Rina’s mind reeled as it all came back to her, realizing she desired him — as he desired her. A moan escaped, for he had won. Rina no longer had control over herself, but it didn’t matter any longer. Nothing mattered; only the feel of his lips on hers, and the passion coursing through her like fire.
Blake burned as Rina returned his kisses and caresses with equal passion. He sensed her defeat and knew she was his. “Oh, God, little one — you do something to me no other woman has. Come with me to Windsong, now. You’ll be my woman, and you’ll lack for nothing as long as you continue to bewitch me like this.”
The words he muttered drifted through Rina’s muddled mind and her senses slowly returned. When the full impact of what he intended registered, she stiffened.
“Rina, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” Blake saw the change in her face as anger and disbelief washed over her, ridding her of the desire that had consumed her.
“You still don’t understand.” Devastated, Rina struck out, her blows more a statement of frustration than an intention to inflict pain.
Confused, Blake grabbed her wrists to stop her. “What the hell’s the matter with you? What is wrong?” She continued to fight him, so he shook her roughly to quiet her down. Again, he asked her what was wrong.
Rina stared into his angry golden eyes. How could she have been so stupid to think he finally understood her? The tender days at the inn were only a ruse to get her into his bed.
“You want me to be your mistress?”
“Of course I do. I’ve made myself quite clear on that point.” Blake’s look remained confused.
“And I thought I was clear I cannot be bought. I don’t want the kind of future you offer. I don’t need your fine clothes, fancy houses, and expensive jewels. I won’t be your chattel — I’ll not be owned.”
“Rina,” Blake glanced away, a sadness softening his words, “I cannot offer you any other kind of future.”
When his eyes came back to her, Rina raised her chin proudly. “I have asked for none.”
“I don’t understand you, Rina. I offer you a way out of your poor existence. You wouldn’t have to break your back in the fields or freeze in the winter. I would take care of you.”
“Blake, I don’t need anyone to take care of me, and I don’t want an easy escape from the life I live. If I were to become your mistress, bought and paid for, you would shame me — you would leave me with nothing. All the material things in this world can’t replace my honor and pride.”
“Whore, mistress, lover — what the hell is the difference? You cannot deny the desire in your eyes, the passion in your kiss. You danced for me, little one; I’ll not be denied what you have promised.”
Touching his angry face with the palm of her hand, Rina again understood the power he had over her. “To deny the feelings you arouse in me would be futile, for they are there. You wound me with your words, Blake, for to me there is a vast difference between whore, mistress, and lover. A whore accepts payment to spread her legs for any man who has the price. A mistress, though more selective, is still little more than a kept woman. But a lover gives freely of herself because of the feelings in her heart, because she cannot bear to be without his love. Blake Roberts, it is my choice to be with you or not. If I do so, it will be given freely, without obligation and promises, it will be without shame or dishonor. Do not try to buy those things, for I’ll not sell myself to you, not to anyone.”
“Bloody hell, you are a complicated woman. Why couldn’t I desire a simpleminded wench who was eager to please?”
BLAKE SAID LITTLE AFTER they arrived at the farm house, and sat near the fire watching Rina with the baby. She had insisted the mother rest, stating firmly she would watch over the children. Two little ones, a boy, the eldest, and a girl, played on the plank floor with wooden toys, their fun fueled by lots of imagination.
Rina sang a gentle tune, the baby gurgling happily as she rocked in time with her song. Soon the child’s eyes closed in sleep. When she looked up, her eyes met his, and the tenderness he saw in them warmed his soul. A feeling Blake could not identify overcame him, a longing for something he didn’t have perhaps.
A squeal broke the spell and the little girl started to cry. Her brother had taken her toy and was teasing her. Rina came between them to settle their fight, but the baby woke and started to fuss.
Turning to Blake, Rina held the infant out to him. “The children are hungry. Can you hold him while I get them Jenny’s treat?”
