Read Online A Matter of Grave Concern by Brenda Novak - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Brenda Novak
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hosted by the school and help our housekeeper hire and manage the cooking and cleaning staff.”
“Evidently you have lived a very secluded life. Your precious college sounds more like a nunnery.”
“Perhaps, but the mechanics of mating are very clear to me.”
“You have done comprehensive research on the subject, have you?”
“I wouldn’t say comprehensive . . .but I am not completely unaware of what goes on between a man and a woman.”
Due to the darkness, Abigail was having difficulty reading the expressions on Wilder’s face. If she wasn’t mistaken, he seemed to be struggling against a smile. “And what did your textbooks teach you? Do you think a woman such as yourself would enjoy the experience?”
“ Enjoy it? How preposterous, Mr. Wilder. Of course not. Sexual congress isn’t to be enjoyed, at least by the female. It is supposed to satisfy the male primate’s drive to mate, to ensure the longevity of the race. But I would hold still and let you have a go, should you agree to help me escape from Jack and the others when you are . . . er . . . finished. You look healthy enough to me. You wouldn’t take long, am I right?”
This time Wilder laughed out loud, a deep, boisterous sound that revealed sincere amusement. “God forbid I ever establish a reputation along those lines. But, feeling as you do, I can understand why you are not married.”
“I have no intention of marrying. I told you what I will make of my life. I will be a surgeon.”
“But they haven’t even admitted you. What makes you think they will?”
“They have to . . . someday.” The pitcher was growing heavy in her hands. “What do you say?”
“About your hopes of following in your father’s footsteps?”
“About our little . . . deal. I allow you to . . . you know . . . and then, after you are . . . satisfied . . . you let me go.”
He gave her a kind smile—something Abigail never dreamed she would see on his face. “As appealing as you make . . . er . . . copulation sound, especially with someone as well versed in matters of the flesh as you are, I will not be requiring such sacrifice at your hands. I cannot let you leave here regardless of what you have to trade, so you are better off letting me relieve my . . . um . . . primal urgings elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere?” she echoed. “So you are not going to—”
“No. Although I do believe you deserved the scare. Now, hold out your hands like a good girl.”
For once, Abigail found herself at a loss for words. She had never expected him to refuse her. She had thought he might take advantage of her by accepting her offer and passing her off to Jack despite any promise to the contrary. But such an unqualified rejection took her by surprise. Was there something wrong with her?
“Miss Hale?” he prompted when she didn’t respond.
“I’m thinking.” Without Wilder’s help, Abigail had no choice but to escape on her own. She had seen it that way earlier, when she had made her first attempt, and she saw it that way now. She couldn’t remain a docile captive. She had to fight for her freedom.
But how? She could never get the window open with him in the room. Even if she did, she had no idea whether or not she would be able to survive the two-story drop, not without breaking her legs, or maybe even her back.
Stomach churning with anxiety, she decided she had better do as he bid her, before he grew angry, and he set about tying her hands in front of her. When he was finished, he connected her to the iron bedstead with a short span of knotted fabric.
“That should keep you for a while.” He stood back to survey his handiwork. “You can reach the bed, should you decide to join me in it. Otherwise, feel free to sit on the floor and plot your escape.”
“I will be gone by morning,” she told him.
He unloaded her gun, threw the ball out the window and tossed the pistol onto the bureau. “That brings up a good point,” he
“Evidently you have lived a very secluded life. Your precious college sounds more like a nunnery.”
“Perhaps, but the mechanics of mating are very clear to me.”
“You have done comprehensive research on the subject, have you?”
“I wouldn’t say comprehensive . . .but I am not completely unaware of what goes on between a man and a woman.”
Due to the darkness, Abigail was having difficulty reading the expressions on Wilder’s face. If she wasn’t mistaken, he seemed to be struggling against a smile. “And what did your textbooks teach you? Do you think a woman such as yourself would enjoy the experience?”
“ Enjoy it? How preposterous, Mr. Wilder. Of course not. Sexual congress isn’t to be enjoyed, at least by the female. It is supposed to satisfy the male primate’s drive to mate, to ensure the longevity of the race. But I would hold still and let you have a go, should you agree to help me escape from Jack and the others when you are . . . er . . . finished. You look healthy enough to me. You wouldn’t take long, am I right?”
This time Wilder laughed out loud, a deep, boisterous sound that revealed sincere amusement. “God forbid I ever establish a reputation along those lines. But, feeling as you do, I can understand why you are not married.”
“I have no intention of marrying. I told you what I will make of my life. I will be a surgeon.”
“But they haven’t even admitted you. What makes you think they will?”
“They have to . . . someday.” The pitcher was growing heavy in her hands. “What do you say?”
“About your hopes of following in your father’s footsteps?”
“About our little . . . deal. I allow you to . . . you know . . . and then, after you are . . . satisfied . . . you let me go.”
He gave her a kind smile—something Abigail never dreamed she would see on his face. “As appealing as you make . . . er . . . copulation sound, especially with someone as well versed in matters of the flesh as you are, I will not be requiring such sacrifice at your hands. I cannot let you leave here regardless of what you have to trade, so you are better off letting me relieve my . . . um . . . primal urgings elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere?” she echoed. “So you are not going to—”
“No. Although I do believe you deserved the scare. Now, hold out your hands like a good girl.”
For once, Abigail found herself at a loss for words. She had never expected him to refuse her. She had thought he might take advantage of her by accepting her offer and passing her off to Jack despite any promise to the contrary. But such an unqualified rejection took her by surprise. Was there something wrong with her?
“Miss Hale?” he prompted when she didn’t respond.
“I’m thinking.” Without Wilder’s help, Abigail had no choice but to escape on her own. She had seen it that way earlier, when she had made her first attempt, and she saw it that way now. She couldn’t remain a docile captive. She had to fight for her freedom.
But how? She could never get the window open with him in the room. Even if she did, she had no idea whether or not she would be able to survive the two-story drop, not without breaking her legs, or maybe even her back.
Stomach churning with anxiety, she decided she had better do as he bid her, before he grew angry, and he set about tying her hands in front of her. When he was finished, he connected her to the iron bedstead with a short span of knotted fabric.
“That should keep you for a while.” He stood back to survey his handiwork. “You can reach the bed, should you decide to join me in it. Otherwise, feel free to sit on the floor and plot your escape.”
“I will be gone by morning,” she told him.
He unloaded her gun, threw the ball out the window and tossed the pistol onto the bureau. “That brings up a good point,” he
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