Free The Innocent's Surrender by Sara Craven

boast that he could transform her into an ardent and willing partner.
    Something that would never happen, she told herself with renewed vehemence. No matter what he did.
    She found herself wondering how long it would take before he realised he was wasting his time and gave up on her. And, until then, how many nights she might be forced to spend lying in bed beside him, trying to sleep, and praying that he wouldn?t wake.
    And, stifling a small, bitter sigh, Natasha turned her face into the pillow and closed her eyes.
     
    In spite of herself, she slept eventually, and woke to a hand touching her shoulder.
    Natasha shot bolt upright with a stifled cry to meet the startled gaze of a middle-aged woman in a dark dress and snow-white apron who was standing beside the bed.
    ?There is something wrong, thespinis? ?
    I could compile a very long list, thought Natasha, drawing a deep and calming breath. Aloud, she said, ?I?m sorry, I?I must have been dreaming.?
    An ongoing nightmare where the hand touching me belonged to Alex Mandrakis ?.
    Who had apparently vanished, she realised with a thankful heart, because the bed at her side was empty.
    It occurred to her that she had not heard him leave, but no doubt one of his skills was an ability to extricate himself from a situation that had served its purpose.
    So, maybe last night?s difficult heart-searchings had been unnecessary, after all, she thought, a flicker of hope stirring inside her.
    Perhaps his night?s rest had prompted some second thoughts, bringing Alex Mandrakis to the same conclusion as herself?that there was no need to prolong their encounter any further?and she would therefore be allowed to leave without argument.
    The woman said placidly. ?I am Baraskevi to wait on you, thespinis . If you wish a bath, I will prepare it for you. And I have brought your clothes,? she added.
    Natasha?s eyes widened as she realised that the shirt and underwear now folded on the bed had been freshly laundered, by some magical means, while her travel-creased suit was on a hanger, neatly pressed.
    The kind of service honed to perfection by long practice, she thought. Finding a strange girl in her master?s bed was nothing new for Baraskevi, but something she?d learned to take in her stride.
    But how did the girls feel when they woke in the unshadowed light of day to find themselves alone? Natasha wondered.
    Even discreetly covered by the satin robe, she felt desperately awkward and self-conscious, as she realised how many people in the household must know of her presence?and why she?d been brought there.
    On the positive side, however, she saw with a leap of the heart that her bag and overnight case had also reappeared.
    Which had to be tacit permission to depart, she thought, saving them both another confrontation. Better and better.
    And was very glad she hadn?t yielded to a momentary temptation to ask Baraskevi where he was.
    ?Thank you,? she said stiltedly. ?And a bath would be good.?
    It might even make her feel clean again, she thought, her throat tightening, as she watched the older woman vanish into the bathroom.
    She was still aware that she ached slightly?a potent and inescapable reminder of everything that had happened. But the real bruising was to her pride, and to the sense of independence she?d fought so hard to achieve.
    I might as well have let Thio Basilis line up the most eligible males?and let me pick one at random, she thought. At least Alex Mandrakis wouldn?t have been among them.
    She pushed back the covers and swung her feet to the floor, refastening the sash of her robe as she did so. Before wakening her, Baraskevi had drawn back the curtains and opened the shutters, allowing the untrammelled sunlight to pour into the room, together with a welcome freshness in the air.
    One storm may well have passed, she told herself wryly. But the next is about to begin. That?s inevitable. Except it may not leave quite as much devastation in its wake as I feared.
    She unzipped her case and