head.
“Thank you.”
As if thoroughly aware of her inner struggle, the devil lifted his brows in a faintly mocking manner.
“Do you not wish to count it?”
“That will not be necessary.”
“So trusting, my dove?”
“You will not be difficult to track down if I discover you have attempted to cheat me.”
“There is that,” he agreed with a chuckle. “When may I take possession of the rooms?”
Although not always meticulously devoted to truth if a small bit of subterfuge was more practical, Jocelyn discovered herself unable to form the lie that would allow her a few days’ grace from Mr. Valin’s presence.
Not that it truly mattered.
She would no doubt merely waste the days brooding upon what was to come. Surely this was like swallowing vile medicine. It was best to be done with quickly.
“The rooms have been cleaned and prepared,” she forced herself to admit. “You may have them whenever you desire.”
“Good. I will collect my belongings and be here later this afternoon.”
This afternoon.
She absolutely refused to shiver again.
“What of your cousin?” she demanded. “Will he not shoot you when you return for your belongings?”
“I have it on excellent authority that he devoted the goodly portion of the evening to his current mistress. It will be several hours before he awakens.”
She unconsciously grimaced. “I see.”
An odd hint of satisfaction touched the handsome countenance. “You disapprove of such pleasurable pastimes, Miss Kingly?”
Jocelyn was swift to smooth her features to calm indifference. “I do not possess sufficient interest to disapprove, Mr. Valin.”
His lips twisted wryly. “No, of course not.”
Having strained her nerves quite far enough for one morning, Jocelyn rose to her feet.
“I believe we have covered everything, Mr. Valin.”
Efficiently dismissed, the tawny-haired gentleman reluctantly pushed himself from his chair.
“I shall return in a few hours,” he was swift to warn.
Jocelyn, however, was prepared on this occasion.
“If you have need of anything, please speak with Meg. She is quite capable and is in full control of the household.”
The golden eyes narrowed as she easily maneuvered him firmly into the hands of her servant.
“More capable than you, Miss Kingly?” he demanded in those husky tones.
“Without a doubt.” With a crisp nod of her head she regained her seat and reached for her ledger book.
“Good-bye, Mr. Valin.”
He remained standing beside the desk, but as she kept her gaze upon the pages of her accounts, he at last gave a low chuckle.
“Until later, my dear.”
Jocelyn maintained her charade of distraction until she at last heard the sound of the door closing behind his retreating form. Only then did she lean back in her seat and close her eyes in an odd weariness.
There would be dinner on the table tonight.
But what was the cost?
And was she prepared to pay it?
ZEBRA BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2003 by Debbie Raleigh
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
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ISBN: 978-1-4201-2960-1
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