Virginia Henley Read Online Free Page A

the long run. Now, I’ll be at the Falcon tomorrow and the Gibraltar the next day, if you need me.”
    He went into the millyard and unlocked the gates to let himself out. “Billy, why are these bloody gates always locked?” he asked the outside overseer.
    “Orders, sir. I unlock the gates at five-thirty and lock ’em again at six sharp.”
    “But what if someone was late? They couldn’t get in,” Patrick pointed out.
    “That’s the idea. They don’t work if they’re late. That way they aren’t late a second time. My orders are not to unlock them again until six o’clock at night.”
    “Well, here’s some new orders for you, Billy. When you unlock these gates at five-thirty, don’t lock them again until everyone has gone home. It’s a mill, not a bloody prison!”
    Later that evening Patrick let himself into the flat of Dolly Worthing; he had been paying for the flat the past six months. She was a pretty blond widow, well endowed with seductive curves.
    “Why, Patrick, darling, I wasn’t expecting you tonight.”
    He looked at her breasts, barely concealed beneath the filmy material of her negligee. He cocked an eyebrow and said, “Who were you expecting?”
    “Why, no one, of course. Patrick, you are a vexing creature. You haven’t been here for over a week, and then youcome in and accuse me of being unfaithful.” She pouted prettily.
    “The thought never entered my mind until you put it there.”
    He had no illusions about Dolly. She would be faithful only as long as it suited her purpose. If she could find someone richer she would move along without a backward glance, he thought. But in truth he didn’t give enough credit where it was due, because Dolly was mad for him. He was easily the most accomplished lover she had ever known, even though he always kept a part of himself aloof so that never, even in their most intimate moments, did he give himself completely. He poured himself a brandy, then pulled three or four envelopes from his breast pocket and threw them down on the sofa beside her. “What the devil are these, Doily?”
    “My letters. When you didn’t come I wrote asking you what was wrong.”
    “Do you realize how irritating it is to be pursued and questioned about my whereabouts continually?”
    She moved close to him and put back her head so that her lips invited him. Instead of kissing her he sipped his brandy reflectively. She was piqued; determined to arouse him, she slipped her hand down his thigh until it came to rest on the bulge at his crotch. He was easily aroused, but not nearly so easily as she herself. “Finish your brandy and come to bed,” she whispered. He didn’t appear to be in any hurry, so she slipped out of her negligee and stood before him naked. If only he would be subservient as other men had been. She wanted him at her feet, declaring undying love for the favors she would grant him, but he was too arrogant, too sure of himself for his own good. He put down his glass and followed her into the bedroom. He undressed slowly. She couldn’t wait and helped him with avid fingers. His arms went around her and he kissed her slowly, expertly. She wasall over him, kissing, stroking, cupping him. He lay back with his hands under his head.
    “What’s the matter, Patrick?” she asked, breathing heavily.
    “Nothing. When you’re in this mood, I might as well lie back and let you do all the work; after all, that’s what I’m paying you for.”
    It was like a slap in the face. Hurt and angry, she withdrew immediately.
    “That’s better,” he said quietly, and set to work to win her back into a loving mood. “I enjoy the pursuit, Dolly.”
    Afterward, as her breasts began to soften in the aftermath of pleasure, he caressed her and murmured, “What kind of a present would you like?”
    She hesitated for only a second, “What I would really like, Patrick, is to go to London with you next time you go.”
    He stiffened. “That’s impossible! My sister is being