath, expecting the earl to demand more—the cessation perhaps of all hostility against any Norman territory—but all he said was, “And the only thing you would get out of the bargain is a wife?”

  Rhys smiled inwardly, confident he had won. “A wife who is of your family, my lord. Surely, such proud Norman connections can’t harm my family and will only further the cause of peace? My sister is already married to the Earl of Ellesmere.”

  The Norman chuckled. “I see merit in the proposal. I’ll have my steward prepare a chamber for you to stay for a few days. On the morrow, we’ll draw up the betrothal contract and you’ll meet Annalise. Welcome to my family, Lord of Powwydd.”

  He held out his hand and Rhys strode forward to take it. The two men clasped hands to seal the bargain and Rhys inclined his head once more. “And I bid you welcome to mine, Lord Earl of Warwick. What of the arrangements for my brothers?”

  The earl turned to the pageboy. “Send a guard to the cells. Bring the Welsh rebels to me.”

  Grab ALLEGIANCE now.

  About Anna

  Thank you for reading STAR-CROSSED. If you’d like to leave a review where you purchased the book, I would appreciate it. Reviews contribute greatly to an author’s success.

  Please visit my Facebook page, Anna Markland Novels and my website, www.annamarkland.com, where you can download a FREE novella.

  Tweet me @annamarkland, and join me on Pinterest. Follow me on BookBub and be the first to know when my next book is released.

  In my bestselling, page-turning novels passion conquers whatever obstacles a hostile medieval world can throw in its path.

  Besides writing, I have two addictions-crosswords and genealogy, probably the reason I love research.

  I am a fool for cats.

  My husband is an entrepreneur who is fond of boasting he’s never had a job.

  I live on Canada’s scenic west coast, but I was born and raised in the UK and I love breathing life into history.

  Escape with me to where romance began.

  I hope you come to know and love my cast of characters as much as I do.

  I’d like to acknowledge the assistance of beta reader extraordinaire, Maria McIntyre.