The Darkland by Kathryn Le Veque Read Free Book Online

that it would be in name only. Isn't that what you said, dear
brother?"
    He nodded, scratching
his scalp before collecting his fine tunic. "Father accepted the pledge on
behalf of a gambling debt, darling. I had no choice but to agree and well you
know it."
    The woman's naked body
crossed the floor, a thin woman with tiny breasts. Even as her brother put his
tunic on, she rubbed against him like a cat in heat. "You must consummate
the marriage."
    "I am bound
to." He collected his gold-link belt. "For breeding purposes, of
course. Once she's pregnant, I shall forget I even have a wife."
    The woman smiled,
rubbing her Venus Mound on his thigh and leaving a damp streak. "And
return to me, where you belong," she purred. "Into the arms of your
beloved Johanne."
    Edmund raised an eyebrow
at his younger sister. The sister he had acquired when his father had married
the wealthy widow Seymour those years ago, but his sister nonetheless. Blood or
marriage was of little difference to him. "You would not be my beloved Johanne
if Kirk were to show interest in you," he said, slapping her on the
buttocks. When she yelped and moved away, he sat on the mattress to put on his
boots. "He is the man of your dreams; not me."
    She continued to smile
at him, rubbing her bum where he had smacked her. "'Tis you who loves me
best, Edmund. You always have. Teaching me the ways of men and woman so my
flesh would not be polluted by the touch of an outsider. When Kirk finally
comes to his senses, he'll be pleased with the skills you have taught me. Won't
he, Edmund? Just like you said?"
    Last boot in place, Edmund
de Cleveley, Baron Bowland, rose from the bed and fixed his step-sister in the
eye. "He shall be pleased. As pleased as I have been since you were eleven
years old."
    Johanne's smile
broadened, rubbing herself against the canopy post and imagining it was Kirk.
"And what of your new wife, Edmund? Will she be as pleasurable as
me?"
    "I am sure not.
She's a virgin; it's guaranteed in the marriage contract. Silly, useless
wench."
    Johanne's smile faded,
her unbalanced mind evident in the dull green eyes.  "Can I wish her away
if she displeases us both?"
    "And how would she
do that?"
    "By disapproving of
our relationship, of course. If she cannot be made to understand, might I wish
her away like I have the others?"
    Edmund paused by the
door, studying the woman he couldn't seem to be without. It wasn't as if he
loved her; but, truly, he had never been without her. The need to have her, to
dominate her, had always been a part of his psyche. To do without her would be
like relinquishing a limb; so very necessary if he wanted to remain in control.
    And this wishing away
business; she had started it as a child, wishing animals away that displeased her.
A rabbit that bit her, a kitten that scratched. As her step-brother and
protector, Edmund had made sure the offensive beasts were removed and convinced
Johanne that the powers of her mind had made it so. But as she got older and
her psychosis more evident, she took to wishing people away and it was Edmund
obligation to continue what he had started.
    "If she does not
understand our relationship, then I will permit you to wish her away as you
have done the others," he said after a moment. "But not before she
bears me a son. Until such time, Lady Micheline is safe from your wishing
powers."
    Johanne seemed
satisfied, lying down on the mattress and stroking herself intimately. "I
have saved my wishing powers for those women who turn their attentions on Kirk.
This will be the first time I have used them for you."
    Edmund lifted the bolt.
"Patience, Johanne. Lady Micheline might work into our family quite
nicely."
    "Mayhap." Johanne
closed her eyes as her orgasm began to build. Edmund paused, watching his step-sister
manipulate herself. "If all else fails, mayhap I shall put the two of you
in bed together and watch. And if Kirk is a good boy, I shall ask him to join
me."
    "Kirk would never
do such a thing," she