Wild Heart by Lori Brighton Read Free Book Online Page B

“What’s it truly like? It’s like a jungle. It’s kill or be killed. It’s animals fighting over food, over territory, over lovers.”
    She flushed, showing her innocence. At the same time, she reached out, her hand resting on his arm. Heat shot through his limbs. As shocking as a bite from a fire ant, but much, much more pleasant. Surprised, he stilled, his breath catching.
    “It can’t be all terrible,” she said.
    He released a wry laugh and stepped away from her, away from the emotions she produced. “You have no idea.” He started up the steps.
    She raced after him. “Then tell me.”
    They moved into the foyer. He didn’t stop but continued toward the back of the house, intending to be free of them all. He didn’t want to discuss India. Didn’t want to discuss his feelings.
    “Leo,” she called out softly. “Explain it to me.”
    His anger flared. He spun around to face her, and she ran straight into him. Her palms flattened to his chest, her breath a warm gasp of surprise against his neck.
    “Why do you want to know?” he demanded.
    Tilting her head, she gazed into his eyes, and he felt like he was falling, falling into a pool of rich, blue ocean. God help him, she didn’t step back, didn’t remove her hands.
    “Ah, look here,” Henry called out. “I told you, Grandfather, you had nothing to worry about. They’d arrive soon enough.”
    Ella jumped back from Leo, a blush creeping up her neck. His grandfather’s narrowed gaze slid from Leo to Ella and back to him. Any heat, any desire vanished at their sudden appearance.
    Henry paced around them like a man looking over stock. “My, aren’t you two friendly for only having met. What was it you hired Ella to teach him, Grandfather?”
    None of them were stupid enough to miss the sneer in his voice or the blatant sexual undertone. His grandfather flushed. Ella averted her gaze.
    “I explained to you before, Leo needs someone to teach him about English society and Ella, here, will help.”
    Henry laughed. “Why? You can’t seriously think to take him to London and introduce him to the ton? I thought you’d have given up by now.”
    “Henry, my boy, someday Leo will run the estates—”
    “By God,” Henry shouted, his hands fisting at his sides. “You cannot be serious!”
    His grandfather stiffened. “I am very serious, and I do not appreciate your tone.”
    His cousin’s face turned an unhealthy shade of red. “Tell me it’s only because of these blasted English laws.”
    His grandfather didn’t answer.
    Henry grabbed the old man by his upper arms and jerked him forward. “Have you gone mad? Leo is insane, no more than an animal—”
    Anger flared through Leo’s body, pulsing heat through his veins. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. He could kill his pale, slim cousin so easily, a quick snap of his neck. “Unhand him.”
    “Or what?” Henry sneered.
    Even if he wanted to, even if he’d been trained by the best to conform to society’s expectations, he wouldn’t have been able to stop himself. A darkness swirled in the pit of his gut. He reached out and wrapped his fingers around his cousin’s collar, tightening his hold until the man’s eyes widened and Henry released their grandfather. How he wanted to slam his fist into his cousin’s face.
    “Leo,” Ella whispered. “I don’t believe he can breathe very well.”
    He wanted to ignore her remark, to tighten his hold until the man stopped struggling. Instead, he released his cousin. At least he had the pleasure of watching Henry stumble back, his eyes wide with fear.
    “See,” Henry gasped. “I told you he was a madman.”
    His grandfather shook his head and closed his eyes, leaning heavily on his cane.
    “Well, it doesn’t really much matter, does it? Either way, the estate is mine.” Leo couldn’t help but taunt the man before he turned and left the gaping audience.

Chapter 4
    Ella settled onto a stone bench that overlooked the rose garden and