Free A Question of Love by Gwen Kirkwood Page B

hair as best she could and then rose to her feet. She looked down at him.
    ` Th-thank you,’ she said.
    ` For what?’ He looked up at her in surprise.
    ` F-for stopping when I a-asked,’ she stammered in confusion. He looked back at her with a strange, almost puzzled expression.
    ` I’ve never taken a woman against her will, Roseanne.’ He frowned thoughtfully. `Was it against your will? Or was it just the place?’ She blushed but she didn't reply. She didn't really know the answer.
    ` It will be better tonight. We have the house to ourselves,’ he said softly, `and I know where your rooms are.’
    ` How do you know that?’
    ` I thought I ought to know in case I was frightened of the dark,’ he murmured, putting on a little boy lost look.
    ` Och you!’ Roseanne spluttered, relieved he was making light of it, but he stood up and clasped her arm.
    ` I’m serious. It will be better to have privacy. I should have realised you’re not the sort of girl for a quick roll in the grass.’
    ` No Euan, I am not! You don’t understand. I’m not that sort of girl at all. Not anywhere. We scarcely know each other.’ He stared at her. She was serious
    ` You can’t mean that. I could swear you were as aroused as I was just now. I feel we’ve know each other for ever…’
    ` After one week? Is that the sort of line you use with all the women you meet on your travels when you're feeling bored?’
    ` No it is not. I rarely have time for women in that way if you must know. You’re a very attractive woman, Roseanne. I can’t be the first man to tell you that. And when the housekeeper is away and there’s only the two of us…’
    ` You’ve got it all wrong,’ Roseanne said desperately, but in her heart she knew he hadn’t.
    ` Old Jock guessed this morning that I was attracted to you. You're a challenge to any red blooded male. Now I'm more than attracted by the Roseanne I’m discovering here at Ashburn.’
    ` Jock doesn’t know anything of the kind!’
    ` He guessed I’d kissed you by the way you blushed.’
    ` I didn’t…’ She scowled because she had seen the twinkle in Jock’s eyes too.
    ` Mm, it surprised me too after my first impressions of the prim and proper Miss Fairfax I’ve seen all week. Perhaps I should try it again to make sure I’ve not been dreaming.’
    ` No you should not!’ Roseanne declared and tried to free herself but his grip on her arm tightened. His grey eyes travelled over her face, coming to rest on her mouth. She saw the desire in them and trembled. She was not afraid of him, she was afraid of herself and her own response. She sought refuge in the ice image she could do so well.
    ` Are you telling me the reason you wanted me to come down here with you was because you fancied a bit of a fling while you’re in Scotland?’ she demanded coldly.
    ` It had never entered my head, but now you mention it I confess that cool, touch-me-not, image you present at the office intrigues me. It is a challenge to any normal man.’
    `It is not meant to be.’
    `I assure you it is but thank goodness I discovered this morning it is only a façade to hide the passionate woman within.’
    `Are you telling me you wanted me to bring you down here because you were all prepared for a night of passionate sex?` Roseanne’s eyes blazed angrily now. He quirked one dark eyebrow.
    ` No, it didn’t occur to me. Even if that had been my purpose in wanting you to come I wouldn't have been prepared. Most women seem to take the pill these days so they’re already prepared.’
    ` You mean most women who are ready to fall into bed with you whenever you beckon? Well, let me tell you Euan Kennedy I’m not one of those women. I’m not on the pill and if I was I’m not about to fall into bed with you.’ He was silent for a few moments, digesting what she had said.
    ` I see...’ he said slowly. Suddenly he smiled - not the mocking, angry smile she had expected. His expression was almost tender. True he seemed surprised