Nightbound by Lynn Viehl Read Free Book Online Page A

scowling. “This is very generous of you, Mr. Leeds.”
    “My motives are not entirely unselfish,” the
tresora
admitted. “I should like to see if living in America and managing your household will suit me as well.”
    None of the other candidates had made such an offer, and it would give the man a chance to prove himself.
To me and Byrne.
“That seems quite sensible,” Jayr said, and rose to her feet. “Very well, Mr. Leeds. You have your month.”
    “Thank you, my lady.” He stood, giving her a respectful bow before turning to Byrne. “My lord, I know your mortal staff is still on holiday. Could you spare one of your men to show me about the premises?”
    “I will give you the tour myself,” Jayr said before Aedan could answer. “I am interested to know how our arrangements compare to those in Europe.”
    “I can tell you that we don’t have gift shops or snack cafés.” As a knock sounded on the door, Leeds went to it. “Your submersible bridges are enviable as well. Are they operated by hydraulics?”
    Harlech eyed the
tresora
before he stepped inside. “Forgive the intrusion, my lady, but the stable master has asked if Lord Byrne would look at one of the mares. She may have the colic.”
    “No trouble, Captain.” Jayr introduced him to Leeds. “Devan will be with us for at least the next month. Please advise the men accordingly.”
    “Yes, my lady.” Harlech nodded to the
tresora
, who followed Jayr out into the corridor.

     
    The phone rang while Alys was in the middle of running a diagnostic on the GPR, and when she ignored it, Chan asked, “Do you want me to get that, Dr. Stuart?”
    “Right. Sure.” She watched the screen as she thumbed through the troubleshooting manual and studied the potential errors. Without the ground-penetrating radarfully operational, she would be digging blind, and with only four weeks to work, she couldn’t afford to guess where she might find some evidence of the fountain.
    At least I won’t have to dodge him.
    Being distracted yet again by the thought of Beauregard York annoyed and pleased Alys; she had no reason to dwell on the man, but the fact that she did illustrated how right she’d been to keep him off her team.
    I can stuff something in your mouth.…
    Attending an all-girls boarding school in Switzerland had effectively sheltered Alys from the opposite sex. Only when she had begun her studies at university did she first encounter the sexual side of social interaction. For a brief time she had even applied herself to study it, although the majority of sexual behaviors among her peers seemed largely a by-product of separation anxieties, self-esteem issues, or stress. She’d watched many of her classmates engage in short-term pseudo-relationships, which they used as cover for the physical liaisons they craved.
    She’d also personally experimented with sex herself, several times. It had seemed more attractive than drinking alcohol, a small amount of which she quickly discovered made her violently ill, or the other mind-altering substances her fellow students indulged in, which she avoided because they were illegal. While the mechanics of sex were initially somewhat interesting, the actual pleasures involved were no more exciting or fulfilling to her than a 5K run, or several hours working out at the student gym.
    The emotional outpourings and expectations of her partners, on the other hand, had alternately repelled andperplexed her. One of the boys she’d slept with, a computer programming major, had used their first postcoital interlude to profess an undying love for her. He’d also become instantly obnoxious when she refused to verbally reciprocate.
    Explaining her opinion on the matter had not improved the situation. “Love is an artificial emotional construct. It provides justification for your pursuit of physical gratification, which you would otherwise consider shameful.” She’d been curious about the reason for that, which had prompted her