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.How she wished he would take control of herfoolish mind, making it impossible for her to give him up so easily.But it hadn't been easy, not by far.Her ruination had shaped her life for tenyears, causing her to endure the humiliation of lying beneath her husband as he grunted and groaned his way to his climax, never once realizing her needs.His fetid breath in her face, his rank body odor and those damnable side whiskers, all wereenough to cause her to cast up her accounts.He'd provided for her well financially and left her a wealthy widow, but it was the rest she couldn't forgive: his temper, his ignorance, his circumstance.She'd been the daughter of title and money, and wasfoisted off because she was no longer fit to occupy the bed of a nobleman.It was all Prentice Hyde's fault, something she would be loath to forget, lest he be in a position to hurt her yet again.He stirred, reaching toward her.She scooted out of bed, and his hand landed onthe spot where she had lain.She backed away from the bed, watching him, until hiseyes slowly opened, confusion written on his face.He came up on one elbow and looked at the bed.Then he looked at her."Whatare you doing? You are supposed to be resting.""I'm fine now."He rubbed his sleepy eyes with his palms and dragged himself to a seatedposition."How are you feeling? Stronger, I hope.""I'm fine." Oh, how she wanted to run into his arms.His legs fell over the side of the bed as he raked his fingers through his tawnyhair.It looked as though he might have done that hundreds of times as his hair was hopelessly mussed."You should eat a bit of something.We could try some solid food today."" We won't be trying anything today.I must ask you to leave."His expression didn't change, making her unsure if he'd heard her.He rose,wincing slightly when his bones creaked, as they adjusted to the new position.Hestretched, pulling his shirts up.He thrust his pelvis forward, giving her a wonderful view of the prominent bulge in his breeches.The man is incorrigible.Under different circumstances, she'd release him and ease the pain he must be feeling.She watched as he went to the washstand and splashed cold water on his faceand hair.It served him right having to wash with cold water.He tucked his shirt into the waistband of his breeches, then retrieved a combfrom a nearby shelf and attempted to tame his unruly locks.She wanted him gone, more so than ever, for she felt her resolve waning.Prentice Hyde filled a room.The walls fairly vibrated with his presence.She feared she'd never be able to sleep in this room again.He was everywhere, and the memory of it would prove too painful.He simply must go."Prentice, I am grateful to you for your care and concern, but as you can well see, I am on the road to recovery.Therefore, I must ask you to leave.I meant what I said.""I am glad you are on the mend, though a bit scrawny.You seem to haverecovered your mental acuity as well.I worried you had done yourself some permanent damage.""I am fine, now, please." She extended her arm toward the door, which hesummarily ignored."Not without an explanation." He sat in a chair and crossed his arms."I don't need to explain anything to you, sir.This is my home, and I do not wish to have you in it any longer.That is all the explanation I intend to give.""So it is as I thought.You have no reason.Yes, as I suspected, you weren't.oh, hell, how shall I say this.woman enough to tell me to my face.You hide behind missives and illness, but can't tell a man the truth.I expected more of you, Desiree, I truly did.You're weak, like most women, but worse, you pretend to be strong.Not a flattering combination.I'd be well rid of you, if I chose to be so, which at the moment, I don't.""You have no choice, sir.Insulting me will not change my mind.You must leave, and please do not return." She turned with the intention of leaving the room.She was dangerously close to giving in to her heart.Before she could reach the door, he grabbed her arm, swung her around and kissed her.His lips were so warm, conveyed so muchneed.He plunged his tongue into her mouth, demanding she answer.He held her headin his hands, not allowing her any movement that he didn't want.The kiss went on and on as the ice around her heart began to melt.Then, he gave her an opportunity, and she took it.He'd loosened his hold, allowing her to extricate herself and get out the door before he realized what she was about.Weakly, she made her way down the stairs, from where she shouted, "Prentice, you must go, now."Several minutes later, he appeared in the door of her bedchamber, fully dressed,sans his cravat.He sauntered down the stairs as though he were not being chucked out, tapping his walking stick on each stair.Desiree stood next to Ferguson, who seemed as incapable of determining what was unfolding before him as she.Prentice had a smile on his face, one she knew meant mischief.She'd seen it toomany times before not to recognize it.He walked to where she stood, dismissingFerguson with a flick of his wrist."Don't you dare leave me alone with him!"Prentice countermanded her, and Ferguson made for a less tension-filled part ofthe house.If Ferguson hadn't been faithfully in her employ for so many years, she'd have had the man drawn and quartered."You will not come into my home and order my servants about.Why, you won'tbe coming into my home at all.""I, my dear, have been ordering your servants about for days, which is why you are standing where you are now and not being lowered into a dusty grave."Good Lord, almighty, make this man leave now, before I rape him where his stands.No man has a right to be so appealing.She raised her chin in determination."You must go, and please don't ever return.I meant what I said.""You did not mean what you said, but I will leave.Prepare for an all-out assault on the bastion around your heart, for I will have you—all of you [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]