It was certain that Torcia had changed with the girl that Warren's parents, friends, and himself once knew. She had become accustomed to living in the moment, with no thought of the future. Understanding that she is being hunted, that her precious days of freedom are limited, will make her bitter and devoid of illusions.And until she still threw the tongs into the wishing well. A wish. A glimmer of hope, though faint... that struck his mind, as he believed his soul had long since left.He couldn't bring her to Warren. He must have her for himself. His hand gripped the painted wooden window frame, squeezing it hard for balance. On the other hand, he was puzzled by the intense surprise he had just discovered."Sydney". Lord Wessex's sound startled him.Kai was displeased when he realized that he had been so intently staring at Torcia that his habit of vigilance had disappeared. Keeping his face expressionless, he turned back to the earl.The Wessex ethos even seemed harsher and uncompr
She'd spent so many years learning properity in Doren, and still struggled so silently as Lady Wessex's servant, that she couldn't remember the last time she'd been able to. raise voice. Seizing the moment, she howled and squealed like brides-to-be around her in a crowd gathered on the lawn. From somewhere ahead, a shout of joy rang out in the crowd. The winner, a healthy red-haired girl, climbed atop her fiancée's broad shoulders, gleefully waving a bouquet of wildflowers. "I found it," she chirped. "I got him. He's mine."In cheers, the villagers surrounded the newly betrothed couple, while scattered disappointed virgins ran into the forest. A swarm of men rushed after him, ready to begin a night of hunting.Smiling, Torcia followed with a leisurely pace, with no desire to be the target of attention from over-aggressive amorous men. Within minutes, the party participants would pair up and she would sneak back to Highland. Pausing at the edge of the forest, she leaned against a sturd
The slow caress only added to what she wanted, making her bend blindly at him, instinctively searching. She felt something touch the raw fabric of her dress...the bulge so familiar of his sexuality. His tough length matched the V shape between her legs perfectly. His hardness pressed against her soft spot, his mouth possessing hers delicately, while his arms circled hers. She slid her hands into his hair, curling her fingers around his scalp, beneath thick curls that glittered like silk in the moonlight.A rough breath escaped from him, and his lips slid down her throat. Even in her innocence, she could feel the happiness of his cautious touches, the hunger that was tightly restrained by him. Her peasant shirt slid down one shoulder, revealing ivory white skin. His fingers slid across her ribs to the hem of her neck and tugged so deftly that the crumpled linen slid down. Slowly, his hand slipped under her bra.She was round, her soft nipples tightening against the calluses of his fing
The slow caress only added to what she wanted, making her bend blindly at him, instinctively searching. She felt something touch the raw fabric of her dress...the bulge so familiar of his sexuality. His tough length matched the V shape between her legs perfectly. His hardness pressed against her soft spot, his mouth possessing hers delicately, while his arms circled hers. She slid her hands into his hair, curling her fingers around his scalp, beneath thick curls that glittered like silk in the moonlight.A rough breath escaped from him, and his lips slid down her throat. Even in her innocence, she could feel the happiness of his cautious touches, the hunger that was tightly restrained by him. Her peasant shirt slid down one shoulder, revealing ivory white skin. His fingers slid across her ribs to the hem of her neck and tugged so deftly that the crumpled linen slid down. Slowly, his hand slipped under her bra.She was round, her soft nipples tightening against the calluses of his fing
Bewildered, she looked at Sir Sydney. His face had changed somehow, it wasn't quite handsome anymore, but suddenly it was hard and cold. Looking at him now, someone would believe that this man can do anything. Suddenly she couldn't believe that a few minutes ago she'd kissed those stern lips, that his arms had wrapped around her intimately. When he spoke, even his voice was different, the tone seemed a little rougher. The noble mask had just been peeled off, revealing the hardened look underneath. "I'd rather discuss this in a more private setting." He told the count.The earl tilted his head with icy politeness. "There's a classroom inside the wing. Is that okay?""Okay". Sydney paused for a moment before adding. "Miss Ezra will come with us."Torcia looked at him blankly. Your request is absurd. Suddenly she felt cold all over, and a shiver ran down her spine. "Why?" She asked through dry lips."She has nothing to do with this," said Lord Wessex curtly, rising from his chair.Sir Sy
"It was never my choice." She told him. "It was an arrangement when I was a child. My parents promised Mr. Warren that I would become his fiancée under his protection. I had a hard time accepting the position, but Warren is the one who is unreasonable - not proper - in my assessment. His plan is to expose me to no longer me - he treats me like an animal that needs to be trained. to please you. Suffice it to say that I'd rather die. You have to believe me, I never begged for it..."."I believe you." Still possessing her hand, Wessex glanced at Kai Reeves. "Having known Miss Ezra for a while, I can only assume that her objection to marrying Warren is true.""That's right," replied the policeman at once. He wandered over to the fireplace with a misguided laziness, one arm leisurely resting on the mantel's surface. Bright red tongues of fire covered his dark face. "Warren is a pig. But besides that, her parents have agreed to this marriage. Money, a great offer, can change all control. An
