His Royal Pleasure by Leanne Banks Read Free Book Online Page A

again. “Okay, you want to hear about James Logan. Well, the man nearly drove me crazy.”
    For the next half hour Katherine gave Al an earful, fully expecting him to yawn, excuse himself or fall asleep. Instead, he listened carefully, occasionally making suggestions or grinning at something she’d described. The movie forgotten, his attention was focused on her. The way his dark gaze fastened on her made her wish she was beautiful.
    â€œYou’ll have other options,” he assured her at the end of the conversation.
    â€œI hope so. Thanks for listening.”
    â€œEven though I had to push you to talk about it.”
    Her smile broadened. “Yes. But speaking of questions, I’m curious. Where did you learn to fence? England?”
    He looked away. “There are other places.”
    â€œI’ve always wanted to visit England,” Katherine ventured. “Were you there on business?”
    â€œYes,” he said tersely. “I have another question.”
    That brought her up short. “Oh.” At a temporary loss, she shrugged, expecting something about the campground. “Okay. What is it?”
    He looked her over in a way that curled her toes into the sofa cushion. She fought the urge to fold her arms over her chest.
    â€œWhere are your lovers?” he finally asked in a rough voice.
    Katherine’s eyes rounded. “What?” she choked.
    â€œYour lovers,” he said impatiently, and stood. “A woman who looks like you, who acts like you, must have lovers. I’ve watched every man with you, but you don’t give off the signals of a woman involved with any of them.” He walked the length of the carpet as he tried to solve the quiz.
    Speechless, she watched him with dumbfounded astonishment.
    â€œI wondered about Rich.”
    â€œRich!”
    Al continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “He watches you. He tries to find excuses to touch you. And when you leave, he mutters what a shame it is that you braid your hair. And if only you weren’t old Jasper’s niece.”
    â€œRich?” Katherine said again weakly. She’d had no idea the dockmaster felt that way.
    â€œYou don’t watch Rich.” Al planted his hands on his hips and stopped directly in front of her.
    She shrank against the back of the sofa.
    â€œThe only free time you have is when you take your evening swims. Do you meet someone then?”
    He asked the question imperiously, as if it were his God-given right to know. Indignation replaced shock. “That’s none of your business,” she snapped.
    He scowled. “You didn’t answer my question.”
    â€œI’m not going to.”
    â€œYou agreed,” he reminded her.
    Katherine felt trapped. She took a deep breath. “So I did.” And did she ever regret it. “I do not meet anyone when I swim, because I want to be alone then.”
    â€œThen where are your lovers, Katherine?”
    Anger swept through her. She scooted off the sofa and around Al. “They’re not here!”
    She couldn’t bring herself to say her lovers were nonexistent. The painful truth was that Katherine had never felt particularly confident of her ability to attract members of the opposite sex, and her disastrous marriage hadn’t helped matters.
    Her resentment grew. She didn’t like her inadequacies thrown in her face. “Why are you asking me these questions? Are you trying to humiliate me? I know I’m not the type to win beauty contests, but do you have to rub it in?” Barely taking a breath, she continued, “Is that what last night was all about? Give Katie a little thrill. She needs it. Well, you can take your drop-dead good looks and your breath-stealing kisses somewhere else. Just leave me the hell alone.”
    His expression of shock failed to penetrate her fury. She spun around to leave when her shoulder was grabbed roughly from behind.
    Al turned her back