Judith Ivory by Angel In a Red Dress

Author:Angel In a Red Dress
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-07-18T13:43:34+00:00

Adrien uttered a startled sound of objection. “Lord, you’ve been living in France too long. I like her, Thomas. She’s a sly, grasping, argumentative little shrew. But she’s so damned honest about the whole business, I like her anyway—”

Christina nearly fell off the bucket. If that wasn’t the most condescending, degrading declaration of feeling she had ever—”

“You love her,” Thomas repeated, sounding regretful over his own pronouncement.

Adrien rattled something at him in French, which concluded with, “so stop talking like some stupid Frenchman who thinks everything begins and ends with love.” He harrumphed. “It’s a wonder I’ve survived the summer. She seemed so sheltered, so pliable. But behind that sweet feminine diffidence, she hides a strength of purpose, a will of iron—No, Thomas. She’s an impressive little baggage who’s prim across the dinner table and exotic under the sheets. It’s an interesting combination, but that’s all. Besides, what are you complaining about? You yourself said that once we were faced with how her little mind worked, my association with her could do nothing but help.”

“You were trying to ‘associate’ yourself with her before we all came to the decision that you ought to.”

“She’s a very pretty woman.”

“And you ‘like’ her.”

“And I like her! Do you mind?”

“Adrien, you’re very good at manipulating women. That’s why we thought you should pursue her once she started in with her questions and letters—”

Very put out, Adrien interrupted. “So I did it! Much to my discredit. I have lived with a woman I would rather have run from just to assuage everyone’s worry. I have cajoled her and humored her when, half the time, I would rather have turned her over my knee. But enough. Leave me some shred of self-respect. Allow me to have enjoyed the woman for a few moments of a grueling, teeth-gritting summer! And leave me in peace!”

Grueling, teeth-gritting summer! The bucket rocked under Christina, making a clack on the floor. She was livid. How big of him to have enjoyed a few moments!

“What was that?”

Christina felt her heart stop, then give a wild kick in her chest. She had a strong urge to throw open the door and confront the double-dealing bastard. But a stronger sense of caution, tinged with panic, shot through her. They had discussed “hurting” her. Dear God, let her sneak out and ruin him from a safe distance!

“Maybe it’s that boy with the bucket of hot water. I’ll see.”

“Just send him away. I have to get out in a minute anyway.”

The door opened. Christina scrambled in front of the bucket to hide its emptiness. A silver coin was tossed at her. It jangled to the floor. She used it as an excuse to bend down.

“That’s all, boy. His Lordship doesn’t want the water after all.”

The door closed.

Christina thought she was going to faint from relief. She collapsed to her knees and waited for the strength to stand. Behind the door, Thomas pursued Adrien’s feelings for her with a persistence she found unexplainable.

“Richard Pinn,” he continued, “might disagree that you only ‘liked’ the woman.

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