Read Online Miranda's Dilemma by Natasha Blackthorne - Free Book Online
Authors: Natasha Blackthorne
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Danvers’ odious presence.
“Yes, indeed, I think you’ll find all subordinates respond well to a little firmness.”
Froster stiffened, his expression oddly frozen. Then it flicked over Miranda, with wintry interest. “Yes, I do remember you saying that only the other day, Danvers.”
Danvers chuckled, the sound ringing sinisterly in her ears. “Words we should all live by, my friend.”
****
Adrian watched Froster aid Miss Jones to her feet. Her hair flashed with fiery crimson lights that did not come close to rivaling the angry fire in her eyes. Anger that he so richly deserved.
Before he’d entered the chamber, he’d spent several moments, standing in the doorway, watching her and Froster with the puppies. The way her face had lit with joy, God had he ever seen a woman more beautiful than she had been in that moment?
The sight had done things to him that he couldn’t describe.
He had come close to offering her pick of the litter.
That had struck him like a blow, that his emotions could betray him so thoroughly. That had knocked him off his balance, had made him harden himself to her.
He’d been a complete jackanapes to her.
Adrian’s gaze riveted on the older man’s hand, resting so familiarly, so possessively on the small of her back. Jealousy surged through Adrian, so strong that he clenched his jaw.
He stood, partially blocking their exit. Forcing her to face him before leaving. Why? After the way he’d just behaved to her, he should simply allow her a graceful exit.
But he couldn’t help himself.
He was out of control of himself.
She passed so close, he might have reached to touch her.
She looked up.
Her icy green glare cut him.
He caught his breath.
She swept past him, her head held high, her crispy skirts rustling. He watched her exit with his heart pounding.
Pounding with what? Lust? Hot jealousy? Shame at having been such a cad?
No, his heart pounded with something else. A tingling rush of emotion he couldn’t exactly name.
It was the same tingling rush he’d been overcome with the moment he’d seen Cassandra Jones, resplendent in her burgundy velvet gown, holding court with several gentlemen in the banqueting area where tea had been served.
He had seen Cassandra and then knew that Miranda was here. Under his very roof.
****
Behind the privacy of her closed chamber door, Miranda stood before Froster, clad only in her stays, chemise, garters and stockings.
His eyes were huge as he scanned her form.
She was no shy violet to shrink away or try to hide. Yet, she stared at the steaming tub, and fierce longing consumed her being. “Please, I want to bathe now.”
“I have dreamed of seeing you thusly.”
She laughed softly, teasingly, and placed her hands to his shoulders. “I need to bathe.”
“I want to become…better acquainted.”
“The evening is young.” She made her voice soft, seductive and ran a fingertip along his jaw.
His face had become flushed and he was breathing much quicker. “I want to explore you… all of you.”
“Later.”
“No.”
His tone was so uncharacteristically unyielding that it sent a jolt of alarm through her. She caught her breath. “My lord?”
“Hush.” He held her shoulders, firmly.
Her heart began to beat quicker. Should she run? Goodness, this was her new protector. She must be compliant, right?
“My lord, if you would just…”
He brought his mouth down on hers.
He had kissed her before, of course. Gently, friendly.
This was no gentle, friendly kiss.
He ground his lips into hers then thrust his tongue between her lips.
The hot, whisky sour taste of his tongue sent a shudder of disgust through her. She put her hands to his chest and pressed.
He gripped her shoulders harder and lifted his mouth. His eyes staring down into hers were unrelenting. Merciless.
“I’ve been patient, Miranda.”
“Yes, you’ve been a gentleman.” Up until now , she might have added. Her lips were trembling, her
“Yes, indeed, I think you’ll find all subordinates respond well to a little firmness.”
Froster stiffened, his expression oddly frozen. Then it flicked over Miranda, with wintry interest. “Yes, I do remember you saying that only the other day, Danvers.”
Danvers chuckled, the sound ringing sinisterly in her ears. “Words we should all live by, my friend.”
****
Adrian watched Froster aid Miss Jones to her feet. Her hair flashed with fiery crimson lights that did not come close to rivaling the angry fire in her eyes. Anger that he so richly deserved.
Before he’d entered the chamber, he’d spent several moments, standing in the doorway, watching her and Froster with the puppies. The way her face had lit with joy, God had he ever seen a woman more beautiful than she had been in that moment?
The sight had done things to him that he couldn’t describe.
He had come close to offering her pick of the litter.
That had struck him like a blow, that his emotions could betray him so thoroughly. That had knocked him off his balance, had made him harden himself to her.
He’d been a complete jackanapes to her.
Adrian’s gaze riveted on the older man’s hand, resting so familiarly, so possessively on the small of her back. Jealousy surged through Adrian, so strong that he clenched his jaw.
He stood, partially blocking their exit. Forcing her to face him before leaving. Why? After the way he’d just behaved to her, he should simply allow her a graceful exit.
But he couldn’t help himself.
He was out of control of himself.
She passed so close, he might have reached to touch her.
She looked up.
Her icy green glare cut him.
He caught his breath.
She swept past him, her head held high, her crispy skirts rustling. He watched her exit with his heart pounding.
Pounding with what? Lust? Hot jealousy? Shame at having been such a cad?
No, his heart pounded with something else. A tingling rush of emotion he couldn’t exactly name.
It was the same tingling rush he’d been overcome with the moment he’d seen Cassandra Jones, resplendent in her burgundy velvet gown, holding court with several gentlemen in the banqueting area where tea had been served.
He had seen Cassandra and then knew that Miranda was here. Under his very roof.
****
Behind the privacy of her closed chamber door, Miranda stood before Froster, clad only in her stays, chemise, garters and stockings.
His eyes were huge as he scanned her form.
She was no shy violet to shrink away or try to hide. Yet, she stared at the steaming tub, and fierce longing consumed her being. “Please, I want to bathe now.”
“I have dreamed of seeing you thusly.”
She laughed softly, teasingly, and placed her hands to his shoulders. “I need to bathe.”
“I want to become…better acquainted.”
“The evening is young.” She made her voice soft, seductive and ran a fingertip along his jaw.
His face had become flushed and he was breathing much quicker. “I want to explore you… all of you.”
“Later.”
“No.”
His tone was so uncharacteristically unyielding that it sent a jolt of alarm through her. She caught her breath. “My lord?”
“Hush.” He held her shoulders, firmly.
Her heart began to beat quicker. Should she run? Goodness, this was her new protector. She must be compliant, right?
“My lord, if you would just…”
He brought his mouth down on hers.
He had kissed her before, of course. Gently, friendly.
This was no gentle, friendly kiss.
He ground his lips into hers then thrust his tongue between her lips.
The hot, whisky sour taste of his tongue sent a shudder of disgust through her. She put her hands to his chest and pressed.
He gripped her shoulders harder and lifted his mouth. His eyes staring down into hers were unrelenting. Merciless.
“I’ve been patient, Miranda.”
“Yes, you’ve been a gentleman.” Up until now , she might have added. Her lips were trembling, her
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