'Til the End of Time by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page A

man.” A sad man, a tormented man, but certainly not lascivious. “And ourrelationship is none of your concern. I think you’d better let me up. I’ll sleep on the floor.”
    “No.” His silence following the protest was charged with conflict. “I won’t mention Bruner again. Stay.”
    “No more questions?”
    “Not unless you want to ask them of me.”
    “Why should I do that? Everyone knows about Karpathan, the Tanzar. The newspapers love you. You’re a romantic hero.”
    “Lord, what hogwash,” he said with a growl. “I’m a soldier. Nothing more.”
    That wasn’t true. He was also a man, and she was becoming more conscious of his blatant masculinity every moment. “You’re also the Duke of Limtana, playboy, millionaire, Oxford scholar, second cousin to deposed King Stefan. Your mother was Argentinian, and she inherited one of the largest ranches in Argentina. She returned to the pampas after your father died. You inherited a fortune from both your father and your maternal grandfather. The newspaper articles made a big fuss over your idealism in giving up your silver-spoon existence for your people.” Her tone became faintly cynical. “But no matter what happens to your revolution, your personal wealth is secure, isn’t it? You can indulge yourself in your little adventure and lose nothing.”
    “There’s one thing I might lose that I consider irreplaceable,” he said quietly. “My life. That’s a high price to risk for adventure to relieve my boredom.”
    She shrugged. “Some men like to live on the edge of danger. Before the revolution you were fond of mountain climbing and race-car driving.”
    “You appear to be very well versed about my personal history.”
    “I researched you very thoroughly before I came to Tamrovia.” Then she added quickly, “Not from any personal interest, you understand. I made sure I knew just as much about Naldona.”
    “Researched,” he repeated thoughtfully. “That’s a curious word to use. Now, why would James Bruner’s mistress be curious enough to ‘research’ the two opposing sides of a war-torn country she was merely visiting?”
    Alessandra was silent.
    “It’s none of my business. Right?” Exasperation and resignation threaded the words. “You’re a very difficult woman, Alessandra Ballard.” He suddenly chuckled. “But I’ve never enjoyed anything that came easy. I haven’t climbed a mountain in a long time.”
    “I may be large, but I’m not sure I like being compared to a mountain.”
    “You’re laughing. I’m relieved. I wasn’t sure you had a sense of humor underneath all that fierceness.”
    “Of course I have a sense of humor.” It was ridiculous to feel so indignant. Why should it matter what he thought of her? Yet it did. Good Lord, what was happening to her? She drew a deep breath and tried to block out the effect he was having on her emotions. His sensual effect on her was bad enough, but she was beginning to find she actually
liked
the man. She was discovering qualities of patience, humor, and gentleness she didn’t want to acknowledge. He was a man to trust. She had developed an instinct over the years of separating the dross from the gold, andKarpathan was the real thing. The affection and respect she had noticed his men gave him was impossible to ignore. Well, she
would
ignore it. She must ignore it. “I don’t want to talk anymore.” She closed her eyes determinedly. “I’m going to sleep now.”
    “I think I’m being dismissed.” His tone held only indulgent amusement. “All right, go to sleep. I’ll watch over you.”
    Karpathan would watch over her while she slept. The assurance filled her with warm contentment. After a lifetime of relying on no one but herself, for this brief period she could lower her guard. He was the enemy, but for some unexplainable reason she trusted him. She could feel the tension of years begin to splinter and then dissolve. She would have no trouble rebuilding those defenses