An Affair of Honor (Rebel Hearts Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

frightened her. That day he’d found her at his mirror, admiring herself in the mask he insisted his lovers wear during discipline, had proved his wickedness knew no bounds.
    He would not make that same mistake again.
    Matilda was very warm against his body and fragile. She was nothing like his usual lovers who knew what to expect from him and enjoyed being disciplined by his hand or by a riding crop. She wasn’t the sort of woman who could want him.
    Her hair was tied back with a white ribbon, and as he pushed her back, he kept hold of it. Her hair spilled forward over her shoulder in a lush dark wave, and his breath caught. If only she weren’t so shy, or a maid, he would pursue her. He’d catch her and bend her over his knee.
    Again.
    He cursed under his breath, denying himself what he wanted even though he yearned for her. Their relationship needed to go back to the way things had been before he’d spanked her if he was to have any peace, but this was not the way to do it. He had to do a better job of keeping a proper distance, and toying with her hair wasn’t it. He had to be strong and strict with her. “I’d have a chance if you’d stop crushing me,” he grumbled meanly.
    She sat up, supporting herself on one arm but still smiling down into his face, failing to be put off by his harder tone. “I also suspected that you could talk all along. How could you stay so quiet for so long?”
    “Habit, and I happen to like the sound of your voice,” he whispered, then cleared his throat, uncomfortable when her eyes widened in surprise and pleasure. He hadn’t meant that how it must have sounded to her, but to him he might have asked her to dance on his cock until the sun rose.
    He struggled to purge that thought from his head. Matilda Winslow deserved his utmost respect and courtesy—and that meant keeping his desire to discipline her to himself. “The wound pained me a little on first try, so I thought I had better wait a good long while before further attempts. I’d rather not be stitched again.”
    She rubbed his arm, a soothing gesture she’d done many times over the past weeks and months. At first he’d been uncertain of the gesture and what it signified, but Matilda had appeared to sense his melancholy.
    She settled more comfortably. Closer. “Well, that was sensible. How do you feel?”
    Dear God, the woman didn’t make anything easy.
    “Like I’ve been to hell and back.” He glanced at the ceiling. He should send her away, but after all she’d done for him, the woman deserved a little conversation. “I don’t think I can adequately describe how surprised I am to be alive. When I was wounded, I feared for my life.”
    “We all did, but in usual Ford fashion, death must wait till you are ready to go and not a moment sooner,” Matilda remarked humorously. “What do you remember?”
    “Too much,” he whispered, drowning in memories for a brief and unpleasant moment, instantly annoyed when she brushed her hand over his shoulder once more. He owed this woman his life, and he should say something about her actions. The dimness of the chamber only added to his wicked train of thought.
    Despite the impropriety, he found her wrist and held it tightly. Restraining her made him feel more settled and confident for what he needed to say next. “I cannot properly express my gratitude for the care you’ve given me. I don’t know what would have become of me had you not wished to save me.”
    “You saved yourself.” Her posture softened, and he could just make out a gentle smile curving her lips. “Whatever influence I managed to have over your recovery was purely so that your sisters had no reason to cry.”
    He frowned. “Why are you here?”
    She sighed softly. “Dawson insisted that I sleep in the dressing room in case you needed anything during the night. I always peek in on you before bed.”
    “Why you particularly and not another?”
    “My father was a penny surgeon during his life, and I