Miranda's Dilemma by Natasha Blackthorne Read Free Book Online Page B

as her protector.”
    “Froster,” Adrian said sharply.
    Froster startled.
    “You must be firm with her. Or else you will never hold the power over her.”
    “Oh, yes, I suppose…”
    “You will never get her full submission to perform those pleasures you want.”
    Froster held himself still, and an incredibly slow, steady determination seemed to possess his gaze, his expression.
    It had just taken hold, and Adrian leaned forward, letting his gaze bore into the other man’s. “You must be firm with her.”
    “Yes, I could not see it at first but, yes, you are exactly correct.”
    “Good,” Adrian said with resolve. Then he turned and motioned for a passing servant. When the servant arrived, Adrian ordered another pot of tea and turned back to Froster. “You need to put matters into irrevocable terms.”
    “How shall I do that?”
    “Tell her that you are going away on a trip; you can go to France for a time. Dally with whomever you wish whilst you are away, you owe this chit no fidelity such as you did with your lady wife.”
    “Yes, of course. I don’t.”
    “Have as much pleasure as you wish, and then you will not be so hungry for her when you return. With her so far away, you won’t feel this same temptation to reserve yourself and your energies only for her.”
    Froster looked surprised. “How did you know about that temptation? I…why yes, I  have been saving myself for her.”
    “It is a human thing to do.”
    “I have been wasting time, waiting on her whims. Why, I might have had any number of women in that time.”
    “Aye, it is time for you to make her understand her position and just how you intend to deal with her. Tell her that you are weary of her reluctance and that you need a break from her. Tell her that you will be gone a month.”
    “A month!”
    “Yes, a month. And then tell her that you expect her to perform every wish and desire that you possess when you return to her. That will give her plenty of time to worry and fret over where she stands. This will bring her to heel.”
    Froster fell silent.
    The servant came with their tea and poured them each a cup.
    Froster poured a heavy dose of cream in his tea, then gulped down the liquid. He set his cp on the saucer with a clatter and nodded. “Yes, that’s exactly it. I will do it.”
     
     
     

 
    Chapter Five
     
    Miranda spent the afternoon doing a little necessary shopping, and now she walked from the mews to her rented rooms in Soho. Sunlight glinted on brass accoutrements and as she squinted against the glare, she could just make out the outline of a    carriage. The vehicle was so fine that it seemed quite out of place in this part of town, at this time of day. She placed a hand to her brow to shield her eyes and squinted again to get a better look.
    She recognized the crest and her stomach sank.
    Damn! Damn! Damn!
    Not now. Not today.
    However, she should have expected this. He never let her have peace for long.
    And Carrville was gone.
    She straightened her spine, determined to stand tall, though her body began to shake and her palms to sweat.
    He’s just a man.
    Just a man.
    The carriage rolled to a stop.
    A cramp knotted her belly, and she fisted her hands on her shopping bag handles…
     
    The years swept away and Miranda was a child, watching the footman in his bright gold and scarlet livery alight from his seat then walk towards the door of Winterton’s grand carriage.
     
    Mama’s rising excitement was like an element of the wind itself. Miranda could feel it clear to her own bones, pounding in her blood. The intensity of joy in Mama’s eyes scared her. The jumble of confused emotions sent energy surging in her limbs.  The tense energy impelled Miranda to lift her skirts and run ahead of everyone else, bounding down the drive, ahead of everyone else. She stopped just short of the carriage, panting for breath, sweat cooling on her face.
     
    A man emerged from the vehicle, his tall frame draped in an