Screaming Yellow by Rachel Green Read Free Book Online Page B

was soothing. “Let’s go back to the hotel and I’ll give you something to warm you up.”
    Jennifer stayed where she was until the voices faded completely, bursting to tell someone the news.
    * * * *
    Jennifer got to the house just as Simon was pulling on his overcoat. “I’m glad I caught you.” She dropped her shopping bags on the old pew in the hall. “I saw Robert in town and guess what?”
    “How should I know?” Simon checked through the contents of his briefcase. “Look, did you put the communion wafers and wine in here for the housebound old dears?”
    “Of course. Don’t I always? Never mind that though. What about my news?”
    “What about it? It can’t be all that important or he’d have told us yesterday.”
    “Think again.” Jennifer was all but shaking with excitement. “Richard and Mary have got engaged!”
    “What? They can’t have done. Richard doesn’t even like her.”
    “Well, he does now.” Jennifer clutched his arm. “There’s more, too. I was walking home through the woods at the bottom of the manor when I heard him talking.”
    “Heard who? Robert?”
    “No, silly, Richard. I couldn’t see him because he was on the other side of the park wall, but it was definitely him.”
    “So?” Simon closed his briefcase. “Do hurry up, Jennifer, I have to go.”
    “He’s got another girl on the side,” she said. “I wasn’t far wrong about the Markhew harem after all. Like father, like son.”
    “Stepson,” Simon corrected. “That’s ridiculous, though. Why would he get engaged to Mary if he’s already got a girlfriend? What was he saying to her?”
    “He told her to be patient. He didn’t want to upset Robert in case he took him out of the will. Do you think that he doesn’t love Mary at all and is only agreeing to marry her for the inheritance?”
    “I hope not.” Simon’s expression darkened. “I couldn’t allow a marriage like that to go ahead. It augers too much trouble for all those concerned, let alone the whole question of the sanctity of marriage.”
    “Who do you think his mistress is?”
    “How should I know? There are dozens of girls in the town.” Simon looked at his watch. “I’ve got to go. I’ll drop in at the White Art on my way back. See if I can talk to Richard about all this.”
    “Good.” Jennifer straightened his lapels. “It’s about time you got some gossip for me.”
    “It’s not gossip when it’s straight from the source.” Simon checked his hair in the mirror. “You know I don’t hold with gossip.”
    * * * *
    At The Herbage, Meinwen was begging for release. “Please?” She clenched her pelvic muscles in an effort to prevent her orgasm, twisting against the bonds in the effort. Ropes dug into her skin, the momentary pain bringing her back from the crest before building the anticipation higher.
    “Not yet.” His voice was a monotone, almost menacing. “Wait.”
    “Oh God!” Meinwen tried to think of mathematics? Plumbing? Anything to take her mind off it. “The bathroom tap is dripping,” she said, more to herself than with any intent of him hearing her.
    “Is it?” At least she had elicited some emotion from him. “Then you’ll fix it…”
    She groaned.
    “Before I let you reach an orgasm.”
    She looked up to see the same half-smile she’d fallen in love with over the internet.
    * * * *
    The White Art was beginning to fill as the locals finished work and dropped in for a pint on their way home. Father Brande was respected enough to be granted an easy passage through the throng, reaching the bar without difficulty.
    “Good evening, Father.” Mike Chapman had owned the hotel for ten years and knew everybody. “What can I get for you?”
    Simon grinned. “Nothing actually, Mike. I was wondering if you’d seen Richard Godwin.”
    “Have you come from his stepfather?” Mike leaned in closer. “Only I can’t remember if I’ve seen him or not.”
    “Robert doesn’t even know he’s in town,” Simon