Take it off, he said softly.
Dear Lord
The time had come. Of course it had. Shed arrived on Merricks doorstep inviting him to tup her. He was hardly likely to turn her away in favor of an early night with an improving book. Reluctantly, her heart thundering panic, she sat. With shaking hands, she fumbled for the nightgowns hem. Briefly her vision drowned in white flannel, then she was free. With a defiant gesture, she tossed the garment to the floor. She refused to meet Merricks gaze just as she refused to betray her humiliation by covering herself with her hands.
Now the true wickedness of this mirror-filled room struck hard as a hammer on brass. Like endless echoes of that clanging blow, everywhere she looked, she saw her naked body. Over and over again. Pale skin. Jutting breasts. Bare legs.
Reflected a hundred times, Merrick loomed above her, tall, dominating, uncompromisingly male. In candlelight, his loose shirt glowed with supernatural whiteness. He hadnt shifted since shed removed her nightdress, but the tension in his long body indicated any plea for mercy would go unheeded. His stance conveyed hunting readiness.
The silence stretched until she wanted to scream.
She twisted at the waist to face him. His expression was vivid with what, even in her innocence, she recognized as arousal. In his angular face, his eyes blazed hot silver. He was no longer the languid, sardonically amused man whod fed her a makeshift supper. This man was captive to appetite.
Dread coiled in her belly. Dread and unwilling curiosity. When she looked at Merrick, unfamiliar heat eddied through her. Since agreeing to take Robertas place, shed told herself her travails would be vile. Vile travails would leave her self-respect, if not her virginity, intact. Those glittering eyes hinted that self-respect would be the first casualty of this desperate bargain. She swallowed to moisten a parched mouth and her hands tangled in the sheets beneath her. She was so taut, she feared shed snap in two if he touched her.
A muscle jerked in his cheek and his fists clenched at his sides as his leisurely investigation paused at her breasts. Seconds spun into scorching fire. To her humiliation, her nipples tightened. An aggravatingly knowing expression narrowed his eyes and a smug smile curved his lips. He knew he didnt repulse her, much as she wished he did.
His lingering attention descended to the triangle of feathery brown hair between her legs. It was as if he touched her there. Molten heat flooded her belly, made her gasp with surprise. She squeezed her thighs together and her hand whipped down to shield her sex. Stop it, she whispered, the demand thick with tears she refused to shed.
He seemed not to hear. Instead, he stepped nearer and slid his hand behind her neck. She started, then sat unmoving. Through encroaching warmth, she felt the roughness of faint calluses on his fingers. After a charged hesitation, he ran his hand lightly down her neck to the pulse racing in her throat. Every nerve leaped and the molten sensation widened, deepened, left her unbearably agitated. Her instinct was to pull away, drag up the covers, cower.
Pride kept her still.
That searching hand dipped lower, stroked the upper slopes of her breasts. Then glanced across one beaded nipple. Unwelcome pleasure sizzled through her. In the silence, her unsteady breath was audible. Even the storm seemed to pause in anticipation. Her gaze flew to his face, where she found desire, but also something that looked like wonder. Her heart skipped a beat, then crashed painfully against her ribs.
Youre beautiful, he said hoarsely. Delicately he circled her nipple then cupped her breast in one large hand.
It was too much. She couldnt endure these lying overtures, however sweet. They lent a gloss of false tenderness to what was at its basest level a squalid business arrangement. She jerked away and slid down the bed. At last she summoned courage to look into the mirror above. She lay rigid, her body pallid against the sheets. Her face was drawn with fear and determination. Hectic color marked her cheekbones.
Do it. She hardly recognized the strident voice. For Gods sake, dont torture me. Justdo it.
For a long time, the man reflected in the mirror didnt move. Then with a smooth swiftness that made her wanton heart kick into a gallop, he seized the heavy brocade cover.
Your pardon, Miss Forsythe. He didnt sound at all like the shaken, sincere man who told her she was beautiful. With a contemptuous gesture, he tossed the covers over her nakedness. Shock held her speechless as he turned on his heel and stalked toward the door. I find tonight my taste doesnt run to martyrs.
