A Lady of the West Read Online Free PDF Page B

face him and pressed his wet mouth on hers. Victoria kept her lips firmly together and her mind blank as she willed herself not to shudder. She drew back as quickly as possible and turned away, meeting Roper’s eyes as she did so. For the first time she noticed he wasn’t wearing his hat, and she could clearly see his face. His eyes were clear and cold, his expression so contemptuous she almost stepped back. Why did he hate her so much?
    The thought made her lift her chin as imperiouslyas any Creighton or Waverly had ever done; this man was a common thug, a hired gun. She gave him back stare for stare.
    Roper’s lips twitched into a humorless little smile, and he gave her a brief nod, as if in recognition of her nerve. Still, it wasn’t until he turned away that she felt herself released.
    The Major rubbed his hand down her arm, accidentally letting his fingers touch her hip. Victoria started, but forced herself to smile at her new husband. It was just that she was so nervous, she told herself, and she didn’t really know him. Once she had a chance to relax, everything would be all right.
    â€œWhat did you think of your bedroom, girl? Right nice, ain’t it?” The Major’s tone was somehow leering, but he seemed anxious for her approval.
    â€œIt was lovely,” she replied, glad she could be honest. “I’m sure I’ll be very comfortable. The chaise especially is a nice touch.”
    He squeezed her hip again. This time, however, she was looking at him and saw the glitter in his dark eyes when he did so. Now she knew it wasn’t accidental. Such a public caress shocked her, and the look in his eyes frightened her a little.
    â€œLater,” he said with a wink, “you’ll like the bedroom even more.”
    She couldn’t reply. The thought of the coming night was almost enough to paralyze her, if she let herself dwell on it. So she forced it from her mind and somehow got through the evening.
    It was a strangely silent gathering, with only the Major talking and everyone else answering him in monosyllables. Emma, bless her, kept Celia close to her side. Victoria tried to smile at the appropriate times and contribute some polite conversation over the dinner Lola served, but she was too tense to do more than go through the motions of being a gracious hostess.
    McLain kept touching her. Victoria noticed Garnerkept watching Celia. And Roper, whose eyes made her shiver, kept watching her, but now his expression was unreadable.
    She wished desperately that she had never agreed to marry McLain. She thought hers was the most dismal wedding supper she’d ever attended, and felt a small spurt of amusement because she was the most dismal person attending it. The amusement quickly died, however, when McLain stroked her arm with the gloating possessiveness that made her feel sick. She felt as if he were flaunting her before the two other men.
    For a moment her distress was so powerful that she had to look away, and found herself staring at Roper again. His cold eyes met hers, then flickered to McLain. When he looked back to her, she was mortified to see a faint understanding. That he should know she was dreading the night, and what McLain would do to her, was unbearable.
    She went white, then red, then white again. She wanted to run from the table, and clenched her hands tightly together. She had never before had any idea that a man might be imagining her with her nightgown pulled up, but she was certain Roper was thinking just that. Every ounce of modesty she possessed was outraged.
    The only thing to do, of course, was to pretend not to notice him. It was rather like closing one’s eyes and pretending to be invisible, but it was better than nothing.
    Roper watched the color build and recede in her face, and realized the cause; he even felt faint pity. She wasn’t a cold and passionless doll, after all. She was frightened—justifiably so, though she couldn’t