Scottie Barrett
Erotic Historical Romance
Published in 2016 (Originally 2009)
H/h - Lord Beckett de Saxby/Christiana
Setting: Medieval Era
Read in October, 2016.
My rating:
[spoiler alert]
3.5 stars. A super hot, well-written novella. Really enjoyed The Heat of the Knight by Scottie Barrett.
Set
in the medieval era, our H Beckett is all that we think a Lord of the
Castle should be; darkly handsome, moody and broody. Super obsessed with
our h Christiana, who once used to be his childhood friend. It started from there but so far, had not gone anywhere that
Beckett would've liked it to be.
Now there were problems, 1.
Christiana isn't a lady by any means, so Beckett can't think of a future
with her. This means Beckett can't offer her anything more than a
mistress's position. And 2. the most important one, she doesn't
seem to be as attracted to him as he is, getting all
hot and bothered with his best friend Colin. Since she doesn't even give
him the attention he seeks, which ruins his mood every time, Beckett
goes to "forget it" by seeking his numerous mistresses and other women
in the castle. Among them were the prostitutes he liked bringing in or
quite a few of the serving girls who happily shared his bed. Beckett is
big and tall, muscular and a beast in bed and they delighted in his
attention.
Christiana is an orphan. All I remember is that her
parents perished when she was young. Her father held some sort of
position in the castle. Ever since they passed, she's been brought up by
someone in the castle, either the cook or the housekeeper, who had
taken an interest in her and took care of her ever since. She did some
odd chores here and there around the castle. There are some serving
girls though, that didn't like Christiana, who already suspected of
Beckett's interest in her; who wanted to be his main attraction. But he
wasn't really particular as long as he could get off... and most of the
times he'd think of Christiana while doing so. They were pretty mean to
her though she had no idea exactly why. After all,
they were the ones getting Beckett's attentions, not her!
Now the
fact was, Christiana was actually super attracted to Beckett BUT she
didn't like his manwhoring ways. Not by a long shot. I don't know how
this misunderstanding started but it was there when the story begin.
Christiana would get hurt hearing the gossip about Beckett, the things
he did with other girls. Those wenches were always talking around her.
She hated it and decided he's no good for her. I would do too TBH. On a
level, knowing her own status she knew that she could never be anything
but a mistress to him either but she absolutely hated the idea of
sharing him with other women, so she decided it's better to keep her
gaze low and look for a match where she can expect differently. Colin
seemed like the best bet... however, Beckett knew that that SOB had
nothing better in his mind other than making Christiana his mistress.
And Beckett hated the thought of it! Oh the mess. *sigh*
So it
happens that Beckett finally decides it was time to ask that Christiana
be made a serving wench and serve on the tables. When he demands it, the
cook or the housekeeper, informs that to her. Christiana is surprised
but she had to do what was asked by the Lord of the keep. I think
everyone in the castle had an inkling of Beckett's interest in her, they
certainly knew about his dark moods! But on the day when Christiana
goes to serve for the first time, someone treats her in a nasty way,
pawing at her, distressing Christiana badly. Beckett comes to her
rescue, then sends her off but it throws him off kilter. He was not only
mad, but jealous as hell! He didn't want anyone to touch her. He leaves
in a sour mood, thinking of whoring it off, once again trying to forget
the one woman he'd never have.
I'm mentioning it because this
was going to be an eye-opener for Christiana in many ways. Someone sends
her to Beckett's room with refreshment, telling her that's what he
asked for, which was a lie. It was one of those senior serving wenches I
think, already one of Beckett's many lovers and despised Christiana.
She wanted her to see what she can't have, that the girl already had.
She was feeling very superior, not knowing it's going to backfire. Heeh.
She also probably wanted to scare Christiana, who obviously was a
virgin, off by showing that Beckett's appetite is insatiable and
sometimes he goes with more than one woman at a time.
Christiana
certainly had a eye full once she stepped into Beckett's room! It was a
wonder she didn't drop whatever she had on the tray! :o I can tell you
that if Christiana was attracted to Beckett before, she was feeling the
need to jump him. She had never seen Beckett naked, definitely not "in
action"! Now she knew why girls were crazy over sharing his bed. ;) Of
course the scenario doesn't sit well with her, she feels hurt but she
also couldn't help but wonder what if.....
Yep,
I would rather my heroes aren't that much of a womanizer, definitely
not sleep with the servants, be that in his own home or another's. But
Beckett was what he was, yet I was certain once he had Christiana, he
won't need another woman. He was crazy about her and it ate at him that
she'd never be his in any way possible. I'd like to mention that he
never forced anyone to share his bed, girls were tripping over to do
that always; not only because he was the master of the castle but also
because he was good-looking and very good in bed.
This is when
Christiana started softening towards Beckett, she keeps wondering if she
can do something with this attraction between them. When an opportunity
arrives, she offers herself up. Of course Beckett would've never turned
it down since that was his dream come true, however non-dreamy the
situation was. Then there was no turning back, really. In his hurry,
Beckett didn't consider that Christiana would still be a virgin. It
surprises the hell outta him since he'd seen her fooling around with
Colin a few times (hated it of course!).
Even though their
liaison doesn't start on a good ground, with all that hidden feelings,
things begin changing very soon. Beckett couldn't help let it known that
he'd FINALLY gotten the only girl he'd always wanted. And that she's
his! He was also in a much better mood. Christiana had always been kind
and generous to him when they were young, when there was no one to
bestow such affection, something he has never forgotten. It didn't hurt
that she was beautiful. I think they both had loved each-other always
but didn't know what it was until it hit them both hard. Those
misunderstandings had kept them apart for long. And I'll tell you that
no other girls were ever invited in Beckett's bed after Christiana, even
when she'd tease him about it. Beckett knew he'd unleashed a woman who
was equally passionate about him and what they can do in bed. Who also
couldn't get enough of him. Where was the ever time for him to think of
anything else? :P
I wouldn't say Beckett and Christiana's
relationship was all smooth and happy. They certainly had their
differences where Beckett would still stomp off after an argument with
her. *eyeroll* Reality does sink in when Beckett was asked to marry the
daughter of a neighboring Lord, one of those marriages arranged when he
was a boy. He definitely didn't want to marry the girl, but it was
already promised and he had to keep his father's words. Marrying
Christiana wasn't an option for him due to his duties and he thought it
was best to break it off with her. Only he didn't do it well which
causes a rift between the two. He invites his fiancee and her mother to
the castle, then was about to become a monk in front of them. He was
being an a$$ to her obviously but that's what he thought was the right
thing for them. I wasn't sure what to think, specifically hated it that
he appointed Christiana to serve those women who were perfectly horrid
to her. Even when he was doing so, all he wanted was Christiana.
There
were a lot of drama between them but the ending was kinda fun, even if
abrupt. I liked it and wished it was longer. Recommended if you're
looking for something hot and short and won't mind a few explicit scenes
with H and his OW. I generally hate it but somehow the author made it
palatable for me.
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