Flight to Verechenko Read Online Free Page A

gentleman. The evening cloak he was now idly adjusting was lined with a gleam of silk, but there was nothing of the dandy about his face. The nose was strong, the cheek-bones high; the near-black eyes intimidating.
    Catherine brushed a stray curl back into place and was aware that her hand was trembling. ‘Thank you,’ she said again, feeling the colour rise in her cheeks.
    The expression on his face changed as his gaze travelled over her. Her hair had become unpinned in her flight and fell in wild disarray about her shoulders. Her breasts still heaved as she fought to regain control of her breathing. White teeth flashed in a sudden, devastating smile.
    â€˜You’re too beautiful to be on the streets,’ he said, eyeing her appreciatively. ‘Change your profession before you get hurt or murdered.’
    She gasped, hardly able to believe her ears.
    â€˜How dare you!’ she cried, raising her hand to deliver a stinging blow to his cheek. He moved swiftly, catching her wrist in a steel-like grip, his eyes hot and dark as he bent his head, kissing her until she lost her breath in the passion of his mouth. Heat surged through her body as his lips seared hers, his body pinioning her against the cold damp of the wall.
    As suddenly as he had seized her he released her, gazing down at her with a mixture of amusement and regret, chucking her under the chin with insulting intimacy, before striding off into the darkness.
    As his footsteps faded, Catherine remained against the wall, leaning on it for support, her heart beating widly and irregularly. Slowly she raised a trembling hand to her burning lips. Only Robert had ever kissed her: and not even he had done so with such indecent thoroughness. Shame suffused her. Why, with his lips on hers, had she not struggled to be free? The answer brought the blood stinging to her cheeks. She had not struggled to be free because she had not desired to be free. With a sob she picked up her skirts and began to run in the direction of the Oversley town house.
    On reaching it she rapped on the door with an unsteady hand. A frightened looking maid promised to bring Caroline down, leaving Catherine shivering in the hallway. A few minutes later Caroline was swearing the maid to secrecy and ushering a dishevelled Catherine into the drawing room.
    â€˜Whatever has happened, Catherine?’ Caroline asked, her violet-blue eyes wide and shocked.
    Catherine’s body still felt as if it were on fire, throbbing with an emotion she was powerless to control. She said with difficulty, ‘They want me to marry Dominic and I won’t. I’m going to my grandmother in Paris. I haven’t any money of my own, Caroline. I thought you might be able to help me.’
    Caroline gazed round-eyed at the bruises on Catherine’s wrists. ‘Did Dominic do that to you?’
    Catherine gazed down at the bruises and flushed.
    â€˜No. I came through the alley and a man followed me.’ Her voice began to shake. ‘ He stole my purse and then …’
    Caroline stared, horrified.
    â€˜He was going to … I feel sick, Caroline.’
    Hastily Caroline poured her a brandy.
    â€˜He was touching me, pressing against me.’ She shuddered. ‘Someone heard me scream. He pulled the man off.’
    â€˜And?’ Caroline asked, mesmerised.
    â€˜And that was all.’ She fought down the memory of her rescuer. Of the feel of his body against hers. Of the claiming, unhesitant mouth. Of her shameless response.
    â€˜Are you feeling all right?’ Caroline asked curiously. ‘ You’re trembling.’
    â€˜It’s nothing,’ Catherine lied, the blood surging through her body in a red-hot tide. ‘Can you get me the money, Caroline?’
    â€˜Yes. But you are making a big mistake, Catherine. If Dominic wants to marry you, you should leap at the chance. I would.’
    â€˜What! Marry a man so that he can return home the prodigal