Carolyne Cathey by The Wager Page A

And
mayhaps not.  But either way, me thinks she will still be eager to please her
master."
    A bitter laugh
exposed her ire.  "Aye.  Most likely she would, at that.  Shall I call
her?" 
    He cocked an
eyebrow as if surprised, then shook his head, slow and dangerous. 
"Nay."  His voice whispered his answer. "I want you."
    Her breasts
tingled.  Eleanor closed her eyes against the impassioned lure of his stare. 
She must behave as a woman grown, quell her desire and tend to her task with
dignity.  If her frigid fingers froze his skin, so much the better.  As much as
she willed otherwise her hands still quivered.  Concentrating on the rolled top
of his chausses, she forced herself to touch a tab, and then she trembled even
more.  Her fingers fumbled against his bare flesh as she worked the fastener.
    He gripped her
wrists.  "Cease, woman.  Your touch feels like snowflakes against my skin,
yet they heat me beyond my endurance.  Let me unfasten the tabs, then you can
pull off my hose."  His fingers made quick work to release the tops of
both chausses, then he nodded to her again.
    Eleanor flicked
her tongue over her lips, then gulped.  'Twas wicked what he wanted her to do. 
A part of her rebelled against his use of her, yet part of her ached to be
wicked.  Oh, the dilemma.  She took hold of the edge of one hose and drew it
down his splendid thigh, past his knee.  She remembered how his legs had flexed
against hers when he had controlled his stallion. 
    "Why do you
not guide your steed with your hands, my lord?"  Eleanor focused on her
task as she pulled the hose from off his foot and folded it into a neat square,
then placed the hose atop his boot.  The aroma of leather, smoke and maleness
filled her senses, a pleasant scent.
    Lord Kyle shifted
on the stool as if disturbed, then cleared his throat.  "In battle, I must
keep my hands free for my weapons and shield."  His voice whispered deep
and gravelly.  "Valiant is my most valuable ally.  He is trained to obey
by the feel of my muscles and heels and not become distracted by the sounds and
actions of war."
    "How
satisfying to control such a disciplined animal.  'Tis a feeling I shall never
know, yet I'd love to learn to ride with such power."
    He lifted his
other booted foot.  "I intend to teach you to ride this disciplined
animal---tonight.  The power and control you'll have over me will feel
satisfying, indeed."
    Shock at his
suggestive threat flushed her face.  Her gaze flew to his.  "Nay!  'Twas
not what I meant!"
    He flashed a
grin. 
    Conceited ass. 
She grabbed hold of the other boot and yanked.  Then Eleanor remembered the
hard knife she had felt hidden beneath his clothes.  She could still see its
rigid form beneath his braies.  If she could sneak the weapon into her gown she
could defend herself if he became too insistent she share his bed.  Unless, of
course, Beth plopped herself into the middle of his mattress and made Lord Kyle
forget all about his predestined advisor. 
    Well, curse
him.
    And Beth as
well.
    "Hand me
your dagger, Lord Kyle, and I'll put it aside for you."  She flinched at
the lie.  The world outside the convent seemed to be rapid in its conquest of
her sinless nature, or mostly sinless.  According to the nuns she had always
had a few flaws.  Several flaws.  A holy terror, according to some.  And to
others, a witch.  Eleanor shuddered from the memory.
    His grin changed
to confusion.  He tilted his head.  "Dagger?  What dagger?"
    "I felt it
when you held me."  His studied stare caused her to squirm.  "Please,
don't make me seem as an idiot, Lord Kyle.  I felt the hardness of your weapon
beneath your gown, and I can see it now as well, so 'tis no secret."
    "But, I
don't . . ." Then he threw his head back and burst into laughter.  He
placed a hand atop each glorious thigh and rocked back on his stool, his sides
in convulsion with his insulting mirth.  When his humor at her expense slowed,
his eyes