A Rose Between the Thornes by Raven McAllan Read Free Book Online

otherwise. He uncoupled the horses and tied them to a tree not too distant.
    “My good men,” he spoke in a coarse voice, so unlike his own cultured tones. “You will find a knife nearby to cut your bindings. You will wait for five minutes before you do so. We will be watching.” Which was a stupid statement to make under proper circumstances, for who in their right mind would wait to see if their orders had been obeyed instead of making good their escape?
    “You’ll hang for this,” the coachman spoke angrily. “My lady will see to that. Robbing a poor defenseless woman.” It would have surprised Sophia if she had seen the wink that accompanied the statement.
    Jasper laughed. “Very probably,” he agreed affably. “Now remember five minutes; you will find the knife if you feel around for it.”
    The coachman nodded. “Did we do well, gov?”
    “You did, keep it up for a while longer.”
    Jasper placed a knife nearby and sprinted for the unmarked coach. He had no illusions about the men following his orders, and was sure they would immediately try to free themselves. Not that it would be difficult. The knots, the knife, the show of power were all part of an elaborate ploy to ensure the success of their endeavor. Even so they all needed to depart the scene.
    Luckily his cattle were well trained, swift of foot, and the coach lightweight.
    “All set?” he called softly as he collected the reins and urged the horses forward. A thump on the roof reassured him.
    Grinning, he whistled through his teeth, and took the side lane to their destination.
    Worried though he may be about his twin, with the unique empathy each had, he knew there really was no need tofret. Nathaniel was only slightly injured, his pride more hurt than his body. No, his biggest fear was just how Rose Sophia was going to react to her abduction, and all they suggest she participate in. Also, he thought—as he swung into a copse and calmed his cattle, waiting to see if there was any chase—not purely to repay her debts.
    After twenty anxious minutes with dusk falling, he decided all was safe. To be sure he drove carefully along a track barely wide enough, encouraging his horses, as they baulked at imagined horrors.
    Turning into the rear drive of their newly purchased hunting lodge—acquired, he admitted, with Sophia in mind— the coach lurched violently. He struggled to reach the building and therefore halt. The sway increased, the horses aware and restless.
    Ah ha! Had their lady woken up? She had.
    ***
    Sophia wondered why her room was so dark. Usually she left the window coverings open, enjoying the moonlight and then the sunrise. She tried to roll over, to see why it was so dark, and could not.
    “Don’t struggle, you will injure yourself.” The voice was low, too low to be recognizable. “You are restrained and unsighted. ‘Tis an amazing sight, if only those beautiful breasts were as bared as your cunt, my cup would overflow, as would my cock. In truth, it is taking all my determination not to bury myself in you, to taste you, and feel you wrap yourself around me.”
    What? That was fighting talk. The words brought moisture to her channel, and she felt the signs of her excitement dampen her curls. Sophia knew she should be disgusted at his frank words, fearful at her predicament, and be ready to protect herself. Why was she staying still, listening to that hypnotic, arousing, and enticing voice?
    “You feel it too, my love?” the unknown continued. “For I see your excitement, see those luscious lips as they call to me. Shall I anticipate our coupling, lap at that elixir, sip your juices until they flow freely and spill?’
    Her cunt clenched at his erotic words and the pictures they painted. Damn his eyes, he must have noticed, for his chuckle was sensuous in the extreme.
    “Ah, I wish I could, nothing would please me more.” That dark enticing voice spoke, and wrapped around her like a velvet cloak. “However, I fear I must