Savage storm Read Online Free Page A

I will be on my own for the rest of my life so I might as well begin tonight. Surely there is one hotel where I'll be safe, even if the other patrons are boisterous."
    Displeased that she'd argue, Jason raised his voice to a commanding tone. "Miss MacLaren, I told you I do feel responsible for your welfare. We will go around to the rear entrance and up the back stairs to my room. I will sleep on the couch in the drawing room and that way I'll be certain you are safe. No one will know you slept in my room unless you tell them so, which I trust you have sense enough not to do."
    Stung by this rebuke which she regarded as being totally unwarranted, Gabrielle lashed back at him sarcastically. "I've had little need to practice the kind of discretion you're suggesting, Mr. Royal, but I understand why it is to your advantage to protect my reputation."
    Jason began to swear, then caught himself before he pronounced a filthy word that he knew would upset Gabrielle even more. He didn't know what had gone wrong between them after they'd spent such a pleasant evening, but something definitely had. Rather than waste time on apologizing, he continued around to the rear of the hotel and then, taking the adjacent stairway, led Gabrielle to the door of his room. He placed her satchel at his feet as he took the key from his pocket, but when he heard someone approaching he hurriedly unlocked his door and nearly shoved the startled young woman inside, grabbing her valise before he followed her into the room. The covers of the high iron bed had been turned down by

    the maid and the lamp had been Ht, these courtesies lent the room a romantic mood which he attempted unsuccessfully to ignore.
    "What have you packed in this bag? Surely your clothing is not so heavy!" He carried it to the foot of the bed before turning to face her with a far from friendly glance.
    Gabrielle untied her bonnet and removed her gloves, placing both on the marble-topped dresser as she replied. "I imagine it is the books which make it such a burden. I should have packed them separately.''
    "Books?" Jason was puzzled as to why she'd need more than a Bible which was the only book most people had in their homes. "Do you enjoy reading so much?"
    Gabrielle laughed at his confusion. "Why of course, don't you.'
    "I know how to read," Jason declared promptly, but seeing that did not satisfy her curiosity, he asked, "What sort of books did you bring?"
    "Poetry mostly, a volume of Shakespeare, a novel or two, just my favorites, for I know the winters are long and amusements will be few." That they were standing in his bedroom conversing politely about literature struck her as being ironic since she'd not wanted to take his room in the first place, let alone entertain him there.
    "Do you honestly think any of the farmers, one of whom might soon be your husband, will be interested in such a pastime?" Jason asked with a sly grin, but Gabrielle misunderstood his remark.
    "Just because a man makes his living from the land does not mean he is stupid, Mr. Royal. I have always planned to be a farmer's bride. Should the man I marry not know how to read I will teach him, and read to him myself while I do."
    Thinking he'd be wise to let her think that had been the intent of his question in the first place, Jason agreed. "I am certain he'll appreciate your instruction and be a wonderful pupil. Miss MacLaren." Deciding a strictly professional

    attitude was the best choice, he gathered up the things he*d need for the morning and started for the door which connected that room to the drawing room. "I will bid you good night now; you'll find this a comfortable room and FU see you tomorrow at ten."
    "Mr. Royal?" Gabrielle followed him to the door, afraid she had offended him by being so reluctant to accept his hospitality. "I want to thank you 2igain for taking me to dinner, and for giving me your room. I didn't mean to appear ungrateful. You have been very considerate, particularly when I'm not even