Embrace of the Enemy (Winds of Betrayal) by Jerri Hines Read Free Book Online Page A

Lowering his head to hers, his lips touched hers delicately. He whispered against her lips, “This I promise you. I have restrained myself. If you are here upon my return, I will do so no more. I give you fair warning. I want you.”
    He kissed her again, ravishing her mouth until she surrendered to the moment. He kissed her neck, her pulse and caressed down the front of her bodice. Shocked overwhelmed her when she felt his hand boldly cup her breast. Then abruptly, he stopped. “You made me almost lose my head, my love. Remember my words.”
    He kissed her once more. Then without another word, he departed. She could do nothing but stare after him with an open mouth.
     
    Finally, Hannah turned to discover Susanna standing in the garden in her night dress. She looked quite distressed.
    “Oh, Hannah,” she cried. Her face was drawn and distraught. “I saw. I should have told you before.”
    “Told me what?” Hannah asked, puzzled by her cousin’s reaction, trying desperately not to betray her emotions. Her cousin grabbed her hand.
    “Come back to my room and we will talk,” she answered. Hannah shook her head.
    “No, tell me now,” Hannah stubbornly refused.
    Susanna hesitated momentarily. “Hannah, Marcus…” she sighed and breathed deeply. “Marcus is married.”
    “Married?” Shock vibrated through her. Hannah heard herself ask. “Then why would he act in that manner? Why would no one tell me?”
    Susanna looked at her. “Come we’ll talk.”
    In a fog, Hannah followed Susanna back to her room and closed her door tightly. “Remember when I told you he had lived down the street. He lived here with his family, his wife and child. If I remember correctly she was with child when she left. I met her on a few occasions. Haughty, I feel she felt the colonies beneath her. For if I’m not mistaken, she’s a daughter of a duke of some sort. She bragged about returning to their estate in England, away from the wilds of the colonies. From what I gather he’s the second son to an earl himself.”
    Hannah sat and listened to her cousin’s words. Comprehension of what her cousin said slowly sank in. “I appreciate your frankness, Cousin, but don’t concern yourself. He’s leaving and I assure you I’ll stay as far from him as possible upon his return if I’m still here. He’s playing with me.”
    Susanna gave her a quick nod, a half-fearful look in her eyes lingered. “Hannah, with what you’re doing, it would be for the best. I couldn’t bear if anything happened to you. I should have said something before because I’ve seen his fascination with you. I have heard that men in his position marry for position, but love…”
    “No, don’t say that,” Hannah shook her head. “It’s not a fascination, Susanna. He’s trying to intimidate me. That is all. He knew of me before the raid. I don’t believe he feels I’m as helpless I pretend.” Hannah reached over and squeezed Susanna’s hand.
    Susanna shook her head. “I hope you’re right. With your Gabriel leaving you, I couldn’t blame you if…:
    Hannah stood. Her voice quivered. “Gabriel hasn’t abandoned me. Obviously, he was detained and couldn’t…” She paused for in truth she couldn’t understand why he had left her here. “I’ll take heed, I promise. I won’t trust anyone. Clearly, they all look down upon us. To play me so…as if I’m no better than a common whore. No, cousin. I won’t be treated such, not without reason.”
    “Take care with that reason, Hannah,” Susanna answered.
    * * * *
    Hannah steamed over Marcus's behavior. She couldn’t stop thinking about it. How dare he! But in reality, should she had expected less? Hadn’t she a job to do? Wasn’t he a distraction? His departure alleviated a pressure she hadn't comprehended existed until he was no longer in the scene. Her inability to find and free Tepper, which had long been her most pressing problem since the occupation, disintegrated upon the reappearance of