by Allison, Kim
Elyssa picked sparingly at the breakfast, having only a few bites of egg and a drink of juice. She read for a while until the book became a complete bore. Tossing the heavy volume across the room in frustration, Elyssa frowned at the thought of having to spend several more hours alone in her room when she could be outdoors enjoying herself. Anywhere but there in her lonely room. She walked over to the window and gazed out at the gardens, awash in color. Autumn was coming quickly this year, but the myriad of blooms still flourishing beckoned Elyssa to enjoy a few stolen moments in the gardens.
Within minutes Elyssa changed into a simple gown of blue, the sleeves ending just under her elbows, the bodice laced up and tied in a dainty bow. Her ebony hair was loosely pulled back with a white ribbon. Elyssa appeared an innocent maiden off to do her good works for the day.
Just before leaving her room, Elyssa decided to take a vase with her and cut some flowers to brighten up her room. She picked up a lovely glass vase with a delicate rose engraved on it. It had been one of the few things Elyssa had purchased for herself from Percy's monthly allowance.
She dared go downstairs in full view to anyone who might be about, indeed thought it absurd that she must keep up the charade of staying out of sight. She had already come in contact with Percy's colleague and was none the worse for wear. Hearing Percy speak with his secretary in the study, Elyssa avoided passing directly by that open door, instead heading toward the rear entrance. As she walked to the gardens, Elyssa pondered Percy's suggestion that she visit her family in London. She had no real inclination to see her parents, but it would be heavenly to escape the confines of Greystone for a few days. She would have to think further on the matter.
Elyssa stood before the black iron bench in the midst of the flower gardens and breathed in the lovely scent, her eyes closing as her lips curved up in a contented smile. Even when life's drudgeries seemed overwhelming, nature could make everything seem a bit brighter. The blazing red orange of the sun, the soft green grass beneath one's feet, the heavenly scent of flowers and rain.
Unbeknownst to Elyssa, her display of quiet happiness was witnessed by Daniel, who stood several yards away beyond view of a massive oak. He had been on his way to the stables for a ride when he'd decided to visit the gardens, his mother's favorite place when she had been alive. In fact, her grave lay in the far recesses of the immense flower garden, and Daniel had just left there.
Daniel’ escaped her lips and His hands ached to free her long hair and run his fingers through its lushness. He longed to splay his hands about her small waist and pull her close. Shaking his head at such thoughts, Daniel wondered what exactly it was about the female that pulled at his entire being just by looking at her. The mere sight of her made him want to be near her, and the thought was more than a little disturbing.
He had no right to pursue a young lady of no title, to chance getting her hopes up at the thought of having a meaningful relationship with him. It would be cruel to recklessly seek a brief affair with her, for she seemed genuinely sweet and possibly devoted to another. But then again, the first night he'd encountered her during the storm, she had been more than willing to taste of his seduction, leastways at first. And too, when had his conscience ever urged him to keep his distance from a beautiful woman, whether her heart was already promised to another or not?
His lips curved upward as Daniel watched Elyssa's girlish twirling about, her face turned up toward the sunlight. She was a mixture of beautiful woman and charming girl.
Elyssa's smile suddenly faded as the forgotten glass vase slipped from her precarious hold and struck against the bench. The fine glass crashed into a multitude of pieces. Elyssa cried out at the realization of the shattered vase she so loved, not to mention the mess she had created. Her heart melted at the sight of her beautiful vase now lying beyond repair in shards.
Elyssa bent down to retrieve the broken pieces and cried out as she carelessly picked up a sharp piece of jagged glass. Dropping it, she grabbed her right hand and looked at it in concern. A red streak of blood appeared over the inch long gash on her palm. Never having dealt well with the sight of blood, especially her own, Elyssa dreaded having to tend to the wound herself, or even worse, to find that she might need a few stitches.
Standing to her feet, Elyssa gasped aloud as she saw her heart’s nemesis directly in front of her, for she'd not even heard his quiet approach. His facial expression was one of concern and after getting over her initial alarm, Elyssa was actually relieved that he was there. Perhaps he could help determine the extent of her injury.
