Counterfiet Lady by Jude Deveraux

Author:Jude Deveraux [Deveraux, Jude]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePub Bud (www.epubbud.com)
Published: 2011-11-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Slowly, she threw back the covers and slipped her chemise over her head. Her body felt stiff with misery. At least he hadn't forgotten her, she thought. At least this time his beloved Bianca's presence hadn't completely blinded him. Or maybe he was taking her back to the mill, as far away from Bianca as possible.

She didn't ask where they were going. Her hands shook so badly as she buttoned the dress that Clay's hands pushed hers away. He looked at her face, watched her eyes, enormous and liquid, filled with fear and longing. He bent and kissed her softly, and her mouth clung to his. "I don't guess I've given you much reason to trust me, have I?" She could only stare at him, her throat too swollen to speak.

He smiled at her in a fatherly way, then took her hand and led her from the room and out of the house. She lifted her long skirt to keep it off the wet grass. Clay pulled her behind him quickly, paying little attention to the fact that she had to nearly run to keep up with his long strides.

He handed her into the sloop without saying a word, then untied the boat and unfurled the sail. The elegant little boat sliced through the water cleanly and swiftly. Nicole sat calmly, watching him at the helm of the ship. The sheer width of him looked like a mountain to Nicole—impenetrable, mysterious, something she loved but didn't understand. Her chest began to tighten when she saw they were heading back toward the Armstrong plantation. She'd been right! He was returning her to the mill. The iron band around her chest was too tight for her to cry. When they sailed past the wharf to the mill, she felt her breath release and a wave of joy flow through her.

At first, she didn't recognize the place where Clay stopped. It seemed an impenetrable mass of foliage. He stepped out of the boat, the water up to his ankles, tied the boat, and then held his arms out for her. Gratefully, she nearly fell into them. He stared at her a moment in amusement before he carried her through the hidden gate and into the beautiful clearing. The rain had made everything fresh and new. The sunlight glittered on the raindrops on the hundreds of flowers.

Clay put Nicole down, then sat down against the big rock by the flowers and pulled her into his lap. "I know how you hate to get grass stain on your dress," he teased.

She was serious as she looked up at him. Her eyes looked worried, frightened. She nibbled at her upper lip. "Why did you bring me here?" she whispered.

"I think it's time we talked."

"About Bianca?" Her voice was barely audible.

His eyes searched hers. "Why is there fear in your eyes? Do I frighten you?"

She blinked several times. "Not you, but what you have to say. That frightens me." He pulled her against him, her head snuggled against his shoulder.

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