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The filmy panels, the same brilliant color as her eyes, drifted about like jewel-colored smoke. Her hair was in magnificent disarray. Her breasts and her lips were love swollen from his savage mouth. He knew in that moment it would be impossible to wait six months for her.
He moved to the edge of the bed slowly, like a leopard stalking its prey. Then he pounced, dragging her on her knees until she was imprisoned between his thighs. His mouth came down to brand her as his. “I won’t wait six minutes for you.”
She clawed at him and bit him, but he subdued her in minutes, not by his strength, but by his animal magnetism.
When she yielded to him, he enfolded her possessively against his heart, his calloused hand stroking her wildly tangled hair. “Honey love, there is another reason I have to go to Ceylon.”
She raised questioning eyes to his. “I left you safely in Ireland so I could dispose of Bernard Lamb. I shanghaied him aboard theRed Dragonwith orders to drop him off on the island of Madagascar. The ship sailed one day before I learned Anthony was alive or I would never have sent Bernard to within three thousand miles of him.”
She was aghast. “Surely you don’t think he will go to Ceylon?” But she knew how dangerous Bernard Lamb could be and what a formidable enemy he made. “It’s my fault! If I hadn’t come sniveling to you, begging you to rescue me, Anthony wouldn’t be in jeopardy.”
“Stop it,” he ordered. “I should have gutted the bastard instead of sparing him. Good deeds as well as evil ones always come back to haunt you.”
“When do we sail? I’ll stow away if you refuse me!”
She was a stubborn little wench, ready to pick up the gauntlet of any challenge life tossed her way. He wouldn’t change one disheveled hair on her beautiful head.
Chapter 41
“Absolutely not!” Roz said, outraged. “I’m old enough to make my own decisions. I’m sailing to Ceylon.”
“It’s the most scandalous thing I’ve ever heard. Bad enough you were seen kissing on the steps of Whitehall, now you want to go running halfway around the world with him!”
“Roz, Adam has asked me to marry him.”
Her grandmother’s gaze swept her from head to toe, taking in the crumpled gown, the wild tangle of hair, the beestung lips.
“God be praised, for it’s apparent you’ve just come from his bed.” Roz sighed. In spite of her years she did remember what it was like to be young and in love. “So, this trip is to be your honeymoon?” Roz said, regaining her composure.
“Well, no,” Tony answered with a blush. “We plan to marry in Ceylon. Adam insists on asking mother’s permission, since I won’t be eighteen for almost a year. Because he’s my guardian he thinks my moral welfare is in his hands.”
Roz almost choked on Tony’s unfortunate choice of words and she watched the blush deepen on her granddaughter’s cheeks.
“What if you’re with child?”
Antonia flinched.
“Ah, that little complication never entered your head, did it? Well, that settles it. I shall have to sail with you as chaperone.”
“Chaperone?” Tony’s fantasies of a two-month shipboard romance dissolved like snow in summer. “Grandmother, I wouldn’t dream of putting you through such an ordeal.”
“Grandmother now, is it? Are you suggesting I’m too old for adventure?”
“Of course not,” Tony said weakly.
“A man like Savage won’t abstain voluntarily and apparently you can’t be trusted. With him in rut and you in heat, somebody has to play dragon.”
Roz rang the bell. “Ah, there you are, Mr. Burke. You’ve been looking a little peaked lately. How would you fancy a little trip?”
At Edenwood, Adam Savage discussed the voyage to Ceylon with his own servants. “I’m taking the clipper, it should take less sailing time than theRed Dragon.I shall leave the choice to you. Edenwood will benefit from your steady hand, but so would I, no doubt. If you wish to return home, speak up.”
John Bull was offended. “Home is where the heart beats. England is my home, Excellency.”
“Kirinda?” Adam Savage gave John Bull a warning glance that told him not to interfere. Lotus Blossom must speak for herself. Her lashes swept to her cheeks.
“If John Bull is staying, I am staying.”
“Then it’s settled,” Savage said with relief. Edenwood was precious to him and he needed to leave it in hands he could trust.
