Read Online Take My Heart (Heroic Rogues Series) by Marie Higgins - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Marie Higgins
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sister. I’m more inclined to think she spent time with some soldier. It could have been Colonel Burwell for that matter. I think she knows a vital piece of information that might help our cause, and I am going to catch her before she acts on her knowledge.”
Gabe nodded. “I’ll be alert for any peculiar activity.”
William sat behind his desk, stretching his legs beneath the solid oak. He hesitated in asking, only because the subject made him irritable, but he had to know. “Gabe? Has she snuck away from the house to meet secretly with a man since she has been back?”
“No, not at all. And I have kept constant watch on her.” Gabriel moved to the window and peered out.
William shook his head. “Something is not right, and it is maddening.”
Gabe ambled over to him and squeezed his shoulder. “I shall keep following her. I’ll not let you down.”
William smiled and clapped his friend’s hand. “I know. Keep a sharp eye. She is a sneaky one.”
When the door closed behind Gabriel, William stretched his stiff neck. Thank heaven the Sons of Liberty had that man on their side. Gabe had discovered Kat sneaking out of the house one week after she and William were married. She enjoyed charming almost every man she came in contact with...all except her own husband. Sometimes William wondered why he repulsed her so.
Kat was very much like his first wife, Victoria, in that respect.
He groaned and slunk lower in his chair. Victoria, the sweet, caring, and tender mother of his children. The perfect wife…until it came to performing her wifely duties she abhorred. He tried to convince her making love wasn’t a chore, but a pleasurable, natural experience between husband and wife. Victoria didn’t see it that way. He’d been gentle and patient with her, but he hated knowing she abhorred the act. The only good that came out of their brief moments of coupling were his son and daughter.
At times during their marriage, he’d felt less than a man, but always stayed true to their vows. On her deathbed, she urged him to find another wife—a mother to raise their children. When he’d first met Kat, he thought she was the one. Just like Victoria, Kat had been innocent and shy, so he didn’t rush her. Within a week, he discovered from Gabe that Kat had been unfaithful. Even with William’s business partner, Brandon Kennedy, for goodness sake! After that, William hadn’t wanted to touch his wife.
He picked up his quill and concentrated on his sketches, but from outside, a woman’s sweet laughter rose above the hustle from the busy street. He lifted his gaze out the window. Kat skipped with his children down the street. For the first time since Victoria died, a smile highlighted his son’s face as he held onto Kat’s hand and looked up into her eyes.
The mismatched pair hurried across the street toward his office, and William’s heart melted. Quick as lightening, he cursed the feeling, reminding himself this was only an act. Kat wasn’t the loving and charming person she portrayed, but a she-devil in disguise. He couldn’t allow himself to trust her.
Not now.
Not ever.
Chapter Five
It had been several hours since the sun had lowered in the western horizon. William rubbed his eyes, trying to decide what time it was. His guess; three in the morning. Mayhap four. He climbed out of bed after tossing and turning for some time and walked to the window. A sheath of black cloaked the land, lightning flashed in the distance, followed by a low rumble of thunder. Storms had always soothed him, and he was content to sit and watch.
He parted the curtain just enough to witness the slashes of light in the sky and made himself comfortable in a heavily cushioned chair. The storm advanced in slow degrees, rumbling and stamping its way across the peaceful landscape. Several times his body relaxed, but the persistent roar of thunder jolted him alert and left him emotionally restless.
The storm was not the main reason
Gabe nodded. “I’ll be alert for any peculiar activity.”
William sat behind his desk, stretching his legs beneath the solid oak. He hesitated in asking, only because the subject made him irritable, but he had to know. “Gabe? Has she snuck away from the house to meet secretly with a man since she has been back?”
“No, not at all. And I have kept constant watch on her.” Gabriel moved to the window and peered out.
William shook his head. “Something is not right, and it is maddening.”
Gabe ambled over to him and squeezed his shoulder. “I shall keep following her. I’ll not let you down.”
William smiled and clapped his friend’s hand. “I know. Keep a sharp eye. She is a sneaky one.”
When the door closed behind Gabriel, William stretched his stiff neck. Thank heaven the Sons of Liberty had that man on their side. Gabe had discovered Kat sneaking out of the house one week after she and William were married. She enjoyed charming almost every man she came in contact with...all except her own husband. Sometimes William wondered why he repulsed her so.
Kat was very much like his first wife, Victoria, in that respect.
He groaned and slunk lower in his chair. Victoria, the sweet, caring, and tender mother of his children. The perfect wife…until it came to performing her wifely duties she abhorred. He tried to convince her making love wasn’t a chore, but a pleasurable, natural experience between husband and wife. Victoria didn’t see it that way. He’d been gentle and patient with her, but he hated knowing she abhorred the act. The only good that came out of their brief moments of coupling were his son and daughter.
At times during their marriage, he’d felt less than a man, but always stayed true to their vows. On her deathbed, she urged him to find another wife—a mother to raise their children. When he’d first met Kat, he thought she was the one. Just like Victoria, Kat had been innocent and shy, so he didn’t rush her. Within a week, he discovered from Gabe that Kat had been unfaithful. Even with William’s business partner, Brandon Kennedy, for goodness sake! After that, William hadn’t wanted to touch his wife.
He picked up his quill and concentrated on his sketches, but from outside, a woman’s sweet laughter rose above the hustle from the busy street. He lifted his gaze out the window. Kat skipped with his children down the street. For the first time since Victoria died, a smile highlighted his son’s face as he held onto Kat’s hand and looked up into her eyes.
The mismatched pair hurried across the street toward his office, and William’s heart melted. Quick as lightening, he cursed the feeling, reminding himself this was only an act. Kat wasn’t the loving and charming person she portrayed, but a she-devil in disguise. He couldn’t allow himself to trust her.
Not now.
Not ever.
Chapter Five
It had been several hours since the sun had lowered in the western horizon. William rubbed his eyes, trying to decide what time it was. His guess; three in the morning. Mayhap four. He climbed out of bed after tossing and turning for some time and walked to the window. A sheath of black cloaked the land, lightning flashed in the distance, followed by a low rumble of thunder. Storms had always soothed him, and he was content to sit and watch.
He parted the curtain just enough to witness the slashes of light in the sky and made himself comfortable in a heavily cushioned chair. The storm advanced in slow degrees, rumbling and stamping its way across the peaceful landscape. Several times his body relaxed, but the persistent roar of thunder jolted him alert and left him emotionally restless.
The storm was not the main reason
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