Read Online Some Enchanted Evening by Christina Dodd - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Christina Dodd
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ma'am, be assured I hold you in the deepest respect. Yet I know that men are drawn to you, and I imagine a good number of them see no reason to restrain their baser desires. Since you're not protected by marriage or family, they believe you are fair game.”
She nodded once stiffly. "A refined way of putting it."
"I have a great need for your services to entertain and ... ah ... make the ladies handsome, and I suspect you'll find this ball a fertile and profitable endeavor,"
Ah, he did know what to say to entice her! "Yes, thank you, my lord. I have decided to remain and do as you require — as long as I may sell my creams to your guests." For while he might promise to pay her to stay, she knew better than to trust an aristocrat's generosity.
"Good. Good." He smiled that amused, patronizing smile that revealed he had never doubted she would yield to his will. "You may call me Robert."
Her hackles rose, and she answered without thinking what sort of restitution he would demand. " You may call me Your Highness."
"A privilege granted to few, I'm sure." With mocking deliberation he added, "Your Highness."
His tone made her all too aware she had stooped to a condescension as great as his. She, who was usually so glib, had been inept and autocratic.
His fault.
Then she heard her grandmother's voice in her head telling her that a true princess always took responsibility for her actions, and Clarice laid the blame where it belonged. On herself. I shall have to try harder . A lump of pride formed in her throat. "Actually, since I'm not in my own country, I encourage people to call me, as you have, ma'am , or Princess Clarice, or even my lady ." Never had words been harder to force out.
Dreadful! That sounded even worse than before.
But he pretended to be grateful when all the while his eyes glinted in that cynical manner that made her want to give in to yet another ungracious response — and slap him. "Thank you, but if you're to attend my ball as a princess of the realm, Whatever realm that is —"
She gritted her teeth.
"— and lend me countenance, I feel I must give you the full weight of respect for your office." Once again he smiled, a smile as sharp as a rapier. "Your Highness."
She had known him only a few hours, but already she had come to hate that smile. "I cannot attend your ball."
He ignored her as if she'd never even spoken. "In return for your services, I promise that you'll be protected from those ignominious men, your reputation will be polished to a shine, and when all is said and done, you'll have enough money to immediately return to your 'kingdom,' should you desire, or stay here and live well for the rest of your life."
He must be a devil to correctly read her desires. But she had to object. "To attend the ball given for so great a hero as Colonel Ogley would bring on me an attention that could be dangerous."
"I'll keep you safe."
That voice. Those words. This proved he was a devil, for all these last lonely, difficult years, she'd dreamed of a man saying that to her.
Worse, she must be a fool, for she believed him. "You're promising a great deal."
"I am. I always keep my promises." Leaning far out of the saddle, he took her hand and squeezed it. "But in return you'll do as I require."
"Before I agree to that, you'll tell me everything you wish me to do."
"When the time comes." Lifting her hand to his mouth, he kissed her glove.
That circumspect salute through a covering of leather should have felt less seductive than the kiss he had earlier pressed on her bare hand.
If anything, it was more seductive. It brought to mind a whole scope of dissipations involving the slow strip of her leather glove from her fingers. The removal of all her clothes from her body. His lips moving everywhere on pale skin and sensitive nerves.
She yanked her hand back.
She didn't comprehend why he wanted her at his ball, but she did know he desired her body, and demonstrated his need boldly. He watched her with
She nodded once stiffly. "A refined way of putting it."
"I have a great need for your services to entertain and ... ah ... make the ladies handsome, and I suspect you'll find this ball a fertile and profitable endeavor,"
Ah, he did know what to say to entice her! "Yes, thank you, my lord. I have decided to remain and do as you require — as long as I may sell my creams to your guests." For while he might promise to pay her to stay, she knew better than to trust an aristocrat's generosity.
"Good. Good." He smiled that amused, patronizing smile that revealed he had never doubted she would yield to his will. "You may call me Robert."
Her hackles rose, and she answered without thinking what sort of restitution he would demand. " You may call me Your Highness."
"A privilege granted to few, I'm sure." With mocking deliberation he added, "Your Highness."
His tone made her all too aware she had stooped to a condescension as great as his. She, who was usually so glib, had been inept and autocratic.
His fault.
Then she heard her grandmother's voice in her head telling her that a true princess always took responsibility for her actions, and Clarice laid the blame where it belonged. On herself. I shall have to try harder . A lump of pride formed in her throat. "Actually, since I'm not in my own country, I encourage people to call me, as you have, ma'am , or Princess Clarice, or even my lady ." Never had words been harder to force out.
Dreadful! That sounded even worse than before.
But he pretended to be grateful when all the while his eyes glinted in that cynical manner that made her want to give in to yet another ungracious response — and slap him. "Thank you, but if you're to attend my ball as a princess of the realm, Whatever realm that is —"
She gritted her teeth.
"— and lend me countenance, I feel I must give you the full weight of respect for your office." Once again he smiled, a smile as sharp as a rapier. "Your Highness."
She had known him only a few hours, but already she had come to hate that smile. "I cannot attend your ball."
He ignored her as if she'd never even spoken. "In return for your services, I promise that you'll be protected from those ignominious men, your reputation will be polished to a shine, and when all is said and done, you'll have enough money to immediately return to your 'kingdom,' should you desire, or stay here and live well for the rest of your life."
He must be a devil to correctly read her desires. But she had to object. "To attend the ball given for so great a hero as Colonel Ogley would bring on me an attention that could be dangerous."
"I'll keep you safe."
That voice. Those words. This proved he was a devil, for all these last lonely, difficult years, she'd dreamed of a man saying that to her.
Worse, she must be a fool, for she believed him. "You're promising a great deal."
"I am. I always keep my promises." Leaning far out of the saddle, he took her hand and squeezed it. "But in return you'll do as I require."
"Before I agree to that, you'll tell me everything you wish me to do."
"When the time comes." Lifting her hand to his mouth, he kissed her glove.
That circumspect salute through a covering of leather should have felt less seductive than the kiss he had earlier pressed on her bare hand.
If anything, it was more seductive. It brought to mind a whole scope of dissipations involving the slow strip of her leather glove from her fingers. The removal of all her clothes from her body. His lips moving everywhere on pale skin and sensitive nerves.
She yanked her hand back.
She didn't comprehend why he wanted her at his ball, but she did know he desired her body, and demonstrated his need boldly. He watched her with
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