Midnight Rose by Patricia Hagan Read Free Book Online Page A

ever after, like in fairy tales. Her only real chance at happiness might be in getting married as soon as possible, escaping this awful place, and taking everyone she cared about with her, and that included convincing her mother to go, too. And just maybe that somebody was Ryan Youngblood.
    Finally she said to Letty, who sat watching her in apprehensive silence, “I suppose I’d better keep my fingers crossed that Mr. Youngblood was impressed, that he’ll want to court me. It may be the only way out for all of us. God forgive me”—she was suddenly swept with emotion—“but I hate Zachary Tremayne!”
    Letty could actually feel her wrath and shuddered at the intensity. She was not, however, going to join her in asking forgiveness for harboring hatred. No, sir! Instead, she was going to pray real hard for God to make it all work out, that Master Youngblood would ask Erin to marry him, and then they would all be delivered from the evil.
    But most of all, Letty hoped to spare her from ever knowing just how evil things really were!
     
     
    “I definitely think she’s the right one.” Keith tossed down the rest of his whiskey and held out his glass to Ebner for refill.
    Ryan was only half listening. For the past hour, they’d been sitting in the study while Keith droned on and on about the attributes of Mary Susan Hightower. In the span of only one evening, Keith had decided he was going to marry her and wanted Ryan to share his enthusiasm. Ryan was trying to be polite, but the fact was, he couldn’t care less. He was too lost in thought over his own find at last night’s ball—Miss Erin Sterling.
    The image of her lovely face kept appearing before him—limpid eyes framed by lashes that seemed to have been dusted with silver and gold, the ebony sheen of her hair and the way he’d lustily envisioned it fanned out on a pillow.
    He thought, too, of her luscious body, the way she’d moved as he watched from the terrace. Tall, she’d have long, curvaceous legs, and he wanted to see them, feel them, run his fingertips up and down and caress that creamy skin, move all the way up between her thighs to touch her in that magic place, making her moan and writhe as she begged him to take her.
    Ryan not only enjoyed making love to women, he liked making it good for them too. Watching their enraptured faces as he took them to climax, knowing he’d succeeded in giving them total ecstasy, served to make his own that much better. Never had a woman left his bed without being satisfied—and if she had, she was a damn good actress.
    He looked forward to giving Erin Sterling pleasure. In fact, he was anticipating many good times with her once she was established as his mistress. He’d be discreet, of course, but he’d make sure she was lavishly provided for. A small house in Richmond, perhaps, so the times he couldn’t be with her due to his family or his business, she could find entertainment dining out, going to the theater, with escorts he’d provide, of course. He would see to it she lacked for nothing, that she had the most exquisite clothes, jewelry, any luxury she desired. He’d arrange servants, too, as many as she wanted.
    Templing his fingers, Ryan looked through them, framing the lush, rolling pastures outside the window, thought how unfortunate it was he couldn’t share his own treasures with her. She struck him as the type who’d enjoy horseback riding, farm and plantation life. A shame it would be to tuck her away in the confines of the city, in order to render her available whenever he wanted or needed her, but that’s the way it was, the way it had to be. He’d try to take her with him when he traveled as often as it could be arranged, because after talking with her only briefly, he could tell she’d make a good companion.
    Companion.
    He smiled to himself.
    Mistress.
    Erin was the perfect choice.
    Just as Ermine was the right pick for a wife, he supposed resignedly. She was good blood. They’d produce