Dare to be Mine (12 page)

In truth, were it not for his current
he whispered harshlyed to ">CHAPTER obsession with the beautiful Revee, Daniel might have jumped at the chance for
a reunion with Abegail. She’d been quite the pleasant surprise in bed. Indeed,
had nearly forced him to his limits. "Abegail, I will not set up a
clandestine meeting with the wife of a business associate right after dining in
his home."

"That didn't bother you last
year," she purred, taking a step closer to Daniel. She rubbed her arms at
the cold breeze blowing, for the threat of an early winter had seemed to
intrude almost overnight. Daniel's coat looked cozily inviting and Abegail
longed to wrap herself inside with him.

"A year ago I barely knew
Bernard."

"You knew I was married to
him," Abegail rebuffed. “And we had the most incredible night together.
The best I ever had,” she added breathlessly.

"I am certain we did," Daniel
replied, not wishing to confess that although she’d been a spectacular lay, the
night had been no more memorable than a dozen or so other women he'd fucked.
"But I must leave now. Thank you for having me over tonight. I had a
wonderful time." Daniel nearly laughed aloud at the confused look on
Abegail’s face at his formal goodbye.

"Send for me," she insisted as
Daniel turned to walk away. "I don't care when or where, just send for me.
You will not regret it, darling!" Coming to her senses, Abegail turned and
went back inside before any of the guests missed her. Already she anticipated
the coming liaison and doubted she would have a peaceful night's rest until she
was able to see Daniel again.

Abegail already forgotten, Daniel had
the driver stop at the given location for the Monroes’ residence. The house was
charming, if not overly large, and Daniel was glad to see it still appeared
well lit, a certain sign the occupants were still up. He supposed it was nearly
ten o'clock by now, not bothering to check his pocket watch, for regardless of
the time, Daniel meant to see if this was the correct Monroe or not.

____________________

  breathing quickenedthi

Elyssa brushed her hair again,
dissatisfied with the reflection gazing back at her. Percy's hurtful words came
back to mind for the hundredth time and Elyssa critiqued her appearance as she
supposed Percy must see her.

Hearing the abrupt knocking at her door
once again, Elyssa's lips curved upward and she figured it to be her younger
sister and brothers again. Elyssa called out that she would be out shortly to
say goodnight. They were enjoying her visit immensely, the same closeness
they'd all shared before Elyssa had gotten married still vivid.

Her sister, Rachel, was rather quiet
around Elyssa although she seemed to look up to her older sister as a kind of
goddess. Being several years younger than Elyssa, Rachel was just beginning to
take a genuine interest in young men. And it was obvious they were fast
becoming drawn to her, for Rachel was turning out to be a veritable beauty just
like her sister.

Giving Rachel the best advice she could
offer, Elyssa told her she must be adamant about marrying a man of her own
choosing, and not agree to an unwanted match else she would regret it forever.
Rachel sensed her sister's sadness but didn't want to
pry,
knowing that if Elyssa wished to confide in her, she would do so.

Elyssa was grateful that the maid had a
fire going, for her bedroom was large and it seemed winter had arrived
unexpectedly. The coziness of the fire warmed Elyssa and she smiled contentedly
as she prepared to go to bed early.

The visit with her parents was going as
well as could be expected. The touch of bitterness embedded in Elyssa's heart
was slowing giving way to pity, for it was clear her parents were not very
bright when it came to finances. They had made the wrong choice in wedding her
to Percy, but it was clear they loved their eldest child and were pleased to
have Elyssa stay as long as she wanted, by their own words.

When Elyssa asked her parents why they
hadn't come to Greystone for a visit, they replied that they hadn't received an
invitation and assumed that their daughter was so deliriously happy she didn't
have time or thought for anyone but her new husband. Unsure whether they could
be that naive, or if that was just a convenient excuse, Elyssa put it behind
her and decided not to confide the unhappy state of her wretched marriage.

As it turned out, Percy was correct. It
had been the right thing to do, visiting her family. In fact, when her week was
up in a couple more days, Elyssa might not wish to return to Greystone after
all. Perhaps she would st
disappearg">CHAPTER ay with her family an additional week or so. She would
decide when the time came.

Setting her brush down, Elyssa donned a
lavender robe to match her modest nightgown. Not bothering to wear the dainty
matching slippers, Elyssa enjoyed the feel of the cold floor beneath her feet.
Winter had always been her favorite season. She loved Christmastime and the
hopes and dreams of the New Year. She loved the biting chill of a winter wind
caressing her body, only to head to the solace of the indoors and snuggle
beneath the warmth of a thick blanket.

Contentedly humming a soft tune as she
cautiously made her way to the stairs, Elyssa glanced about covertly, for she
knew her younger brothers were playing
tag
with her. The secret knock
they'd signaled upon her door moments past had informed her of their
intentions.

The front door downstairs was the base,
and although Elyssa's mother scolded her for being so unladylike, she was
nonetheless pleased to see her children having a good time together. Many was
the time over the past four days that the maid or butler had gone off muttering
or shaking their heads in amusement as one or more of the children came
speeding past them in effort to reach the safety of the front door before their
sister was able to tag them.

Halfway down the hallway, Elyssa spied
her youngest brother, Noel, peeking from behind his bedroom door. Her eyes lit
up and as Elyssa began to give chase, Noel's quick legs took off in front of
her, his feet barely touching the floor as he barely escaped his sister’s
clutches. Elyssa's laughter floated behind him and her six year old brother's
steps became even more rushed.

