Stormswept by Sabrina Jeffries Read Free Book Online Page A

eyes narrowed. Was she speaking of the same Mr. Vaughan who was his father’s enemy? The one who’d landed Juliana in trouble this morning? And what was all this about sedition?
    Pennant laughed. “I told you last night, they were done in London. Nothing to do with me.”
    Lettice turned her back to him. “I’m no fool. I know you’d do anything for your fellow Sons of Wales.”
    Darcy clenched his fists. That deuced group of radicals? Father and the burgesses had been attempting to stamp them out for some time. Lettice was right to be concerned. Being mixed up with that lot would definitely get her turned off if Father found out about it.
    Not one whit put off by her words, Pennant came up behind her to clasp her about the waist. “I won’t let your silly suspicions change what lies between us.”
    “It’s already changed it. I shouldn’t even have gone last night. ’Twas very foolish. And after your idiot friend came today to make accusations against my poor Lady Juliana, I ought to wash my hands of you entirely.”
    “That wasn’t my doing, and you know it.”
    “Still . . .” When Pennant began nibbling her ear, she leaned her head back against his chest with a sigh. “Can’t you just forget about the radicals?”
    Pennant turned Lettice to face him. “Nay, sweetheart, I cannot. And you don’t truly want me to. If I were a puling coward who paid lip service to English laws, then grumbled about it in the taverns, you wouldn’t love me.”
    “I don’t love you, you fool! ”
    Dragging her against him, Pennant kissed her with a passion that made Darcy rage. The scoundrel! ’Twasn’t right that he should have Lettice!
    When Pennant stopped kissing her, he chuckled. “Say again that you don’t love me, and I’ll show you again that you’re lying.”
    She clung to his shoulders in near desperation. “You devil,how could I care for a man who doesn’t have the good sense to see the danger he puts himself—and his friends—in?”
    “You’ve nothing to worry about. If I’m found out, you and I will start anew in London, or perhaps even America. You can be sure I’ll never leave you to the tender mercies of your master.” He stroked her cheek. “But no one will find out unless you tell them.”
    “I swear I’ll never tell! ” She threw her arms about his neck. “Oh, you will be careful, won’t you?”
    “Only if you promise to keep meeting me.” His voice grew serious. “I couldn’t bear it if you truly broke with me.”
    “I must be ten kinds of a fool . . .” She paused. “But God help me, I do love you.”
    His answer was to kiss her again so passionately, Darcy had to dig his fingernails into his palms to keep from leaping out and tearing into the too-handsome printer.
    But if he jumped in now, Lettice would side with her lover and Darcy would never have her. There were better ways to get what he wanted.
    First he’d see what he could find out about Pennant’s and Vaughan’s activities.
    Then he’d make sure Pennant was no longer around to tempt Lettice.

    The scent of roast duckling, mingled with the sugary smell of cinnamon apples, wafted up to Juliana where she lay on her bed. Her mouth watering, she thrust her head under her pillow.
    Mama had prevailed upon Papa not to cane her, so he’dchosen confining her to her room for the next two weeks and sending her to bed without supper tonight, when her favorite meal was being served.
    She would rather have been caned, just to have it done and over with.
    Then again, perhaps not. Papa had been furious. He might truly have hurt her, especially after she’d refused to tell him what meeting she’d attended and who’d taken her there. She’d never seen him so enraged.
    Had last night’s adventure been worth it?
    Aye. One kiss from Rhys Vaughan had been worth all of it.
    Like as not, she’d never see the smooth-tongued Welshman again. She wished she could get a note to him, to explain . . .
    She punched the