Read Online Captain and a Corset by Mary Wine - Free Book Online Page B

stand her ground.
    “Like a pirate,” she sputtered before her nerve snapped and she retreated from his imposing form. “Your pin might be that of a captain, but you have all the makings of a marauding, arrogant pirate.” There. She’d insulted him as any decent lady should. She nodded but wasn’t honestly sure if she was trying to impress him or herself with her words.
    His lips curved into a mocking grin, and he lifted his hand to his lips and blew her a kiss. “I will do my best to live up to your expectations of me… sweet Sophia.”
    “Why are you calling me ‘sweet’?”
    “Pirates don’t use formal forms of address, not with delectable morsels of womanhood such as you. They tend to take what they crave.”
    He caught a handful of her skirt and held her steady as he stole another kiss from her. This time the kiss was hard and demanding. The heat burning her cheeks suddenly flowed through her body like molten lava. Her lips tingled and the sensation rippled down her body. There wasn’t a spot it didn’t touch, not a single patch of skin that wasn’t envious of the touch her lips enjoyed. Longing erupted inside her, making her thirsty for more contact between them.
    She felt as though she was falling and what bothered her was just how little control she seemed to have over her descent. When Bion pulled away, her breath was raspy. His lips curved into a smug grin that infuriated her.
    She slapped him, the sound drawing curious looks from those in the center of the library. The dim light offered her sanctuary from their gaze but not from the soft chuckle Bion offered in response.
    “You…”
    One dark eyebrow rose, his eyes narrowing with challenge. She bit back her words, stunned by just how much effort it took to do so. Her skirt flared out as she turned and hurried away. The only problem was, she was running from herself.
    ***
    “He is clearly suffering from delusions,” Dr. Hallas decided. “He shall need to be removed to the treatment rooms on the other side of the Solitary Chamber, so my staff can attend to him properly.”
    The guards looked at one another before one spoke up. “But he’s accused of treason and was placed here to ensure he doesn’t escape.”
    “My good man, this fellow is in no condition to escape.” The doctor went to the door of the cell and opened it. He stood back and looked at Grainger. “You may leave, Mr. Grainger.”
    Grainger continued to hop about the cell like a giant toad. The slice of bread with its twin holes was stuck to his face as he frolicked.
    “You see, gentlemen, he is completely immersed in his delusions. He has no desire to escape.” The doctor lifted his chin and walked out of the cell. “I will send two of my staff members with a wheelchair for him.”
    Grainger found his control tested. He could taste victory, even if the exact means were still not fully clear. He hopped again and faced the solid walls of his cell. There was only a single, small window in the door, making escape very unlikely. But he would soon be moving, and the ignorant Illuminists imprisoning him would never know that they were being manipulated by his superior intellect.
    Not until it was too late.
    ***
    “You look ready to kill,” Janette Lawley said as she sat down next to Sophia in the common dining area. It was fashioned like a great hall from a century past, when the majority of a castle’s population ate together. In this case, it helped reduce the risk of fire in the dormitory wings by removing the need for Novices to cook.
    “I don’t suppose I need you to explain,” Janette added as Sophia continued to glare at her through her purple-tinted glasses.
    “Good,” Sophia snapped. She stiffened when she realized how tart she sounded. “Forgive me, Janette. It has been a trying day.”
    “Only the day?”
    Sophia returned to glaring at her friend.
    Janette waved her hand. “Don’t think me unkind, Sophia. I recall very well just how vexing these Illuminist men