Lords of Desire Read Free Page B

top shelf and sighed with resignation as her eye fell on the invitation. She sat down at the desk, took a sheet of parchment, and dipped the pen in the inkwell. Mutiny stirred in her soul. Though she longed to explore Bodiam Castle, she was determined to discourage Fuller from seeking an alliance with her. She threw down the pen.
    I shall answer Sir Peregrine in person. That way I can visit Bodiam, refuse his invitation, and squelch, once and for all, any pretended interest the conniving swine has in me.
    Victoria folded the invitation and slipped it into her silk bag. She put on her cloak, firmly tied the black ribbons of her bonnet beneath her chin, and slipped out the priory’s back door. As she walked along a footpath that led to the castle, Tory took delight in the profusion of Canterbury bells, larkspur, and wild roses that bloomed in the hedgerows.
    As she crossed the narrow bridge and looked down into the moat, the white, purple, and pink shades of the water lilies filled her with joy.
    When she pulled on a ship’s bell beside the portcullis, a servant appeared and raised the gate. He looked at her askance, so she said blithely, “I’m here at Sir Peregrine’s invitation.”
    Tory followed the man to the Great Hall; he took her cloak and bonnet and asked her to wait. The minute she was alone she walked the perimeter of the chamber, taking in every dank detail. It had a sadly neglected air; its high windows were dirty and broken, with some even boarded up. It lacked furnishings of any sort and its gaping, empty fireplaces were blackened with soot. The wooden dais had splintered boards. Decay from disuse was apparent everywhere.
    “Mistress Carswell, what a delightful surprise.”
    Tory whirled about at the sound of the deep, masculine voice.
    He waved his hand. “Bodiam is in deplorable condition, I’m afraid. All needs to be repaired and refurbished.”
    “That will take a deal of tender loving care, not to mention a fortune, Sir Peregrine.”
    His dark eyes lit with amusement. “Fortunately, I have both.”
    “You also have—”
    He held up his hand. “Please allow me to show you more hospitality than Bodiam’s Great Hall affords. I have only refurbished a couple of small chambers. Let us repair to my sitting room.” He led the way and Victoria followed to a small chamber adjacent to the dining room they had used two days ago. Its stone walls were hung with tapestries, the flagstones were covered by a deep-piled carpet, and comfortable brocaded chairs and settees were arranged in front of a small stone fireplace.
    “You were saying?” he prompted.
    Tory lifted her chin. “You also have bald-faced effrontery.”
    His dark eyes glittered. “I warrant you are about to explain.”
    “The only possible reason you can have for inviting my family to dinner and wishing to pay your addresses to me is to lend yourself a veneer of respectability. You believe an alliance with the straitlaced daughter of the Right Reverend Thomas Carswell will provide a smoke screen for your profligate pleasures.” She paused for dramatic effect, then delivered the coup de grâce. “Sorry to disappoint you, Sir Peregrine, but I am neither prim nor proper!”
    His mouth curved. “In that case, have some sherry.”
    “I’ll have port,” she said defiantly.
    He poured two glasses and handed her one. “Do sit and tell me what profligate activities you have discovered.”
    Tory took a chair and, to give her the courage she would need, took a large gulp of port.
    A red rose bloomed in her breast and she liked the warm feeling the wine produced.
    “Dinner with the Carswells the other night was a ruse. You couldn’t wait to be rid of us so you could join the bawdy guests you’d invited to your masquerade ball. When I excused myself, I went exploring and discovered the dissolute gathering.”
    His dark eyebrows drew together for a moment and then he grabbed her hand. “Show me,” he ordered.
    She clutched her wine with one