"I don't like it."
Color flushed her cheeks."The gown or the fact that I'm no longer the child you knew inKasanpore?"
"You weren't a child.Even then you were very… " His gaze went to her breasts. "Ripe."
The flush burned brighter."Then what's wrong with my gown?"
It wasn't the gown, herealized suddenly, it was the fact he hadn't been the one to give it to her. Ithad been Margaret who had persuaded her to give up those mannish togs and hewas seething with a jealousy that was as unreasonable as it was fierce."It's too demure. I gave a great amount of thought to every detail of ourcoming time together including how I intend to furbish you. Would you like meto tell you about it?"
She inhaled sharply. "No,I'm here to meet Medford. I assume that's him standing by the frenchdoors."
"Yes, that's James.Unfortunately, he's not eager to meet you."
"Why not?"
"He thinks the onlyreason I hired you was that you're my mistress."
Her lips tightened. "And,of course, you didn't tell him otherwise?"
"Why should I? I'm atruthful man, and that is one of the reasons you're here."
"I'm here to build arailroad."
"But I have everyintention of also making you my mistress. A mistress is only a humble vesselmeant to please and grovel before her master. You would hate that, wouldn'tyou?"
He saw the flare of anger inher face, but she said evenly, "I don't have to worry about somethingthat's not going to occur."
"But you knew I meantthat role for you before you left Glenclaren. I was very honest with you. Iwant Cinnidar to defeat you and then I want to do the same thing myself."
"You won't get what youwant." Her gaze returned to Medford. "And, blast you, you might havetold him I was competent at what I do."
"You'll be even morecompetent after I have an opportunity to school you."
"I meant… " She drewa deep breath and then exhaled slowly. "You know what I meant. Are yougoing to introduce me to him, or must I do it myself?"
"Aye, I'll introduceyou." He turned and led her across the room. "I've made sure Medfordwill cooperate with you, but don't expect me to be your champion. It's anotherbattle you'll have to fight yourself."
"I'd never make themistake of believing you'd help me any more than you could possiblyavoid."
He had shaken her, but she wastrying not to let him see it. She was treating him with a composure and calmnessthat was thorn-abrasive in his present mood. "Did you know I built thesummerhouse for you?" He hadn't meant to tell her that yet, but he had toreach her, touch her. "I wanted a place where I'd have you entirely tomyself."
She didn't answer, but hecould see the color deepen on her cheeks, the faint acceleration of the liftand fall of her breasts beneath the bodice of her gown.
It was not enough, dammit."Gold."
She glanced at him, startled."What?"
"I'm going to dress you ingold silk," he said softly. "A gown that will bare your breasts andlimbs. You have lovely limbs."
"Be still," she saidhoarsely.
"And I remember howpointed and red your nipples were after I had them in my mouth. How hard theyfelt on my tongue. Do you remember?"
"No."
"I'll have one of thelocal seamstresses start on the gown at once. The gold will be quite beautifulwith your red hair."
"You'll be wasting yourmoney. It's not going to happen."
