Read Online Carnal Deceptions by Scottie Barrett - Free Book Online

trollish incarnation? Absurd. Clearly, the woman was more foxed than she appeared.
    Tess peeled Lady Stadwell’s fingers from the tumbler of cognac. “Lady Stadwell, I think you’ve been dreaming. Perhaps a warm dinner and early bedtime will help.”
    Lord Marcliffe did not come to the dining room for the evening meal. Perhaps he’d followed one of the women home. Or perhaps he couldn’t stomach a meal with the pathetic Miss Calloway.
    By the time the dishes were cleared it was apparent that her dinner companion needed sleep. The food had not negated the effects of the cognac. Bearing most of Lady Stadwell’s weight, Tess navigated the stairs. With some effort, she managed the bedchamber door. Dressing Lady Stadwell in nightclothes proved an even more difficult task.
    Once in bed, Lady Stadwell nestled her head contentedly in the mountain of soft pillows. “My eyes are too tired. Could you read to me?” Lady Stadwell handed Tess a book from the bed stand.
    Not surprisingly, Lady Stadwell drifted off to sleep after one chapter. Tess had read the romantic novel as if she’d been reading a monotonous sermon. She set the book aside. The stress of the day had faded from Lady Stadwell’s face. Tess wished she could find that same peace. But even her nights were restless.

    The icy water weighing down her skirts and her father’s lifeless stare still haunted her dreams.

    *

    Tallon could not remember the last time he had ridden so hard. Spurring his horse into a frenzy, he jumped every obstacle they came to in the stark moonlit night. His horse was sleek with sweat, as was he. Yet the air was so cold, his breath was visible.
    Frustrated, he slowed the horse to a trot. Even with the insane ride he’d taken, he could not shake Hortensia from his thoughts. He had no idea when or how his possessive feelings for her had begun, but the thought of her with Sloan enraged him.
    What was it about this strange and plain little creature that had him in such a lather? His lithe, blonde mistress waited to service his every need, yet he hadn’t paid a visit to her since meeting Hortensia. This morning while poring over paperwork his mind had wandered. He’d dreamed of kneeling between Hortensia’s thighs and tasting every intimate inch of her. When she flashed that rare but intriguing smile, it took him hours to stop thinking about her lips. And now what was really driving him mad was her obvious obsession with Sloan.
    After stabling his horse, Tallon stopped at the water pump. He stuck his head under the icy water, but it did nothing to chill his emotions. He would find out her motives. And he would find out tonight, or he would never sleep.
    The door to his aunt’s room was ajar. He glanced in and watched in silence as Hortensia, with loving care, tucked another blanket around his aunt. She cupped her hand around the flickering flame of her candle. The dim light illuminated the sadness in her face. She slipped out of the room and softly shut the door behind her. She obviously did not notice him standing in the dark hallway. A little cry escaped her when she stepped on his toes.
    He gripped her arms, jostling the candlestick she held. Hot wax dripped onto his shirtsleeve. “Who’s Sloan to you?”
    She stared up at him. Rivulets of water fell from his drenched hair, soaking his linen shirt and her dress, as well. “Do not dare look at me with those lost kitten eyes. I will know why you seek to prostitute yourself to Sloan.”

    “I hate you,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. Her trembling caused the candle flame to waver.
    He could not believe what a profound effect her declaration had on him. He swallowed hard. “Fine, we’ve established how you feel about me, but it does not explain your fascination with that bastard.”
    Tears spilled down her cheeks, leaving a strange, milky trail as they went. “Fascination? I abhor the man. He took everything from me. He is the reason I have turned myself into this servile