Read Online Damien's Destiny by Jean Hart Stewart - Free Book Online
Authors: Jean Hart Stewart
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the P.M. would not want the uproar resulting if word leaked out of a mistreated British citizen.
The serious question remaining was how to secure Toria’s safety while he was gone. He much feared it would mean curtailing her freedom to ride and indeed, to set foot outside Tregaron until he returned. But how to keep Heath out if word leaked Damien had left again? Which it was sure to do, even if the newly hired gardener who betrayed them this time was far away.
He didn’t look forward to telling Toria. For one thing, she might still be reticent with him but she adored their daily rides. Was it even partly she enjoyed sharing the time with him? Or was it just having freedom for a few hours?
Could he ask her to be housebound again? And with no guarantee of safety? He didn’t think so. He’d have to come up with another solution.
* * * * *
Damien asked Toria to meet him in his study. His valet was packing the few things he’d need, mostly a clean outfit for his audience with Salisbury when he reached London. He anticipated no trouble with an immediate admittance. This was one time he would gladly use the power he possessed as a mage. Even if it meant arranging matters so an appointment for Damien to see Lord Salisbury mysteriously appeared on the mighty lord’s schedule. While Salisbury might be mystified, Damien could allay his suspicions as soon as he was received.
Now he must talk to Toria. She would definitely not approve of being left behind again. In fact, he no longer felt sure that was a good idea. He’d rather have her with him, even if her presence turned out to be his own private form of torture.
Toria appeared so quickly after he asked Stephens to request her presence in his study that he suspected she’d been waiting around the corner.
He smiled as she entered. Her walk was purposeful and it amused him. Did she intend to berate him then for his last absence? He would absolutely love it if she showed the spirit her stance suggested.
She spoke directly to the point.
“I intend to go with you, Damien. Otherwise you’ll make me promise to stay indoors while you’re gone. I won’t do it. I would promise not to go outside the hotel if that’s what you want. I just won’t be left behind again.”
Her demanding eyes flashed as she made her imperative request.
Damien was delighted. Before he had time to think he reacted. He took her beautiful face between his hands and kissed her rosy mouth. She jerked a little but did not draw away. Instead, to his besotted delight she tentatively kissed him back. She obviously knew nothing about kissing but still the clumsily returned pressure nearly made him lose control.
Not here, not now. Not yet .
She blushed a fiery red and tried to wrest herself away but he refused to let her go, stroking her hair and gentling her as one would a frightened child.
“Thank you, Toria, I treasure your wish to go with me. And I think I have a surprise for you.”
He tucked her against his side. She snuggled against him, even as she muttered, “But I don’t like a man to touch me, Damien.”
Since she only burrowed further into him her words didn’t stop his hands from attempting to calm her. He tried to raise her face to his but she held herself stiffly, refusing to meet his passion-filled eyes. Perhaps just as well if he didn’t want to frighten her warm welcome body from him.
Her next words jolted him to his toes. Her head was still down as she shyly asked, “Did I offend you just now, my lord? Acting like the veriest wanton?”
Did this girl-woman have any idea the intensity of his desire? Of how very welcome her slight response was to him? Quite evidently not. He put a hand under her chin and this time forced her to look at him.
“You don’t even know what the word wanton means, my dear. I don’t want to hear you ever use it again. Not applied to yourself, at any rate. A kiss between good friends is permissible. Now, don’t you even want to know my
The serious question remaining was how to secure Toria’s safety while he was gone. He much feared it would mean curtailing her freedom to ride and indeed, to set foot outside Tregaron until he returned. But how to keep Heath out if word leaked Damien had left again? Which it was sure to do, even if the newly hired gardener who betrayed them this time was far away.
He didn’t look forward to telling Toria. For one thing, she might still be reticent with him but she adored their daily rides. Was it even partly she enjoyed sharing the time with him? Or was it just having freedom for a few hours?
Could he ask her to be housebound again? And with no guarantee of safety? He didn’t think so. He’d have to come up with another solution.
* * * * *
Damien asked Toria to meet him in his study. His valet was packing the few things he’d need, mostly a clean outfit for his audience with Salisbury when he reached London. He anticipated no trouble with an immediate admittance. This was one time he would gladly use the power he possessed as a mage. Even if it meant arranging matters so an appointment for Damien to see Lord Salisbury mysteriously appeared on the mighty lord’s schedule. While Salisbury might be mystified, Damien could allay his suspicions as soon as he was received.
Now he must talk to Toria. She would definitely not approve of being left behind again. In fact, he no longer felt sure that was a good idea. He’d rather have her with him, even if her presence turned out to be his own private form of torture.
Toria appeared so quickly after he asked Stephens to request her presence in his study that he suspected she’d been waiting around the corner.
He smiled as she entered. Her walk was purposeful and it amused him. Did she intend to berate him then for his last absence? He would absolutely love it if she showed the spirit her stance suggested.
She spoke directly to the point.
“I intend to go with you, Damien. Otherwise you’ll make me promise to stay indoors while you’re gone. I won’t do it. I would promise not to go outside the hotel if that’s what you want. I just won’t be left behind again.”
Her demanding eyes flashed as she made her imperative request.
Damien was delighted. Before he had time to think he reacted. He took her beautiful face between his hands and kissed her rosy mouth. She jerked a little but did not draw away. Instead, to his besotted delight she tentatively kissed him back. She obviously knew nothing about kissing but still the clumsily returned pressure nearly made him lose control.
Not here, not now. Not yet .
She blushed a fiery red and tried to wrest herself away but he refused to let her go, stroking her hair and gentling her as one would a frightened child.
“Thank you, Toria, I treasure your wish to go with me. And I think I have a surprise for you.”
He tucked her against his side. She snuggled against him, even as she muttered, “But I don’t like a man to touch me, Damien.”
Since she only burrowed further into him her words didn’t stop his hands from attempting to calm her. He tried to raise her face to his but she held herself stiffly, refusing to meet his passion-filled eyes. Perhaps just as well if he didn’t want to frighten her warm welcome body from him.
Her next words jolted him to his toes. Her head was still down as she shyly asked, “Did I offend you just now, my lord? Acting like the veriest wanton?”
Did this girl-woman have any idea the intensity of his desire? Of how very welcome her slight response was to him? Quite evidently not. He put a hand under her chin and this time forced her to look at him.
“You don’t even know what the word wanton means, my dear. I don’t want to hear you ever use it again. Not applied to yourself, at any rate. A kiss between good friends is permissible. Now, don’t you even want to know my
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