Free Too Hot For A Rake by Pearl Wolf Page A

played a silent tune on her breastbone. They slipped inside the edge of her gown. Moved lower.
    Her breath caught when the heat of his body penetrated hers. She closed her eyes, pursed her lips in anticipation of his kiss and leaned toward him, her hands splayed against the wall behind her to steady herself.
    The back of his hand brushed across her breast. Her lips parted as she drew closer until she felt every hard inch of him.
    “Enough for the moment, milady.” He let her go and sauntered down the hall toward his chamber.
    She shivered as she watched him disappear into his chamber.
    Does he think me a strumpet who is desperate for him? Someone he can use whenever he pleases? Someday, I’ll teach him a lesson he’ll never forget, if it’s the last thing I do!
    What was wrong with her? Had she no allure? Was she not desirable? She had been spurned first by Darlington and now by Waverley, the most exasperating man she’d ever had the misfortune to encounter. He told her she was appealing, didn’t he? Was he just being polite? There must be something wrong with her, else why would men spurn her?
    She slept restlessly, but three hours later she woke at a knock on her door.
    “I need to pack your things, milady. It’s after nine. We’re almost ready to leave. Carriage is waitin’ on us,” Amy said timidly as she crossed the room and opened the curtains to let in the light. She proceeded to set out Helena’s clothing.
    “Very well.” Helena sighed and rose from the bed. After Amy had helped her dress, Helena opened her diary and began to write quickly, before she lost her thoughts. The words poured out of her soul like swift arrows piercing her heart. She wrote what she felt. The doubt. The wanting. The anguish. The rejection.
    “The landlord’s prepared your breakfast in the dining parlor, milady.”
    Helena nodded. She let Amy help her with her pelisse, but she would not relinquish the bag that held her journal, in order to make sure prying eyes could not read it.
    She was alone in the private parlor when Casper knocked and entered. “What is it, Casper?”
    “Lord Waverley’s not back from his morning ride, milady. He left word with the landlord that we’re to wait for him to return before we leave for Bodmin.”
    “Wait for his lordship? Indeed we will not. It isn’t necessary. We’re not far from Bodmin. We’ll go on as planned and the marquis may meet us there. Tell his valet to join us.”
    “I asked him already, milady. Rabu says he won’t budge without his master.”
    “He will when you tell him it is his master’s wish. We can’t leave him behind, you know. Tell him to be ready to leave in fifteen minutes.”
     
    “Safe journey, milady. Pleased to be at your service,” said the landlord as he helped her into the carriage, his mind already on the bill he planned to send to her father. Casper cracked his whip and the chaise was under way.
    Helena smiled to herself at the landlord’s final words. She hadn’t bothered to question his bill, which made the man effusive. She sighed, her thoughts on the family she had left behind. Would she be able to hold her head up at Georgiana’s debut ball so as not to embarrass her family? She allowed herself a small smile at a thought that crossed her mind. She would have to hold her head up high at Georgie’s debut ball whatever the cost. The Duke of Heatham’s children were not allowed to fail.
    Their carriage came to a screeching halt. Helena’s quill flew out of her hand, for she had been writing in her journal. She and Amy were tossed every which way, the contents of their small bags spilling out in a jumble.
    Amy recovered first. “Ouch! You all right, milady?” She rolled down the window and stuck her head out. “Casper, you lout. Why’d you stop so sudden like? My lady’s all shook up.”
    Casper climbed down from his perch, his rifle in hand, and opened their door. “Hush, lass,” he whispered. “Don’t be making a fuss. Stay inside