Abigail Jones (Chronicles of Abigail Jones #1) Read Free

that most arrested. Vivid blue, framed by decadent dark lashes and heavy lids, they transformed his human beauty into something altogether more powerful.
    These were not the eyes of a mortal, but a brooding archangel.
    As if he sensed my thoughts, one corner of his mouth lifted. The impact of that lazy, sensual movement shivered through me, and my throat went dry.
    Oh, he was an angel for certain—the fallen kind.
    I became aware of the heated throb of my blood, a strange and painful ache that seemed to infuse my every breath. Mayhap it was the recent hallucination and the lascivious aftermath still humming through me. Or mayhap the foreign experience of being in close proximity to a member of the opposite sex. But I found I could not look away. I could not summon the strength to free myself from the spell weaving around my senses.
    I inhaled sharply as his hands slid over mine. Sparks danced over my trembling nerves. Upon his ring finger, the gothic initial glinted.
    "Soft," he said.
    "S-sir?" My breath came fitfully into my chest.
    "Your hands. You haven't been here long, have you?"
    I shook my head, transfixed by the demon blue of his eyes, the rough graze of his fingers over my bare skin. Handling the reins , came the nonsensical thought. That could be the only reason for this robust, calloused grip from a gentleman of leisure. My heart thumped faster as his hold tightened. Regaining my wits, I tried to tug away. He did not release me, but used his stronger fingers to pry into my grasp.
    Then I realized his intent: he was merely taking the tray from me. Shaken, I let go. My arms fell to my sides, leaden weight, and, indeed, I felt as if I was drowning.
    "What is your name?" he asked softly.
    "Abigail," I whispered, keeping my eyes trained on the black velvet lapel of his dressing gown.
    "An apt name," he said, and I could hear the dry humor in his voice, "for a maid."
    "Or a servant of God," I replied, before I could think twice.
    I made the mistake of looking up. Something flashed in his eyes— hell fire came the hysterical thought—and then his mouth twitched. "And so you are."
    " Lucien . I am waiting for my champagne. Either dismiss the maid," Lady Priscilla twirled a blonde ringlet with her finger, "or have her join us."
    Her demand pierced my reverie. Good heavens, surely she could not be implying that she ... we ... Shocked, I broke away from his lordship's gaze. A single impulse gripped me: I had to escape. I had to run or else—
    "May I go, my lord?" I whispered urgently.
    "For now, Abigail-of-God."
    I did not wait another moment. I fled from the room. His voice seemed to follow me as I escaped into the servants' corridor. Shaking, I stumbled along in the darkness, his words reverberating with each step.
    For now.

TWO
    That night, I woke, heart pounding, to utter darkness. My hands clenched the sheets, perspiration dampening my cheeks. As I surfaced fully, I became aware of the wetness glazing other parts of me—unmentionable parts—and the primal, almost painful need pulsing through my veins. My breasts ached; lower, a sensation of throbbing emptiness made me squirm in embarrassed anguish. I knew these were feelings no decent, respectable woman should ever have. I bit back a moan of distress, of unremitting shame. Tears squeezed from my eyes.
    How I despised my affliction. How I hated the crazed visions and the lewd, exhausting dreams. Why, oh why, could I not be ordinary … normal , like everyone else?
    Silently, I let the tide wash through me. Yet self-pity helped nothing so, after a few moments, I wiped my face on the pillow and looked to the other side of the room. In the dimness, I discerned the tranquil shape of Ginny on her narrow cot. Due to our junior status, we shared this windowless cell on the ground floor next to the kitchens. At first, given the unquiet nature of my sleep, I had dreaded having a roommate. I had feared disturbing her—and more so exposing myself. But fortune had blessed me