Free Lost Lady by Jude Deveraux Page A

of her, acted as if he valued her, and even a few times seemed remorseful about enslaving her. What sort of man could be so gentle and so strong at the same time?
    Studying him, she thought how little she knew of him. What thoughts went through his mind, who were the people he loved, and, yes, who loved him? She put her hand to the side of his face, running her fingertips along his cheek. Could this man, who seemed to think the world was his for the taking, ever be made to love? Could a mere woman ever make a slave of this man, hold his strong, pounding heart in her small hands?
    She moved her hand to his bare chest, felt his heart under her palm, twined her fingers in the hair on his chest, and then on impulse gave it a sharp pull.
    â€œStop that, you little imp,” he growled, then kissed her fingers. “I’d think you’d be more grateful after the way I just made you squeal.”
    â€œGrateful!” she gasped, but concealing a smile. “Since when does a slave thank her master?”
    Travis refused to take the bait but merely grunted and gathered her to him. He seemed to give no thought to the fact that he twisted her body into an impossible position.
    Regan started to protest that she could not possibly sleep entwined about him in such a way, but even as she formed the words they disappeared. Feeling rather like a vine twirled about the trunk of a great oak, her body relaxed, and she drifted into a deep sleep.

Chapter 6
    R EGAN’S LANGUOROUS, CATLIKE MOOD DISAPPEARED ASTOUNDINGLY quickly the next morning when Travis roughly pulled her out of bed and then dashed a handful of cold water in her face. Gasping for air, she finally managed to open her sleepy eyes just in time to see a towel flying at her.
    â€œGet dressed,” Travis tossed over his shoulder as he jammed clothes, hers included, into the too-full trunk.
    Seeing her torn velvet dress further mutilated as he wadded it into a tight little ball, Regan flung herself at him. “Stop that! I will not have you treat my beautiful dress like that,” she said, taking it from him and smoothing it lovingly.
    Pulling back, Travis eyed her with interest. “It’s torn anyway. What good is it except for a dust rag?”
    â€œIt can be patched,” she said, folding the dress carefully. “I’m very good at mending my own clothes, and, besides, the nap of the velvet will hide the repair work.”
    â€œSince when have rich young English ladies had to patch their own clothes?”
    She whirled on him. “I never said I was rich,” she smiled smugly.
    â€œThere must be money involved somewhere, or you wouldn’t have been thrown out on your ear.” Eyes twinkling, he caressed her bare buttock. “Or should I say thrown out on your pretty little rear?” Before she could give him the scathing reply he deserved, he smacked her smartly. “Now get dressed before we end up back in bed and the ship leaves without us.”
    Thoughtfully, she began to dress; then on impulse she turned back to him. “Do you think I really could tempt you to…to do something?”
    Travis had no idea what she was talking about, but the sight of her, half-dressed, the silk making her eyes brilliantly blue, her skin still glowing from last night’s lovemaking and his head still dazzled by it, he felt that she could persuade him to do anything. “Stop tempting me and get dressed. You’ll have months on board ship to play the seductress, but for now there’s work to do.”
    Blushing because he’d misunderstood her, Regan concentrated on dressing. Perhaps, she thought dreamily, perhaps this American could be…. Glancing at Travis, tossing boots into the trunk on top of clean white shirts, she smiled. Maybe he could never be a gentleman, but he did have possibilities. Her eyes widened as he locked the trunk, bent, grabbed the leather handle, and rose with it hanging down his