Page 137 of Historical Hotties
“Defend yourself against what?”
“Their slander.”
He opened his mouth to reply but thought better of it. She probably truly believed that they were slandering her for a darker, evil purpose. Her only history with the English was not a trusting and pleasant one. With a heavy sigh, for he was quite weary himself, he hunted down the nearest chair. Carington watched him closely, taking no notice of the decidedly feminine chamber around her. Creed seated himself in a simple oak chair that groaned under his substantial weight.
“Come here.” He motioned with a crooked finger.
She was defiant. “Why?”
“Just come here.”
“I’m not going to if ye’re planning on whacking my behind again.”
“If I have to stand up to get you then I will most certainly whack your behind.”
She pursed her lips, torn between anger and reluctance. But her resistance lasted only a split second before she wandered in his direction, coming to within arm’s length of the chair. She would obey, but certainly not willingly. Her little fists were still on her hips.
“Well?”
Quick as a flash, he reached out and snatched her. Before Carington could protest, she was seated upon his lap, snuggly secured by his enormous arms. His handsome face was a few inches from her and she went from furious to breathless in lessthan a second. Emerald eyes gazed with surprise at sensual, dusky blue. She struggled, though not with much effort.
“Now,” he voice was low and breathy. “There are a few things we are going to establish here and now. You will listen to me, you will comprehend, and you will obey. Is that clear?”
Her heart was doing that odd leaping thing again, only now it was so violent she could hardly take a breath. In fact, her entire body seemed to be quivering, a weird sort of heat flooding her limbs. It was not enough to dissolve her resistance entirely, but her struggles stopped.
“Ye’re not my master, Creed de Reyne,” she snapped, without force. “Ye canna command me about.”
He lifted an eyebrow at her, realizing above all else that she was too close, too tempting. What had started as a disciplinary move had turned into something else, something warm and inviting, and he struggled to stay on task.
“Aye, I can and I will,” he replied. “You will obey me or you will meet with many more whackings in addition to the one you just received. Is this in any way unclear?”
Her emerald eyes darkened. He could see that she very much wanted to refute him. But she nodded reluctantly and looked away. “What, then?”
He fought off a grin at her pouting face, which he found himself studying at very close range. She was magnificent.
“I warned you that Edward and Gilbert were a handful,” he said quietly. “They are young, spoiled lads and will do anything they can to get a rise out of you. And it is not just you; they do it to everyone. It is a game with them; the more you respond, the more insults they will hurl. They are looking for a physical altercation.”
She looked back at him, somewhat surprised. “But they’re so young. Why would they do this?”
Creed shook his head. “The baron has raised his sons to be fearless. But it has only bred confrontation. Lady Anne is probably the only one who can control them, but she cannot always. Know that these boys are beyond punishment and reproach, so you would do well to avoid them at all costs. However, if you cannot avoid them, you must at least keep your temper. Exploding at them as you did will only feed their frenzy.”
She looked at him as if he were insane. “Those little boys are monsters.”
“Aye, they are. Remember that.”
“So I will. And what of the girls? I saw no friendliness in them.”
He sighed, settling her in his lap and somehow pulling her closer. Carington ended up with one arm around his shoulder to support the angle at which she was sitting. They were, in fact, very close and enjoying the comfort without being wildly aware of it.
“Julia is the problem,” he said quietly. “She is spoiled and petty. Kristina can be sweet, but she becomes swept up in Julia’s demands. She is the weaker of the two. And you will be sharing this room with them so you must learn to deal politely with them.”
For the first time, Carington looked around, seeing the three beds in the chamber; two were tucked over against the western wall while the third, hers she assumed, was situated in an alcove directly below a large lancet window. Though there was an oilcloth covering, she could see that she would be subject to whatever weather blew in from the window. It was not the most desirable place in the room. She suspected her new roommates had put the bed there for a reason.
A great many things were coming clear to her. Monstrous children, conceited wards… and she was thrust into the middleof it. Closing her eyes briefly, all of the fight and resistance abruptly left her.
“Oh… English,” she sighed as if everything had just come crashing down on her. “What is it ye’ve brought me to?”
He could see the defeat in her face and he leaned forward, resting his chin on her shoulder. “You are strong, Cari. I know you can deal with this. It will just take time. But please; as a personal favor to me, keep your tongue and your control. You are made of better things.”
