“I think you enjoyed being with those powerful men . . . and beautiful women.”
Roo reached out and felt his wife’s shoulder through the thin cotton of her nightshirt. “I like looking,” he tried to say lightly. “What man wouldn’t? But I know where home is.”
“Really, Roo?” she asked, rolling on her side to face him. “Do you mean that?”
He said, “Of course I do.” He pulled her toward him and kissed her. A moment later he was fully aroused and pulling her nightshirt over her head.
He took her fast and hard and at no time was he thinking of her. For those passion-filled minutes, his mind was completely engulfed with images of another woman. As he panted to a conclusion, he could only think of Sylvia’s scent and touch. After he had spent himself, he rolled over and lay on his back, staring at the ceiling and wondering if Sylvia’s carriage had reached her home yet.
They had ridden in silence. Dash had waited for her to speak first and she had said nothing until halfway to the estate. At last she said, “I’m sorry, but I’ve forgotten your name.”
“Dashel,” he said with a grin. “Jameson. You met my father and brother.”
She frowned. “Your father?”
“Arutha, Lord Vencar.”
She gasped as if completely embarrassed. “Oh my! Then your grandfather is . . .”
“The Duke of Krondor,” he finished. “I’m that one.”
She regarded him in a new light. “I had you confused with that other fellow, who doesn’t speak much when I’m around.”
“That would be Jason,” said Dash. “He’s completely awe-struck by you, miss.”
“And you’re not?” she asked, a playful tone in her voice.
Dash’s grin widened. “Not particularly.”
“I bet I could change your mind,” she said, leaning forward so her face was inches from his and her gown provided an ample expanse of bosom for his inspection.
He leaned forward also, until his nose was almost touching hers. Whispering in a conspiratorial tone, he said, “I bet you could, too.”
Then he sat back. “But I am, unfortunately, pledged to another.”
She leaned back, resting against the seat. Tapping her chin, she laughed. “Who is the lucky woman?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “But she’s the daughter of some noble house, no doubt. My grandfather will inform me when the time comes.”
She feigned a pout. “That’s a disappointment.”
Dash shrugged, as if bored by the discussion. “It seems to have worked out for my mother and father. They are, by all outward appearance, rather fond of one another.”
They rode on in silence for the rest of the journey. When they entered the estate, the gateman ran alongside the carriage so he could open the door for Sylvia. Dash got out and presented her with his hand and she stepped down. He escorted her to the door and she opened it, turned, and said, “Are you sure I can’t convince you to come inside?” She moved close to him and slid her hand down his chest until it was below his belt.
Dash endured the fondling a moment, then stepped back. “I’m very sorry, miss.”
He turned and hurried to the carriage and climbed inside, while Sylvia went inside the house displaying a wicked smile and sounding a poorly concealed laugh.
The carriage rolled through the gate and toward the city as Dash considered that his employer was in for a great deal of trouble. He now regretted he had been so generous with Jimmy, allowing him to pursue the miller’s daughter. After a minute, Dash stuck his head out the window and shouted, “Driver!”
“Yes, sir?”
“Take me to the Sign of the White Wing!”
“Yes, sir!” came the reply.
Dash sat back and sighed. After a long moment of reflection, he muttered, “Bitch.”
16
Friends
Karli frowned.
Roo was dressing hurriedly for his supper appointment and did not seem to pay attention to what she was saying. Catching sight of her expression, he said, “I’m sorry, dear. What was that?”
“I said I was hoping you would be dining in tonight. I have something to talk to you about.”
Smoothing back his hair with a brush, he glanced in the mirror at his reflection and frowned slightly. No matter how rich the clothing, how expensive the barber, he still didn’t care much for how he looked.
A tiny sound of delight caused him to look down and he saw his daughter crawling in the doorway. Then she shrieked with joy as she gripped the doorjamb and stood. She couldn’t quite walk yet, though she was trying, but she could manage to stand now, if she had something to hold on to. Karli turned, impatience on her face. “Mary!” she shouted.
“Yes, ma’am?” came the reply from the next room.