Read Online Pirate's Golden Promise by Lynette Vinet - Free Book Online Page A

don’t have to change between us, though I realize you’re hurt. I love you, Wynter, and refuse to lose you. True, I am married to Lucy, and she must bear my children. But when we have enough children, I’ll stop sleeping with her. Until that time, you can be my mistress, the woman I love. You’ll have my heart.”
    â€œYour heart?” Wynter screamed. “Why would I want such an untrue, wretched thing as that? I’ll never belong to you now, Adam. I hate you, detest you! You make me ill!”
    She pushed away from him, nearly stumbling in her rage. “I’ll never be your whore!”
    â€œThe arrangement was good enough for your whore mother!”
    If he had slapped her she wouldn’t have felt such searing pain rush through her. God, he was right, there. Her mother had been her father’s kept woman, no better than a London doxy. How the truth hurt! But Wynter hated Adam more at that moment than she could ever hate her father or Sara. She knew it wouldn’t do any good to keep hurling angry words at him, and suddenly she didn’t care about him, or Lucy, or Debra any longer. She wanted to breathe free.
    She composed herself and managed a tight smile which took him aback.
    â€œPerhaps my mother loved my father more than I ever thought I loved you, Adam. I wouldn’t let you into my bedroom to polish my shoes, much less invite you into my bed. I do wish you happiness and hope you and Lucy have many years together.”
    As she wrenched open the door, she heard his voice raised behind her.
    â€œYou’ll have a change of heart Wynter. By God, you will!”
    Wynter vowed to herself she wouldn’t. She’d rather die first.

    â€œI always knew he was no good.”
    â€œYes, Fletch, I know you did.”
    â€œWhat do you plan to do now?” Fletch asked and stretched his legs.
    â€œI don’t know.”
    The early spring breeze caressed them. Wynter’s hair blew in gentle wisps around her cheeks. Large, fluffy clouds skittered across the blue sky, and from her vantage point atop the hill, Wynter felt close enough to touch them.
    â€œYou know I’m leaving soon for Virginia,” he said.
    Wynter’s heart contracted. She’d forgotten. Was there no end to her disappointments?
    â€œDon’t remind me. I hate for you to go.” Her voice broke.
    Fletcher timidly took her hand. “I’ll always love you.”
    â€œOh, Fletcher.” This time the tears welled up, and she found herself crying against his chest like a small child. Why couldn’t Adam have loved her like this?
    â€œNow, now, don’t cry.” He playfully chucked her under her chin until she looked at him. Then with his fingertips he wiped away the sparkling tears from her face. “I think I just may have a solution to all your problems. You can marry me.”
    â€œOh, no!” she burst out without thinking.
    Fletcher looked hurt. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you.”
    â€œIt’s not that. It would be a great honor to be your wife,” she said hurriedly, “but I can’t leave here. Part of Lucy’s inheritance is mine, the estate is half mine. I must win it back.”
    â€œHow?”
    Wynter hunched her shoulders. “I haven’t decided yet, but I know one thing: I intend to buy the house and grounds from Debra.” They would all soon move into Somerset House, fulfilling the rest of Debra’s dream. Then the McChesney estate would be unlived in if Debra didn’t sell it to someone else.
    â€œWhere will you get the money? I don’t know of any rich blokes from around here who’ll loan it to you now that you’re begging for it. The word will spread soon enough that you’re penniless. No one will go against Lady McChesney or want to offend the new wife of Lord Somerset. Now, when I make my fortune in the new world, foreign place that it is, I’ll be willing to give you