Free Queen of Hearts by Jayne Castle Page B

conversational but the green was nearly gone from his eyes. Only the steel remained and Janna felt herself recoil from the intensity of his glance.
    "What about your brother? It was his idea! If you're set on punishing someone why don't you start with him?" Janna demanded bravely, no longer certain how she was managing to keep from stumbling. She knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that there was no escape from Adam's arms until he chose to free her. There was nothing for it but to keep dancing. The alternative was to cause a scene and after the one in front of the church, she didn't think she could stand another.
    "Believe it or not, I understand why Nat did what he did. I even understand the fact that you allowed yourself to be talked into helping him. My brother has his own life to lead now, however, and I accept the reality of the marriage. I wish him the best and I have no interest in doing anything that would cause bitterness between us. But you, Janna Courtney, are different."
    "Why?" she asked, feeling desperate. "If you're going to ignore Nat's role in the affair, why can't you ignore mine? I was just trying to help him!" Head back, Janna watched him with wide blue-green eyes, an unconscious pleading in her expression.
    "I can't ignore your part in the matter because your life is going to become very closely meshed with mine and it's crucial that you realize I won't tolerate anything less than the truth between us!"
    "That's ridiculous! We're never going to see each other again after this reception!" At least, she prayed they wouldn't, Janna admitted silently.
    "No? What if I told you that the end result of your having gotten yourself mixed up in my brother's affairs was going to be marriage to me?" The words were soft, some of the rich, dark velvet back in Adam's voice but Janna stilled as if everything in the room had begun whirling around her and she must not move or be caught in the storm.
    "Marry you!" she breathed, eyes narrowing in amazement and the beginnings of defiance.
    "You're causing people to stare at us. More so than they were already!" he pointed out in a low tone. "Don't you think we'd better keep dancing? For myself, I don't particularly care, but I thought you might be embarrassed."
    Janna ignored him and the glances that were being cast in their direction.
    "I wouldn't marry you if you were..." she declared stonily, a deep sense of outrage sweeping through her as she stood there on the dance floor.
    "Don't say it, honey. It's always mortifying to have to eat one's words," Adam advised, smiling with easy menace. With a little push he forced her back into motion. "However, your attempt at a passionate refusal does bring up the subject of your punishment again," he added as they moved automatically in time to the music.
    "You just said my punishment was going to be marriage to you!" Janna bit out furiously.
    "No I didn't. I merely wondered what you would say if I said marriage might be the end result of this affair. You, of course, met my expectations and started to go off like a firecracker. Knowing your reaction will make my vengeance all the sweeter."
    "What are you talking about, Adam Halleck?" Angry and confused, Janna faced him, head tilted back to meet his eyes. She had the uncomfortable sensation he was toying with her.
    "Your punishment for having lied to me, my haughty little queen, is going to be surrender," Adam spelled out slowly, distinctly and with obvious pleasure. "I am going to make you mine so completely that in the end you will plead to be allowed to live with me and share my bed. You will be willing to take me on any terms I choose to offer. When that time comes it will be pleasant to remind you of how you once scorned the idea of marrying me! Knowing in every corner of your mind and in every nerve of your body that you belong to me will be the price you pay for daring to play games with me, Janna. I shall look forward to the end of the punishment with great anticipation."
    Janna