Dare to be Mine Read Free Page A

everyday routine
with nothing to look forward to but seeing to a clean household and visiting
with an occasional caller.
    She had never thought of herself as
anything more than passingly pretty, but Elyssa had felt more than once an
admiring gaze from many of their male visitors. In
truth, the occasional looks and charming words spoken to her had brought forth
an unfamiliar fluttering deep within. A feeling that she
yearned to know more fully.r younger brothersg">CHAPTER Still, she managed to suppress any
attraction for Percy's younger business associates, for she would never
consider being unfaithful to her husband, no matter that he seemed to dislike her
so.
    Of a whim on this cool night, Elyssa
decided as she donned a particularly alluring nightgown and wrapper, that she
should approach her husband. He had been more than
understanding since their wedding night, had refrained from any
closeness with her, and Elyssa assumed only that he was waiting for her
advances.
    Looking seductive in the gown her mother
had given her for a wedding gift, Elyssa critiqued herself in the mirror before
daring go downstairs. It was quite late and all the servants would be in their
quarters sleeping soundly by now.
    Her hair was still arranged prettily
from earlier that day and Elyssa gave a few gentle pulls at her dark tresses to
further soften the effect. She barely recognized her reflection. In truth, she
was shocked to see the wanton staring back at her with eyes wide. The
provocative gown showed far too much cleavage, Elyssa mused inwardly, the slit
revealing her left leg all the way up to the top of her thigh, unheard of for a
properly wed woman.
    Taking one last drink of wine, Elyssa
summoned her courage and proceeded to take a chance at making peace with her
husband. Not that she was yearning to make love to Percy, but felt it was her
wifely duty to perform the act. Too, it might make their daily encounters less
businesslike, and perhaps they could begin to actually enjoy one another's
company.
    Glancing nervously out her bedroom door
to make certain no one was about, Elyssa began down
the long hall with a candelabra, wax spilling down the candles with each step taken.
Elyssa proceeded down the stairs to the one place she knew Percy would be. The study, where he spent endless hours poring over business
ledgers and propositions.
    Halfway down the staircase, Elyssa
started at the sound of thunder. Unexpected rainfall showered down out of
nowhere and her steps quickened at the impending storm. By the time Elyssa
reached the door to the study she'd nearly changed her mind and turned about. A
flash of lightning, too close for comfort, scorched its way across the sky, its
jagged brightness intruding through the far windows, and the thunder spurred
Elyssa to quickly open the door and rush into the study.
    Percy started at the sound of the
unwelcome intruder, his eyes narrowing at the sight before him. Surely he was
dreaming, for Elyssa was breathless as she set the candelabra down upon a table
halfway across the room, looking like a young temptress in the filmy lavender
creation. r younger brothersg">CHAPTER
    Thus her present dilemma, as Elyssa
recognized the glare of disapproval from her husband. Forcing any remaining
bravado to the surface, Elyssa swallowed and slowly took a few steps toward
Percy.
    "What the devil are you doing in
here looking like that?" he demanded.
    Suddenly dumbfounded, Elyssa knew not
what to say. Stuttering, she began, "I...I thought maybe we could talk. That perhaps you might give me another chance."
    Thinking he must surely be assuming
incorrectly, Percy asked, “Another chance? For what?"
    It appeared her husband still harbored
immense doubt in her sincerity, and Elyssa barely found the nerve to proceed
any further. "A chance to become husband and wife...in the biblical
sense," she quietly replied in embarrassment, her eyes downcast.
    As his wooden cane resounded against the
floor, Elyssa's eyes widened at the