Read Online The Bride Behind the Curtain by Darcie Wilde - Free Book Online Page B

when they’d hidden together. He should back away. It would be kinder to them both. He should not think about wrapping his arms around her, about relieving her of that dress, about kissing her mouth and her throat and her breasts, about discovering the whole of her body and her desire, and hearing her cry out as he fulfilled every need and wish.
    But he wanted to. Immediately. Painfully. His prick was at attention, and every nerve was on fire, and it made no sense at all and he didn’t care. He did not want Patience, or the card tables, or a life of convenience and duty well done. He wanted Adele. Whether it was love or lust or insanity at first sight, he did not care about that, either. All he cared about was that he would be the one to remove the anger and despair from Adele’s beautiful face.
    No, he would remove it from her life. He would begin today. He would begin this very moment, with one touch, one word. Now.
    â€œAh! Good morning, Monsieur Beauclaire,” cried Mrs. Kearsely as she threw open the doors. “And Adele, I’m glad you’re here. I wanted a word with you.”

VII
    Numb, dazed, Adele stumbled after Aunt Kearsely as she marched up the stairs, dismissed the maid, and shut them both into Adele’s little sitting room.
    He was going to kiss me.
    She was sure of it. The way he looked at her, the way he stood so close. There had been an expression on his face—indecision mixed with desire. She had felt the warmth of his skin, and her heart hammered. Every part of her reached forward, even though she didn’t move. Even though she knew he wanted Patience, not her.
    Except in that one instant, she’d been sure he did want her. He looked at her. He saw her for herself, and he desired all he saw. She’d seen her reflection in his bright eyes, felt his warm breath against her cheek.
    Then that instant shattered, and now here she stood in her rooms, facing her fuming aunt.
    â€œWhat on
earth
am I going to do with you, you silly girl!”
    It was too much. All Adele’s nerves were still on edge, and her mind was whirling from James’s almost-kiss, from the almost-fulfillment of the restless dreams and imaginings that had haunted her all night.
    â€œWhy do you have to do anything with me?” she cried. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
    She’d expected Aunt Kearsely to be shocked at her outburst, but her aunt did not even flinch.
    â€œDespite what you may think, Adele, I do not delight in being harsh, but neither will I let you make yourself ridiculous.”
    Oh. Oh, of course.
“Patience has been talking to you.”
    â€œYour sister is rightly concerned, but I have eyes in my own head. And I am not the only one.”
    Exhaustion flowed through Adele. She was starved, and she was shaking from the way she’d been whirled from one emotion to the next. She groped for the chair near the hearth and sat. “No one cares what I do.”
    â€œThey do care. You are the eldest sister of the Duke of Windford, and the world cares very much! That is why it has been so much work to shelter you!”
    Adele’s head snapped up. “What?”
    â€œMy goodness, girl, what do you think I do with myself! I’ve spent four seasons working every minute to keep the fortune hunters away from you! It’s been maddening, making sure you’re safe while making sure Patience has her chance.”
    â€œYou’re saying . . . all those dances . . . all those parties . . .”
All those dresses!
    Aunt Kearsely drew herself up to her full height. “I have done nothing that was not for your own good. You are too eager, too trusting, too friendly with anyone and everyone! On top of that you are stubborn and naive, and never give a thought to the reputation of this house! Just this morning, what do I find? You, alone, in the breakfast room, with Monsieur Beauclaire, who has been blatantly and