Free Queen of Hearts by Jayne Castle Page A

Nat's smile widened into a grin which bore a curious resemblence to Adam's.
    "I couldn't agree more," he said easily, glancing affectionately down at Lucy. "In any event, it was obvious to whom Janna belonged. I realized it right after I'd introduced you two at lunch on Monday!"
    "Excuse me," Janna interrupted in freezing tones, lifting her proud head even higher than usual. "I'm going to go on to the reception. Lucy, as soon as these egotistical, pompous males have stopped congratulating each other, I suggest you bring them along. The guests are probably already getting into the champagne!" With a last haughty glance at Adam's amused face, she swept off across the lawn. Thank heavens she only had another hour or so of Adam's presence to tolerate! As soon as the new couple was safely on the way she would be able to escape. And tonight there was the pleasant prospect of an evening out with Scott. She would rely on that thought to get her through the remainder of the festivities! Deliberately Janna tried to put aside her earlier fear of being the one who would pay for the impersonation. After all, in reality, what could Adam do to her?
    By the time the bride and groom made their entrance at the reception, Janna felt she had herself back under control. She was standing, sipping champagne and chatting with a friend from the library staff when she felt Adam come up behind her. She didn't need to see the way Sylvia's eyes traveled to a point somewhere behind and above Janna's head to know who stood there. She would always know when Adam Halleck was in the room, she decided unhappily. That's what happened when you felt a bit guilty for having deceived a person, she supposed. You were more aware of them for awhile.
    "Dance with me, Janna," he ordered softly, covering the abruptness of the command with a small smile for Sylvia, who responded immediately with a pleased look.
    "Excuse us," he added to the other girl who nodded eagerly.
    "I can't. At least, not right now! I've got this champagne..." Janna watched numbly as the glass was removed from her fingers. Short of causing a scuffle and spilling its contents, there was nothing she could do about it.
    "Would you hold this for us?" Adam inquired of Sylvia, smiling down at her from his great height. The tiny brunette grinned.
    "Of course!" she agreed, watching avidly as Adam placed one large palm against Janna's back and pushed very casually. Janna was unable to resist the pressure and a few seconds later found herself on the tiny dance floor where a small band alternated between strong, lively rock music and slower, more romantic numbers. Adam had picked one of the slower dances, which didn't surprise Janna in the least.
    "Don't look so scared," Adam whispered, pulling her tightly against him.
    "I'm not scared!" she protested, drawing her head back to face him angrily.
    "No? Well, maybe you should be. Just a little," he said consideringly.
    "Why? What can you do? If you threaten me, Adam Halleck, I'll..." Janna paused. She'd been about to say she'd tell his brother, but at the last moment inspiration struck. "I'll tell Lucy!"
    Adam's rougish grin flashed for a second, making him seem very feral; very dangerous. Janna shivered in his arms and felt them lock more securely around her.
    "Lucy," he explained gently, "already knows what I plan to do to you and she didn't raise a single protest. My brother guessed before I left town on Wednesday I think."
    Janna drew upon all her courage to face him as bravely as she could. "Well? What is it you are going to do? It looks as if the victim is going to be the last to know!"
    "Only because she insists on slipping away at crucial moments. If you'd hung around the front of the church a few minutes longer instead of rushing here, you would have heard what your fate was going to be!"
    "You have no right to talk about...about punishing me!"
    "No? Did you really think I'd let you get away with lying to me like you did?" Adam's tone was almost