The Earl's Desire Read Online Free Page A

she saw a single slit of light coming from somewhere. Squinting to adjust to the darkness of her surroundings, she scanned around and caught sight of the beautifully embroidered twin peacocks on the blanket. It’s beautiful , she thought, nothing like she had ever seen before. She gazed long and hard at it, admiring it, memorizing the picture within her mind.
    A shadow moved, drawing her attention. She narrowed her eyes at the silhouette. That was when she saw it advancing toward her slowly. She realized it was of a man, strong and powerful, and oddly enough, she did not feel threaten by him. Rather, she was curious.
    He stopped at the side of the bed. She blinked, and her heart started to dance fast within her chest. She could feel him looking at her, as if he was assessing her, feasting upon the sight of her.
    Suddenly, he was beside her on the bed, and that was when Christine panicked. She tried to get up and run but couldn’t. Her mouth opened to scream for help, but no sound came out. What was going on? Why couldn’t she move? She fought to get out of the bed and run for her life.
    At last she was free, but as she prepared to jump, a large, strong hand seized her arm. She was swung around roughly, and her face hit against a massive, hard chest. Before she had time to struggle, she was back on the bed, her head resting on the soft pillow and the weight of a man on top of her.
    He lowered his head toward her, though she couldn’t see anything of his face. This man was so powerful; she didn’t have the strength to fight him. And she didn’t want to fight him at all. His head continued to her neck. His hand came down to her breasts. He captured one in his large hand and squeezed it.
    She went still, her head spun, and something down in the pit of her womanhood awakened.
    “ No,” she whispered. Why did she say that, she wondered stupidly.
    The shadowy giant lifted his head up. Though it was very dark, and she couldn’t see anything of him, she could sense him staring down at her.
    He whispered near her ear, “You’ll be mine soon.”
    She trembled weakly, listening to him laughing at her, though she couldn’t hear any sound at all.
    He kissed her. She shook her head, discouraging him. He was persistent, forcing her lips to open. Scared, she started to kick and scream for help. She struggled to get free, screaming again and again.
    “ No, let go. Help!”
    “ Christine! Christine!”
    “ Help!” she shouted.
    “ Christine! Wake up, Christine!”
    She opened her eyes and saw the shadowy figure of a boy’s face above her.
    “ Tyson!” she cried, her voice shaking with terror. She shot up and hugged him, looking around wildly for the big man, but he was nowhere in the room. As her heart slowed its furious beating, she realized it had only been a nightmare.
    It had seemed very real though.
    “ What was it, Christine? What happened?” the boy asked in concern.
    Christine tried to calm herself down. She shut her eyes for a moment and breathed in and out slowly. “It was nothing important, Tyson,” she said, looking at her adopted brother now. “It was just a nightmare.”
    Tyson peered at her pale face. “You don’t look well. Was it that bad?”
    “ Was what that bad?” she asked in confusion.
    “ The beating. It must have been if you’re having nightmares because of it. Well, I’ll show him—I’ll beat him back one day.”
    Christine blushed, embarrassed because her nightmare actually had nothing to do with the beating . Or did it?
    “ Did I wake you?” She changed the subject.
    “ Yes, you were screaming for help. I don’t think you woke Grandmamma and Grandpapa though—they’re a bit deaf. And anyway, your screaming wasn’t that loud. You sounded more like you were crying or something.”
    “ I’m sorry I woke you, but I’m glad no one else woke up. Look, it’s still dark. You should go back to sleep now.”
    Tyson didn’t move. He peered closer, searching her flushed face. “Did he