Wordlessly, Daniel gently grabbed her wr traitorous wifeg">CHAPTER ist, pulling the handkerchief from his pocket and softly wiping away the blood. Studying the cut, Daniel found it to look a bit deep.
"I think it safe to say your palm will require a few stitches," he finally commented, his voice a comforting thing. Elyssa's heartbeat quickened at the warmth of his hands holding her own, the sight of his so large and masculine against her own. The fear of having a needle pierce her skin suddenly seemed insignificant, for the male before her commanded her entire deliberation. He was much too close for comfort, his dark eyes gazing into hers, and holding her spellbound in the process. His mere presence was dominating.
Unwittingly her gaze took in the sight of his broad chest, the pristine shirt straining across the breadth of it. It was partially unbuttoned and left on the outside of his dark pants, his riding boots giving evidence that he'd been on his way for an early morning ride. His hair was left loose and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, displaying muscular forearms.
His unpretentious apparel left his appearance not lacking in the least, for if anything, his careless masculinity was even more tempting to a female's heart. It would seem he'd spent little time paying mind to his attire that morning, though the thought of his lack of self-absorption left her feeling rather pleased with that fact. Her thoughts were interrupted as Elyssa watched the slow descent of his mouth, and her mind finally bade her pull from his reach.
Trying her best to ignore his amorous attempt, shocked that he would even try such a thing at that time, Elyssa forced a smile and said brightly, "Thank you for helping me. I don't deal very well with injuries involving bloodshed." Her shaky smile wavered a bit as Daniel once more closed the distance between them.
"You are more than welcome," he replied. He seemed not in the least bit inclined to leave for the stables, and Elyssa began to get nervous. She bent down to begin picking up the shattered pieces of the vase once again, but Daniel's hand came to rest on her shoulder.
"Leave it," he said, "I shall see that someone cleans up the mess." Picking up her hurt hand, he saw the bleeding hadn't stopped yet. "We must see to having your palm stitched up."
Attempting unsuccessfully to pry her hand from his, Elyssa finally blurted out in nervous frustration, "Why do you not leave now? I assume you were on your way for a ride. Please do not stay on my account. I shall be fine."
CHAPTER ">Wishing she would stop her nervous rambling, Daniel smiled inwardly at the thought of kissing her senseless in order to shut her up. He watched her mouth as she spoke and found the sight of her lips most provocative, indeed found himself wanting to taste of that mouth again. For whatever reason, Daniel found himself inexplicably drawn to her and he knew from experience that he would not be able to concentrate on anything else in the world until he'd made her his own, at the very least for one night.
"I shall be glad to go riding if you agree to accompany me," he finally replied.
An exasperated sigh escaped her lips and Elyssa cried, "I cannot go riding with you!"
Of course she wouldn't simply be able to shirk her duties and go off riding with the future lord of the estate. She would find herself in trouble with Percy if he found out. But then again, why should Percy have to know? In fact, that thought made him want her even more. Anything to go against his dour father's wishes.
"Then tonight. After your work is done and you are free. Meet me in
the stables at ten o'clock."
She was stunned at his audacity, and it was obvious he was used to having his way with women. It was apparent that he dealt with females of little or no scruples. But then again, who was to say but that they hadn’t had scruples before meeting this rake, for Elyssa herself found it most difficult to deny his wicked invitation. The thought of meeting the gorgeous man for a late night ride was tempting beyond imagination, even knowing the extreme risk she would be taking.
"How can you possibly ask such a thing of me? You do not even know my name.” Daniel loved listening to her honeyed voice, indeed looked forward to hearing the melodious sound cry out his name later that night. He knew that despite her facade of indignity, she was as drawn to him as he was to her.
Stepping even closer, Daniel picked up a loose tress and fingered the black hair as a look of mischief danced in his dark eyes. "Please forgive me, miss. I very much wish to know your name." Aggravated at herself for compelling him to ask her name, a thing that would only encourage his inducement, Elyssa chose to use her middle name rather than have the man know her given name, a thing entirely too intimate if spoken from his tempting lips.