Kai knew that Torcia wouldn't react passively to the knowledge that he was hunting her in Sir Warren's name. But her frantic reaction to being cornered had startled him. Now that she had regained her composure, she stared at him with a reckless calculation that he understood was all too good. He thought she was wonderful.Lord Wessex clearly disagreed with Lotiie's request, his brow furrowed in displeasure. "I'll wait in the next room," he said, seeming to think Kai would lunge at her like a predator as soon as the door closed. "Speak up if you need help.""Thank you, boss." Torcia muttered, giving the earl an appreciative smile that made Kai boil with jealousy.He wanted a little provocation by slamming his fist into Wessex's aristocratic face, especially since he took Torcia's hand to comfort her. Kai has never shown any desire to possess anyone in his life, but he clearly doesn't tolerate any sign of accepting Torcia for another man to touch. Something was happening to him, he had
Fumbling for her bra, she draped it over her breasts.Their gazes met, her eyes shining with shame, and he reluctantly hesitated. And finally Kai came to a decision."I want you," he said. "Actually I don't have to humble myself to anything to have you. But I don't want you to be a lover. I want a complete and unchanging possession. All that I can give Warren, or Wessex."Realizing what he meant, Torcia stared at him like he was insane. It took exactly half a minute for her to have the strength to speak. "You mean marry? What's the difference between marrying you or Mr. Warren?""The difference here is that I give you a choice.""Why are you willing to chain yourself to me for the rest of your life?"The truth was something Kai would probably never admit to her. "Because I want a suitable wife." He lied. "And I'll do it just as well as other women."She shook her head in a breath of insult."Make your own choices," Kai pointed out. "You can keep running, or you can become someone's wi
"Very well done, ma'am," said Sir Grant. "Can I convince you to answer a few more questions?""Tomorrow" Kai said gruffly. "She's been through a lot today. She needs a break.""I feel very pleased to tell you all the relevant details," Torcia replied to Sir Grant. "If you will bring a doctor to take care of Lord Sydney's hand, as well as take care of our servant."The judge's blue eyes narrowed. "We'll send Dr. Linley right away.""I'll go find him." Sayer volunteered and quickly left the office."Wonderful," Morgan commented, his eyes returning to Kai. "And while we wait for Linley, sir, perhaps you could explain to me the circumstances that led to your wound... and why you look and smell like you've just wandered around. via Fleet Ditch."Much later, as they lay in bed in their home and talked for what seemed like an hour, Kai told Torcia of his thoughts in the moment of distress, when he thought he was going to die in the barn. there. As Torcia listened, she snuggled into his folde
Torcia didn't really regain her senses until she found herself being half-pulled and half-carried to Lord Warren's London home. Her head was smashed maliciously, and her throat ached as she struggled against his merciless grip. Somewhere beneath her fear and anger, she was acutely aware that Ellie had been released. Her sister was safe, and now all the boiling anger would pour down her head, which was what Lotiie had always known would happen, between her and the man who had dominated most of her life. her life. Although Lotiie was aware of several screams from nearby servants, none of them dared to stop them. They were all afraid of Warren, and they wouldn't lift a finger to get in the way of what he wanted to do. She had foreseen what he was going to do when he brought her here. His London home was the first to be investigated when it was discovered that she was missing. She was sure that he had taken her to another place where it would be difficult for anyone to find her.Warren dr
He stomped again, the destructive power of his foot sending a blinding explosion of pain through Kai's arm. Follard's shoe was once again raised for the boon shot."Daddy," Kai panted and grabbed Follard by the ankle, pulling hard.With a shrill scream, Follard tumbled off the beams, his body falling over two floors and landing with fatal force.Kai didn't dare look down. He focused his whole mind on climbing the beam. Unfortunately, his strength was drained, and his left hand was crippled. Writhing like a worm caught in a hook, he leaned forward helplessly from the fatal fall.Doubtful, he realized he was about to die.*****The paper trembled in Torcia's hand as she read it again.TorciaPlease save me. Mama says Lord Warren is coming to take me away. I didn't want to go anywhere with him, but Mom and Papa made me do. They locked me in my room until he arrived. I beg you not to let that happen, Torcia, because you are my only hope.My dear sisterEllieA boy from the village brought
