Stranger In My Arms by Kleypas Lisa

Author:Kleypas, Lisa [Kleypas, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Historical, Regency, Adult, Chick-Lit
ISBN: 9780380781454
Publisher: Avon
Published: 1998-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Hunter left his pale, tightly strung wife, and somehow made his way to his own room. He fumbled with his boots and crawled onto the bed fully clothed. His brain was swimming with giddiness, partly because of the alcohol and partly because of the emotions that moved him. He had expected to feel triumph, but instead there was only relief. He imagined holding Lara, loving her, drinking in her sweetness like a soul in hell who had been granted a glass of cool water. “Thank God,” he mumbled into a downy pillow. “Thank God.”

“Oh my.” Rachel’s hazel eyes were round pools of amazement. “I’ve never heard of a husband negotiating with his wife in such a way. Of course, I’ve heard of the arrangements men make with their mistresses, but…

you’re not exactly…” She floundered and ended by saying lamely, “This is all very odd.”

“Extremely odd,” Lara agreed grimly. “After becoming a widow and allowing myself to believe I would never again be bothered with men and their distasteful urges, I find myself in the position of having to sleep with Hunter again.” She curled herself into a tight ball on the chair and stared glumly at the fine, luxurious surroundings of Rachel’s parlor.

“It’s even more dreadful to know about it so far in advance.”

Rachel stared at her in a sort of fascinated sympathy. “Do you intend to keep your promise?”

“Of course not,” Lara said promptly. “I want you to help me think of a plan. That’s why I came to visit.”

Obviously flattered and pleased that her older sister would value her ideas, Rachel set aside her needlework and concentrated on the problem.

“I suppose you could make yourself so unattractive that he would no longer desire you,” she said. “Or go catch the pox from someone, and hope it spreads over your face.”

Lara wrinkled her nose. “I’m not especially fond of that idea.”

Rachel began to wax enthusiastic about the project.

“You could feign illness.”

“That would only work for so long.”

“Perhaps there is some way to render him impotent-some herb or powder we could give him.”

Lara considered the suggestion doubtfully. “I shouldn’t want to risk making him ill… and it seems a very tricky plan. I would be so nervous that I would end up giving the whole thing away.”

“Hmm.” Picking up a stray skein of blue silk, Rachel wound it around her finger. “Perhaps,” she said hesitantly, “you should just give yourself to him for one night and be done with it.”

“I won’t be used that way,” Lara said, suddenly fierce. “I won’t be a convenience or a possession.”

“I must disagree, Larissa. I don’t know where you’ve gotten these strange ideas. Lord Hawksworth is your husband. You belong to him.

You vowed to obey him.”

“I did obey him. I followed his wishes concerning my behavior and the company I kept. I asked his permission for everything. I tolerated his adultery and I never once denied him my bed. But then he left for India, and for three years I only had myself to please… and I can’t go back to the way it was.

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