Page 78 of Her Beast

“I would like to see them.”

The flush on her cheeks was lovely to behold. “Oh. Well. I’m not sure—er, perhaps.”

They turned to watch as four footmen entered, each bearing large platters.

“Thank you,” he said to James several minutes later, once the food had been laid out. “I will ring if we need anything.”

Malcolm uncovered a tureen, the mingled aroma of oysters, butter, and heavy cream teasing his nostrils. “Oyster bisque.” He lifted the lid on a second tureen. “Or consommé.”

“The oyster bisque looks delicious, but I really shouldn’t.”

“Whyever not?”

She laughed. “Very well. You’ve convinced me—I’ll take the bisque, please.”

He served them both and watched from beneath lowered lashes as she took a dainty sip and then sighed with a sensual contentment that guaranteed Maisie would be earning her keep later tonight.

“Why shouldn’t you have oyster bisque?” he repeated.

“I’ve been eating far too much.”

Malcolm thought back to the small portions he’d seen on her plate at their last breakfast. “What do you eat at home?”

“My usual meal consists of dry toast, a thin slice of ham, a bit of potato, and as much water as I care to consume.”

He lowered his spoon without tasting the soup. “But …why?”

“My stepmother says I am fat.” Her lips flexed into a wry smile.

Malcolm struggled to suppress the sudden blast of fury he felt toward an idiotic woman he’d never even met.

Once he’d regained control of his temper he said, “Doyouthink you are fat?”

“I’m not as thin as she is, but… no, I think her expectations are unreasonable. She has always been rigid about slimming me, but she is frantic lately, worried that I shan’t fit into my wedding gown.”

Malcolm’s anger at Nadine Harlow boiled over into genuine loathing. What sort of vile bitch would starve a person under their care?

As for Tommy, what sort of father would allow it?

He glared down at his soup, grappling with his emotions. When he looked up, he found her watching him. “Not that my opinion matters, Julia, but I think you are perfection.”

Her lips parted and a soft puff of air escaped. “Oh.” A beautiful blush spread over her cheeks and she lowered her gaze, a shy smile curving her lips. “Thank you, Malcolm.”

∞∞∞

Dinner had been … illuminating.

Sitting so near him Julia had been able to see the corner of his mouth that was usually shadowed by the mask. The skin was puckered and dark pink and when he smiled, as he’d done several times, only the right side moved.

Julia decided his smile was quite charming. In fact,hewas quite charming.

An image assaulted her like a slap: Malcolm as he’d been the night before—his eyeless mask facing her—his leather-clad hands buried in the woman’s golden hair holding her immobile, his erection thrusting up between his trousered thighs, red and hard and slick, his hips pumping—

Julia shook her head to banish the image. She felt as if he had reached into her mind and plucked out her darkest, deepest desires. Desires so deeply hidden thatJuliahadn’t known they existed.

If she went down that corridor again who knew what else she might see?

I never thought you were a coward!

---