by Allison, Kim
Moaning their objections about the interference they'd encountered, Elyssa forced herself from Daniel’s grasp. She gave the boys a quick hug and shooed them off to bed. Her mind awhirl, forbidden excitement stirring deep inside her, Elyssa turned her full attention to Daniel. He was still trying to recover from being slammed against the door from the excited boys and their sister, and Elyssa uttered a quick apology for the blunder.
"Daniel, how did you––," she began.
"Who the bloody hell are you?" Daniel interrupted in a stony voice.
Struggling for her voice, Elyssa could think of no reason why Daniel would suddenly be so incensed, but it was plain to see he was very displeased about something. Daniel grabbed her none too gently by the arm, his eyes blazing, and bit out, "Your name, Revee. I would have your full name."
Frightened at Daniel’s anger, and wondering why he would require her name, she slowly responded, “Elyssa Revee Monroe Fredrickson.”
"My father's wife?" his ragged voice choked out in disbelief. tears falling unhinderednot l
"Your father?" she cried softly, her eyes widening. The butler's words came back to mind in a flash, a Lord Fredrickson to see you. Elyssa doubled over in stark despair, for she felt as if she were about to be physically ill.
CHAPTER ">
CHAPTER 6
"What do you mean, your father?" Elyssa cried painfully. Yanking her up by the arm, Daniel jerked her directly in front of him, his wrathful gaze glaring at her in condemnation.
"You know damn well who my father is."
A sob escaped her lips and Elyssa hesitantly asked in a quiet voice, "Percy?"
"How could I have been so blind?" Daniel said, his voice raising in the realization he'd been so thoroughly duped. "Was my father a part of this? I swear I'd not put it past him."
"A part of what?" Pulling her arm loose, Elyssa took a step back. "Daniel, you are frightening me."
"I think it good that you be afraid, Elyssa," a sneer in his voice as Daniel spoke her given name aloud. "And you played your part so very well, didn't you? My father must be beside himself with laughter over the whole bloody thing."
"I have no idea what you are talking about!" Elyssa cried. Covering her face with her hands at the realization she'd been kissing her husband's son, besides having countless impure thoughts about him, Elyssa moaned aloud. "Why did you not tell me Percy is your father?"
"Everyone within the walls of Greystone knows who I am, Elyssa. And it is obvious why you failed to mention you are wed to my father, isn’t it?" Elyssa's mind was in turmoil over the terrible situation. Just as she'd been coming to realize her true feelings toward Daniel, life dealt her yet another cruel blow. The knowledge that she would never be free to be with Daniel left Elyssa's heart feeling withered and cold.
Still she did not understand Daniel's merciless allegations. What would ever make him think she and Percy were plotting against him? The look of malice in his eyes made Elyssa ache for the obvious hurt he was experiencing. How could she help him, though, when all he had were accusations she had no answers for.
"Daniel, I had no idea," she began, only to see the disbelief in his eyes and in his stance. "I don't know what you think I have done, but I assure you I would never knowingly hurt you."
"Liar," Daniel softly replied, grabbing his coat before returning to grip Elyssa's wrist and pull her toward the door.
"What are you doing?" Elyssa shrieked, horrified that he meant to drag her out into the cold night in nothing but her gown and robe, not even a thin pair of slippers to warm her bare feet.
"I am going to finish what you started all those nights ago." Elyssa's steps faltered as she saw the look in Daniel's eyes change from wrath to one even more dangerous. Lust. Her skin traitorously singed from the heated look he gave her, his eyes intentionally dwelling on the hint of cleavage above her gown before looking back into her eyes. Daniel's determined look gave cause for utter alarm and before Elyssa could voice her objections aloud, they were interrupted by her mother.
"I say, sir, where do you think you are taking my daughter?" Annoyed at the minor intrusion, Daniel looked coolly up at the lovely woman coming hurriedly toward them. She was simply an older version of Elyssa and Daniel fleetingly thought that Elyssa had nothing to fear by getting older, for the woman was still quite beautiful.
Undaunted, Daniel replied in a strong voice, "I am taking your daughter for a ride."
