Read Online Impostress by Lisa Jackson - Free Book Online

staring at her with such intensity that she was certain he was memorizing each and every one of her features. Her heart was beating so fast she could barely breathe, and she remembered their one, fleeting kiss, the repressed fire in the meeting of their lips.
    "Have you nothing to say for yourself?" he demanded, so close his breath, warm and smelling of wine, whispered across her cheeks.
    "I think I just apologized."
    "Too little and much, much too late."
    Kiera wished he would disappear. Why had she felt she could go through with Elyn's plan? It would have been better for the Lord of Penbrooke to realize that the marriage would never work, for her father to be shamed but at least face the truth. As it was, Kiera was trapped until her rebellious sister returned.
    And when will that be?
    She swallowed hard. She hadn't lied when she'd told him that she was ill. Though the room was cool, sweat collected on her skin. Her fingers were curved in the blankets, and half lying here, in Elyn's bed, wearing Elyn's chemise, talking to Elyn's
husband,
she thought she might lose consciousness.
    Silent, glowering down at her, he seemed even taller than he had at the wedding. A muscle worked at the edge of his jaw, and his big hands were coiled into hard, furious fists.
    She had trouble finding her voice but finally whispered, "I should have sent word—"
    "You should have joined me."
    "But I could not."
    "Or would not?" he challenged, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
    Rage pulsed from him. A sheen of sweat glistened on his skin, but as he rounded the bed she noticed that he seemed to walk unevenly. His strong, impossibly long legs wobbled slightly. Good.
    "I—I am sorry if I offended you," she said, lowering her eyes. She could not risk infuriating him, not if the plan was to work. And though she wanted to snap back a hot retort, it would not serve her purpose. "I will not do it again. Now ... mayhap you would like a cup?"
    She smiled and reached for the jug of wine. She'd already added more potion into the marked mazer, just a little from the vial to make certain it worked.
    Quick as a snake striking, strong fingers grasped her wrist so tightly she gasped. "Understand one thing, wife," he said through clenched teeth. "I will not tolerate being humiliated. Not ever."
    She gulped, tried not to notice the pressure of his fingers against her skin. "I know."
    "Do you?"
    "Yes!"
    "If you ever,
ever
embarrass me again as you did tonight, you will regret it."
    "You are threatening me?" she asked, her temper sparking.
Be careful, Kiera, don't bait him. Let it be.
    " 'Tis not a threat, wife, but the truth. I will not tolerate disobedience."
    "Then I will try hard to be the ever obedient, loving, meek little wife," she mocked, unable to hold her tongue. "Anyone who meets me will know that I am only there to serve in your shadow,
m'lord."
    "You test me," he ground out.
    "As you test me."
    He hesitated, then let his hand fall. " 'Tis not a secret that I didn't want this marriage. No more than you did. But here it is. We are wed." He threw up a hand and stepped away from the bed, allowing Kiera to breathe a little. "We now have to make the best of it."
    "Aye," she said, trying to hold her sharp tongue. "That we must."
    He glanced at the table and she thought for a heart-stopping minute that he might want to pour the wine for himself. "Here, let me get you a cup," she offered quickly and let the blankets fall, aware that her breasts and their hard nipples would be visible through the thin silk. She grabbed the jug and splashed wine into the cups, spilling a bit and silently praying that the sleeping potion wasn't lost.
    "I think I've drunk enough."
    "Nay! We ... we should share some wine."
    "That we should have.
Hours ago.
Downstairs." His eyes slitted distrustfully. "You don't seem ill."
    "I'm—I'm trying to please you," she said and managed a smile she didn't feel. Her hands were shaking as she handed him his mazer, yes, the one with the X scratched