Blake stood and looked down at the wriggling little bundle. He shook his head and made no attempt to take him. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”
A slight frown touched her brow then a slow smile curved her lips. “Blake Roberts,” she said, “have you never held a babe before?”
He saw the teasing glint light her eyes; and he considered telling a lie. “No,” he grudgingly confessed, instantly regretting his decision to do so.
Rina laughed, not even pretending to sooth his male pride. “He won’t bite, not yet anyway.” She put the squirming child into his hands. “He’s been changed and fed, all you need to do is hold him. Now, make sure you support his head. There …”
Blake stared down into the sweet brown eyes looking up at him and a little grin melted his heart. He sat, careful to hold the baby as instructed.
“You are a good-lookin’ little fella,” Blake studied the tiny form, his chubby little hand curling about his finger. “And a strong one too.”
As Rina settled the children at the table to eat, she couldn’t help watching Blake with the baby. He continued to coo in baby-talk, the scene making her curious.
“You should have a half-dozen sons by now. Why have you never married?”
Blake didn’t even look up at her question, his gaze fixed on the little boy he held. “I asked a woman once, when I was young and thought I was in love.”
“What happened?”
He shrugged his shoulders in an uncaring way. “She chose another.”
Rina paused in her chore, “I am sorry, Blake.” She could think of nothing else to say.
This made Blake look up. “Don’t be, it was for the best. I was smitten and foolish; her beauty enthralled me so completely I couldn’t see her soul was ugly and vile.”
Blake looked down as the baby suckled the tip of his finger, the dark eyes closed in slumber once again. “Maybe you are right,” he whispered quietly, a look of wonder on his face.
“About what?” Rina asked.
“I should have a half-dozen of these, boys and girls. I see I have been missing out, haven’t I?”
Rina chuckled, “I wouldn’t wait too much longer, sir. You have some catching up to do.”
“I’m not so old,” Blake objected, his dimples appearing when he smiled.
Unable to resist, Rina stepped closer and brushed back the hair at his temples. “I see a bit of gray, m’lord. You may want to reassess your thinking.”
“You,” he threatened, “will regret that statement.”
A seriousness touched Rina and she returned to the food she prepared for the children. “You will make a great father, when the time comes, Blake.”
The children started to bicker and she was thankful for the distraction and the end of the conversation that suddenly made her sad.
BLAKE STRODE INTO THE house, feeling angry. It had been nearly two weeks since he had seen Rina. Today was the third time he had stopped to see her, and each time she was off somewhere helping someone. No one knew where she went today, and it aggravated him she ran about alone and unescorted. Why the hell did it seem to matter so much where she was? And with whom?
His mood black, Blake filled a brandy glass and drained it, and promptly poured another one. The little fool — no, he was the fool. Yes, a fool to care and a bigger fool to let her obsess him this way. He learned his lesson once before and shouldn’t allow himself to be duped again — never again. He would have Rina and enjoy the little minx until he tired of her … and af
ter, he would find another. What was her game? She wanted something from him, something he couldn’t give her. Damn her anyway.
As he drained the second drink, Blake heard the front door slam shut, and Ryon entered the room.
“Well, here you are, Blake. You missed all the excitement.” Ryon frowned when his brother cast him a dark look. “Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”
Ignoring the younger man’s sarcasm, Blake asked, “What are you talking about?”
“Well, the new stallion you brought from America, the wild one no one can get close to —”
Testy, Blake interrupted. “Did he get loose again?”
“No, but he tried and cut his leg pretty damn bad. Old Jenkins and one of the stable hands tried to treat it. Jenkins got his shoulder pulled out of place trying to hold the devil down and the boy got kicked in the head. Cut him badly and knocked him out for a spell.”
Blake slammed his glass down and started for the door. “Are they all right? Did someone stop the horse’s bleeding?” He hollered the questions and ran down the steps with Ryon close on his heels.
“We sent for someone right away, and Jenkins and the boy are fine. She’s taking care of the stallion now.”
Ryon plowed into Blake when he stopped dead in his tracks. The look in his brother’s eyes made Ryon back up instinctively. He had witnessed this look before, but never had it been directed at him.