"A ride at this hour? And in her nightclothes? I forbid it! And for your information, my daughter is a married woman. You must leave here at once!"
"I am leaving now, Lady Monroe. And I am taking my father's wife with me." Daniel ignored the loud gasp at that revelation and continued, "We have much to talk about and require more privacy. I shall return your daughter unharmed when we are finished talking, and no sooner than that. Good night, madame; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; g">CHAPTER ."
Elyssa's mother helplessly held out her hand to Elyssa as she watched her daughter pulled through the front door and out into the cold night. She rushed to look out the window, still alarmed, but pleased to note that at least the young duke had surrendered his coat to place about her daughter's shoulders. If only her husband were here instead of out spending more of their money at the clubs! Not that he could have done anymore for Elyssa than she had. The infamous duke was known to fear no one. And he had a reputation of getting what he wanted. Always.
Whatever business Elyssa had with the handsome rogue her mother had no idea, but her mind helplessly dwelled on the fact that he indeed had looks enough to charm a serpent. Elyssa had best beware such a dominating man. And she had best do nothing to remove herself from her husband's good graces, for all their sakes.
Elyssa tossed Daniel's coat onto the seat the moment they were ensconced in his carriage, as if the touch of it offended her. Her chest heaved in fear and confusion and Elyssa's fingers trembled as she clutched her robe tighter about her. Daniel's words were jumbled as Elyssa listened to him yell out to the driver. Her gaze went to the house and Elyssa saw the outline of her mother still at the window, watching and no doubt worrying about her daughter's well being.
The fog misted eerily about the coach as it departed the premises, and any safety Elyssa might have previously felt being in Daniel's presence had long since vanished. He was truly enraged, although there were still too many missing pieces of the puzzle for Elyssa to figure it out.
In truth, she wasn't certain she wanted to know. The staggering realization was still cruelly sinking into her mind, and the effect was numbing. Elyssa sank a bit deeper into the plush seat as she saw the wrath emanating from Daniel's stormy eyes, dark as the night now. Staring a hole into her. Deciding her fate, no doubt, and Elyssa could take the heated silence no longer.
"Where are you taking me?" her shaky voice managed.
"To the home I have been staying at. We need complete privacy, no interruptions. I mean to have my questions answered. I deserve that much at least." Elyssa's shivering did not go unnoticed and Daniel gave her a dark, cruel smile.
Panic overtook Elyssa and she moved toward the carriage door. "I am not going anywhere with you!" Elyssa’s fingers managed to open the door as Daniel jerk>
"What the hell is the matter with you? Do you want to kill yourself falling out of a speeding coach?" he roared.
Elyssa tried moving off Daniel's lap, her precarious position quite disturbing. She nearly managed, but for Daniel pulling her up by the arms, once again securing her a position squarely on his lap, their faces nearly nose to nose.
Daniel's grip was like steel about Elyssa's arms, and curse her black heart, she was close to bewitching him again simply by staring at him with those liquid pools of emerald, the mistiness in them imploring him to soften his grip. The scent of her, for Elyssa smelled of flowers and vanilla, her cascading hair falling carelessly about her frightened face. How could he not have been taken in by such beauty?
Daniel was helpless to cover her mouth with his
own, his fury notwithstanding. He hated himself in that instant, yet Elyssa's lips were water to a thirsting man. He could feel her halfhearted struggle against his onslaught, heard her moan echo in his ears, but Daniel would not release her. Not yet.
His tongue scorched her lips, invaded her mouth, but it was a hollow victory, for Elyssa still did not surrender to him. Feeling he'd been the one conquered, and not wanting Elyssa to see how she still affected him, Daniel forced himself to stop the kiss, all but tossing her to the seat across from him.
Elyssa wiped the back of her hand over her mouth, tears escaping her eyes. Daniel had managed to sully the sacred memory of the sweet kisses they'd ever shared, and it was breaking her heart. Her simple action angered Daniel like nothing else could and he continued his tirade as if the kiss he'd just stolen had never taken place.
"How do you sleep at night, lady?"