Chapter Three
In the cavernous hall, Sidonie Forsythe stood tall and straight in a pool of pale sunshine. She wore her heavy cloak and she clutched her valise at her side.
What the hell are you doing? Jonas strode across the flagstones and stopped a few paces short of her. Thank God he was an early riser or hed be too late. Hed been flicking through the prospectus for a canal scheme when Mrs. Bevan lumbered into the library to announce the young lady requested use of his carriage.
At his furious question, Miss Forsythe whipped around. She stared dismayed into his face and he knew they both revisited those blazing moments in his bed. The memory thundered through him like the blast of a thousand cannons. Her lovely eyes darkened with what he could only interpret as humiliation before anger rescued her. Dont you ever dress like a Christian?
Again, she surprised him. He liked that. He liked it almost as much as hed liked seeing her unclothed body last night. And hed liked that very much indeed.
He released a derisive grunt of laughter. This is my house. If I want to run around in my shirtsleeves, I will. If I tour the estate stark naked, I daresay its my privilege.
Delicate color tinged her cheeks at the mention of nakedness. This morning she looked brighter. She must have managed some sleep after hed stormed from her room.
He wished to Hades he had.
Its nothing to me what you wear. Calm determination masked any disquiet. Hed lay money that composure was as false as the canal schemes projected profits. Well never see each other again after all.
I wouldnt place too much store in that particular prediction, he said drily. Its a devilish shabby trick to sneak away without a by-your-leave.
We have nothing to say to one another.
You think not? He turned to Mrs. Bevan. Tell Hobbs the carriage isnt required.
Mr. Merrick Miss Forsythe began in a repressive voice.
Hed be damned if he was squabbling with her out here while his housekeeper stood around with flapping ears. Perhaps youd rather continue this discussion in the library.
Id rather leave your house and pretend these lamentable hours never occurred.
So vehement for daybreak. He weighted his tone with completely spurious boredom. Its a trifle fatiguing.
Only for a man of your advanced years, she snapped back.
Brava ancora. He could guess how awkward she felt in his presence after what had happenedand not happenedlast night. Still she came back fighting. At least let me rest my ageing bones on a cushion while you harangue me.
Only for a man of your advanced years, she snapped back.
Brava ancora. He could guess how awkward she felt in his presence after what had happenedand not happenedlast night. Still she came back fighting. At least let me rest my ageing bones on a cushion while you harangue me.
No answering humor. She continued to eye him warily. Id prefer to go.
Im sure you would. But Ive still got Robertas vowels. Or had you forgotten?
Her magnificent eyes flashed hatred. I hadnt forgotten. I paid you last night.
He gave her a nasty smile. Thats a matter of opinion. He gestured toward the library. Miss Forsythe?
She glowered at him, then glanced at Mrs. Bevan, who watched with avid interest. The girls color deepened and she nodded abruptly. Five minutes.
Jonas knew not to push his advantage. Or at least to wait until they were alone before he did. He opened the door and ushered her into the book-lined room.
Her shoulders tensed into a ruler-straight line when he lifted her cloak away. The white gown beneath was as inappropriate as ever. Although he appreciated the way it strained across her full bosom. As if once more shaping her perfect breasts, his hands curled in the cloaks rough wool. Yielding to temptation, he leaned in to catch her fresh scent. She didnt smell like rain this morning. Instead she smelled of lemon soap. Still, the commonplace fragrance stirred turbulent eddies of desire in his blood. He dropped the cloak onto a chair and stepped closer to release the ribbons on her unbecoming bonnet. Whoever chose her clothing should be drawn and quartered.
She batted his hand away and her breath acceleratedwhether with fear or excitement, he wasnt sure. Probably a mixture of the two. Stop it.
Just making you comfortable. The ribbons loosened and he lifted the bonnet, tossing it on top of the cloak.
As if you care for my comfort. If you did, youd let me go.
His lips twitched as he wandered away. But that would have a disagreeable effect on my comfort. He gestured toward a leather chair. Please sit down.
She remained standing uneasily in the center of the room. No, thank you. Ill be on my way shortly.
He sauntered to the window and slouched against the frame, basking in the suns unseasonal warmth. Last nights storm had blown itself out and the day outside was pleasant for November. Although he suspected the temperature inside the library was about to drop several degrees.
