Raven by Rand Violetta

Author:Rand, Violetta
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Anthology
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Reason returned to James, and he quickly separated himself from his temptress, though his lips burned with desire. He wanted more of her, much more. But the injustice that had been done to him, whether the fault of her father or herself, continued to plague him, to give him great pause—something about her sudden appearance did not sit right. He glared at her then, wondering if he could trust himself at all.

“James,” she said, “it is cold, please close the doors.”

He looked to the French doors, snow swirling in the howling wind outside. The cold was the only thing that anchored him to the reality that continued to slip away with every moment he spent in her presence. As he approached the balcony, he wondered why she had not used the front door to visit him? Anyone else would have, but not his Raven.

“How is it you came to the balcony tonight?” he asked as he secured the doors.

“Do you not know?”

“I cannot say I do.”

“To avoid scandal,” she said.

“Scandal?” he scoffed, displeased with her answer. “Are we not still legally bound, engaged?”

“Yes.” She tugged at the ribbon about her neck again. “Unless I am mistaken, my father never formally broke our betrothal.”

“No. He did not.” Tears seemed to well in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall as he continued to watch her closely, weighing her words and motivation. “What scandal in reuniting with your finance in public then, by way of my front door? If I were in your position, lady, I would wish the whole world to know of my triumphant return.”

“In the middle of the night?”

“At any hour.”

“Then we differ greatly in that respect, my lord. For I did not know what to expect when the carriage rolled to a stop in your driveway. And fear subdued my joy. What if you had married and were now a father? I could not risk humiliating myself or your family.”

Her explanation was reasonable enough. “How did you know I’d be in my library?”

“What other place would you be? Is this not your favorite room in the house?”

“Yes.”

“So, I remembered correctly.” She gave him a small smile.

“Did you not fear slipping on the narrow stairs that give access to my balcony in your heeled boots?”

She lifted the hem of her gown and stared at her costly leather boots. “A fool’s errand would not have kept me away from those doors.” She gestured at the glass. “I saw light from below and knew you must be within these hallowed walls. I prayed you were, James. I prayed for many things as the night of our reunion drew near.”

James could not, would not, give in to her honeyed words. He shook his head and paced across the room, then back. “Why did your father withhold you from me? It is no secret he disliked me for receiving the winning bids on several properties about London, but…”

“James, he wished me for another.”

“Who precisely?”

“Anyone but you.”

His heart began to thunder—anger cresting inside him again.

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