Blake’s voice was low as he tried to control himself. “Who did you send for, Ryon?”
Ryon couldn’t understand Blake’s bad mood and his own began to sour in turn. “Rina, of course. Jenkins wouldn’t allow anyone else to tend his horses but her.”
Before the last words were out of Ryon’s mouth, Blake took off, running towards the stables. Ryon followed close behind, uncertain of what to do. They stopped inside the doors and Blake froze and took in the scene before him.
Rina knelt on the hay, unaware of their presence. Blood stained everything, including her own clothes as she worked on the stallion’s leg. She never stopped talking to the animal, her voice soft and soothing. The horse moved nervously and quivered from fear, his eyes wild. Suddenly, he pulled back and Rina grabbed for the rope around his neck. The stallion reared up and jerked her sore arm, causing her to wince from the pain.
Blake took a step forward, but Ryon stopped him. “Don’t — you’ll frighten the horse. You could do more damage than good. She can handle him; I saw her go right up to him when no one else could get near the stall. Damn it man, you need to leave her to do her work.”
Blake shot Ryon an irritated look but knew he was right. Rina continued to work on the cut leg. The bleeding stopped; she applied a salve and carefully wrapped it. For the first time, Blake noticed Jenkins standing off to the side, a sling on his arm and shoulder. He had a proud smile on his face as he watched the girl. Finally, Rina finished and stood, stroking the horse’s head, calming it with gentle words whispered in his ear. Soon, his trembling stopped and he nuzzled her with a soft neigh. When she left the stall, Jenkins sidled up to her, a wide grin splitting his face.
“Rina, girl — you certainly have God’s gift of understandin’ the animals. You were wonderful, child. Why, he’s as tame as a kitten now.”
Blake came alive, his initial ill-temper now pure, hot anger. “You old fool — she could have been killed! And you, Ryon, how could you send for a little girl to do what all you men couldn’t? And you …” his finger pointed at Rina, “I should turn you over my knee and spank you. What the hell do you think you are doing? He could have trampled you.”
The two men stood, unable to speak, his sudden outburst stunning them. Rina walked over to Blake, her eyes narrowed and her fists clenched by her side. She stopped directly in front of him, hands planted firmly on her hips. She looked up at him, unflinching and as angry.
“I’ll tell you what I was doing — I was saving your damn horse. How dare you blame Jenkins, or Ryon, I make my own decisions. Furthermore, I am not a little girl, and as any fool can see, the horse did not injure me. If you think you can spank me, you go right ahead and try.”
Jenkins’ face paled and Ryon’s mouth dropped open in surprise. They looked from one to the other in confusion.
“I should have let that giant son-of-a-bitch strangle your scrawny little neck. He would have done me a tremendous favor by getting you out of my mind, and out of my life.”
Blake’s angry words hit Rina like a slap. Blake seemed confused by the hurt he inflicted, uncertain if he was satisfied or horrified. He said nothing more and stormed away. The stable was silent for several minutes before Ryon awkwardly found his voice.
“Rina, I don’t know what to say. He was angry when he came home. I’m so sorry.” Ryon rambled on, embarrassed by his brother’s actions.
“You needn’t apologize for his rudeness, Ryon. His displeasure was with me — I’m sorry you both received the brunt of his anger. There is more to this than what just happened — I hope you’ll understand if I don’t explain further.” Rina took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Jenkins, I’ll be by in a day or so to check on the stallion. If you need me, send for me and I’ll come right away. I’ve tended your horses for years and Blake Roberts will not stop me.”
As Rina rode from the stable, Blake watched from his bedroom window. He lifted his glass in salute and mumbled, “Here’s to you, my little witch.”
Days passed and Blake never offered any excuse to his brother for what happened, and Ryon did not ask. Rina returned to treat the horse several times, but she and Blake went out of their way to avoid one another.
