An Unsinkable Love

chapter 31


Malcolm leaned against his door, taking deep breaths. He fought the urge to return to Bree's room. He was amazed to find his ardor already quickening again. Seeking a distraction, he stepped to the side table holding a rarely used decanter of whiskey. He sloshed a few fingers of the amber liquid into a stubby glass and took a big sip. Eyes closed, he savored the oaky burn. A smile washed his face as he recalled Bree's responses to his lovemaking. He was just now beginning to realize how enjoyable marriage to the fiery Irishwoman would to be. He would have her in his bed every night, and didn't intend to let her out of his sight for much of the day, either.

He walked to the window and glanced out. Across the garden, he saw the windows of the manor's master suite. A light shone in his mother's bedroom, but Eldon's windows were dark. Malcolm's face hardened as the memory of what Eldon had been doing as he came upon the pair in the parlor.

When he'd rounded the doorway to find his fiancée in his stepfather's embrace, he'd been momentarily shocked. But he immediately became aware Bree struggled to break free and heard her protests. A massive surge of anger toward Eldon filled him again. If not for the fire, he had no doubt a violent altercation would have ensued. The next time they met, Eldon would have reason to seriously regret trespassing on Malcolm's domain.



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An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

In his darkened room at the other side of the house, Eldon's thoughts were also focused on Bree. He too stood at the window, peering though slitted drapes. He watched as the girl's room went dark. Ever since he'd had Bree in his arms, Eldon hadn't been able to get her out of his mind. He still felt her firm breasts against his chest. His hands ached to squeeze them, and his groin throbbed with the desire to plumb the depths of her delicious young body.

Eldon recalled the surge of excitement that filled him as Malcolm came into the room. His hand had immediately reached into his pocket for the pistol he now carried with him all the time. A vision of a dead Malcolm on the floor next to him as he had his way with Bree almost made him dizzy. If the girl hadn't screamed and distracted Malcolm, he knew he would have acted. And, while it would have been satisfying to kill his stepson, the satisfaction would have been short-lived.

He needed a plan that left Malcolm dead and didn't land him in jail. Confident he could come up with something, Eldon decided to relieve the pressure in his trousers before he focused on Malcolm's demise. He took the back stairs down to the stable and started his recently purchased Pierce Arrow, preferring to drive himself so as not to pique Carlisle's curiosity. In town, he pulled the dust-covered car into the alley and parked behind a screening hedge.

Even at the late hour, the door opened immediately to his coded knock. The madam greeted him with a smile.

He demanded, "I trust you followed my instructions?"

She nodded. "I have a girl I think will suit you. As you specified, she has red hair and is, as yet, unsoiled. I do not 209

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deal in underage girls, but as she only recently reached her majority, I think you will find she meets your requirements.

She's upstairs in room number three. If you'll give me a moment, I'll wake her."

"No need." Malcolm took the stairs two at a time, ripping off his jacket and jerking open his shirt as he went.



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Nearly an hour later he sauntered down the steps, pulling his jacket on. He frowned as he realized several of the buttons on his shirt were missing—a result of his earlier eagerness.

The madam stood at the bottom of the stairs, her expression anxious. Perhaps he should have done a better job muffling the girl's cries. Mrs. Zubrinsky bit her lip. "There will, of course, be additional costs for tonight."

He paused then took the last two steps, stopping inches from her face. She retreated a few feet until she fetched up against the wall. He followed, bending in close. "I will pay a fair price, as always. Don't press your luck, my dear. You wouldn't want the neighbors to know what goes on in your so-called 'Home for Unwed Mothers,' now would you?"

She swallowed hard and crossed her arms. Then, with more spunk than he expected, she raised her chin and snapped, "No more than your family would want to know what you do here, Mr. Smith."

"I think we understand each other," he gritted and turned to the door. As he left, Eldon pondered whether the woman would be a problem. He shook his head. If things went like 210

An Unsinkable Love

by Terri Benson

they should, he wouldn't have to reside in this backwoods town for much longer, and he'd have no further use for her services.

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An Unsinkable Love

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