Read Online Quick, Amanda by Ravished - Free Book Online

to you. There cannot be that many collectors in the district."
    Harriet eyed the rocky outcropping in frustration. The thought of leaving this new discovery behind was
    very upsetting. "But what if someone else finds my tooth?"
    "I doubt anyone will notice your precious tooth. Not when there is a fortune in gems and silver sitting in
    the middle of this chamber."
    Harriet scowled thoughtfully and tapped the toe of her half boot. "I am not so certain my tooth will be
    safe here. I have told you before that there are a great many unscrupulous fossil collectors about these
    days. Perhaps I should just chisel this one little bit out of the rock and trust that no one will notice— Oh ."
    Gideon had set down his lamp and taken two long strides forward. He was suddenly looming over her,
    one huge hand planted against the cave wall behind her head. She was caged between his solid body and
    the equally solid rock. Her eyes widened.
    "Miss Pomeroy," Gideon said very softly, each word spaced for maximum emphasis, "I will say this once
    more and once more only. You are going to stay out of this cavern until further notice. Indeed, you will
    not come anywhere near this place until I say it is safe to do so. In fact, you will stay out of all the cliff
    caves until I have taken care of matters."
    "Really, St. Justin, you go too far."
    He leaned closer. The yellow glare from the lamp in Harriet's hand cast his harsh features into demonic
    relief. For a moment he truly looked like the beast he was reputed to be.
    "You will not," Gideon said through his teeth, "hunt fossils anywhere on this beach until I have given you
    express permission to do so."
    "Now see here, sir, if you think I will tolerate this sort of behavior from you, you may think again. I have
    no intention of giving up all fossil hunting along this beach until such time as you see fit to allow it. I have
    certain rights in this matter."
    "You have no rights in this, Miss Pomeroy. You have clearly come to think of these caves as your
    personal property, but I would like to remind you that my family happens to own every square inch of the
    land that is presently over your head," Gideon bit out. "If I catch you anywhere near these caves I shall
    consider it trespassing."
    She eyed him furiously, trying to determine if he was actually serious. "Is that so? And what will you do,
    sir? Have me clapped into prison or transported? Do not be ridiculous."
    "Perhaps I shall find another way to punish you for disobeying me, Miss Pomeroy. I am St. Justin,
    remember? The Beast of Blackthorne Hall." His eyes gleamed in the golden light. The scar on his face
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    was a vivid, savage slash of old pain and mortal danger.
    "Stop this intimidation at once," Harriet ordered, albeit rather weakly.
    He leaned closer. "The local people think I am a man totally lacking in honor when it comes to dealing
    with women. Ask anyone around here and he will tell you I am the devil himself where innocent young
    ladies are concerned."
    "Rubbish." Harriet's fingers were trembling on the lamp, but she held her ground. "I believe you are
    deliberately trying to frighten me, sir."
    "Damn right." His hand closed around the nape of her neck. The leather of his glove was rough against
    her skin.
    Harriet abruptly read the intent in him, but it was too late to run. Gideon's fierce, leonine eyes flamed
    behind his hooded dark lashes. He brought his mouth heavily down on hers in a crushing kiss.
    Harriet stood transfixed for a timeless instant. She could not move, could not even think. Nothing she
    had ever experienced in her entire twenty-four and a half years had prepared her for Gideon's embrace.
    He groaned heavily, the sound reverberating deep in his chest. His big hand flexed with startling
    gentleness around her throat, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. And then he was urging her closer to
    the fierce warmth of his own body. The heavy