Forbidden by Jo Beverley Read Free Book Online Page B

flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids."
    This was clearly directed at Shem and Japheth, but Francis thought he should perhaps take the words to heart himself. He also noted wryly that Mr. Post was not blind to the power of Serena's extraordinary eyes.
    As soon as the big bible was closed, Serena and Francis were escorted—rather in the manner of dangerous prisoners being rendered safe—to the best bedroom, Mr. and Mrs. Post's own room.
    When Francis attempted to demur, it was made clear that the house was full, and that this arrangement had been accomplished by Mrs. Post moving in with her daughters and Mr. Post with his sons. Francis knew a suggestion that he and his wife could do the same split would never be agreed to.
    And considering the number of lascivious looks still being cast toward Serena by the sons of the house—including stripling Japheth—Frances wasn't sure he would be easy leaving her unguarded, even with the daughters.
    When the door was closed on the small room, however, he shook his head. "I'm sorry. This is becoming rather awkward."
    She perched on the edge of the big bed. "Aren't the Posts peculiar? Never fear, my lord, I won't fall into the vapors. I'd far rather be in here with you than out there with them. I'm not a sensitive virgin, after all."
    The words were prosaic, but with her astonishing sultry beauty they dizzied him with a wealth of erotic promise.
    He wondered what her reaction would be if he said, "But I am." It was true. Too fastidious to enjoy loose women and too kind to use pure ones, he was a peculiarity amongst his friends, though in fact they all thought he was just very discreet.
    It was, however, yet another excellent reason for marriage. Thought of Lady Anne put him sharply on his guard. "I'll sleep on the floor," he said.
    She scanned the room. "Where?"
    He had to admit that short of sleeping under the bed it was a chancy proposition. The room was small and the Posts had filled every available space with chests of drawers, small tables, chairs, and other odd items. There was a narrow strip of bare floor on one side of the bed but it didn't look inviting, and he could already feel the chill drafts that whistled across the bare planks.
    "My dear Lord Middlethorpe," said Serena pleasantly, "this is, if you'll note it, quite a large bed. I suspect we can both sleep in it without being aware of the other. If," she added with a sliding look that stole his breath, "that is what you want."
    Damnation! The woman was trying to seduce him! And he knew in his heart—and less noble portions of his anatomy—that he wanted to be seduced. He was no better than the Post lads.
    He had no idea what to say and feared he was coloring up.
    At his silence, her color certainly flared. "Surely, my lord, if anyone should be uneasy about this situation, it is me, not you."
    Her heightened color made her ravishing....
    Francis took a deep breath and struggled for control. It wasn't as if he hadn't felt desire before and conquered it. He certainly wasn't going to leap into folly for a chance-met light-skirt.
    Lust not after her beauty in thine heart, he reminded himself. Neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
    He lounged in a hard chair beside the bed. "I assure you, you have nothing to fear from me, madam. Now, tell me why you were on the road in such weather."
    All amusement fled and her lids shielded her eyes. "I dare not."
    Dare not. An interesting choice of words. Francis considered the enigma. Her deep red hair was escaping its pins and curling into an intoxicating mass of fiery bronze in the light of the one candle. The curving line of her body from nape to hip was sensual beauty incorporated. Even under the ugly shawl, her breasts swelled with promise, pleading for the touch of his hands. Her perfume was weighing heavy on the chill air.
    She was shadows and mysteries that his body yearned for, but he