The only way Gabrielle can save her delicate sister is to take her place. Together the twins create a web of deceit that quickly spins out of control leaving a trail of death in its wake.
Gabrielle's shy twin sister is betrothed to a heathen prince from the far north. A Viking! Francesca would not survive the journey north much less the frozen wilderness of her new home.
The only way Gabrielle can save her delicate sister is to take her place.
Together the twins create a web of deceit that quickly spins out of control leaving a trail of death in its wake.
Excerpt
She whistled, and Pokey strolled up to her. Gabrielle lowered the bow and arrow just long enough to climb onto her horse. “I, sir, am no damsel in distress. I’m warning you, if you try to approach me I’ll put an arrow in your eye.”
She didn’t think it possible, but his smile broadened. He chuckled and lowered his hands. “I’d rather you didn’t. I’m partial to both of my eyes. I prefer to keep them intact.”
Gabrielle stared at him. “Leave now if you wish to stay alive. This is my last warning.”
He laughed boldly. “Who is your master, woman? I’d like to make him a rich man.”
“How dare you!” she gasped. “I am not an indentured servant to be bought on the whim of a madman!”
His hearty laughter filled the glen. He mounted his horse. “Ride on, woman. I shall keep a safe distance behind you until you are home. But I cannot promise I won’t offer your father a bag of gold for your hand in marriage.”
She spun her mount and bolted back through the trees toward the castle, slipping the bowstring across her chest and shoving the arrow back into her quiver as she went. Pushing Pokey to his highest speed, she raced recklessly to the castle. Pokey always won any race she managed to talk the palace guards into, but the stranger had no trouble keeping up with her. Suddenly two guards sprang from the trees as she passed. She smiled in triumph and glanced back at the stranger.
The stranger dodged them easily and kept coming. The guards were in hard pursuit. Gabrielle urged Pokey on. Finally, she dashed through the palace gates. A row of guards waited for her, swords drawn. She galloped past them, then stopped and turned to watch the stranger receive his just reward.
The stranger slid to a stop in front of the guards. He stared past them at Gabrielle with a puzzled expression. The guards surrounded him. He raised his hands in surrender and flashed Gabrielle a dazzling smile.
Then Sir Gye helped Gabrielle from her horse, calling her by name. “Princess Gabrielle, are you all right? Did this man hurt you?”
Before she could answer, the king appeared at the top of the palace steps and shouted, “What in God’s name are you doing? Drop your weapons at once!”
Gabrielle moved quickly to stand by her father. She waited patiently until the stranger was brought to them, and then boldly asked him, “I believe you wanted to speak to my father about a bag of gold?”
The king snapped, “Has everyone lost their senses this day? Gabrielle, mind your manners. This is Prince Eirik of Norway.”
Prince Eirik smiled once more and answered her, “I have already paid your father many times that for your sister’s hand. If she is even a shadow of her twin, I shall be most pleased.”
He took hold of her hand and kissed it as he bowed. Gabrielle yanked her hand away and left her father to deal with the heathen.
Professional Reviews
Twins, Vikings, Lies and Deceit
What do you do when your born a twin daughter to a king, and you're next in line to rule the kingdom, and your twin sister is the shy mouse that was born but minutes from being in your shoes? You try to protect her no matter what..even if you know it's wrong and deceit goes against all in your soul!! Gabrielle is out going, and can do it all when she sets her mind to, where as her sister Francesca is "delicate and fragile" and easily swayed by others. Their father the King arranged a marriage for both!! Trouble comes as Gabrielle can't day no to her sister when it's discovered that the prospective groom for her is the man her sister swears she's in love with, and the other groom is a rough and tough Viking who dispises lies and deceit.. Who only wants to take home his "bride" and return home to rule his country ! The deceit the two twins choose leads into a dark webs of loss and sadness as they trade places. Being identical in looks isn't enough to pull it off, especially when others involved are also planning to use the situation to their advantage, no matter what the cost!!
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