He regarded her steadily, his brows drawn together in consternation. He pursed his lips. The thin purple veins of his days as a heavy drinker stood out across his large nose.
Allie's heart flipped in her chest at the cruelty slithering through his glassy blue eyes. She had never been this near to him, and the smell of the pine-scented aftershave was cloying in the close confines. In her innocence, she had never realized what certain kinds of men might do to indulge their carnal desires. That she would be the object of a man's lust was foreign to her, and so unexpected, in this case, that she couldn't stop the air from rushing out of her body as she recognized his intent. Breathless with fear and disgust at what was plainly written on her father's stony face, she returned his stare, managing not to look away.
His thin lips turned up at the corners in a feral smile. "I can see we understand one another. I don't have to go into a tedious explanation, and for that, I'm relieved. Perhaps you understand more than I thought, in the beginning."
He put his hand under her elbow, urging her to stand. Dutifully, she came to her feet, mere inches between them. The flabby folds of his skin fell over the cravat he wore, and she noted the way his Adam's apple bobbed when he swallowed. He didn't touch her immediately, and she wondered once again if she had misunderstood everything. Surely, he hadn't meant…what it had sounded like.
"From now on, you will call me Hiram," he murmured thickly. "And you will do whatever I ask…whenever I ask."
Allie stepped to the side, away from the nearness of him, out of the overwhelming pine-filled evil aura that encompassed them. She took a deep, faltering breath when he followed suit. Quickly, she turned away from him in an act of shyness that made him chuckle.
She lowered her eyes, unwilling to risk him seeing the disbelief, the betrayal, and the raw desperation she felt. Her stomach churned, and she fought back the nausea.
How could he? Although he'd never been much of a true father figure to her, he'd never been incorrect with his affection. He'd never been out of line in his remarks or comments. And she could never remember seeing the naked lust in his face that she'd beheld moments earlier.
Her thoughts twisted and turned. The very idea of what he was insinuating was so repugnant to her that when he laid a beefy hand on her shoulder, she gave a short cry of alarm.
"Come to me, my pet. I've waited over two long years for this. Gave you time to grow up a little. But I knew when I saw you in that orphan's home you were the one I'd have." He chuckled low, his grasp tightening to turn her to him. "You're sixteen now. Old enough to make a woman of you. And I've had my fill of waiting." He licked his lips. "Been a long time since I've had a virgin."
"Oh, please—"
He turned her around completely to face him, ignoring the stiffness of her body, the fear she knew was written across her face. His hand slipped to her breast and cupped it. She stepped back hurriedly, but he held her, pulling her closer to him again, a frown on his face.
"You don't understand, my dear. You have no choice in this. You will not fight me—" He lowered his head to her, his breath fanning her face as he slanted his mouth over hers.
She turned her head, the desperation and anger finally winning out over all the roiling emotions inside her. "I will!" she spat. "I will!" She hadn't realized she'd spoken her defiance until she felt him stiffen and stop his efforts to force his kiss on her. "I will fight—"
"Then you shall be punished, dear Allison." He released her and took a step back. "A dutiful daughter," he smiled, slowly unbuckling his belt, "doesn't disobey. Your rebelliousness is unseemly. It must be dealt with." He carefully worked the belt loose from the loops, his eyes never leaving hers. "Punishment is something I…very much enjoy."
He folded the leather in half, giving it a snap. "Come kiss me, daughter, before I mete out your punishment. You are very disobedient. I won't tolerate it."
Allie lowered her gaze, hoping that just this once, she could fool him. With any luck, once would be all she'd need.
"I'm so sorry, H-Hiram." Her voice shook. She took a step near him, still not looking up. He raised the belt and held it poised, stretched taut between his thick fingers.
Allie reached up quickly, pushing him backward. He stumbled on the carpet, his initial surprise at her audacity twisting his face into a mask of rage. He lost his balance as the hearth rug slipped under his feet. He fell heavily, unable to catch his bulky frame. His head struck the raised corner of the sandstone hearth with a dull thud. His body shifted, his waistcoat falling open to reveal the ornate silver money clip he wore at his side.
Allie stumbled back, repulsed at the thought of what had almost transpired there in the study and horrified at what she'd just done. There was no one to save her from this man. He could do whatever he wanted to her…with her. And she was as much his prisoner as if he'd held her in chains.