BLAKE LOOKED AT HIS pocket watch, impatience making him pace. “Ryon, what the hell is taking her so long? If she doesn’t come down soon, we’ll be late.” Blake continued his long strides in front of the fireplace, reminding Ryon of a caged animal.
“Rebecca will be down in a moment. She wants to look her best tonight. It’s the first time we’ve gone out since the baby was born.”
Every so often Blake stopped to gaze at the flames of the fire, dancing, consuming the dry wood. His mind drifted off to a night about three weeks ago. He could almost feel the softness of her hair, gently curling around his finger as he brushed the long, silky strands.
Ryon watched Blake and saw the change in his face as it went from impatience to tenderness. “You’re thinking of Rina again. You seem to spend a lot of time thinking about the woman. Have you bedded her yet?”
The question took Blake by surprise, and he flashed his brother a scowl. “What do you think?” His lazy drawl held a note of boredom, but Ryon saw his annoyance.
“No, I don’t think so. Is that why you are so angry with her?”
“It’s none of your business, Ryon,” barked Blake. As an afterthought he added, “It no longer matters anyway, so forget her. I have. I’ve no intention of ever seeing her again.” Blake turned his back to Ryon, pretended to be interested in the fire and hoped his brother would drop the subject. To speak of her brought forward all the confused emotions he had no control over.
But Ryon was not to be swayed. “Forget her? You haven’t forgotten, you think of her constantly. Why, I’m beginning to think you’re in love with her.”
“In love? Only fools fall in love.” Blake felt his temper rising. In love, indeed.
“No, big brother. A fool is a man who thinks he is immune to feeling love and too damned stubborn to see it.”
Rebecca entered the room and Blake’s sarcastic rejoinder failed to emerge. She was lovely, as ever, but it was the look on his brother’s face that stilled his remark. The love they shared so apparent, he choked on his lies.
He did not look forward to the dinner party given by Lawrence Langsford at Camray. He felt immense dislike for the man though they had only met a couple of times in the past. But Rebecca insisted it would be bad manners to decline the invitation, so Blake found himself on his way to Camray for a long, boring evening.
Camray was a beautiful es
tate, smaller than Windsong, but equally magnificent. Lawrence Langsford greeted his guests. Randolph Langsford acted an ever-present shadow, the younger man’s eyes rudely devouring all the women present. They were promptly led into an elegant drawing room to meet the other guests. Years had passed since Blake attended any social functions in the area and he found himself the center of attention, people gathering to welcome him home.
The last of those invited finally arrived, her grand entrance time to perfection. Dressed in dark green silk, Catherine Ramsey posed for the crowd. The gown molded to her full figure, the low cut bodice revealed the top of her creamy white breasts to perfection. Her fiery red hair was elegantly arranged with diamond pins to hold each curl in place. Sharp, green eyes glanced around the room and stopped when they reached Blake.
Boldly, Blake watched her as she made her way directly to him. She hadn’t changed any since he last saw her, with the exception of being a wealthy widow now. Like a bitch in heat, she sidled up to him, her sudden intense interest so apparent he almost laughed. No, she hadn’t changed at all.
“Lord Roberts. It’s so nice to see you again. You have been away much too long.” Catherine smiled sweetly at Blake and he gracefully bowed, kissed her extended hand.
“The pleasure is all mine, Lady Ramsey,” he lied.
Although his manner remained polite, Catherine saw the bored look on his face. She clenched her teeth in irritation and gave him her most charming smile. Blake Roberts was now one of the richest men in England, maybe the world, and Catherine was determined to have him for herself. The fact she had refused his proposal of marriage over twelve years ago was a minor drawback, but one she could quickly remedy. He loved her once and would do so again. After all, she was still as beautiful as she was then — it was only a matter of time before she would be Lady Roberts.
Blake sensed her calculating mind at work and knew Catherine for what she truly was. For the moment, it amused him to let her try to seduce him as if he were still the foolish young man she had toyed with before. As she chattered endlessly, his mind wandered, and had Catherine known for whom he smiled, she would have been furious.
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