Read Online Rules of Attraction by Christina Dodd - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Christina Dodd
Ads: Link
time since Dougald had turned from the window to face her, she was no longer fearing him, wondering about him, glaring at him; indeed, she feared she bathed him with a look too fond, for he was not mocking or glaring.
Oh, no. It was much worse than that.
He stared at her as if she were an unsuspecting fawn and he a ravaging wolf. Had he followed her into her mind and joined her in her memories? Or had he remembered other times, passionate times? Times when they had joined together despite the fights and the unhappiness, because their bodies demanded and they had no choice but to obey?
If he knew about the Distinguished Academy of Governesses, he knew at least of the tribulations and challenges she'd faced. He knew she was strong and tough, that she wasn't the innocent he had come so close to destroying before.
Only… only the way he looked at her had nothing to do with business, or the years they had been apart, or the changes in their bodies and their minds. He looked and she was bathed in pure, animal heat. He projected a package filled with memories… her faint moans, his desperate passion, their two bodies nude on a bed, on a table… on the train. Whatever trouble they'd had between them never mattered when they held each other in their arms.
Then his eyelids drooped, hiding his thoughts. Gracefully he slithered back into his chair, and in a voice rife with boredom, he said, "Of course you will care for the aunts. You didn't dream I brought you here to act as my wife— in any capacity?"
Blackguard. Knave, rascal, devil .
How dare he dismiss her imaginings when he'd led her to think exactly that? He had baited her, dangling memories before her, leading her where he wished. Proving she still wanted him.
With an aggression that was perhaps ill-advised, but necessary, she said, "You will not divorce me."
"No. I will not be the first to bring such a disgrace on the Pippard family."
"So what recourse do I have?"
"I think you know the answer to that." His fingers stroked the smooth, carved wood of his chair arm. "We can go on as we have. I will never tell anyone who you are and I will never be able to remarry. I will be the last of the Pippards and the title of earl of Raeburn will pass to yet another branch of the family." He paused, waiting for comment.
She knew very well he would not willingly suffer such consequences. "What other options?"
His voice, deep and sweet as syrup, warmed her as he suggested, "We can reconcile."
She took a quick, shallow breath, and she found herself looking everywhere but at him.
"Or we have a third option."
A third option? She could think of no third option. "What is it?"
"Everyone already thinks my wife is dead. So I could kill you."
6
H annah couldn't catch her breath. She stared at Dougald, this angry, hostile lord who stroked his chin and looked so thoughtful. The old Dougald would never be so callous, yet this man spoke of her murder with a calm that froze her blood.
"Killing you would certainly solve all my problems. As long as I didn't get caught, I'd be no more notorious than I already am." Then he laughed. A husky, illused chuckle. "Of course, I mention it only as one of our options. I would never truly harm you in any way… my love."
Swine! To jest about her death now, tonight, the first time they'd seen each other in nine years! To mention a cold grave while the fog swirled outside and the only soul who knew her true identity and background was the very man who menaced her. If she wanted proof that he truly did not love her, had never loved her, his words, his laughter provided that proof. Well. She would not sit here and allow him to torment her. She had had a difficult trip. Merely seeing him had been a horrible shock.
She'd had enough. Enough of his threats, his sneers, his taunts, his reminiscences. She wanted to rush at him, to shake her finger in his face, show him his mistake in thinking he could humiliate her. Her, the headmistress of the
Oh, no. It was much worse than that.
He stared at her as if she were an unsuspecting fawn and he a ravaging wolf. Had he followed her into her mind and joined her in her memories? Or had he remembered other times, passionate times? Times when they had joined together despite the fights and the unhappiness, because their bodies demanded and they had no choice but to obey?
If he knew about the Distinguished Academy of Governesses, he knew at least of the tribulations and challenges she'd faced. He knew she was strong and tough, that she wasn't the innocent he had come so close to destroying before.
Only… only the way he looked at her had nothing to do with business, or the years they had been apart, or the changes in their bodies and their minds. He looked and she was bathed in pure, animal heat. He projected a package filled with memories… her faint moans, his desperate passion, their two bodies nude on a bed, on a table… on the train. Whatever trouble they'd had between them never mattered when they held each other in their arms.
Then his eyelids drooped, hiding his thoughts. Gracefully he slithered back into his chair, and in a voice rife with boredom, he said, "Of course you will care for the aunts. You didn't dream I brought you here to act as my wife— in any capacity?"
Blackguard. Knave, rascal, devil .
How dare he dismiss her imaginings when he'd led her to think exactly that? He had baited her, dangling memories before her, leading her where he wished. Proving she still wanted him.
With an aggression that was perhaps ill-advised, but necessary, she said, "You will not divorce me."
"No. I will not be the first to bring such a disgrace on the Pippard family."
"So what recourse do I have?"
"I think you know the answer to that." His fingers stroked the smooth, carved wood of his chair arm. "We can go on as we have. I will never tell anyone who you are and I will never be able to remarry. I will be the last of the Pippards and the title of earl of Raeburn will pass to yet another branch of the family." He paused, waiting for comment.
She knew very well he would not willingly suffer such consequences. "What other options?"
His voice, deep and sweet as syrup, warmed her as he suggested, "We can reconcile."
She took a quick, shallow breath, and she found herself looking everywhere but at him.
"Or we have a third option."
A third option? She could think of no third option. "What is it?"
"Everyone already thinks my wife is dead. So I could kill you."
6
H annah couldn't catch her breath. She stared at Dougald, this angry, hostile lord who stroked his chin and looked so thoughtful. The old Dougald would never be so callous, yet this man spoke of her murder with a calm that froze her blood.
"Killing you would certainly solve all my problems. As long as I didn't get caught, I'd be no more notorious than I already am." Then he laughed. A husky, illused chuckle. "Of course, I mention it only as one of our options. I would never truly harm you in any way… my love."
Swine! To jest about her death now, tonight, the first time they'd seen each other in nine years! To mention a cold grave while the fog swirled outside and the only soul who knew her true identity and background was the very man who menaced her. If she wanted proof that he truly did not love her, had never loved her, his words, his laughter provided that proof. Well. She would not sit here and allow him to torment her. She had had a difficult trip. Merely seeing him had been a horrible shock.
She'd had enough. Enough of his threats, his sneers, his taunts, his reminiscences. She wanted to rush at him, to shake her finger in his face, show him his mistake in thinking he could humiliate her. Her, the headmistress of the
Similar Books
