"A novel with a tender tone, I found A Knight in the Dungeon to be a gentle and sweet glimpse of one woman's growth to appreciate passion and love. Alard is thoughtful and loving, and while he knows what he wants, he isn't willing to trample Jocelyn's feelings to get it. He's caring, sensitive, and gentle in a way that makes him endearing and respectable. Jocelyn doesn't know quite what she wants and because of her lack of sexual knowledge, she is an innocent breath of fresh air. She isn't afraid of facing her fears, although she does have her moments, which makes her believable. I liked how she opened her heart and felt the passion surrounding her. The sex is extremely sensual, especially the first time Jocelyn experienced an orgasm, and it was pure and awe-inspiring. The plot moved fast enough to hold my interest throughout the story with enough focus to keep me eagerly turning the pages. Overall, I truly liked the characters in this novel, especially the sweet touch of innocence that Jocelyn provides. Anyone who enjoys historical romances will find A Knight in the Dungeon a worthy read."--Francesca Hayne, Just Erotic Romance Reviews
"If you are looking for a sweetly erotic medieval love story you are sure to enjoy A Knight in the Dungeon. In only a few chapters, this tale is both complete and satisfying. A sheltered but stubborn young woman matches wits with a determined knight who has seen too much of life slip through his fingers. Alard's soul touched Jocelyn's soul briefly in a time of crisis, now he is sure that she is his destiny. The challenge of proving this to Jocelyn provides many light-hearted, humorous moments. Alard's seduction is well-planned, a sweet temptation to tease and try his woman; these moments are not overly graphic. Readers are sure to finish the tale with a smile on their faces, touched by this heart-warming romance. 4 Angels!"--Naomi, Fallen Angel Reviews
Chapter 1
Jocelyn knew it was useless to struggle against the burly guards holding her arms, but as they pushed her into the depths of the musty dungeon, her terror overrode common sense. The lantern light flickering against the damp stone walls and the hollow echo of footsteps on the stairs brought back memories of the time--as an eight-year-old girl--she had followed her mother's body into the catacombs of her father's castle.
Her father's hand had rested heavily on her shoulder, as she stood and watched the mason seal her mother into eternal darkness. Would the same thing happen to her? She pulled and twisted and begged, "Please don't put me down here. I haven't tried to escape. You don't need to lock me up. Please, please."
The squat man leading the way and holding a lantern aloft, stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned back to look at her. "And what do ye offer us to heed yer pleas?"
The guards brought her face to face with the jailer as she frantically tried to think of something she could offer these men as a bribe. All of her jewelry had been taken away when she was captured. "My father--he'll reward you."
The man laughed at her, showing his blackened teeth. "Not likely. Why do you think the baron sent ye down here? Your rich da won't pay yer ransom."
She gasped at this news and then gasped again as a hard hand grabbed one of her breasts.
"There's other ways she can pay," the guard who mauled her said.
Jocelyn shrank away from his touch and shrieked when he gave her nipple a bruising pinch. The three men guffawed and the jailer said, "There's no life in a high-born lady. A lusty kitchen wench is better. Let's lock this 'un in fer the night and get back abovestairs."
They moved her quickly through the shadowy chamber, stopping in front of a heavy wooden door. The jailer fumbled with a large ring of keys for a moment, finally selecting one and placing it in the rusty lock. The door opened with a creak and the guards pushed her inside.
She had a scant moment to see the small stone room with straw scattered over the floor before the door closed and the light receded to a square opening in the upper half of the door. Seeing a hand moving to close even that, Jocelyn screamed, "No, don't take the light away. Please. Please."
"Ye don't need a light," the jailer said. "There's nothing to see but vermin." The peephole snapped shut leaving only a thin white line under the cell door.
Jocelyn pounded on the door with her fists and screamed pleas, but the light faded with the footsteps of the men until there was total silence and complete, overpowering darkness.
The total lack of light made the small cell seem like a vast pit. She clung to the crossbar on the door and pressed her body against the hard wood, sure if she let go she'd be swallowed into eternity. During the three weeks she'd been a hostage at Nastbridge Castle, she'd held onto her courage and tried to maintain her dignity, but this was too much.
If the jailer had told the truth and her father had refused to pay the ransom, Ulric would probably leave her in this terrible darkness to go mad--as mad as he was. Sobs caused her breasts to scrape painfully against the door, but she made no effort to calm herself. What was the use? The sooner she became mad enough to bash her head against the stone walls, the better.
"Hello."
Jocelyn jerked her head up. What was that? It sounded like someone speaking from a great distance.
"Can you hear me?" a male voice asked.
Taking care to keep contact with the door, Jocelyn turned until she could press her back against it. "Where ... where are you?"
"In the next cell."
"I can barely hear you."
"Come closer to the wall. There's a crack between the stones."
"Which wall?"
"Are you facing away from the door?"
"Yes."
"The wall to your left."
"I can't see it."
"Reach out until you touch it."
She reached out with her left hand, but felt nothing. "I can't feel it. I'm ... I'm afraid to leave the door."
After a long pause, the man said, "I can't keep bellowing, so I wish you good night."
"Wait!" The man's voice anchored her in this world. She couldn't let it disappear. Keeping her right hand pressed against the door, Jocelyn waved her left hand about and took several steps to the side. Her fingertips brushed against cold stone. "I found it!"
"Now move forward until you reach the corner of the cell."
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