Read Online Rapture in His Arms by Lynette Vinet - Free Book Online

and found household items which started with the corresponding letter, like apple, bell, clock, dish, and engraving. She was quite surprised when he started counting off other items which began with the same letters, a clear indication to Jillian that the man was intelligent and much brighter than she’d originally thought.
    Lizzie knocked on the door, interrupting them. “Ma’am, ’tis time to start settin’ the table for supper. Mr. Cameron will be comin’ in from the fields soon.’’
    Jillian nodded. “Aye, ’tis growing late. I’ll be there in a few minutes, Lizzie, just as soon as we finish up here.”
    “Uh-huh.” Lizzie waited in the doorway, a calf-like expression on her face as she gazed adoringly at Donovan.
    “Is there something else you need?” Jillian asked her, absurdly irritated when Donovan flashed Lizzie a dazzling smile which caused the silly woman to giggle out loud.
    “Uh, nay, ma’am. ‘Twas all I wanted to say.”
    “Then go about your chores, Lizzie.”
    Lizzie dawdled for just a second longer, her large eyes warm and bright on Donovan before scurrying away.
    Jillian rose to her feet, and Donovan got up at the same moment. He towered over her with his height. She looked up at him, disapproval etched on her brow. “Mister Shay, I believe you should be aware of something if you intend to remain on Cameron’s Hundred in harmony with us.”
    “Aye, ma’am, what is it?”
    She swallowed hard, all too aware of the man’s physical presence as he stood before her with the sunlight gilding his reddish-gold hair and emphasizing the angled lines of his handsome face. For a moment, she felt uncertain, almost as if he were the master and she the slave. But she heard Lizzie’s voice in the hallway and remembered the inane way the woman had giggled and stared at Donovan Shay. “Cavorting with the help is not allowed. Lizzie is indentured to us.”
    For a second, Donovan appeared as if he didn’t understand what she meant, Then apparently he figured out her meaning, because he scowled blackly. “’Tain’t nothin’ goin’ on betwixt me and Lizzie.”
    “I suggest things remain that way.”
    “Do you mean I can’t find me a willin’ wench? What if I take a fancy to a woman and want to marry her?”
    “You’re a slave. If you want to marry Lizzie, or anyone else in the future, then I suggest you take up the subject with Mr. Cameron.”
    “If I didn’t know better meself, I’d say you were a cold woman, ma’am.” Donovan leaned down and whispered into her ear. His breath fanned a stray curl. “But I know for a fact you ain’t cold.”
    Heat instantly reddened Jillian’s cheeks, which now resembled twin roses. “How dare you—” That was all she could think of to say. The audacious man had caught her off guard. Had he no morals, no scruples?
    “I suggest you leave—now,” she haughtily advised.
    Donovan straightened and was instantly sorry, realizing he’d spoken out of turn to his master’s wife, and now might have to suffer the consequences. “Will you still learn me my letters, ma’am?”
    Jillian hesitated, wishing with all of her heart that she wouldn’t have to see Donovan Shay again. But Edwin wanted her to tutor the man, and she cared enough about Edwin to put up with her crude pupil. She hoped Donovan was a fast learner, so she could be rid of him soon. “Yes, but only because my husband requests it. And I can’t learn you anything, Mr. Donovan. I will teach you the alphabet, but you will learn it. Come by tomorrow at the same time—and be punctual—be on time,” Jillian said, understanding from his puzzled expression that he didn’t know what punctual meant. “I also expect an apology for—for what—you just said to me. I assure you that I’m not like Priscilla Mortimer, nor do I wish to be.”
    Self-consciously, he shifted from one foot to the other, but he never stopped staring at her. Donovan found he couldn’t take his eyes from Jillian