Free Seduction In Silk: A Novel of the Malloren World (Malloran) by Jo Beverley Page A

“Begone!”
    “Consider,” he said, completely unmoved. “You would be the mistress of a comfortable domain, and enjoy its income. Did I not mention that?”
    “Will you not leave!”
    “The income of the manor would be yours to do with as you wish,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “You would need for nothing.”
    “Except my independence! I would have a husband, a lord and master.”
    “Alas, true, but I assure you that I am far too busy to abuse my powers.”
    “
Busy?
What if you have an idle moment, sir?
Leave!
”
    “I must remain until you change your mind.”
    Breathing hard, Claris saw that he meant it. He was disregarding every word she spoke. “You . . . you . . .” She grabbed the pistol and pointed it.
    “Claris . . . ,” Athena said.
    “Leave,” she growled, “or I
will
shoot you.”
    The smile widened and his eyes lit.
    He was
laughing
at her?
    She cocked the pistol, the
click, click
loud in the room.
    “You won’t fire it,” he said.
    “Oh, won’t I?” Claris closed her eyes and squeezed the trigger.
    A tremendous
boom
deafened her.
    *  *  *
    Ellie came downstairs, having finally settled Claris in bed with a soothing draft.
    “Perhaps you shouldn’t have put powder in the barrel.”
    “I decided that if she had reason to fire it, it might as well make a bang.”
    Ellie rubbed her ears. “Nearly deafened me, but grand to see.”
    “A girl of spirit. Don’t know why she’s fallen apart over it.”
    “From knowing she tried to kill a man? And that if she had she’d hang for it?”
    “I suppose that would shake her. All very interesting, isn’t it? I mean his story.”
    Ellie returned to her damsons. “You sure he’s right for her?”
    “Why do you think I am?”
    “You reminded him of the twins.”
    Athena shrugged. “He’ll have his way. Best if she goes willingly and on her own terms.”
    “She’ll do it for the boys?”
    “Of course she will, and they won’t appreciate the sacrifice. Born and bred to be selfish; that’s the male of the species.”
    “Then why help him?”
    “Claris is worthy of more than Old Barford and Lavender Cottage.”
    Ellie gave her a look. “You intend more for yourself too.”
    “Of course. It’s amused me to play at herbal lore among yokels, but I weary of it. Winter looms and I’ll not endure that again.”
    “It wasn’t so very bad.”
    “You nearly died of pneumonia and my bones tortured me. I intend that Claris be mistress of a pleasant country house by then, with all its income in her hands.”
    “I’ll not see her forced into marriage against her will, and I’m surprised you would.”
    “She isn’t me, Ellie. There’s no other life for her in this unjust world, and Perriam seems a decent enough man.”
    “All the same, I might well load a pistol with ball next time.”

Chapter 7
     
    P erry didn’t dawdle at the inn but rode straight back to Cheynings. He entered the house from the back, coming from the stables, and encountered Genova in the hall.
    “Success?” she said with obvious surprise.
    “Am I so transparent?”
    “I can almost see banners waving. Or bloody heads on pikes.”
    “The world seems distressingly void of ladies with sensitive minds.”
    “And of men who understand the complexity of women,” she retorted. “What happened?”
    “She shot me.”
    She looked him over. “To little effect, it seems.”
    “Don’t sound so disappointed. I was doing nothing more than trying to persuade her to see sense.”
    “With a superior tone, I’m sure. A pity she missed.”
    “She didn’t. It was very close range. The pistol lacked a ball.”
    “Careless of her.”
    “Or careful of whoever prepared it.”
    “You seem in remarkably high spirits over it.”
    “She’s a remarkable woman.”
    “But you also sense victory. You’re not going to threaten to take her to court, are you?” She glanced at the footman. “We can’t talk here. Come to my boudoir. Ashart’s away,