The Caged Tiger by Penny Jordan

Author:Penny Jordan [Jordan, Penny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-01-24T23:44:56+00:00

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CHAPTER SIX

Her skin was beginning to tan already, Davina noticed appreciatively as she slid on one of her new dresses. She was changing in Jamie's room, ostensibly so that the little boy could see her in her new finery, but in reality she hadn't been able to endure the feel of Ruy's critical eyes on her, nor his own torment as he waited to be dressed as helplessly as any child.

Only that lunchtime he had thrust her away from him when, unable to watch him struggling any longer with the shirt he was endeavouring to pull over his shoulders, she had run to his side to help him. It would be a long time before she forgot the raw fury in his eyes as his fingers locked on her wrists in a grip that had left purpling bruises on her smooth flesh. She glanced down at them now, a tiny frown creasing her forehead as she touched the swollen flesh. Why did he insist on tormenting both of them in this fashion? It was plain that he hated her witnessing his disability, and yet when she had tentatively suggested that they have separate rooms after all, he had told her in a cold fury that as long as she remained under his roof she would share his bed, adding cryptically that it was a penance for them both.

Davina had dressed for tonight's party with special care, remembering what the Condesa had said about their hosts being importantly placed in Cordoban society.

The dress was one of Concepcion's creations, a misty froth of chiffon in pearl greys and soft lilacs, the boned bodice emphasising the taut thrust of her breasts before hugging her narrow waist and falling to the floor in graceful folds. There was a matching jacket to go with it, with a tiny stand-up collar and tight sleeves, and as she applied a hint of pearlised lilac eyeshadow to deepen the amethyst of her eyes, she had to admit that she had never owned a dress which became her so well.

'Mummy smells nice,' Jamie commented when she touched perfume to her pulse points before slipping into her high-heeled evening sandals.

As she bent down to give the little boy a last-minute hug she heard the bedroom door open. When she straightened up Ruy was behind her, looking immaculate in a crispy laundered white shirt and narrow hip-hugging black pants. Not even being confined to a wheelchair could really rob him of his vitality, Davina thought, suppressing a longing to reach and cradle his dark head against her breast as she had done Jamie's.

'Mummy smells nice,' Jamie repeated for his father's benefit.

'So I notice. They say a man can learn a good deal about a woman by her choice of perfume.'

Davina wore Chamade. The first time she had ever worn it had been on the day they got married. Ruy had given it to her as a present, and her face flamed at the thought of what her wearing of it now might betray.

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