Chaste Kiss by Jo Barrett Read Free Book Online Page A

have lost him forever. Her false smile slipped slightly.
    "What ‘tis the thing you fear?"
    Losing you. Casting her gaze to the coverlet, she turned her mind back to what had made her cry. “The stalker's still out there somewhere."
    "Aye, but fear not, I will not let him harm you. I would sooner be condemned to Purgatory than let him touch a single hair upon thy head."
    Isabel took a steadying breath and looked up. His face was stricken with worry. What a wonderful thing it was to be cared for so strongly. To have someone other than her uncle wanting to protect her and keep her safe. “Thank you."
    "You are most welcome. Now, enough of this depressing talk. ‘Tis time for a pleasing tale.” He retrieved a book from the nightstand then stretched out on the bed next to her. “I pray thee, remember. At the first sign of you drifting off to sleep, I shall leave. You do not sleep still, little one, even with your injuries, and will likely strike me where I lie. By my word you must dash around the world and back in one e'en."
    She smiled at his teasing and snuggled down into the bed, carefully turning on her side to listen to him read. His deep smooth voice soothed her nerves and tickled her spine, leaving behind traces of the desire she constantly forced to the back of her mind.
    The stalker forgotten, Isabel's gaze flowed over him as he read. She loved watching him. She admired his noble straight nose and strong jaw with a small cleft in the center of his chin. The steady rise and fall of his broad chest, his long muscular legs stretched out atop the covers, his leather riding boots casually crossed at the ankles. He struck quite a heart-stopping pose. His handsome profile made it obvious why he'd been so popular with the ladies in his day.
    She easily pictured him riding a great black horse across the English countryside in the early morning hours after having spent a night in the arms of his latest conquest. His hair wiping about in the wind, the flush of his tan cheeks, his hearty laughter as he bounded over stone walls and across fields. What a sight he must have been. What a lover he must have been.
    Forgetting her promise to herself to not think of him in that way, she let her eyes drift closed and imagined feeling the heat of his body near hers, the smell of leather mixing with his own rich scent. The tingles his touch would create against her flesh, igniting fires in the secret places of her soul.
    She felt the blanket settle over her shoulders. Her eyelids were too heavy to lift, and she didn't want to lose the wonderful image she'd conjured up.
    "Pleasant dreams, poppet."
    Pleasant dreams . Oh yes, she would have many of those, and they would all be of William.
    * * * *
    After days upon days of recuperating, her fears of leaving Derrington Manor slowly dissolved with William's gentle assurance and indefatigable support. She couldn't wait to get out and find the perfect spot for her store.
    Her nightly and often daily visits with William helped to pass the time between recuperating and planning her new business, but one last worry still niggled at her newfound optimism. She still didn't know what lay beneath her bandages. But today was the official unveiling. Although the scrapes and bruises had disappeared, she didn't want anyone around when she removed the gauze.
    "William, would you show yourself, please? You know, I know you're there.” She grinned, feeling the pleasant tingle of his presence. It bothered her that she couldn't see him all the time as she did as a child, but every day her extraordinary vision improved. Only when he stood in bright light did his image appear vague, and in direct sunlight it was destroyed completely.
    "I am here.” He appeared beside the bed.
    "I'd like to ask a favor."
    "Anything your heart desires.” He held out his arms wide.
    If only she could feel them wrapped around her. “I would like to be alone for a few hours. I don't want anyone to see me take off my bandages."
    "In