Catalina's Caress by Sylvie F. Sommerfield

Author:Sylvie F. Sommerfield [Sommerfield, Sylvie F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Scan; HR; Antebellum South; Riverboat; Revenge
ISBN: 9780821729427
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Published: 1987-11-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

When Catalina opened her eyes the next morning she found Marc gone from the bed. She had no way of knowing that before he had left he had stood near the bed, watching her, a puzzled frown on his face.

Before dawn he had arisen, amused at himself. Why should it bother him if everyone on the boat knew she had spent the night with him, had welcomed him to her bed? That had been part of his plan. But—he shrugged—he could see to that in time.

Now Catalina rose and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She had to organize all the thoughts that had become tangled in her mind during the night. She had to have a plan to follow. Marc was a very clever man, and he certainly was not set on any permanent involvement with her. To say the least, she admonished herself. He had asked her at their first meeting to be his mistress. That was proof enough of his opinion of her. His mistress . . . mistress. She pondered this for a few minutes; then a small smile played across her lips. It would be a dangerous game and if he ever found out her motives ... She shuddered at the thought.

She sat on the edge of the bed and brushed her hair while she tried to mold her thoughts into something firmer than the fragile threads they were now."

"After all," she muttered, "it was his idea. He must have some motive for this and for making Seth lose the boat. Somehow I've got to find it out."

A light rap on the door brought her from the depths of her thoughts.

"Yes?"

"Miss Carrington, Mr. Copeland would like to know if you would join him in the dining room for braekfast."

Catalina inhaled deeply and dredged up all the courage she had. "Would you please take Mr. Copeland a message?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Tell him it is imperative that I speak to him first. Please ask him to come to my cabin just for a moment."

"Yes, ma'am," the weary voice replied, and she heard departing footsteps.

Her heart thudded painfully, and she was so nervous she could not sit still. She wanted her appearance to suit her proposal so she remained dressed only in a very revealing shift and let her hair fall about her.

She gripped her hands before her as visions leapt before her eyes. Her parents—worse yet, Aunt Charlotte. What in God's name would they think of her should her plan not work? What a gamble it was. If she failed she would pay first with Marc's laughter, then with her own shame for the rest of her life. For a moment her courage failed and she began to tremble. Just then the door swung open and Marc stood before her. His brows were drawn together, and if she hadn't known better, she would have thought he was worried. But she couldn't allow herself to think that Not yet... but maybe someday.

"Catalina, what's wrong?"

Her act began when she smiled as seductively as she could and moved a few steps toward him.

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