"Please, Daniel," she cried. "Tell me how I have wronged you, for as I see it, you are the one that has taken unfair advantage of me.”
"You want me to speak your blasphemies aloud?" Daniel taunted. Elyssa jerked a nod, her hands rubbing her arms against the cold, though she knew not if it was the cold of the night or from Daniel's heart that chilled her more.>
"You used your looks and your charm to lure my father into marrying you for his money. You managed to steal away my inheritance, then you set out to subtly seduce me, your victim, as one last slap in the face."
Elyssa's eyes narrowed as she listened to Daniel's foreign words. She had no idea what he meant about stealing from him, though his accusation that she had wed his father for money rang too close to the truth, thanks to her parents.
"How have I stolen your birthright?" Elyssa asked, flustered. "My God, however did I set out to seduce you? It was you who tried to corrupt me every time we met!"
"And how coincidental those meetings were, Elyssa, weren't they?" Daniel asked sarcastically. "Although I still cannot fathom how you managed to stumble upon me practically naked on the first night I arrived, except to assume you were off to meet another lover in the stables. My father doesn't even realize what an adulteress you are, does he?"
Fairly lunging from her seat, Elyssa reached across and slapped Daniel across the whole of his cheek before either of them realized it. If she could have, Elyssa would have clawed his eyes out, so angry and hurt was she at his false charges.
Daniel easily caught Elyssa's hand before she was able to make good another blow to his face, shoving her back into her seat, and pinning her captive beneath the weight of his body. His breathing was harsh, his fingers trembling in rage. Her robe had become untied during the struggle and Daniel found himself having a hard time resisting the soft swell of her breasts above the neckline of her gown. What was it about the temptress that waged such an inner battle within Daniel? Was he truly so weak a man he could not withstand the mere sight of her? Hell, he'd been the ultimate pillar of rogues everywhere for years! What was it about this girl that obsessed him so?
Daniel was spared further thought as he heard the knock at the carriage door. They had arrived. Daniel yanked Elyssa's robe about her gown, his swift angry movements indication that things were not likely to get any better simply because they'd arrived at their destination. Daniel stepped down and turned to help Elyssa out, though it was more of a rude yank on her hand. Forcing his coat about her shoulders, Elyssa did not refuse the warm garment this time, for she didn't wish anyone to see her in such a state.
The home was imposing and to all appearances; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; g">CHAPTER it was dark and silent for the night. Before she could ask where they were, Daniel informed Elyssa they were at his friend, Blake's, home, a close friend that had insisted Daniel stay there during his trip.
The staid butler allowed their entrance and to his credit, showed no surprise at the master's friend bringing in a young woman with bare feet and only a nightgown on beneath Lord Fredrickson's coat. Elyssa would have cried out for help, but she assumed correctly that she would have received none, for how could the elderly butler hope to overtake Daniel?
She was in his lair now, and was wise enough to know that she'd best comply with his coming interrogation and get it over with. And although Daniel was not himself, Elyssa still believed he would return her home unharmed as he had assured her mother.
They went upstairs, then down an unending hall, passing several bedroom doors along the way. A chill of unease went up Elyssa's spine at the realization he meant to take her to his chambers rather than the study or the parlor, or anywhere else that was safe. Finally they reached Daniel's room and he unceremoniously kicked the door shut behind him, all but tossing Elyssa away from his clutches now that she was within his prison. She watched as he turned the key in the lock and carelessly tossed it across the room onto the dresser.
Her eyes followed the path of the key as it landed among Daniel's things, the clutter preventing her from seeing exactly where it was. Her thoughts transparent, Daniel said, "I would advise against it, Elyssa. You are not going anywhere, so don't make it worse by trying to escape before I am done with you."
The detachment in his voice formed a crack inside her heart. For all that they could never be together, Elyssa truly cared about Daniel in the forbidden recesses of her heart. That he was now disgusted and irate with her made Elyssa ache with the realization her memories would now be tainted and best forgotten. For now though, she must do her best not to let Daniel see how his hurtful behavior was affecting her.
