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

Cameron’s flawless face. Even when she was angry and disapproving of him, he found her to be beautiful. He could tell that he’d hurt her, though he hadn’t intended to do anything that would make her dislike him further. When he’d told her that she wasn’t cold, he’d meant it as a fact. She wasn’t. He could still feel the way her body had felt beneath him that night; he still could imagine her warm lips on his. God, no, she wasn’t cold at all, at least not in a fleshly way, but her heart—well, her heart was a different matter. But he needed her to learn him—to teach him, he mentally corrected himself—the alphabet and ciphering. It wouldn’t do, to make her decide not to teach him anymore.
    “’Tis sorry I am, ma’am,” was all he said, and he wondered if she’d require more in the way of an apology. He saw her incline her head in acceptance and realized that was all she’d wanted. Donovan Shay decided then and there that she must be an easy woman to please, and he liked that about her. Most of the English people he’d ever known had been bloody difficult.
    “You may go now, Mister Shay.”
    “Aye, ma’am. Good evenin’ to you.” Donovan took the parchment paper with the letters he’d written and folded it before placing the paper inside of his shirt for further study after supper. Then he turned and left the library.
    That evening after he’d eaten, he pulled out the paper and studied it by candlelight in his cabin. His fingers traced the letters, and then he took a small piece of coal to form them himself. In his mind’s eye, he could still see Jillian as her thin, elegant hand had formed the letters. Without realizing it, he smiled. Jillian Cameron was a true lady—nothing like Priscilla Mortimer at all. He couldn’t imagine Priscilla taking the time to teach him anything other than how to please her in bed.
    A small knock at his door interrupted his studies. When he grudgingly answered it, he saw Lizzie. She smiled in a friendly way, but Donovan had been around enough females to know what this one wanted. He groaned to himself, wondering if he was to blame for her sudden appearance. Maybe he’d given her the wrong idea by smiling too much at her. And right now, Donovan didn’t want to get involved with Lizzie or any woman. “I thought ye might be lonely and like some company,” Lizzie brazenly offered, and brushed past him to enter his cabin. Her eyes settled upon the small bed and flashed back at him. “I’m real good company for a fine man like ye, Donovan.”
    He knew she probably was. Lizzie was dressed in a tight-fitting yellow gown which was frayed in spots, and her lush breasts spilled forth from the low neckline. Her dark hair hung around her face and shoulders like a black velvet cloud. Truly, Lizzie was a feast for his eyes, and a nice handful of curves when she came over to him and threw her arms around his neck. He felt himself respond to her caress, and he’d have bedded the lusty wench there and then, except he remembered that on the morrow he’d see Jillian Cameron again for another lesson. He wanted to impress Jillian with his ability to form the letters he’d learned that day, and Lizzie was an unnecessary diversion. “What’s wrong?” she asked petulantly when he didn’t return the kiss she bestowed upon him. “Ain’t I good enough for the new overseer?”
    “Aye, Lizzie, you’re good enough for any man,” he kindly said. “But I’m studyin’ for me lesson tomorrow. See, I’ve been practicin’ me letters.” Proudly, Donovan showed her the parchment.
    “You’d rather write yer letters than kiss me?” She raised her eyebrows in bafflement. “Lord, but ye’re a strange man, Donovan Shay! I don’t stay where I’m not appreciated. I’ll be leavin’ now. ’Tis sorry I am for botherin’ ye!” In a huff, Lizzie stormed to the door.
    “Lizzie, please don’t be mad, but I need to do this—”
    “Aye, I know what ye need to do and it has to