page8 (1/2)

They had turned into the narrow drive leading to the stables Though the rain beat harder noendolyn areof her own heart

She did not want to go away defeated, yet she did not want to win by unfair means

She supposed the display of her li had been dictated by the need for haste and the unavailability of a sidesaddle—constituted unfair means

Consequently, as they rode into the stable yard, she headed for theblock

But Rawnsley was off his horse before she reached it, and at the gelding’s side in almost the same moment

In the next, he was reaching up and grasping her waist

His hands arrasp fir outward, suffusing her body, while she watched theshirtsleeves

He lifted her up as easily as if she’d been a fairy sprite Though she wasn’t in the least anxious that he’d drop her, she grasped his powerful shoulders It was reflex Instinctive

He brought her down slowly, and he did not let go even after her feet touched the ground

He looked down at her, and his intent yellow gaze trapped her own,her heart pound harder yet

“The time will come when I will have no power over you,” he said, his low tones le “When my mind crumbles, little witch, I shall be at your mercy Believe me, I’ve considered that I’ve asked myself what you will do with me then, ill become of me”

At thatquestion was answered

He are of the danger he was in His fears were the sa order

But he continued before she could reassure him

“I can guess ill happen, but it doesn’t seem to matter, because I’” His hands tightened on her waist “You should have leftinto her “It was not pleasant—yet Providence does not grant all its creatures a pretty and painless deh for mine But you came and fished me out, and now”

He let go abruptly and stepped back “It’s too late”

He was in no state to listen to reassurances, Gwendolyn saw If he was angry with himself and didn’t trust that self, he was not likely to trust anything she said He would believe she was huh he were a child

And so she gave a brisk, businesslike nod “That sounds like a yes to ment, evidently, but a yes all the same”

“Yes, drat you—drat the lot of you—I’ll do it,” he growled

“I alad to hear it,” she said

“Glad, indeed You’re desperate for your hospital, and I’m the answer to your maidenly prayers” He turned away “I’m desperate, too, it seeree to randmother, Devil confound me”

He strode down the pathway to the house

Chapter 3

DORIAN MADE STRAIGHT for the library, the red-haired witch close on his heels

He flung the door open

Abonville was pacing in front of the fireplace

Genevieve was reading a book