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  Days slowly turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Elyssa had not heard from her parents since the day they had sold her into marriage. No doubt they were busy spending all the money Percy had bestowed upon them. It was a certaintysophisticated hi dow that once the money was gone, they would appear on Percy's doorstep asking for more. And Elyssa had no doubt he would tell them to go to hell.

  Meanwhile, Elyssa excelled at running the huge household, and she eagerly looked forward to the occasional visitor. She did not love her husband, but over the months Elyssa came to feel a reluctant admiration for him. She overheard more than a few business conversations between Percy and his business associates, and found him to be a shrewd negotiator. Too, he no longer seemed quite so ancient as he once had. Though his hair was sprinkled throughout with gray, and a past injury required the aid of a cane when walking any distance, Elyssa had become accustomed to Percy over the months and no longer thought of him as old.

  Elyssa believed that deep inside Percy did like her, if only a little. That he admired her abilities in running his mansion. Still, the damage she did on their wedding night was a constant reminder and whenever Elyssa strived to engage Percy in a conversation of any real content, he was quick to revert back to his stuffy former self, shutting her out once more.

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  Thus her plight, five months later, that Elyssa's guilty conscience drove her to make a halfhearted attempt at seduction. In all honesty she was lonely, and feeling not for the first time that there had to be more to life than a common everyday routine with nothing to look forward to but seeing to a clean household and visiting with an occasional caller.

  She had never thought of herself as anything more than passingly pretty, but Elyssa had felt more than once an admiring gaze from many of their male visitors. In truth, the occasional looks and charming words spoken to her had brought forth an unfamiliar fluttering deep within. A feeling that she yearned to know more fully.r younger brothersg">CHAPTER Still, she managed to suppress any attraction for Percy's younger business associates, for she would never consider being unfaithful to her husband, no matter that he seemed to dislike her so.

  Of a whim on this cool night, Elyssa decided as she donned a particularly alluring nightgown and wrapper, that she should approach her husband. He had been more than understanding since their wedding night, had refrained from any closeness with her, and Elyssa assumed only that he was waiting for her advances.

  Looking seductive in the gown her mother had given her for a wedding gift, Elyssa critiqued herself in the mirror before daring go downstairs. It was quite late and all the servants would be in their quarters sleeping soundly by now.

  Her hair was still arranged prettily from earlier that day and Elyssa gave a few gentle pulls at her dark tresses to further soften the effect. She barely recognized her reflection. In truth, she was shocked to see the wanton staring back at her with eyes wide. The provocative gown showed far too much cleavage, Elyssa mused inwardly, the slit revealing her left leg all the way up to the top of her thigh, unheard of for a properly wed woman.

  Taking one last drink of wine, Elyssa summoned her courage and proceeded to take a chance at making peace with her husband. Not that she was yearning to make love to Percy, but felt it was her wifely duty to perform the act. Too, it might make their daily encounters less businesslike, and perhaps they could begin to actually enjoy one another's company.

  Glancing nervously out her bedroom door to make certain no one was about, Elyssa began down the long hall with a candelabra, wax spilling down the candles with each step taken. Elyssa proceeded down the stairs to the one place she knew Percy would be. The study, where he spent endless hours poring over business ledgers and propositions.

  Halfway down the staircase, Elyssa started at the sound of thunder. Unexpected rainfall showered down out of nowhere and her steps quickened at the impending storm. By the time Elyssa reached the door to the study she'd nearly changed her mind and turned about. A flash of lightning, too close for comfort, scorched its way across the sky, its jagged brightness intruding through the far windows, and the thunder spurred Elyssa to quickly open the door and rush into the study.

  Percy started at the sound of the unwelcome intruder, his eyes narrowing at the sight before him. Surely he was dreaming, for Elyssa was breathless as she set the candelabra down upon a table halfway across the room, looking like a young temptress in the filmy lavender creation. r younger brothersg">CHAPTER

  Thus her present dilemma, as Elyssa recognized the glare of disapproval from her husband. Forcing any remaining bravado to the surface, Elyssa swallowed and slowly took a few steps toward Percy.