_________________

Having gained little information from
the butler, Daniel was beginning to get a bit agitated. Once more, Daniel
insisted on speaking with the Viscount Monroe but was told he was out at his
club for the evening. "Is this the same Viscount Monroe whose daughter
recently wed the Earl Percy Fredrickson?"

"Yes, milord," the butler
answered hesitantly.font-size:0.83rem;
hi dow

Finally,
Daniel
mused inwardly,
we are getting somewhere
. “I need to speak with her. It
is of the utmost importance."

"Whom may I say is calling?"
The butler would not normally be so accommodating, but the young man seemed the
dangerous sort if he didn't get what he wanted. And who was he to question the
nobility? The sooner the strange man got to speak with Lady Fredrickson, the
sooner he would leave.

"The name is Lord
Fredrickson," Daniel replied, removing his coat. He ignored the employee’s
outstretched hand and tossed it over a nearby chair, the butler departing to
locate Elyssa.

His thoughts now focused, Daniel planned
to be short and direct with his father's wife. He meant to frighten her into
giving up whatever scheme she'd convinced his father of, would do whatever it
took to destroy her devious plans. After months of dwelling on the thought that
this woman was out to rob him of his rightful inheritance, Daniel already
harbored a deep resentment for her. He would have to keep the bitterness hidden
during their conversation, for Daniel didn't wish to let his loathing for her
cloud his words.

Hearing the approaching sound of a
child's excited laughter, Daniel cocked his head to better hear it. Surely he
was mistaken. Wasn't it already well past time to have little brats in bed for
the night? But the sound only grew stronger. A high pitched squeal erupted, the
sound of small feet growing nearer as they noisily bounded down the stairs.

Elyssa was starting to give chase down
the staircase, nearly on Noel's heels when she saw the butler standing at the
bottom of the stairs, looking more than a little distressed at her less than
graceful behavior. By that time Elyssa's nine year old brother, Claude, had
joined in the merriment. He craftily passed Elyssa on the far side of the
stairs before she even realized he was there. Now she was in pursuit of both
her brothers, halfheartedly wondering at the employee's worried expression.
Just before she passed him, the butler swiftly called out, "A Lord
Fredrickson to see you!"

Before his words could register, the
boys were already halfway to the foyer and the solace of the front door.
Determined to catch the rascals for once in her life, Elyssa's
steps quickened as she gave chase toward the foyer, her laughter mingling with
Noel and Claude's.

The boys' outstretched arms reached for
the door and Elyssa he whispered harshlyed to ">CHAPTER 's eyes widened at the realization of what the butler had
yelled out to her just a second earlier. Percy was here? Her heart fell.
Whatever could he want except to personally drag her back home
himself
?

But before that disappointing thought
had chance to take root, she saw the imposing figure step into view. Trying
unsuccessfully to slow her steps, Elyssa cried out as she slid into the
hardness of the male standing with his arms braced in front of himself to avoid
the collision of bodies. The boys went crashing into Daniel, with Elyssa just
after. Strong male arms managed to brace her by the shoulders before Elyssa was
able to stumble down with her brothers. A shocked cry escaped her lips at the
unexpected collision, and she temporarily forgot to be embarrassed that a
visitor would be seeing her in her nightclothes, and acting so childishly
besides.

She was flabbergasted to look up into
the beautiful face of none other than Daniel. Her heart skipped a beat at the
sight of the stormy gray eyes staring at her in confused horror. However had he
found her? And how could she keep refusing him when he continued to press her
so? A liquid heat infused her body at the sight of her forbidden fantasy, the
feel of his hands touching her, making her wish there was nothing between his
hands and her flesh. Breathlessly, unable to tear her gaze from Daniel, she
told the boys, “I got you this time. You are both out."

Moaning their objections about the
interference they'd encountered, Elyssa forced herself from Daniel’s grasp. She
gave the boys a quick hug and shooed them off to bed. Her mind awhirl,
forbidden excitement stirring deep inside her, Elyssa turned her full attention
to Daniel. He was still trying to recover from being slammed against the door
from the excited boys and their sister, and Elyssa uttered a quick apology for
the blunder.

"Daniel, how did you––," she
began.

"Who the bloody hell are you?"
Daniel interrupted in a stony voice.

Struggling for her voice, Elyssa could
think of no reason why Daniel would suddenly be so incensed, but it was plain
to see he was very displeased about something. Daniel grabbed her none too
gently by the arm, his eyes blazing, and bit out, "Your name, Revee. I
would have your full name."

Frightened at Daniel’s anger, and
wondering why he would require her name, she slowly responded, “Elyssa Revee
Monroe Fredrickson.”

"My father's wife?" his ragged
voice choked out in disbelief. tears falling unhinderednot l

"Your father?" she cried
softly, her eyes widening. The butler's words came back to mind in a flash,
a
Lord Fredrickson to see you
. Elyssa doubled over in stark despair, for she
felt as if she were about to be physically ill.

CHAPTER ">
 

CHAPTER 6

"What do you mean, your
father?" Elyssa cried painfully. Yanking her up by the arm, Daniel jerked
her directly in front of him, his wrathful gaze glaring at her in condemnation.

"You know damn well who my father
is."

A sob escaped her lips and Elyssa
hesitantly asked in a quiet voice, "Percy?"

"How could I have been so
blind?" Daniel said, his voice
raising
in the
realization he'd been so thoroughly duped. "Was my father a part of this?
I swear I'd not put it past him."

"A part of
what?"
Pulling her arm loose, Elyssa took a
step back. "Daniel, you are frightening me."

"I think it good that you be
afraid, Elyssa," a sneer in his voice as Daniel spoke her given name
aloud. "And you played your part so very well, didn't you? My father must
be beside himself with laughter over the whole bloody thing."