Free Embrace of the Enemy (Winds of Betrayal) by Jerri Hines Page B

enemy. Oh, she thought, he may suspect, but he had no knowledge of what she had done. The whole of all was in truth her life was a façade.
    “What are you saying? That you don’t want me to touch you? It isn’t what you were crying a moment ago,” he said. His hand traveled down her neck. Her body trembled to his touch.
    “You know what I speak. This is wrong, so wrong. I don’t blame you, Marcus. I was weak,” she said trying desperately to contain her tears. “But it changes nothing. I can’t …”
    “You don’t know me well, Hannah, if you believe I will sit back now after having you. You belong to me now, my love. If you believe I will let another touch you…love you in this manner, you are quite mistaken. You gave yourself to me, willingly. You want me as I want you. In this you can’t deny.”
    “What do you want me to admit, Marcus? That I had need for you on this night! That I am so totally alone and reached out in a manner I should have never allowed…”
    He smiled at her, pushing hair back out of her face. “But you did and in that you won’t be able to undo.”
    She caught his hand. “What do you mean? Grandfather would never allow such!”
    He laughed a small confident laugh. “If you believe that, then you will be sadly disappointed. I believe you will find him most content with the arrangement I have offered to you. He will believe it most beneficial to him.”
    Her eyes flared. “As compensation!”
    “Unless he believes the words of which Gannon is spreading.”
    Her body tensed upon the utterance. If her grandfather thought she had spied against him, her life wouldn’t be long to be lived. She didn’t care. She leaned upward. Marcus reached across her bare shoulder and pulled her back in a manner which exposed her bare neck. He kissed her skin until he found her pulse that woke her desire once more.
    “Tell me now, Hannah, you don’t want me,” he whispered as his hands diverted her attention fanning the embers of passion within her.
    She wanted to tell him no and jerk back away from him. He was too dangerous a man. He stood between her and her mission. But he kissed her in a way that took her breath away. She gasped as he ignited a fire within her and took command of her body. She was well beyond rational thought.
    * * * *
    Hannah lay in his arms staring out into the night. She had to go back to her room suspecting he had to also. No matter his words he wouldn’t allow his actions this night to disgrace his host.
    Gently, she removed his hand from her. Moving with her, h e held her long enough to kiss her and lingered long on her lips as if debating whether or not to dress. He swung around her. Their clothes were within his reach. He handed her gown and donned his own clothes.
    “I will let you return to your room first,” he said as he tied her ribbon back in place. “Remember my words, Hannah. There is no going back now. Be prepared to leave when I send word that all is arranged.”
    “No, Marcus, please…”
    He kissed her lips once more and opened the door for her to make her escape back to her room.
    * * * *
    Hannah didn’t rise in the morning. She couldn’t face his eyes upon her. She didn’t know what she was going to do. The walls around her were collapsing in upon her. There was nowhere to escape. Hannah rose only to see her grandmother who seemed more confused upon the day, wearing upon Hannah’s nerves. She stared out upon the blanket of new fallen snow. She wondered if he had left yet. Was he contemplating forcing her with him? No, she thought, he is playing with me.
    Tears flowed freely down her face for she had no one to hide them from. Her hand covered her mouth. She fought desperately to regain her composure. She had to face her grandfather. Oh, my God! Gannon! Oh, whatever was she going to do?
    Susanna and Camilla found her within her bed upon their return in the late afternoon. “You are sick!” Camilla cried. “You missed the best party of the year,