Read Online Reawakened by the Surgeon's Touch by Jennifer Taylor - Free Book Online
Authors: Jennifer Taylor
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it stung. For some reason she had become persona non grata in his eyes.
Claire edged her chair away as he sat down, not wanting to risk coming into contact with him. Lesley had lent her a dress, quite a pretty one too, made from pale pink cotton with short sleeves and a modestly scooped neck. She hadnât bothered fastening back her hair, just left it loose around her shoulders, and she was aware of Judeâs eyes skimming over her but determinedly applied herself to her meal. What he thought of her appearance was neither here nor there!
âThis is rather good. What is it exactly?â
She glanced round when he spoke, feeling her heart catch when she found herself staring straight into his eyes. A rich warm hazel with flecks of gold around the irises, they seemed to draw her in and hold her spellbound. It was only when she saw one elegant black brow arch that she remembered he was waiting for her to answer.
âMutton stew. Itâs one of Mosesâ signature dishes, so he tends to make it quite often,â she gabbled. She forked up a mouthful of the spicy concoction to give herself time to calm down but her heart was still behaving in a highly erratic fashion. âApparently, his mother used to make it for himâitâs her recipe.â
âClever mum. And clever Moses for getting the recipe off her.â Jude forked up some of the vegetable that had been served with it and grimaced. âIâm not sure about this though. Itâs a bit like sweet potato but incredibly dry and stringy.â
âItâs yam. I wasnât too keen on it either but Iâve got used to it now. The trick is to never eat it on its own. Mix some gravy into it to make it more palatable,â she advised, feeling a little easier now that the conversation was centred on such mundane matters.
âMmm, better, although I doubt if Iâll be adding it to my shopping list when I get home.â
Javid claimed his attention then and he turned away. Claire continued to eat, letting the conversation flow over her. Normally, she would have joined in but for some reason she felt strangely detached that night. When the lights suddenly went out, plunging the room into darkness apart from the glow from the hurricane lamp, it was a relief. There was less chance of anyone noticing how quiet she was now and remarking on it.
They rounded off the meal with fresh fruit and coffee, although Claire passed on the coffee. Experience had taught her that it was better to avoid the malodorous brew that Moses concocted with such delight.
âMy heaven!â Jude put down his cup and shook his head. âThat stuff is lethal. I mean, I like strong coffee but thatâs in a league of its own!â
Everyone laughed and started to regale him with tales of their own experiences with Mosesâ pièce de résistance although Claire didnât join in. All of a sudden everything that had transpired that day seemed to have caught up with her. She felt a shudder run through her and then another...
âAre you all right?â
A lean, tanned hand closed around hers and her heart seemed to stop. Now it wasnât just the fear she had felt when they had outrun the rebel fighters that was causing her such distress but other memories, far more terrifying: Andrew holding her hands as he forced her down onto the bed; trapping her there with his weight as he ignored her pleas to stop...
A moan escaped her lips, like the tiny cry of an animal in pain, and she felt Judeâs fingers tighten. âIf youâre going to faint then mind the table. You donât need a lump on your head to add to your woes.â
It was so ridiculous that Claire laughed. She laughed and she laughed until she couldnât stop. Everyone had stopped talking and they were staring at her but all she could do was laugh. Jude was worrying about her getting a bump on her head while she was remembering being raped!
âThatâs enough
Claire edged her chair away as he sat down, not wanting to risk coming into contact with him. Lesley had lent her a dress, quite a pretty one too, made from pale pink cotton with short sleeves and a modestly scooped neck. She hadnât bothered fastening back her hair, just left it loose around her shoulders, and she was aware of Judeâs eyes skimming over her but determinedly applied herself to her meal. What he thought of her appearance was neither here nor there!
âThis is rather good. What is it exactly?â
She glanced round when he spoke, feeling her heart catch when she found herself staring straight into his eyes. A rich warm hazel with flecks of gold around the irises, they seemed to draw her in and hold her spellbound. It was only when she saw one elegant black brow arch that she remembered he was waiting for her to answer.
âMutton stew. Itâs one of Mosesâ signature dishes, so he tends to make it quite often,â she gabbled. She forked up a mouthful of the spicy concoction to give herself time to calm down but her heart was still behaving in a highly erratic fashion. âApparently, his mother used to make it for himâitâs her recipe.â
âClever mum. And clever Moses for getting the recipe off her.â Jude forked up some of the vegetable that had been served with it and grimaced. âIâm not sure about this though. Itâs a bit like sweet potato but incredibly dry and stringy.â
âItâs yam. I wasnât too keen on it either but Iâve got used to it now. The trick is to never eat it on its own. Mix some gravy into it to make it more palatable,â she advised, feeling a little easier now that the conversation was centred on such mundane matters.
âMmm, better, although I doubt if Iâll be adding it to my shopping list when I get home.â
Javid claimed his attention then and he turned away. Claire continued to eat, letting the conversation flow over her. Normally, she would have joined in but for some reason she felt strangely detached that night. When the lights suddenly went out, plunging the room into darkness apart from the glow from the hurricane lamp, it was a relief. There was less chance of anyone noticing how quiet she was now and remarking on it.
They rounded off the meal with fresh fruit and coffee, although Claire passed on the coffee. Experience had taught her that it was better to avoid the malodorous brew that Moses concocted with such delight.
âMy heaven!â Jude put down his cup and shook his head. âThat stuff is lethal. I mean, I like strong coffee but thatâs in a league of its own!â
Everyone laughed and started to regale him with tales of their own experiences with Mosesâ pièce de résistance although Claire didnât join in. All of a sudden everything that had transpired that day seemed to have caught up with her. She felt a shudder run through her and then another...
âAre you all right?â
A lean, tanned hand closed around hers and her heart seemed to stop. Now it wasnât just the fear she had felt when they had outrun the rebel fighters that was causing her such distress but other memories, far more terrifying: Andrew holding her hands as he forced her down onto the bed; trapping her there with his weight as he ignored her pleas to stop...
A moan escaped her lips, like the tiny cry of an animal in pain, and she felt Judeâs fingers tighten. âIf youâre going to faint then mind the table. You donât need a lump on your head to add to your woes.â
It was so ridiculous that Claire laughed. She laughed and she laughed until she couldnât stop. Everyone had stopped talking and they were staring at her but all she could do was laugh. Jude was worrying about her getting a bump on her head while she was remembering being raped!
âThatâs enough
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