The Pirate's Desire by Jennette Green Read Free Book Online Page B

parchment peeked out. “What have we here?”
    “Nothing! Unhand me at once.” She struggled, but his grip held her immobile. Worse, the tanned fingers of his other hand reached for the corner of the parchment. She slapped his hand away.
    “How dare you!”
    “Then give the letter to me.”
    “Never!” she gasped, and struggled in a sudden, wild fury to free herself. She must escape now with the letter, or she’d be chained to this man for the next two years. “Get your hands off of me!”
    She twisted hard to the right, and suddenly found herself slammed back hard against him. His rock-solid chest imprinted her back, as did every angle and plane of his body. She gasped still further, and a hot blush rose up her skin. “Unhand me a t once, you…you barbaric pirate ! I cannot believe you would treat a lady in such a manner !”
    “A true lady would not behave as you are.” The arm he’d clamped around her waist held both of her arms immobile, as well. She felt his warm breath on her neck and unaccountable shivers raced down her skin. In her ear, he said, “Now I will retrieve my letter.”
    “No.” She struggled, but to no avail. In helpless frustration she watched his fingers swoop for the parchment, which poked up beyond the edge of her bodice. His tanned knuckles brushed her sensitive skin, and Lucinda shuddered, feeling that she might die of embarrassment. She reared back, away from his touch, but unfortunately, that only pressed her more closely into his solid, muscular body. Tears welled in her eyes. “You monstrous beast,” she hissed. “Unhand me at once!”
    The parchment slipped free, and in that instant she found herself free, as well. She whirled, flushed with temper. “How dare you touch me in such a manner? And…and steal …”
    “Do not speak to me of stealing,” he said in a dangerous tone. Was that a flicker of amusement in his gaze? Impossible. Nothing about this situation was funny.
    Lucinda trembled with finely controlled rage. “Fine. Keep the letter. But know, Mr. Montclair, that I will protect Ravensbrook and my servants with my life, if necessary. I will never allow this estate’s monies to pass through your covetous hands.”
    Any suspicion of amusement fled. “You care nothing for your father’s last wishes, then.”
    “My father trusted too easily. He has been duped before.”
    “He was too quick to see the good in someone, you mean?”
    “Exactly! So you admit you deceived him?”
    “I see he did not perceive his daughter to be the selfish, spoiled young lady you are.” He slipped the letter into his jacket pocket. “Have you always behaved like this, Lucinda?”
    She did not like the dark way he said her full name. “I am merely trying to protect myself and everything I hold dear. I wish for you to leave. I can handle everything well enough on my own.”
    “You have made it clear to me that you are an immature young woman who lacks respect for others. Peter was right. You do need a guardian. Unfortunately for both of us, I am his choice. I will be your guardian, Lucinda, you may be sure of that. And you will come to treat me with respect.”
    “Respect is earned, Mr. Montclair.”
    “It is also learned, Lady Lucinda.”
    She did not like the steady, hard look in his eyes, and decided it was time to make her exit.
    He spoke softly, just before she closed the door. “I will leave for the solicitor in one hour. If you wish to come, you will be ready.”
    Lucinda jerked the door hard, and its slam reverberated down the hall. The gall of the man! The utter cheek. Trembling, she stalked to her room and slammed that door, too.
    She stood there, shaking. She had lost. Worse, she felt embarrassed and humiliated. An ache gathered in her throat. She’d been right from the start. He was a savage, through and through. What would he do to her—or to Ravensbrook—once he gained full control of both?
    In an hour, the solicitor would read the letter and her fate would be