Bold Seduction Read Online Free PDF Page B

breakfast.
    Forty minutes later, Phil stood outside the study. No use knocking, since he hadn’t responded yesterday. She opened the door and froze in place. Spencer Hornsby kneeled in front of the roaring fireplace and lifted a small quilt hanging from the mantel. He laid the blanket on one of the dogs. The beast whimpered and gave the professor such a look of love and devotion that a ball of emotion caught in Phil’s throat. With gentle strokes he rubbed the warmed cloth over the animal.
    “There, my dear old girl. I would hazard to guess that feels good? Your poor aching muscles.” He crooned to the dog, soothing the canine as he spoke. The words were filled with a gentle concern, causing tears to gather on Phil’s lashes. “We’ve been together a good long time, Theodora. Eleven years. I would like eleven more if we can manage it.” Theodora licked the man’s hand in affection. The other dog lay down next to Theodora. “That’s the good boy, Justinian. Keep your mum warm. Good lad.”
    Phil backed away, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Why on earth was she crying? Perhaps, for once in her life, she wanted someone to wrap her in a warm blanket and whisper words of comfort. Oh, damn her emotions! Maybe she wished for Spencer Hornsby to soothe and reassure her. Envious of a dog, bloody hell, what next? Taking a deep breath, she regained control of her rampant sentimentality and re-entered the room.
    * * * *
    “Breakfast in the dining room, Professor.” Her voice was cold, officious, and he raised an eyebrow at her tone. She turned on her heel and left before he could respond.
    Philomena’s demeanor perplexed him. He glanced down at Justinian. The dog watched her leave the room. They exchanged puzzled glances and he said, “No lad, I do not understand women either.”
    Spence made his way to the dining room. She had lit the fire and warmth filled the area. On the table were fried eggs, a rasher of bacon, and thick slices of fresh bread along with a pot of tea. He sat opposite her. “This is a rare treat. I usually do not eat breakfast.”
    She sipped her tea. “Well, you are rather too thin. I’m a firm believer in a hearty breakfast. Sets you up for the day ahead.”
    He buttered a piece of bread. “I have lost weight since I arrived here. There are times I become engrossed in my work and forget to eat.”
    Philomena took a bite of egg. “Your animals…”
    “They are my friends as well as my companions.”
    “Yes, I can see that. Where did you get them?”
    “I acquired Theodora first. When I turned nineteen I decided I wanted a dog. Father objected at first as I would be away at university, ‘Who would look after the beast?’ However, my dear mother talked him round. A few years after I graduated, I had a mind to breed her. She accompanied me on a trip to northern England to a man who bred Irish Wolfhounds. Soon after, she was with pup.” He hesitated, conversation did not come easy for him and he hadn’t spoken this much in ages. Yet he was at ease in Philomena’s presence. Nibbling on a piece of bacon, he swallowed, then continued. “There were difficulties in the birth. Thank God a doctor from the Veterinary College practiced nearby. He saved her life and that of her son. The other pup, a female, did not survive. Theodora had to be spayed, no more puppies for her. They have both been with me ever since.”
    “They mean a lot to you.” She smiled, her eyes softening.
    “Yes, they do.”
    “Interesting names. Where did you get them?”
    He returned her smile as this was one of his favorite subjects. “Theodora was an empress in the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 548 AD. She had a rather interesting past. Before being an empress, she acted on stage and served in a brothel, later the mistress of a Syrian official. Her beauty was well admired as well as her humor and charm. Tiring of her lascivious life, Theodora returned to Constantinople where she became a wool spinner not far from the