"Revee," before leaving her roomthi she softly replied. "My name is Revee."
"A lovely name. It suits you," his husky voice seduced, Daniel's fingers reaching up to touch her cheek.
Elyssa's mind was awhirl with confusion. Her hand was stinging ferociously, the sticky wetness a reminder that she needed to have her palm stitched. She was beginning to feel lightheaded from the sight of her blood still seeping from the deep cut, besides the awkwardness of speaking so intimately to someone all but a stranger. A man she was foolish to even be considering meeting later.
The furious beating of her heart commanded that she either rebuke the handsome stranger once and for all, else comply to his sinful behest. She recognized the struggle of her will, pure and committed to her marriage, however loveless and hopeless, against the temporary pleasures she was certain to find in this man's arms, no matter how fleeting.
Elyssa nearly cried out at the guilt already plaguing her conscience. Whatever had she done in her young life that credited this curse! A man she was wed to that loathed her, and a complete stranger that was doing his damndest to seduce her away from every chaste thing she'd ever known.
"Do you wish to know my name now?" he asked patiently, rather liking this seductive game she was playing. Normally a woman started out acting the innocent, only to gradually do away with all pretense. Unlike this female, who had nearly lain with him mere moments after she'd run into him, only to become more and more distant and virgin-like each time he encountered her.
"No," she cried. "I do not want to know your name or anything else about you. Do you understand? I don't want to have anything to do with you!"
Daniel's jaw clenched in barely suppressed tolerance, for he quickly wearied of this game. He wanted her, he did, and though her words might cry a different tune, her eyes alone verily seduced him. While he might normally admire her will to remain loyal to another man, she wore no ring, and her actions, no matter how subtle, betrayed her body’s passion for him. With the same intensity he'd been filled with on the night of the storm, Daniel's demeanor changed, and although he wished to simply take her and be done with it, he decided to take the more subtle approach for the moment, to be frank and honest.
Elyssa swallowed escaped her lips and His voice husky and urgent, Daniel said, "We can do anything we please. I know you can feel how much I want you." His voice low and raspy, he added, "Tell me you want me, too."
Elyssa cried out at his blunt words and she cursed herself for not adhering to Percy's warnings. It would seem he knew what he was talking about after all, for Elyssa was no match for this man. He was much too bold to her liking, and curse his black heart, he was actually trying to make her speak adulterous thoughts aloud!
"I am shocked at your words, sir! Surely you know I am not a free woman. Besides the obvious fact that we don't even know each other. How can you suggest such a thing?"
Daniel's eyes narrowed at her sudden display of modesty and decorum. This, the same woman who'd kissed him passionately the night before last while she wore the most provocative, wet thing he'd ever seen. The same female that was not five minutes past staring at him with such a wistful look in her eyes, for all that she probably didn't even realize he had read it in her stare.
"Whether you are free of another or not hardly matters," he spoke, at which Elyssa cried out in disbelief. Ignoring her look of insult, Daniel continued, "You and I are fated to be together, sweetheart, whether it be for one night or a thousand lifetimes. I knew it from the very moment I saw you." Elyssa's heart quickened at his provocative words and although she didn't necessarily believe in fate, she did feel a powerful connection with the stranger for all that her heart scorned her a bloody fool.
"Since I first laid eyes on you the other night my mind has not been free of your image. You haunt me, Revee, and I find I must have you."
"You must have me?" Elyssa retorted in sarcasm, her eyes blazing in angry disbelief. "Like some meaningless trinket to be purchased on a whim, only to be tossed aside at any given time?" Her palm began throbbing again and Elyssa held it with her other hand, wishing to be anywhere else but in the gardens. The pained expression on Elyssa’s face reminded Daniel of her hurt hand, and his ungentlemanly behavior in not seeing to her comfort already. the hint of a smile mi l
Glancing at her bleeding hand, he picked up a jagged piece of the broken glass. Daniel looked her in the eyes as he slowly but forcefully ran the shard across his palm, blood instantly coming to head, dripping down his hand and onto the ground. Elyssa stared in horror, her gaze returning to his eyes in search of a logical answer. He snatched her by the arm, holding her bleeding hand securely against his bloody palm, rubbing them against each other until the sting became more than painful. Elyssa’s eyes widened at his shocking actions.
