The Tiger Within Read Online Free Page A

things!”
    He took her hand and kissed it. “Do not be ashamed. It is the most pleasant aroma I have ever encountered. My only fear is that I may not be the only one affected by it,” he said as he gazed out over the room. “I must ask that you remain near your father or myself tonight. There are many enemies here this evening, and there are few here who would attempt to stop them.”
    Fear deepened her voice as she turned again to face the room. “Tell me who I can trust.”
    “Lord and Lady Featherton are of our kind and can be trusted. I fear I do not know many of the others. Have a care tonight. Do not stand too close to the outer doors. I will watch you at all times. The humans will not seek to harm you, but neither will they step in to help should you need it.”
    “How will I know the difference?”
    “The ladies are easy. Those who are mated will bare the mark of their mate. It is not easy to see unless you are looking. There will be four small circles on the neck where it meets the shoulder usually on the left side.” As he said it he ran a finger over the area on her neck. Amelia felt light headed. She closed her eyes as pleasure rushed through her. He continued to stroke her neck as he continued to speak. “Those with out the mark are either human or unmated and just as good as human. Stay with those ladies. There are at least six gentlemen here who are interested in you and they are not all of our kind, but enough like us to know our ways. Be careful….” He trailed off when her low moan reached his ears and the scent of her release clouded his senses.
    Henry turned Amelia around to face him. The sight of her almost made him lose control of his own desires. Her eyes were dark with desire. Her cheeks were flushed. She licked her lips and stared up at him.
    “God,” he groaned. “You will be the death of me.” He bent to kiss her, but before their lips met Amelia was wrenched from him and her father’s irate voice broke through the sensual fog.
    “What in Hell are you about? Are you going to toss up her skirts and have done with it here in the middle of Featherton’s dining hall? I would think you would practice a bit more restraint. Instead her scent has attracted the attention of every male in the room. Is she to suffer for your lack of restraint?”
    Henry felt heat surge up his neck. He was a fool. He meant to protect Amelia and instead he had brought her to the attention of every changeling in the room. The sweet scent of her release hung in the air around her in an intoxicating cloud that would stir the lust of any who encountered it.
    “You have my deepest apologies Lord Euston, Lady Amelia. I assure you this was not my intent. I did not realize how susceptible she would be to my touch.”
    Lord Euston then turned to his daughter. “You will behave yourself. You will stay with me or your mother until dinner is concluded and then we will depart. I can honestly say I am displeased with you at this moment, more than any time in your life.”
    Tears brimmed Amelia’s eyes as shame filled her. “I am sorry Papa.”
    “Yes, I can see that,” he sighed. “You must try to close your mind to them. They will overwhelm you if given the chance. They will all try to convince you that you are too warm and you need air or something similar to get you outside.” He looked at her with concern on his face. “It will not be pleasant for you if they do. You cannot leave the house for any reason. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, Papa.”
    The quiver in her voice caused anger to surge into Henry with such force that he could feel his fangs descending. With a force he did not know he possessed he controlled the urge to rip Lord Euston’s throat out. He had hurt Amelia. Henry took Amelia by the arm and turned her around to face him again. He lifted her chin to force her to look at him. The shame he saw there almost unmanned him.
    “Amelia. What just happened was my fault. You did nothing wrong. I did not