Read Online Devil Takes A Bride by Gaelen Foley - Free Book Online Page B

“Is that all you have to say for yourself?”
    â€œI am not inclined to say anything until you unhand me. Do please try to calm down.”
    â€œCalm down? I wrecked my carriage and nearly broke my neck—for what? My aunt is fine! There’s nothing wrong with her!”
    â€œAnd is that not cause for rejoicing?”
    â€œThat is not the point.”
    â€œNo, my lord, that is precisely the point. Her Ladyship has more money than time. I care not what you do with the former, but pray, use the latter well.”
    â€œHow dare you take the high moral ground with me after sending me such a pack of lies?”
    â€œI did not lie, sir. Not if you read my note closely—”
    â€œOh, but I did, my dear! Many times—before it dissolved to a pulp in my pocket, thanks to the snowstorm! ‘Come at once,’ you said. ‘If you love her, come at once.’ Well, I’m here, aren’t I?” He threw his hands up at his sides, presenting himself with an insolent glare. “Now, if it would not be too much trouble, perhaps you would not mind telling me why!”
    Â 
    Lizzie struggled to maintain her famous patience, perfectly willing to hold a civilized conversation with the man, but if he was going to behave like a domineering barbarian, it hardly encouraged her to cooperate. His grip around her elbow had not hurt, but it had offended her; freed now from his grasp, she rubbed her arm while shooting him a look of reproach. Deeming prudence the better part of valor, however, she took a step backwards just to be safe—then drew in her breath when he advanced.
    She took another step back, sending him a vexed look of alarm.
    â€œTell me, my clever Miss Carlisle,” he asked in a rather sinister purr as he pressed his advantage, stalking her aggressively through the room. “Are you in the habit of deceiving my aunt as you did me?”
    â€œObviously, you have not heard a word I’ve said. I see there is no point in trying to reason with you in your present state.” She cleared her throat, determined to bring the situation under control, backing away as he advanced step by slow, tantalizing step. “Wh-why don’t you go upstairs, change out of your wet clothes, and have something to eat? Then perhaps you will be in a more receptive humor—”
    â€œDon’t…manage me, little miss,” he taunted, just as she found her retreat blocked by the sofa behind her.
    She blanched, bending back as he leaned closer, trapping her against the couch. Her heart pounded wildly.
    All dressed in black and wickedly handsome, he loomed a foot taller than her, his shoulders so broad, she could no longer see the door behind him. She gasped and froze when he reached out and captured her chin between his black-gauntleted fingers, raising her face to inspect her.
    She stared up at him, wide-eyed. A cynical smile full of menace and mockery curled one side of his lips as he studied her at close range, his pale eyes gleaming with dangerous intelligence.
    Lizzie felt absurdly faint, a trifle dizzy. He smelled of winter and leather, wet horse and warm, ruthless male. For a moment, she could only watch, transfixed, as an ice crystal melted off of his long, jet lashes with the throbbing heat of his body. Her mesmerized gaze tracked the droplet’s trickling course down the scratched side of his sculpted face to the corner of his hard, beautiful mouth. When he licked it away, she caught her breath abruptly, then looked away, jerking her face out of his light hold.
    His velvety laughter at her electric reaction to him snapped her back to her senses. “Well, now that I’ve met you, I wish I had
not
written to you!” she muttered, looking away with a fierce blush. “If I had known you’d take such amusement in chasing me around the parlor, I wouldn’t have bothered, believe me!”
    â€œAh, but you did,
chérie
—you summoned me, and here