Sinful Confessions by Holt Samantha

Author:Holt, Samantha [Holt, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2015-04-13T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Viola sank onto the chaise with relish. The cushions accepted her body with a sigh of fabric and she could not mask her own sigh of relief. All these new experiences—they had truly worn her out.

Julian dropped his newspaper and gave her an amused look as she sprawled dramatically. “Tired, Miss Thompson?”

“Exhausted, Lord Lockwood.”

“A day of rest tomorrow then perhaps?”

She lifted her head. “Oh no, certainly not. A good night’s sleep and I shall be raring to go.”

So far Julian had taken her all over the local area and into Stratford-Upon-Avon where Shakespeare had lived. She had never seen so much history in her life. The old Tudor buildings with their odd angles and beautiful wooden beams fascinated her. But she also wanted to see other things.

“I wondered if we could perhaps take the train to London? I stopped by oh so briefly on my journey here and saw virtually nothing of it.”

“No.” He snapped up his paper.

Viola gaped at him. “Pardon?”

“No London,” he said from behind the printed sheet.

“But why?”

“I do not like London.” Still, he didn’t lower his paper.

She scowled at the article and folded her arms. “I shall go alone then.”

“You will not.”

“I will so. I travelled all the way to England alone. I think I can manage a short train ride to London. Besides, Jenny can be my companion for the day. I’m sure she’d be thrilled.”

With a rustle, the newspaper lowered. Jaw tense, he thrust a finger at her. “You are not going to London and you are not taking Jenny.”

“Julian, whilst I appreciate you showing me around and your kind hospitality, you are not my husband.”A tiny tremor seemed to run through his body. She noted how her words made his posture stiffen. Nevertheless, she continued. “You cannot tell me what to do.”

“London is too dangerous.”

“Then come with me. You said yourself that I should visit London one day in your letters.”

“Yes, but certainly not alone.”

She lifted her hands in exasperation. She wished she understood this man better. One moment he was kissing her with a passion she’d never before experienced and being the charming, dutiful host, then the next he was gruff and thoroughly dislikeable.

“Come with me then,” she repeated through clenched teeth.

“Goddamn it, no!” He thrust aside the newspaper and came to his feet. “No London. No more pestering. I won’t have it.”

Viola fought the desire to scrabble back in her chair and curl up into a ball. It was not the first time she had seen his temper but last time she had run from him. Would she do that again or should she stand tall? She had spent much of her life bending to the will of men—her brothers and her father—even her fiancé. But stubborn pride didn’t dictate her reaction so much as curiosity. Why did the idea of going to London affect him so?

“Why not, Julian?” she asked softly, coming to stand in front of him.

He glowered at her, drawing up his shoulders in a threatening manner.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.