Page 19 of A Touch So Wicked

“I brought food,” Maggie said, arranging the tray on a nearby table.

“Have you spoken to Lord Damian?” Elissa asked as she nibbled on a hunk of cheese. “Did he reveal his plans for me?”

“Nay. He but instructed me to bring food to ye and fetch yer clothing. Oh, Elissa, what has he done to ye? Does he want ye for his mistress? Does he intend to ravish ye?”

“He’s done naught…yet, but I donna trust him,” Elissa said thoughtfully as she stuffed a piece of bread into her mouth.

Elissa was wary of Lord Damian but chose not to unburden herself to Maggie. She’d seen the look in the dark lord’s eyes; she could still feel the pressure of his kiss upon her lips and his hands upon her body. She might be a virgin but she wasn’t stupid. Damian wanted her. Wanted her in the same way a virile man wants a woman.

“What can I do to help?” “Who has access to this chamber?”

“Just me. Everyone has been warned away. The Demon has even posted a guard outside the door. He doesna trust ye, Elissa.”

“The bastard,” Elissa bit out. “Dinna worry, Maggie, I’ll think of something. He canna keep me under lock and key forever.”

“What if he…you know…wants ye in his bed?”

She chewed on her bottom lip. Maggie was too close to the truth. “He wouldna dare. I wouldna let him even if he did.”

“Let me help you dress,” Maggie said, removing items of clothing from Elissa’s chest.

“Aye, I’d prefer to be dressed when the Demon returns.” Placing temptation in his path was the last thing Elissa wanted.

To Elissa’s relief, the Demon Knight didn’t return. She had no idea where he made his bed and didn’t care as long as he stayed out of hers. Though she professed not to care, when Maggie appeared with her breakfast the following morning, she casually asked her kinswoman if she knew where and with whom Damian had slept last night.

“Dermot said Lord Damian spent the night in the barracks,” Maggie informed her. “I donna believe any of our kinswomen would have accommodated him had he demanded a woman, but some of the village girls have been…frolicking with the English soldiers since they arrived at Misterly. Mayhap Lord Damian invited one of them to his bed.”

“Perhaps,” Elissa said sourly. She had no idea why the thought of Damian bedding a woman of easy virtue should bother her, but it did.

“Speak of the devil,” Maggie hissed as the door opened and Damian stepped inside.

“Be gone, mistress,” Damian said, holding the door open for Maggie.

Maggie sent a pitying look at Elissa and scurried out.

“I’ve come for my personal belongings,” Damian said.

“When may I leave this chamber?”

“Perhaps never,” Damian returned curtly.

Elissa became immediately defensive. “You canna keep me under lock and key forever!”

“I am the master here, I can do whatever pleases me, and it pleases me to keep you confined.”

“I’d prefer the convent.”

“I’m sure you would. I’ve decided, however, that confining you in a convent isn’t satisfactory. I considered sending you to London for the king to deal with, but after careful consideration I decided he’d deal more harshly with you than I would. I don’t wish you harm, Elissa.”

“I willna be your mistress,” Elissa asserted. “I know how men like you treat women and I willna allow you to corrupt me.”

“Saving yourself for Tavis Gordon?” Damian mocked.

“He’s a better man than you are.”

“That remains to be seen.”

“I’ll die cooped up like this.”