Beauty Tempts the Beast Read Online Free PDF Page B

cause him any trouble.
    “This should be enough.”
    “Nay, you’ll barely get your feet wet.”
    “I only need to wipe myself off. I certainly do not need the luxury of a full bath.”
    His eyes locked onto hers. His hot stare challenged her comfort. She could comprehend her fright from Martin’s malevolent force, but the viscount’s unsettling disquiet worried her.
    Finally, Lord Ashworth retrieved the empty cans and moved toward his door. “Once more.” Then he was gone.
    Vivian did her best not to wander his room and intrude on his privacy. Awkwardness enveloped her as she stood there alone. Yet, other than some clothes strewn on chairs and a glass upon the small table beside his bed, nothing here seemed noteworthy.
    Why so many feared the man, she did not understand.
    Footsteps sounded in the hall and then he burst into the room. A tall slender boy accompanied him, both of them carrying up larger pails of steaming water.
    Once the water had been splashed into the tub, the boy cast a wide-eyed glance her way then gathered all containers and hurried from the room. Lord Ashworth did not seem concerned with introducing her.
    “Who was that young man?”
    He rekindled the fire back to a vigorous life. “My groomsman.”
    “But you said you never left the grounds.”
    “Nay, but my servants do. We do need supplies from town on occasion.”
    Ah, so there were other servants here she had not seen. In a house such as this, there could be dozens hidden beyond locked doors or on other levels.
    “Thank you for your kindness. I will be quick. Have you any soap?”
    He stared at her, frozen. Until, at last, he walked to a walnut triangular washstand. “I’m afraid I’ve nothing for a lady. Only my own soap.” He reached into a container and withdrew a bar.
    Their fingers touched as she took it from him. A mysterious tingle raced along her arm. “Thank you, my lord.”
    The shadows flickered along his scar as he stood there, once again immobile. She realized with sudden compassion that he did not know what to do. Visitors were so infrequent here that perhaps he did not entertain mistresses either. And yet, despite the mark along the right side of his face, Lord Ashworth was as beautiful as any Roman god.
    He cleared his throat. “Do you, um, need me to aid you with your buttons?”
    While she could use his help, the memories of Martin’s fingers closing up her dress after he assaulted her kept Vivian from accepting it.
    She moved away. “I can do it alone.”
    A warm hand settled on her shoulder. “Please, I want to assist.”
    Vivian held her breath. Again she was tormented by the combination of her needs and her emotions.
    She must convince him to marry her and yet her most recent experience with a man had been a brutal attack.
    Lord Ashworth must have taken her silence as an invitation. One by one he slowly unhooked the buttons until he halted about midway down her back. Before she could step aside, his warm fingers slid the dress sideways and brushed her bare skin.
    Unexpected shivers raced. Scorching blood pulsed.
    She did not understand her body’s reactions. Was it possible for her to break from the cold shell Martin had placed her in and once again embrace another man’s warmth?
    “Faith, you are lovely.” His husky voice dried her mouth, trembled her knees. “I will leave you to your bath. Please call for me when you are finished.”
    His departure was marked by a blast of chilly air and a slam of the door.
    Vivian shook the tumultuous sensations from her body and slipped out of the remainder of her clothes. She sank into the tepid water, quickly unwound her braid, then washed herself with Lord Ashworth’s soap. It was his scent. Sandalwood with the hint of berries.
    Vivian drew her knees up and wrapped her arms about her legs. Flames cast dancing lights along the walls, reminding her once again of ghosts seeking mischief. If there were such a thing as ghosts, she hoped they were friendly. She was