Blood Lust Read Online Free PDF Page B

Fortunately, the lad’s sister was close to the lady’s small size. William had paid the pair handsomely for a simple woolen skirt, white blouse and chemise, as well as a clean white night gown.
    “A bath, did you say?” She glanced down at the tub and her face lit up with a smile that would transform her face. “I would love a bath.”
    William smiled too. He had thought she might believe as so many English did that bathing led to illness. Apparently not, or she was willing to take a chance.
    “Are you hungry?” He tried not to stare at the bare skin showing itself above the blanket.
    “I am starving. Apparently being abducted hasn’t affected my appetite.”
    “There’s some cheese on the table, along with some bread and tea. I’ll wait outside until you finish bathing.”
    Katherine said nothing, she just stood on the stairs until he was gone and the door closed behind him. An exhausted sigh escaped her. Her body ached from last night’s misadventure and she had barely slept. She had awakened just after dawn to the rays of sun coming through the boarded up window. The storm had left as quickly as it had appeared.
    For a moment she’d forgotten where she was. She’d glanced at her surroundings, the bedchamber with the wooden dresser against the wall, the blue willow porcelain bowl and pitcher sitting upon it. A colorful quilt atop the bed, something she hadn’t noticed last night.
    As a prison, the room wasn’t such a bad place.
    Still, she was hardly safe here. Her abductor was just that and until she was free, she remained in danger. Her comfortable prison might wind up being her tomb.
    Descending the stairs, Katherine crossed the room to the window and looked outside. Spotting her captor splitting logs, she closed the curtains, then walked over to the small bathing tub. Nervously, she chewed her bottom lip. She was taking a chance, but the dirt and mud had to go, and the outlaw was so strong he could have ravished her by now if that was his plan.
    She tested the water and found the temperature to her liking as she tossed aside the blanket and stepped in.
    A sigh of sheer pleasure whispered through her lips. Exactly warm enough. She settled in as deeply as she could, enjoying the silky feel of the water against her skin. She then leaned forward to wash her hair. A cake of lavender soap had been left out just for that purpose, and overcome with contentment, she lathered the heavy strands to wash the mud away.
    She soaked for a while, washing her face and body until the water chilled. She stepped out and dried off with a small linen towel. A clean chemise, a white muslin blouse and a brown woolen skirt lay out on the sofa. She dressed quickly, ate the bread and cheese, then sat on a stool in front of the fire to dry her hair and drink a cup of tea.
    Having just about finished with her hair, the highway man pounded on the door.
    “You had better be in there, and you had better be dressed because I am coming in.” The door flew open and he appeared in the opening.
    Katherine tossed her hair back over one shoulder, sat down her mug of tea and stood to face him.
    “You didn’t tell me to hurry.”
    The outlaw said nothing.
    “I’m sorry if I took too much time. I was simply enjoying myself and not paying attention.”
    Her captor just stared.
    “My lord?” she said.
    He stepped into the room and closed the door. When he spoke, his voice sounded deep. “My apologies. I had begun to believe you had somehow gotten away. I can see I was mistaken.”
    She wet her lips. “Yes, you were. Thank you sir for the bath. It was much appreciated.”
    “There’s a brush and comb upstairs, if you need them.”
    “Yes, thank you.” The words sounded breathless, which was exactly the way she suddenly felt. He was looking at her strangely, making odd little flutters rise in her chest. “I was just on my way up to get them.”
    He remained where he was. Taking a moment to steady herself, Katherine walked toward him,