Beware of the Beast Read Online Free

which he indulged. A man whose appearance repelled those women he would want to attract, and who had to resort to blackmail to get himself a wife. The reality came almost as a relief.
    This man was tall, more than six feet, she guessed, with a broad muscular frame. His skin was darker than was normal for an Englishman, and she wondered if there was some Greek blood there somewhere. Straight dark hair lay thickly against his scalp. He was not handsome, but his hard features did have a certain attraction. He was immaculately dressed for the city in a dark blue pinstripe suit, the jacket unfastened to reveal the matching waistcoat beneath, the pants moulding the powerful muscles of his thighs.
    In those first few seconds, Charlotte found disbelief uppermost in her thoughts. This could not be Alex Faulkner, could h? No man who looked like he did, who had such superb s- eif -confidence, whose eyes seemed to penetrate to the very core of her being, could seriously consider buying himself a wife. Could he?
    Gathering herself with difficulty, she realized he was waiting for her to speak. Laura, too, was watching her strangely, and Charlotte felt the hot colour running up her throat to her face. Oh, yes, she decided, with sudden insight. This was Alex Faulkner. This was exactly the sort of thing he would do to disconcert her.
    "I - you are - Mr. Faulkner?" she enquired coolly.
    "That's right." His eyes assessed her insolently. "And you must be Charlotte."
    Charlotte! Charlotte's indignation hardened. For a few moments she had allowed his appearance to disconcert her, and now he thought he had the upper hand. Well, he was w rong! This was still the man who had forced her father to sign that contract, still the man who had driven her father to his death ! Bitterness surged inside her.
    "What are you doing here, Mr. Faulkner?" she demanded.
    "An unnecessary question, don't you think? As you asked to see me," he returned smoothly. Then he looked at Laura. "You can go. I want to talk to Miss Mortimer alone."
    "I'll dismiss Laura, as and when I choose," exclaimed
    Charlotte angrily, putting a detaining hand on the older woman's arm.
    He inclined his head. "If you wish to discuss our affaii in front of your housekeeper, that's all right with me. How ever, don't you think she might find it rather embarrassing?"
    Charlotte pressed her lips frustratedly together. Then she gave a helpless little shake of her head. "All right, Laura," she said, her hand falling to her side. "Thank you."
    Laura moved reluctantly towards the french doors, glancing back doubtfully, and following her Alex Faulkner said: "You can fetch us some coffee - Laura, isn't it? Then you can reassure yourself that I'm not a rapist - or worse."
    Laura's mouth opened in a gasp, but she said nothing, and Charlotte indicated that she should do as she had been asked. Then they were alone, and her heart refused to slow its exhausting pace.
    Alex Faulkner turned and looked at her, then he gestured towards the french doors. "Shall we go inside?" he suggested coolly. "I would not expect you to want our conversation to be overheard."
    "Don't you mean you don't want it to be overheard?" she burst out hotly, and his mouth turned down at the corners.
    "My dear Charlotte, if you want to discuss your father's addictions out here, that's perfectly all right by me."
    Charlotte glanced round apprehensively. Although his voice was deep, it was very clear and succinct, and he had spoken in just a slightly raised tone deliberately.
    "Oh, come inside," she exclaimed angrily, and brushed past him into the lounge.
    He followed rather more slowly, looking about him with evident interest, and unable to prevent herself, she said: "Assessing your property? I believe you'll get quite a good price for it these days !"
    Alex closed the french doors and leant back against them, "You've decided to sell, then?"
    " I’ve decided? Don't you mean you have?"
    "No." Alex shook his head. "This house is yours, as is