  "What the devil are you doing in here looking like that?" he demanded.

  Suddenly dumbfounded, Elyssa knew not what to say. Stuttering, she began, "I...I thought maybe we could talk. That perhaps you might give me another chance."

  Thinking he must surely be assuming incorrectly, Percy asked, “Another chance? For what?"

  It appeared her husband still harbored immense doubt in her sincerity, and Elyssa barely found the nerve to proceed any further. "A chance to become husband and wife...in the biblical sense," she quietly replied in embarrassment, her eyes downcast.

  As his wooden cane resounded against the floor, Elyssa's eyes widened at the anger in Percy's eyes. The clap of thunder caused her to gasp aloud, and the pouring rain sounded constant during each fall of his cane against the floor.

  Reaching Elyssa, Percy reached out and touched the gossamer robe, his lips turning down in derision as he rasped, "Did you really think this carnal thing would cause me to fall at your feet?" Elyssa shook her head, the seduction not turning out at all as she'd hoped it might. His voice raised to be heard over the torrential storm. "Did you think that after all this time, it would only take playing the coquette to mend a marriage that cannot be fixed?"

  "It might be a start," she replied weakly, ignoring his insults.

  Inwardly Percy felt a slight yearning at her words, just the faintest glimmer of hope that she might be sincere about having a true marriage. But reality intruded before he allowed Elyssa to melt his hardened heart, for Percy had already come to terms with the fact that theirs was simply a marriage in name only, that there would never be an intimate relationship between them. He had to make certain Elyssa would never attempt this again in the future. He needed to make her see that he was immune to her brazen charms.

  Percy grabbed her firmly by the arm, the discarded cane falling to the floor. A peal of thunder shattered as he jerked Elyssa roughly toward him. "What makes you think I would even want to lay a finger on you?" came the taunting words, their faces mere inches apart. Percy was satisfied to hear the soft cry of anguish escape her lips.

  "You think you can dress up like a whore with that makeup covering your face and lips, and that hair falling all around you?" he bit out as his hand yanked her hair loose, its abundance cascading about her shoulders. "This ugly dark hair, blacker than the devil's soul! And those lying lips," he continued, "it would be an abomination to kiss those lips." Pulling her arm free from Percy's tight grip, Elyssa took a step backward from the hateful man before her, nearly stumbling. He continued, "No man in his right mind would want you! You look like the devil's own, yet when it comes to men you don't know the first thing about satisfying one!"

  Covering her hands over her ears at his hurtful onslaught, Elyssa could bear Percy's insults no more. Her robe was snared in his hand as she turned to flee and Elyssa allowed the garment to fall from her shoulders as she took flight from the study, her sobs unheard over the storm. She headed toward the stairs, but couldn't force herself to go back up to her lonely sanctuary. Her mind was a jumbled mess and tears streamed down Elyssa's face as she ran down the hall until she reached the kitchen. She fled out the back door, leaving behind the taunting sounds of Percy's rantings as he continued on about her wretchedness.

  Once outside, the rain beat down on her and it was only when anoth
er flash of lightning illuminated the dark sky that Elyssa began shaking in fright. Of a whim she headed toward the stables. She would stay the night there, if in fact she ever managed to get to sleep. All that mattered was escaping her husband. Avoiding the realization that he abhorred the very sight of her, fool that she was.

  Tears blinded her steps as Elyssa trudged onward through the wet grass, the rain completely soaking her. Her head down, she kept running onward, now halfway to the shelter of the stables. Elyssa cried aloud as she ran into something blocking the path. Her eyes widened as Elyssa looked up into the dark eyes of a stranger, her mouth opening to scream, though nothing came out save a helpless whimper.

  She had to look up several inches to meet the intense gaze of the man who grabbed her arms in order to keep her aright. A face as she'd never seen looked down at her in curious wonder. He was extraordinarily handsome, and looked to be in his mid-twenties. His eyes were mysteriously dark, his lashes thick and black. The stranger's facial structure was chiseled to perfection, only the couple days growth of dark whiskers shading the lower part of his face. His bla enchantmentg">CHAPTER ck hair was loosely pulled back, the length of it just past his shoulders. She suspected even the angels above most likely wept in admiration of his carnal beauty, for she herself had the strange urge to do so.

