WitchofArundaleHall by Jennifer Leeland Read Free Book Online Page B

residence was dimly lit as they arrived,
and Sarah clasped her hands together in that familiar nervous gesture. “It was
nice of Lord Alfred to attend.”
    Perry stepped down from the carriage and turned to grip her
waist to lift her to the ground. “He likes you.”
    “What made you think of Dr. Vanguard?” she said a little
breathlessly.
    “I thought he would be a better choice than your brother.” Perry
didn’t mention that Walter Ayers had been more than happy to relinquish the
responsibility of walking Sarah down the aisle. Or that it had taken Jaimison
almost four months to find the man.
    Perry sensed that Sarah was nervous, frightened. He wanted
to reassure her but found he was enjoying her plight. He wanted her off balance
since he intended to do everything to that sweet body but release his seed in
it.
    Heat snaked through his veins and he tightened his hold on
her. Madame de Laval had been right. Sarah belonged only to him tonight. Another
time he might show her the delights of coupling with more than one person but
this was a special evening.
    Sarah stopped at the bottom of the stair and gripped his
arm. “I…must change before—” She bit her lip and focused her gaze on his boots.
    He tipped her head up and pressed a gentle kiss to her
mouth. “I will give you a few minutes.”
    Her lips trembled and she searched his face. What did she
need to see? “Perry, I am afraid,” she whispered.
    What could he do? He wrapped his arm around her waist and
cupped her face with his other hand. With determination and force he captured
her mouth in a hungry kiss, a taste of what was to come. When he broke away he
was pleased that her eyes were clouded and her body was pliant against his. “I
am yours, Sarah. I will protect you and keep you safe.”
    Her gaze cleared and she cocked her head to the side. “And
who shall protect me from you, sir?” Her voice was filled with warmth and
amusement.
    He nipped at the tender flesh under her ear and whispered, “I
promise you will beg me tonight and like it.”
    She shuddered and he stepped back to give her room. “Be
ready, Sarah.”
    He watched intently as she fled up the stairs, her skirts
rustling wildly.
    On the count of ten he raced up the steps after her.
    * * * * *
    “May I get you anything else, miss?” the maid asked her with
a sweet smile. Sarah could only shake her head, her stomach churning and
rolling, her pulse jumping.
    It was sweet of Madame de Laval to send a maid to help her
undress. Sarah was well aware that her new husband awaited her in the next
room, a sitting room off the bedroom where she stood with her hands twisted and
her heart pounding. The bed seemed too large and the room too quiet.
    The maid, whose name Sarah had forgotten in her anxiety,
must have closed the door loudly enough that Perry knew she was alone.
    Was she ready for the evening Perry had in mind? Her body
was warm and desperate for the sensation of his touch. Her heart was panicked.
    A gentle knock, barely noticeable, made her jump. “Come in.”
    Perry opened the door and closed it quietly behind him. When
he turned, her mouth went dry. Years of drink and revelry should have marred
his perfection. In spite of those years he was handsome beyond belief. His hair
was a little longer than fashion demanded and the raven color seemed to have a
bluish tinge in the dim candlelight.
    He stalked her, his movements slow and deliberate, his eye
color the luminous blue that indicated the beast was close. Arousal and fear
rose, her throat tightened and her heart pounded. He knew it all, she was sure.
His senses were sharpened when the wolf was close. Though his appearance was
human, she recognized the beast beneath that demanded its mate.
    She bolted. Silly, really. He captured her easily and
growled in her ear. Was she afraid of him? Not because of the wolf. It was the
man who terrified her. The beast wanted her body, her submission. The man owned
her heart and could destroy her.