Beauty Tempts the Beast by Leslie Dicken Read Free Book Online Page A

envelope, a scowl brewing on his features. His eyes darkened as he slipped out the letter. With each word he read, his face grew ruddier, his scar deeper.
    “Bloody hell!” he growled and shoved a hand through his hair. “Damn, damn, damn.”
    She watched his face carefully. The narrowing of his gaze and flat line of his lips told of anger, not the shocked terror of last night.
    He sprang up from his chair and paced the worn carpet before the buffet, his thunderous expression chasing away the sun.
    Still angry he would not permit her to stay, Vivian provoked him further. “May I eat my breakfast in peace?”
    He stormed over to her and stood above her, his stomach level with her eyes. A vein throbbed on his temple. The purple gash on his cheek blazed with an unnatural light. However, his intent at frightening her did not work. She did not feel the threat of his rage, not the powerful waves of fury or dangerous calm which emanated from Martin at every moment.
    Still, Lord Ashworth’s size and sheer strength made her pause. He could harm her easily if so driven…but he wouldn’t. This was the man who once saved her.
    “You will hear my rant. This is my house. You are my guest.”
    Vivian looked away from the torment reflecting in his eyes. She pushed back from the table.
    “According to you, I will not be your guest any longer.”
    He shoved a hand through his hair. “I would like you to stay…until this guest leaves.”
    Her breath caught, heart kicked up its rhythm. He was allowing her stay? Oh Lord, could it be true that she wouldn’t have to run any longer?
    Something—or someone—had changed his mind. “Who is this new guest?”
    He went to the windows and leaned against them then crossed his arms. No further sunlight graced the walls, only the dim offerings of clouded sky. “Lady Wainscott.”
    “Who is she?”
    Lord Ashworth turned his attention to the yard below. “Someone I once thought to marry, but then…”
    A sigh, but nothing more.
    Vivian fought for a sustaining breath. It was the young woman she saw him with that day. What she thought was an innocent trip to the garden with a friendly duke had been interrupted by Lord Ashworth and his betrothed. At twelve, she did not understand much of the argument between the two gentlemen or why she was warned to stay away from the duke. It was months later when Vivian learned that interruption may have saved her life.
    And now the woman he once loved was coming to visit. It would be easy for him to fall for her again, easy to overlook the stranger who had invaded his peace.
    She swallowed, her throat tight. “Why is it that you want me to remain during her visit?”
    He turned his face so that she only saw the glowing length of the scar. “I want her stay to be as short as possible. I would like for her to believe you and I will marry.”
    She grew more confused by the moment. “Does this mean we are to be wed as you promised?”
    His shoulders tensed. “It shouldn’t take long for her to see that my interest is gone. Once she goes, I will give you whatever riches you desire.”
    So his answer was no. Still, this gave her the opportunity to remain here longer. An opportunity to possibly change his mind.
    But could she watch this other woman win him over? How could she possibly compete with a woman he once thought to marry?
    “I—I do not know, my lord.”
    Lord Ashworth said nothing. He still would not turn to her, but stared out the windows. An old clock’s soft ticking rippled through the silent room.
    Vivian turned back to the table and took a sip of her juice.
    “What will it take to get you to do this for me?” The words were clipped, hard, determined.
    A real proposal, a wedding, a promise of your love. Something that will guarantee Martin will never find me.
    But she said none of those. “I’m not certain what can.”
    “The garden.”
    She twisted to see him. “My lord?”
    “What if I provide you with new saplings and flowers? Will