  A half smile formed about his lips as his dark eyes leisurely traveled the length of Elyssa. She stood dumbfounded as he continued his lazy perusal of her. She knew she should be alarmed, should be completely shaken to be held so securely by the stranger. Perhaps it was the wine making her feel less endangered, or maybe it was simply that she had nothing to fear from any man's advances, if her husband’s cruel words held any truth. Her breathing still erratic, Elyssa remained speechless.

  His touch was still firm on her arms, and truth be known, it felt oddly wonderful to be held by the attractive stranger. His voice, warm and deep, resounded in her ears as he finally spoke. "What the bloody hell is a beautiful thing like you doing out in the midst of this storm?"

  Her breath quickened visibly at his question, but still she remained silent. Surely he spoke with a silver tongue to all women, or perhaps he was being sarcastic, for she was certainly not beautiful, at least not compared to the London beauties she’d seen during the brief days leading up to her marriage.

  At first sight of the young woman in his arms, his breath drew in sharply. Her emerald eyes delved into his as she stood mesmerized. He was unable to tell she'd been crying, for her tears were thoroughly mingled with the rain falling on her face, any redness about her sad eyes hidden by the lack of light but for the moon and the occasional streak of lightning. The plenitude of trees partially cloaked their presence, though did little to shield them from the storm.

  Her sooty hair lay in careless disarray about her slim shoulders, the softness of it shielding his hands. A few dark strands blew across her face and the man longed to gently push them from in front of her eyes. Her complexion was perfect, he noted, her lips made for kissing.

  As his appreciative gaze continued downward, he was stunned to discover the meager amount of clothing she was clad in. A lacy piece of fabric posing as a nightgown hugged her body. The wetness from the rain left little to the imagination, for the filmy material was molded tightly against her skin. A shapely leg was completely bared from a revealing slit up the side and his fingers nearly left her arm to slide down over the exposed skin.

  He ran his hand over his lips as his gaze devoured the tempting sight of the beauty’s near nakedness. It was quite unlike him to be so affected by a female. Beautiful women were the norm enchantmentg">CHAPTER for him, yet this young lady made him want to do things to her that she would no doubt find appalling. He himself was shocked at the sexual thoughts running rampant through his mind as they continued to stare into each other’s eyes.

  What the hell was she doing outside on a stormy night running alone to the stables, he continued to wonder. His lips curved up cynically at the realization, for her silence was answer enough. She was obviously meeting a lover in the stables.

  The girl must be employed by the earl and was most likely meeting a fellow employee for a romp in the hay. Perhaps even the young stable hand he had seen just a moment past. To all appearances the young man had been ready to fall asleep, but perhaps he planned to snooze only until his lover arrived.

  The handsome man chastised himself for such tawdry thoughts, but there was no other likely explanation. There was no doubt about it, the lovely vixen was breathless from sneaking out for an appointed rendezvous.

  Suddenly, he wanted to taste those full lips, had to feel that supple body pressed against his own. Nothing else mattered in the world. And he was familiar enough with women to know this one was not immune to him either. The way she was letting him touch her still, the manner in which she was gazing up at him, almost with an air of expectancy. As if she wanted him to ravish her. And hell, why should he not partake of her fetching charms before she met her lover? He could veritably smell the carnal need coming from her. And he could certainly plunder her sweet body much more capably and thoroughly than the young fellow waiting in the stables.

  Elyssa feared the man was a danger to her. She took note of the clenched jaw as she sensed his inner turmoil. Whether he was irritated at her for barging into him on his way to the mansion, or it was a battle of an amorous kind, she knew not. She felt extremely vulnerable wearing such a revealing gown in front of what was surely one of her husband's business contacts. It would not be the first time one of Percy's associates had arrived during the middle of the night.