Forcing a facade of tolerant boredom, Elyssa did her best to keep her voice from shaking. "Then get on with it, Daniel. Your antics are beginning to bore me." Bravo, she silently applauded herself, for Elyssa found hope in Daniel's eyes that perhaps she was not the scared little mouse he was set on belittling.
"Fine." Daniel began slowly stalking toward Elyssa. It was all she could do to keep from running across the huge bedroom. Finally he reached her, his fingers reaching out to caress her smooth>
Daniel noted the confused look on Elyssa's face as he continued, his leisure steps circling Elyssa as if she were his prey about to be devoured. "Did you believe all those nasty little rumors you heard about me? Surely you thought I would remain much too busy in Paris carousing and gambling, yes?"
Elyssa remained perfectly still, while inside her heart was beating furiously. For even in the midst of such cynicism and distrust, Elyssa could not deny the carnal attraction for Daniel that she was still prisoner to. How she had dared dream of this so many lonely nights. The two of them alone together, away from everyone and everything. But her dreams had not involved Daniel's complete dislike and mistrust of her.
As Daniel walked behind Elyssa, his fingers removed his coat from her shoulders, the chill meeting her skin at once. Elyssa was grateful for the flame blazing in the fireplace. Daniel's fingers trailed a path about the neckline of her nightgown as he stepped in front of Elyssa, his jaw clenching as he dared remove her robe. It fell in a soft heap at her bare feet and Daniel ignored the quick stab of guilt at the realization her feet must be freezing.
He casually removed his jacket and undid the top few buttons of his shirt. For all that there was a definite chill in the air, Daniel wondered if Elyssa felt the same heat coursing through her veins as he did. Returning to the conversation at hand, Daniel continued, "You used my father, which I can understand––considering the bastard he is––but more unforgivable, you used me, darling. And that is a very bad thing."
Through all the hard feelings and accusatory looks, Elyssa still thought she saw a flicker of raw hurt in Daniel's eyes, though he guarded it well. She still didn't know what made Daniel think she was out to steal his money, but she had to assure him how wrong he was. She knew firsthand the pain it caused to be used by someone you thought cared for you.
Tentatively reaching out, Elyssa placed her hand on Daniel's chest. She felt his muscles instinctively tighten, sensed the battle within as he dared not openly flinch from her touch. He would not allow he
r to see that her mere touch affected him so.
"Daniel, I would never steal from you, you must believe that. And it pains me that you think so little of me, for I had just been coming to realize something." Shocked at herself by admitting such a thing aloud, Elyssa made herself continue. Her voice was soft and unsure tears falling unhinderedethi, for fear of Daniel’s rejection. “I fear I have fallen in love with you."
"Ha!" came the loud reply of rebuke at that declaration. Daniel slapped her hand from his chest. A sneer set in his face, Daniel said, "After the times I tried convincing you that fate had brought us together, only now do you conveniently agree with me. It is too little, too late, Elyssa. Your lies will not save you now."
"It is no lie!" she cried. "I spoke the truth when I told you it is lonely living at Greystone, and that I do not love my husband, God forgive me!"
Grabbing her chin, Daniel bit out, "Stop playing the martyred wife, do you hear me?" Elyssa's eyes widened in alarm as Daniel released his grip and proceeded to remove his shirt, buttons flying as he jerked it off in angry haste.
He backed Elyssa up the few steps it took to reach the bed. With determination glowing in his dark eyes, Elyssa tried to utter something to stop him, though nothing came out but a whimper. He easily pushed her down across the bed and knelt above her. Elyssa fleetingly recalled the same position they'd been in the first night she'd ever seen him. Lying on the wet ground while Daniel knelt above her, ready to conquer her, body and soul. That same conviction shone in his glare, except that now his eyes reflected not lust, but anger. Retribution. For a wrong she'd not committed.
Daniel easily ripped Elyssa's gown, the sight of her lush breasts nearly his undoing. She was so damned beautiful, it seemed almost a sin to denigrate her body. But Daniel reminded himself she'd been using that delectable body to entice other men to do her greedy bidding long before he'd ever come along.