"He didn't," Sayer said cheerfully. "He wants me to interrogate his old associates and send him a message. I'd rather go and arrest Follard in person."Kai couldn't help but laugh at that, knowing exactly how Morgan's reaction would be to the news. "If you succeed, Morgan will skin you for such a damn stupid show.""Yes...and then he'll kiss my bony ass for getting a fugitive back. And I'll be on the front page of the Times, with dozens of women begging for my attention."Kai's smile turned grim. "It's not as interesting as you think," he informs his friend."No? Well, I want to try anyway." Sayer raised an eyebrow expectantly. "Are you participating?"Kai nodded with a sigh. "Where do you want to start looking?""It is said that Follard was seen in the slum between Hanging Ax Alley and Dead Man's Lane. It was like an anthill with holes in the walls and interlaced tunnels -""Yes, I know the place." Kai kept his face impassive, though he was aware of a cold distaste curling up in his
The contours of his body changed, sagging in a kind of wretched patience. He leaned one shoulder against the wall, part of his face bent away from her, his gaze fixed on some distant spot on the floor."I was sent to prison because I was responsible for the death of a man. I was fourteen years old. I joined a gang of road robbers, and an old man died when we robbed the carriage. Soon after, the whole gang was tried and convicted. He was too embarrassed to tell anyone who he was - he simply called himself John Sidney. Four of the group were arrested. hanged quickly, but because he was young, the judge gave him a lighter sentence. Ten months on the Scarborough.""Sir Ross is the judge who sentenced you," Torcia whispered, remembering what Sophia had told her.A bitter smile squeezed his mouth. "None of us expected that one day you would become brothers-in-law." He slumped more heavily against the wall. "As soon as he set foot on the ship, he knew he wouldn't live a month there. A quick
"Yes," Torcia muttered, letting him take her hand. Sir Ross examined his bruised wrist with a frown. His face was hidden, and his gray eyes were so kind and worried that Torcia wondered how she could have ever thought of him as aloof. She remembered his compassion for women and children she had heard about—a highlight of his career as a judge, Sophia had told her.Sir Ross' mouth curled up in a gentle and reassuring smile. "This won't happen again - I can promise you that.""Great party," Kai sarcastically. "Can you tell us who the hell put Lord Warren on the guest list?""Kai," Torcia conciliated, "it's all right, I'm sure sir Ross doesn't—""Absolutely not okay," sir Ross protested quietly. "I'm in charge of this party, and I bow my head to your forgiveness, Torcia. Lord Warren is certainly not on the guest list I've approved, but I'll find out how. he won the invitation." His brow furrowed as he continued."Lord Warren's behavior tonight is absurd and reprehensible...it demonstrate
Samantha's face hardened with understanding. "They won't be mad at you forever, dear." She spoke with a realism that offered more consolation than sympathy. "If your husband is only half as rich as rumors reveal, the Sette family will end up being more than happy to announce him as son-in-law."The three talked for a while longer, eager to get to know each other again and planning to contact each other soon. Torcia didn't notice the passage of time until she heard the band start playing a recently popular waltz called. "Spring Flowers," a tune that immediately ignites the eager crowd to pair up to begin spinning through the room. Wondering if Kai would remember to dance the first waltz with her, Torcia decided to look for him across the room. Apologizing to her two friends, she walked along the downstairs balcony corridors, separated from the dance floor by carved wooden railings and pink and blue rose bushes. A few couples were engrossed in private stories, somewhat obscured by the d
“Something pale yellow, I think,” Sophia said grimly, sitting among the many fabrics spread out as if a rainbow had exploded in the room."Yellow," Torcia repeated, biting her lower lip. "I don't think it will flatter my skin tone."Since this was at least the tenth suggestion that Torcia had rejected, Sophia sighed and shook her head with a smile. She had specially used the room behind the tailor shop on Oxford Street to order Torcia's wedding dress."I'm sorry, Torcia said sincerely. "I don't mean to be difficult. You obviously have very little experience with these things." She was never allowed to choose the style or color of her dresses herself.At Lord Warren's orders, she always wore virtuous styles in colors. Unfortunately now it's hard to picture myself in vibrant colors like blue, or yellow, and, god help her, pink, and the thought of exposing most of my upper chest. The public was so terrified that she cringe at the stylish illustrations in the book Sophia held out to her.S
He smiled at that, bringing her fingers to his mouth. "I would like anyone but Warren as a husband - I've made that pretty clear."Torcia smiled, discreetly thinking that by marrying Kai, she had ended up with a husband far from her expectations. "What will you do tomorrow?" she asked, recalling this morning's confrontation with Sir Ross. She was sure that Kai would give up his post on Bow Street without a word of protest.Letting go of her hand, Kai frowned. "I'm going to visit Morgan.""Do you think he will side with you against Sir Ross?""There's no chance. But at least I'll have the satisfaction of telling Morgan what a rotten traitor he is."Torcia reached forward to touch the lapel of his robe. "Have you considered the possibility that those two are doing what they think is best for you? Could it be in your own interest to reinstate the title?""How can that be? God, I'm going to live in a cage painted with vermilion and gold.""I'll be in there with you."He stared at her, see