  She felt like a traitorous wife, for Elyssa was currently suffering one of those fluttering sensations deep inside as she felt the man's fingers splay upward toward her shoulders. In fact, she’d felt something extraordinary from the second she had looked up into his glorious face. And now he looked to be contemplating the prospect of drawing her closer to him. His charcoal gray eyes turned even darker as his head inched closer to hers, bit by bit. He seemed to be waging an inward battle against kissing her.

  Elyssa recalled the insulting remarks she had just heardr younger brothersg">CHAPTER from her husband, and wondered how such a gorgeous man could be so attracted to her if she were indeed that ugly and wicked. Could the stranger not see the hideous dark hair, now blacker than night, as it lay drenched about her? Could he not detect the too full lips that her husband scathingly said no man would want to kiss? Perhaps the darkness of the hour prevailed against her shortcomings.

  Her heart beating thunderously, Elyssa suddenly had to know if the man truly desired her, for she had yet to experience any such feelings from any man, ever. She yearned to know the touch of his lips upon her own, for it may well be the last time she ever had the chance to know that intimate gesture. She craved with a sudden fierceness to know the feel of his strong hands pulling her closer.

  It was utter madness to even consider such a thing. Her mind was awhirl in confusion, the betrayal of her vows an unexpectedly tempting desire. With an intense doom surrounding her loveless marriage, Elyssa felt a wicked enchantment envelop her as she watched the slow descent of the stranger's mouth. She knew not his name, nor why she was still standing there practically in his arms. Elyssa knew only that she was unable to deny the potent spell he had cast upon her.

  While one hand reached about her back to gently pull her closer, his other hand slowly trailed a path over her shoulder and up her neck, his thumb coming to rest against her soft lips. Elyssa trembled at the intimate gesture, instinctively leaning in toward the alluring man. His thumb parted her lips and Elyssa gasped at the feel of his fingers splaying over her skin. He brushed the stray tendrils of hair from her face as his mouth lazily covered her own.

  If Elyssa harbored any doubts about her weakness toward the man, it was too late to deny them now. She grasped the front of his wet shirt, her hands clutching for support as his carnal kiss left her thoroughly breathless. Confused. And unable to refuse him.

 
; His lips were warm against her own as he moved them back and forth in attempt to draw the beauty into reciprocating. Of an instinct, Elyssa parted her lips slightly and his tongue dared invade that moist crevice. A sweetness began to unfurl from deep within, her eyes closing in sheer elation...or madness, she knew not which. Though the storm was not quite as threatening now, the rain continued to fall upon the twosome, leaving nothing between them but the slick wetness of their clothing.

  The rain was icy against her skin, but Elyssa felt an intense heat spreading throughout her body as she perceived for the first time what it felt like to truly desire a man. A dizzying sensation swept over her that she wanted never to end. such a thing?"ed to ">CHAPTER

  The man’s fingers curled about her neck, grasping a headful of hair as the kiss deepened. The feel of his tongue claiming her virgin mouth was overwhelming. He was seducing her far beyond anything she had ever imagined. His other hand splayed over her round bottom, urgently pulling her even more tightly against him.

  Elyssa felt his hardness against her body, instinctively pressing herself even closer. It was the most aching sweetness she had ever known, but still she felt unfulfilled. She wanted more, needed more from this man. Already she felt a stunning breathlessness shimmering deep within, amazed that all it had taken was the expertness of this man’s tongue in her mouth to push her over the edge. Elyssa pushed the disturbing thought away that what she was doing was completely abominable. You are married! her conscience cried foggily in the back of her mind.

  But to a man who despises me, her heart argued. To someone who would never love her, who would leave her never knowing the intimate touch of a man. The brief confusion she was experiencing fled as Elyssa heard a low moan escape the man's throat. His breathing was erratic as his lips left hers only to trace an erotic descent down her neck. Her fingers entwined in his hair as his seductive assault continued. The feel of his lips kissing the flesh no man had ever touched left her breathless. She wanted to feel his mouth torture her entire body just so.