He fixed an unwavering stare upon her. I hadnt taken you for a cheat, Miss Forsythe.
Her expression remained neutral, although she must know what he meant. Ive cheated you of nothing, Mr. Merrick.
His tone held an edge. What would you call bilking me of your company after promisingsatisfaction?
She paled and her gloved hand tightened around the handle of her bag. You didnt want me last night, she said flatly.
He raised his eyebrows in mocking disbelief, while burgeoning need crooned its alluring song in his ears. Youre not that innocent.
She growled softly and swung away with a flounce of filmy skirts. He caught a glimpse of two well-turned ankles. Interesting that the sight proved so arousing when hed already seen her naked.
Youre in a humor to tease, I see.
He tilted his head back against the window frame and surveyed her down the bumpy length of his broken nose. No, Im in a humor to have my bargain honored.
She stopped and regarded him with a troubled light in her dark eyes. Grown men cringed from his scars. Why the hell didnt his grotesque appearance daunt this untried girl?
I offered myservices; you rejected them. She set down the bag and stubbornness squared her jaw. Im within my rights to leave unmolested.
Youre quite the lawyer, Miss Forsythe. You employed similar sophistry last night when you presented yourself in your beguiling sisters stead.
Not that he could summon one morsel of regret for the exchange. Roberta was a beautiful, if shallow, creature, and hed have fucked her perfectly happily. Not least because every time he poked her, hed know he cuckolded his toad of a cousin.
But Robertas sister
Sidonie Forsythe was a jewel such as hed never encountered. He wasnt fool enough to leave her where hed found her and walk away whistling.
Surely you wont insist on full restitution. The uncertainty that had always lurked beneath her bravado became overt. Not after
Presumably you arrived expecting to repay the debt as it stands, he said coolly. He folded his arms across his chest to stop himself from reaching for her. One ridiculously chaste kiss, a brief exploration of silky skin, now the craving to touch her was a fever.
This is insane. Like a mare scenting a stallion, she shifted nervously. If you wont lend me your carriage, Ill walk to Sidmouth and find transport there. Its only a couple of miles. She turned and marched away.
He leaped forward and caught her arm. Wait.
Immediately, even through her sleeve, there was that electric connection hed felt cupping her naked breast last night. When she turned an appalled brown gaze on him, he knew she felt it, too. Much as she clearly wished she didnt. He fought the urge to sweep the girl into his arms. The brief taste of her lips had left him hungry for more. The memory of her glorious body had kept him awake most of the night. In occasional snatches of sleep, hed dreamed of her. Naked. Willing. Sighing her pleasure as he pounded into her.
She trembled under his hand. You dont need to manhandle me.
I mightnt need to, but Id certainly like to, he purred and was rewarded with another beguiling blush. Jonas couldnt recall the last time hed consorted with a woman innocent enough to blush. The only females who took him on had become jaded with the banal charms of unmutilated men. What about Robertas debt?
Miss Forsythes self-righteousness faded. I came to you. I
He struggled to ignore the fear in her face. Now wasnt the time to develop a conscience. No matter, he said with a nonchalance he didnt feel. Roberta can sell some jewelry to repay me.
Thats impossible. He felt her quivering resistance under his grasp. William would find out.
Ah, at last they reached the nut of the matter. I expect he would.
His gut twisted with reluctant remorse when tears brightened the girls eyes. Tears she bravely blinked away. Just as shed bravely offered herself to save her sister. Sidonie Forsythe was a remarkable woman. Which didnt make him one whit more inclined to send her away.
A strange moment to realize that he envied Roberta. It must be wonderful to know such steadfast love as Sidonie demonstrated. His father had undoubtedly loved him. But his father had been crippled by sorrow for his wife and then the ensuing scandal. Through a life of betrayal and rejection, Jonas had learned to mistrust love. Too often it masked self-serving interests. Too often it proved a fragile thread that snapped under the lightest pressure. And even if it was the powerful, overwhelming force the poets claimed, it brought destruction in its wake. Yet Sidonie loved her sister enough to sacrifice herself like this.
Bah, he became sentimental. He shook off the uncharacteristic self-pity and concentrated on the woman before him.