Rapture's Tempest by Bobbi Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

stepped into the waiting pair of dry shoes that were kept nearby.
    “Mr. Martin! I was so worried!” Sue appeared in the foyer, startling Martin.
    “Sue…you surprised me.” He forced a smile as he explained his nervousness.
    “I’m sorry. It’s just that I overslept, and when I did get up I couldn’t find either you or Miss Delight.”
    Latching on to her admission of being late, he said, “Then you didn’t hear us leave?”
    “No, I didn’t,” she told him confusedly as she took his coat.
    “Good. We tried to be quiet, but we were in such a rush.”
    “What happened?”
    “We got word last night from Clara’s sister-in-law Faith that Joe had been wounded,” he lied.
    “Oh, no.” Sue knew how fond her employer was of her only brother.
    “Yes. Faith wanted to travel to be with him, but she couldn’t leave the children. So she sent the message asking Delight to come at once to help her with them for a while.” Martin was surprised at how easily the tale came to him. It was so perfect. “Delight didn’t want to leave Clara, but I convinced her that we could take care of her now that she was improving.”
    “Of course. And you know how much Miss Clara loves Joe. She would want Delight to go.”
    Martin nodded, his expression a good rendition of concerned fatigue. “How is my wife this morning?”
    “She’s still sleeping. The medicine seems to have done her a lot of good.”
    “Good. Tell Cook to fix my breakfast. I’ll eat and then try to get some rest.”
    “Yes, sir.” Sue hurried off to do his bidding, leaving Martin to his thoughts.
    Pacing the dining room, Martin was still furious. Damn her! Here he was caught in a web of lies all because of that stupid chit! He only hoped that no word came from Faith or Joe during the next few days. Surely Delight would return by then. After all, where could she go? Rose was her only friend, and Rose knew what would happen to her if she tried to protect Delight.
    Running a hand nervously through his hair, he tried to relax…to get himself under control. But his body was tense with a mixture of unreleased passion and fury. One day he would get even with Delight for the agony she had caused him. Never again would he be outwitted by her. Never!
    Sue brought his meal and Martin ate sparingly. He was anxious about telling Clara the story he’d invented and hoped that she was as gullible as Sue.
    It was near noon before he headed upstairs. Pausing at the master bedroom, he looked in to find that his wife was stirring. Entering quietly, he stood by the bed waiting to see if she would awake. When her eyes fluttered open, Martin smiled down warmly at her.
    “Good morning, darling.” His tone was warm with pseudo-affection.
    “Martin.” A weak smile came to her lips. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
    “I’ve been with you most of the night.”
    “Thank you.” Her voice was weak as she reached out a shaking hand to take his. “You must be so tired….”
    “A little, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is that the medicine the doctor gave you seems to be working.”
    She nodded slightly, “I did sleep well last night…except for that one time I had to call you.”
    “I know. It’s after noon already. Do you feel rested?”
    “No. I’m so faint.”
    “You haven’t eaten in so long, it’s no wonder. I’ll call Sue and have her prepare you some broth. Maybe that will help.”
    “Thank you.”
    Martin patted her hand before leaving the room to give Sue her instructions. When he returned, he gave her another dose of the medicine and sat beside her on the bed.
    “Is Delight here?”
    “No.” He paused, wondering if he should tell her the story now or wait until she was feeling better. Martin was certain ofone thing…she couldn’t be put off for long. “She’s been called away.”
    “The hospital?”
    “No. I’m afraid it’s more serious than that.”
    “What happened?” A spark of worry showed in her eyes.
    “We got a message last