I swear to display amity and kindness toward the aborigines, grant land, encourage religion, preserve subordination in society, and endeavor to educate the children of the convicts in religious as well as industrious habits.”
Even as the governor spoke, Nan drew closer to the dais that had been erected. It was as if an undercurrent pulled her against her will. She left Tom in amiable conversation with the provincial couple.
With each step, Nan’s heartbeat accelerated, because she was also drawing just that much closer to Miles. He appeared to be observing the swearing-in ceremony, but she knew he was very much aware of her. His gaze occasionally slid over the heads of the other guests to arrow in on her, then as abruptly to desert her.
She paused within a cloth bolt’s length of him and stared at him with concentrated will. He had no recourse but to acknowledge her. Above those hollowed cheeks, his deep-black eyes locked with hers and held. In that prolonged gaze, she searched for fear of her, because certainly she was a threat due to what she knew about him. She saw no fear, no wariness, and was suddenly furious.
“You are bold to show up on English soil again, sir.”
“I heard about your arrest, Nan. A calamity.”
“A calamity?” He termed nearly a year out of her life in imprisonment and transportation to some God-forgotten land merely a calamity! She could hardly breathe, she was so filled with rage.
His mustache twitched. “But then, you seem to have landed on your feet like the proverbial cat.”
How could he be so indifferent to what they had shared? He was a man of ice! While her fury battled with her desire, she managed a cool smile. “As you, too, seemed to have done.”
He shrugged those broad shoulders. “I managed to avoid trial on a technical point raised by friends in high places. By the time a bailiff caught up with me here in Sydney, there was a question regarding whether London or Sydney was the correct location.”
“Lucky you.” She wanted to slap the indifferent smile from his lips. At the same time, she yearned to feel their kisses again. She numbed herself to his sexual power. “And pray tell what nefarious schemes are you currently undertaking?”
“Nefarious?” As if bored, he glanced around the room indolently then let his gaze return to hers. “I’ve only been here a month, but I am unaware of any import business that could be conducted nefariously.”
“Of course not,” she shot back, “because there are no laws regulating trade.”
Almost insolently, he eyed her bosom. If he expected to disconcert her, she thwarted him. She stared back at him unwaveringly. “I take it you are a part of that most profitable business, the Rum Corps, Miles?”
“I have had dealings with them since my arrival last month.” His lids narrowed to half mast, and his voice lowered to that intimate octave she remembered so well. “You know, bluestocking, I don’t think you have forgotten any more than I those nights we spent together. The fact that you’re married doesn’t have to prohibit renewing the pleasure we once shared.”
Even during her imprisonment, she had romantically fantasized about Miles. Only now could she admit that all the while she had wanted to believe there had been a logical reason behind his actions. She had wanted to believe that he would somehow return and rescue her. And even now a part of her was tempted to acquiesce to that addictive passion.
Foolish woman! She was a blind, foolish woman! That weakness of sentimental and romantic daydreams had cost her dearly. All the painful feelings of the past engulfed her. For so long, she had suffered in her sorrow and cried at the injustice. Now anger blazed through her.
Her smile was brilliant, like cut diamonds. “Miles, the only pleasure I'll experience regarding you will be to watch you labor in chains on a convict farm or something worse. And before God I’ll see that happen!”
“As I recall, you
Even as the governor spoke, Nan drew closer to the dais that had been erected. It was as if an undercurrent pulled her against her will. She left Tom in amiable conversation with the provincial couple.
With each step, Nan’s heartbeat accelerated, because she was also drawing just that much closer to Miles. He appeared to be observing the swearing-in ceremony, but she knew he was very much aware of her. His gaze occasionally slid over the heads of the other guests to arrow in on her, then as abruptly to desert her.
She paused within a cloth bolt’s length of him and stared at him with concentrated will. He had no recourse but to acknowledge her. Above those hollowed cheeks, his deep-black eyes locked with hers and held. In that prolonged gaze, she searched for fear of her, because certainly she was a threat due to what she knew about him. She saw no fear, no wariness, and was suddenly furious.
“You are bold to show up on English soil again, sir.”
“I heard about your arrest, Nan. A calamity.”
“A calamity?” He termed nearly a year out of her life in imprisonment and transportation to some God-forgotten land merely a calamity! She could hardly breathe, she was so filled with rage.
His mustache twitched. “But then, you seem to have landed on your feet like the proverbial cat.”
How could he be so indifferent to what they had shared? He was a man of ice! While her fury battled with her desire, she managed a cool smile. “As you, too, seemed to have done.”
He shrugged those broad shoulders. “I managed to avoid trial on a technical point raised by friends in high places. By the time a bailiff caught up with me here in Sydney, there was a question regarding whether London or Sydney was the correct location.”
“Lucky you.” She wanted to slap the indifferent smile from his lips. At the same time, she yearned to feel their kisses again. She numbed herself to his sexual power. “And pray tell what nefarious schemes are you currently undertaking?”
“Nefarious?” As if bored, he glanced around the room indolently then let his gaze return to hers. “I’ve only been here a month, but I am unaware of any import business that could be conducted nefariously.”
“Of course not,” she shot back, “because there are no laws regulating trade.”
Almost insolently, he eyed her bosom. If he expected to disconcert her, she thwarted him. She stared back at him unwaveringly. “I take it you are a part of that most profitable business, the Rum Corps, Miles?”
“I have had dealings with them since my arrival last month.” His lids narrowed to half mast, and his voice lowered to that intimate octave she remembered so well. “You know, bluestocking, I don’t think you have forgotten any more than I those nights we spent together. The fact that you’re married doesn’t have to prohibit renewing the pleasure we once shared.”
Even during her imprisonment, she had romantically fantasized about Miles. Only now could she admit that all the while she had wanted to believe there had been a logical reason behind his actions. She had wanted to believe that he would somehow return and rescue her. And even now a part of her was tempted to acquiesce to that addictive passion.
Foolish woman! She was a blind, foolish woman! That weakness of sentimental and romantic daydreams had cost her dearly. All the painful feelings of the past engulfed her. For so long, she had suffered in her sorrow and cried at the injustice. Now anger blazed through her.
Her smile was brilliant, like cut diamonds. “Miles, the only pleasure I'll experience regarding you will be to watch you labor in chains on a convict farm or something worse. And before God I’ll see that happen!”
“As I recall, you
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