Enter The Brethren (The Brethren of the Coast) Read Online Free

ear, “I cannot think of a more appropriate place.”
    The topic, she recalled, was that he wanted her to be his mistress.  She’d heard tales of wild abandon concerning her brother, his friends, and their courtesans, so her current predicament was not so much cause for concern in regard to her safety as it was for her reputation.  The sole function of a mistress was to provide his relief.  While she did not know the exact details, the mechanics, she had a general idea what was involved.  Problem was, despite what he thought, she was no courtesan.
    Oh, my .
    “Trevor--or should I address you as Captain?”
    With a countenance she would characterize as...wolfish, he tapped a finger to the tip of her nose.  “Call me whatever you wish.”
    Several possible addresses popped into her head.
    Rake.
    Darling.
    Mine.
    Of course, that was neither possible nor realistic, even in light of her past humiliation, because her family would never consider Trevor suitable marriage material, not that she wanted to marry him.  In a flash, images of her mother and brother appeared before her, and one word claimed her thoughts to the detriment of all else.
    Forbidden.
    “Captain, please, release me.”  Caroline squirmed in his embrace and tried not to contemplate the firm body pressed to hers.  “It is very difficult to concentrate on the matter at hand while lying abed with you.”
    “Really?  And why is that?”  His baritone poured over her as honey on a hot scone, and the expression on his face was one of wicked thoughts, similar to hers no doubt.  “Could it be that you want me as I want you?”
    “Captain--I mean, Trevor, do you have to do that?”  She swatted at his hand, which was stroking her flesh, in a pathetic attempt to cease the unwarranted but maddeningly delightful attention.  “I can’t think.”
    In silence, Caroline rebuked herself and struggled to suppress her reaction.  What mystical power did this man possess to affect her so?  Good heavens, it was an effort just to breathe.  What on earth had Dalton been thinking, divulging her presence to such a dangerous individual?
    With a chuckle, he released his hold on her and crossed his arms behind his head.  “All right, my lady, if you insist on thinking and talking, pray, continue.”
    Resituating her robe, Caroline scrambled for the foot of the bed and what she considered relative safety as her toes hit the floor.  Of course, her frazzled sense of duty would improve if she would stop ogling his chiseled chest and broad shoulders.  Could the man not put on clothes?
    Because she could resist anything but temptation.
    “Trevor, I am flattered by your offer--”
    “Flattery was not my intention.”  He sat upright, and the sheet dropped to his hips.
    Positive she was going to faint at any moment, Caroline blinked and turned her back to him.  It should be a crime for a man to be so beautiful.  She had known him a short while and yet he already made her want to be bad.  Problem was, she was not sure what being bad with the handsome captain entailed.
    “My singular thought was of the mutual pleasure and comfort we could share while journeying to London.  I doubt a woman of your profession would be offended by the suggestion, and I do not think your benefactor would mind.  In fact, he would be grateful you saw fit to compensate me in his stead.”
    She peered at him over her shoulder.  “C-compensate?”
    “Yes.”  Trevor smiled.  “In lieu of funds for your safe passage to London.  Actually, Randolph hinted he would be amenable to such an agreement.”
    Shoulders squared, Caroline faced him.  “H-he did?”  It was too ridiculous.  Dalton knew she could not give herself to this man.  Perhaps her friend had been attempting a ruse, because the truth would have garnered both of them a sea of trouble.  Drowning in a mix of confusion and fear, she chewed her lip, a nervous habit she had long suffered since childhood and had failed to