His gaze was barbaric as he prevented Elyssa from snatching her hand away. She was unable to tear her eyes from him, mesmerized by the savage look on his face. It was as if he were claiming her his own, daring her to deny the power he held over her. Her chest heaving in fright, she was likewise fascinated by the look of arousal in his eyes. And she felt it too, damn him.
His hypnotic voice surrounded her senses. “As you can see, we are a part of each other already. My blood, no matter how little, runs through your veins, and yours through mine.” His other hand pulled Elyssa abruptly against his hard frame, their lips scant inches apart. His eyes looked wild as he willed her to surrender to his declaration.
Elyssa was shocked beyond belief at what was happening as a result of a simple stroll through the gardens gone wrong. She longed to pull herself away, indeed feared that someone might find them in so compromising a position. Still, she was unable to resist his overpowering nearness, shivered at his next words, his seductive voice so very close and warm against her ear.
"Tell me you can ever forget that. Tell me that won't distract you completely every time for the rest of your life that you look at the scar certain to come," he dared wickedly. Before she could even think to utter a rebuke, Daniel's mouth covered hers. There was no gentleness in the assault, but an urgency brought to head by Daniel's obsession for the young beauty. His tongue invaded past her parted lips, tasting fully of her mouth and Elyssa moaned helplessly as, cursing herself inwardly, she returned his fervor.
The stranger's kisses were completely beguiling, Elyssa's vulnerability for his affections sending all rational thought out with the wind. Heedless of Daniel's actions while his hungry kisses continued, Elyssa barely felt him bring her finger up to his face, sliding a fine line of the wet stickiness of her blood down his cheek, while his hand likewise marked hers with his blood. His romantic onslaught was anything but gentle or wooing. It was insistent. Dark and urgent. Forbidden. And Elyssa felt more alive than she ever had before. traitorous wifeg">CHAPTER
Her knees t
hreatened to buckle, but the strong arms about Elyssa kept her steady and pulled tightly against the mysterious man. Her mouth had never been so thoroughly plundered. His defeat over her convictions was complete and absolute.
In the far recesses of her mind, Elyssa could swear she heard her name being called in the distance. Her fingers traitorously reached up and entwined in his dark locks. She knew it was a dreadful mistake to allow the man to continue kissing her, for even now she wanted more from him, longed to have much more ravaged than just her mouth. Her skin shivered at the hard feel of his chest against the softness of her own. She ached in want and need of the void that only he could fill.
Her faithless heart already looked forward to meeting him later that night, though Elyssa knew she could never allow such a thing when it came down to it. For as sure as the sun and the moon, she would end up allowing his seduction. And she would never be able to live with herself.
The voice calling her name was growing closer and Elyssa's eyes flew open at the realization it was Percy. He must have checked her room and found it to be empty. He was certain to be angry with her by now. Elyssa knew she could not allow him to find her with this man, else he'd fly into a murderous rage and most likely kill them both.
Forcing herself to pull away, a thing most difficult, Elyssa softly cried, "I must go this very instant!" Hearing his father's voice, Daniel understood her fear as an employee, but could not let her go without knowing he would see her again. He was to leave for London the very next morning. He had to see her that night.
Urgently, he rasped, "Meet me tonight."
"I cannot see you again," she said, turning to leave him so she could meet Percy before he stumbled upon the scene of her in another man's arms.
"I must leave tomorrow for two weeks. Please come tonight."
A muffled cry of frustration escaped her lips as Elyssa's heart melted at the thought of never seeing him again. Wordlessly, her eyes begged him to sense the danger involved should she meet him, while inside her soul sang at the chance of seeing him later. A breathless yes escaped her lips as she fled the sight of him. emerald orbsm smile