Free Just Imagine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Page B

of amusement in his eyes. "What I'm preparin' to offer is a little unorthodox. But if you think about it, I know you'll see that it's fair," She gulped.
    "Go on."
    She squeezed her eyes shut, took a deep breath and let it out. "I'm offerin' to be your mistress."
    He choked.
    She got the rest out in a rush. "Now, I know this might be taking you by surprise, but even you've got to admit I'm a lot better company than those sorry excuses for females in New York City. I don't giggle and bat my eyes. I couldn't flirt even if I wanted to, and you sure won't ever hear me talkin' about pugs. Best part is, you wouldn't have to worry about goin' to all those balls and stuffy dinner parties most women like. Instead, we could spend our time hunting and fishing and riding horses. We could have a real good time."
    Cain started to laugh.
    Kit yearned to have her knife back. "You mind tellin' me what you think is so damn humorous ?"
    He finally managed to control himself. He set down his glass and rose from the table. "Kit, do you know why men keep mistresses?"
    "Of course I do. I read The Sybaritic Life of Louis XV ."
    He regarded her quizzically.
    "Madame de Pompadour," she explained. "She was Louis XV's mistress. I got the idea from readin' 'bout her."
    She didn't tell him Madame de Pompadour had also been the most powerful woman in France. She'd managed to control the king and the country just by using her wits. Kit could surely manage to control the fate of Risen Glory if she was the major's mistress. Besides, she didn't have anything but herself to bargain with.
    Cain started to say something, stopped, shook his head, then downed what was left of his brandy. When he was done, he looked like he was starting to get mad all over again. "Being a man's mistress involves more than hunting and fishing. Do you have any idea what I'm talking about?"
    Kit felt herself flush. This was the part she hadn't let herself dwell on, the part the book hadn't covered at all.
    Being raised on a plantation had exposed her to the rudimentary facts of animal reproduction, but it had also left her with a lot of questions that Sophronia refused to answer. Kit suspected she didn't have all the details right, but she knew enough to understand the whole process was disgusting. Still, it would have to be part of the bargain. For some reason, mating was important to men, and women were expected to put up with it, although she couldn't imagine Mrs. Cogdell letting the reverend climb up on her back like that.
    "I know what you're talkin' about. And I'm prepared to let you mate with me." She glowered. "Even though I'm gonna hate it !"
    Cain laughed; then his expression clouded as if he might be thinking about that damn spanking again. He yanked a cheroot from his pocket and stalked out the garden doors to light it.
    She followed him outside and found him standing by an old rusty bench, gazing out toward the orchard. She waited for him to say something. When he didn't, she spoke. "Well, what about it?"
    "It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
    The glow from his cheroot cast a flickering shadow over his face, and panic welled inside her. This was her only chance to keep Risen Glory. She had to convince him. "Why is it so ridiculous?"
    "Because it is."
    "You tell me why!"
    "I'm your stepbrother."
    "Bein' my stepbrother doesn't mean a damn thing. It's purely a legal relationship."
    "I'm also your guardian. I couldn't find a single person in this county who was willing to take you off my hands, and judging by your recent behavior, I guess that's no surprise."
    "I'll do better! And I'm a real good shot. I can put all the meat on the table you want."
    That started him cussing again. "Men aren't looking for somebody who can put meat on the table when they're choosing a mistress, damn it! They want a woman who looks and acts and smells like a woman."
    "I smell real good! Go on. Smell me!" She lifted her arm so he could get a good whiff, but all he cared about was being