Read Online Lynette Vinet - Emerald Trilogy 02 by Emerald Enchantment - Free Book Online Page B

love is like the mountains, beautiful, brave and true. My love is like the meadows, green and fresh with dew. She has my heart, she’ll have my child. She has my passion, ever wild.”
    “I had no idea you could sing,” she said and kissed him with such gentleness that he couldn’t help but smile at the delight on her face.
    “I didn’t either, but for you, my darling, I’d do anything.”
    “Where did you learn that song?” she asked.
    “I just made it up.”
    “Really?” She looked at him in mock seriousness, yet he discerned a mischievous gleam in her eyes. “I’m pleased you’re so inventive. Show me some more of your marvelous ideas.” She nibbled at his ear, and this time he was surprised.
    “Allison, you’re insatiable!”
    “I know,” she whispered, “but you love it!”
    And he did. He loved her gentleness, the way her face glowed when he took her. Never in Paul’s life had he felt so drawn to a woman, or so distracted from thepurpose behind his arrival in Ireland. He had known many women, delighting in their voluptuous offerings, had loved one, and considered himself an expert at seduction. Now he wondered who was seducing whom. Clearly Allison might succeed in binding him to her with her beautiful ivory flesh, but he realized he must fight his tender feelings. He mustn’t allow himself to forget the reason behind this marriage.
    Paul forced himself to recall the haughty image of Cecelia Wiggington, the sister of Avery Fairfax, as she sat behind the huge desk in the library peering down her aristocratic nose at him. Her image strengthened his resolve. He decided that he would bed his delicious young wife as often as he wished and enjoy every moment of it—but he would refuse to fall in love with her.
    Allison timidly stroked his forearm. “Paul, is something wrong?”
    The soft angles of his mouth hardened. He seized the back of her neck and pulled her down beside him, burying his face in her hair. “No, love, I just want to enjoy you.” And he did. With each caress of his hands on her flesh, he marked her as his own.
    ~ ~ ~
     
    Cecelia’s solicitor arrived with all possible haste. Though Jacob Gibbons was used to visiting Fairfax Manor to conduct business, he realized Lady Cecelia’s request that he arrive immediately betokened the most urgent concern. After he had settled himself into a chair in the library where she waited behind the huge desk, he realized how weary he was and longed for a cup of tea, but no offer was made so he concentrated on the matter at hand.
    “I appreciate your coming so promptly, Jacob. I wish to make a change in my will,” Cecelia announced grimly.
    Jacob lifted an eyebrow. “That is your privilege, your ladyship. I thought all was settled on that score.”
    “So did I . I may change my mind again, but it has been over two days and…” Cecelia’s voice drifted off. Apparently Allison had really married Paul Flanders. She had gambled with her threat to disinherit Allison, hoping the girl would tell Flanders and he would jilt her, or that she would come to her senses and see him for the fortune hunter he undoubtedly was. But it looked as if Cecelia had to make good her threat, though she really didn’t want to. She detested leaving her assets to charity, not being particularly charitable by nature.
    She looked levelly at Jacob, the sleepless nights since Allison’s departure evident on her lined and tired face.
    “Whatever you deem necessary, your ladyship,” he said and sorted through his papers. “Oh, I’ve some interesting news for you. I meant to write to you about this, but since I’m here. ..”
    “Well, what is it?” Cecelia asked sharply, disliking the way Jacob dawdled over his paperwork.
    “Remember the funds you deposited with me some twenty-five or so years ago for the wife of your brother Avery? I told you the woman requested the money be transferred to her son’s name.”
    “Yes, I remember,” Cecelia said in suspicion.” That