stab him. Was there really any need for him to feel contrition? At her pleading, hed given up a fortune and the chance to destroy his sisters seducer. And despite her reluctance, Vanessa Wyndham had bargained herself like any courtesan, traded her body for the chance to save her family.
His concession was more than generous.
And while he was more than willing to seduce her, he had no intention of forcing her to share his bed. In the first place, theappearance of her ruin in her brothers eyes was far more important than her actual ruination. No matter how dissolute and reckless young Rutherford was, he wouldnt relish the thought of his sister in the role of mistress.
In the second, Damien reflected, hed never had to force his attentions on any female. He felt certain he would manage to turn her aversion to enchantment, her reticence to willing surrender.
And that had suddenly become of prime importance to him.
He wanted her willing, wanted her pale, perfect body hot and wanton beneath him. He wanted to hear his name tremble on her lips. He wanted her
There would be difficulties, of course, in the unusual arrangement theyd agreed upon, with her living in his ancestral home alongside his young, innocent, invalid sister. Certainly he couldnt advertise that she was his mistress. In fact, his seduction of the lady would be more complex than any affair he had ever embarked upon. But every primal instinct told him the effort would be worthwhile.
Indeed, a prize worth winning, my angel.
Damiens mouth curved in a half-smile. It would be a war of wills between them, he had no doubt. But he looked forward to the challenge of penetrating the lovely Vanessas defensive armor.
He would find great pleasure in teaching her about satisfying a mans desiresand about satisfying her own.
Chapter Four
Lulled by the sway of the well-sprung traveling coach, Vanessa allowed herself to relax against the velvet squabs. Seven hours of enforced intimacy with Damien Sinclair had taken a toll on her nerves.
They had spoken little on the journey north from London. Upon joining him in the carriage this morning, she had sensed his need for silence and readily complied. Now, however, Vanessa turned her head to observe her traveling companion. He was staring out the window at the passing Warwickshire landscape, engaged in his own private thoughts.
It was a mistake to regard him too closely, she realized. His handsome, noble profile still had the power to make her heart flutter, reminding her once again that she was out of her element in dealing with him.
For the hundredth time, Vanessa wondered what madness had led her to strike a wantons bargain with such a man. She had no illusions that he truly wanted her for his mistress. Far more likely, he wanted her as a pawn in his game of revenge.
She could understand his desire for vengeance, certainly. He wanted to strike back at the man who had seduced his sister, Vanessa knew, and she was a convenient tool. But she would make him regret forcing her to pay for her brothers sins, she promised. He would not find her the submissive puppet he thought her.
His mood had seemed to darken as they drew closer to his country estate. But they were nearing their destination now, and she still knew little about the situation to which she had committed herself.
For a moment her own gaze lingered on the enchanting pastoral scene outside the carriage. The rolling English countryside was a patchwork quilt of crop fields and emerald green meadows, embroidered with hedgerows and copses of woodland. In the distance, draft horses lumbered along narrow lanes, past peacefully grazing sheep and cattle.
Finally, however, she summoned the courage to speak.
If I am to be a companion to your sister, Vanessa said quietly, perhaps you should tell me something about her.
Damien stirred, as if suddenly recalling her presence, and shifted his gaze to regard her with storm-gray eyes. What do
His concession was more than generous.
And while he was more than willing to seduce her, he had no intention of forcing her to share his bed. In the first place, theappearance of her ruin in her brothers eyes was far more important than her actual ruination. No matter how dissolute and reckless young Rutherford was, he wouldnt relish the thought of his sister in the role of mistress.
In the second, Damien reflected, hed never had to force his attentions on any female. He felt certain he would manage to turn her aversion to enchantment, her reticence to willing surrender.
And that had suddenly become of prime importance to him.
He wanted her willing, wanted her pale, perfect body hot and wanton beneath him. He wanted to hear his name tremble on her lips. He wanted her
There would be difficulties, of course, in the unusual arrangement theyd agreed upon, with her living in his ancestral home alongside his young, innocent, invalid sister. Certainly he couldnt advertise that she was his mistress. In fact, his seduction of the lady would be more complex than any affair he had ever embarked upon. But every primal instinct told him the effort would be worthwhile.
Indeed, a prize worth winning, my angel.
Damiens mouth curved in a half-smile. It would be a war of wills between them, he had no doubt. But he looked forward to the challenge of penetrating the lovely Vanessas defensive armor.
He would find great pleasure in teaching her about satisfying a mans desiresand about satisfying her own.
Chapter Four
Lulled by the sway of the well-sprung traveling coach, Vanessa allowed herself to relax against the velvet squabs. Seven hours of enforced intimacy with Damien Sinclair had taken a toll on her nerves.
They had spoken little on the journey north from London. Upon joining him in the carriage this morning, she had sensed his need for silence and readily complied. Now, however, Vanessa turned her head to observe her traveling companion. He was staring out the window at the passing Warwickshire landscape, engaged in his own private thoughts.
It was a mistake to regard him too closely, she realized. His handsome, noble profile still had the power to make her heart flutter, reminding her once again that she was out of her element in dealing with him.
For the hundredth time, Vanessa wondered what madness had led her to strike a wantons bargain with such a man. She had no illusions that he truly wanted her for his mistress. Far more likely, he wanted her as a pawn in his game of revenge.
She could understand his desire for vengeance, certainly. He wanted to strike back at the man who had seduced his sister, Vanessa knew, and she was a convenient tool. But she would make him regret forcing her to pay for her brothers sins, she promised. He would not find her the submissive puppet he thought her.
His mood had seemed to darken as they drew closer to his country estate. But they were nearing their destination now, and she still knew little about the situation to which she had committed herself.
For a moment her own gaze lingered on the enchanting pastoral scene outside the carriage. The rolling English countryside was a patchwork quilt of crop fields and emerald green meadows, embroidered with hedgerows and copses of woodland. In the distance, draft horses lumbered along narrow lanes, past peacefully grazing sheep and cattle.
Finally, however, she summoned the courage to speak.
If I am to be a companion to your sister, Vanessa said quietly, perhaps you should tell me something about her.
Damien stirred, as if suddenly recalling her presence, and shifted his gaze to regard her with storm-gray eyes. What do
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