Captive Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

loving suitor? You want me to bestow my affection on you in her presence?" This could well be the easiest task he had ever undertaken and the most pleasurable one. If Rozalyn had seen the outrageous grin on his face she would have been leery of dragging Dominic to Lenore's doorstep, for his mischievous smile indicated that he would carry her request much further than she intended.
      "This may well be the most important role you have ever played. You haven't by chance had any experience in the theater, have you?"
      "No, I am afraid not," Dominic confessed, stifling another merry chuckle. "But I promise to put forth my best effort."
      "I shall count upon you to be convincing." Rozalyn reined the stallion to a halt in front of the sprawling mansion and then gestured for Dominic to climb down. "You can bring a worried old woman a meager amount of serenity. Is that asking so much?"
      Dominic reached up and helped Rozalyn down. Allowing her shapely body to brush familiarly against his, he stared down into those sparkling blue eyes that reminded him of sun beams dancing on a clear mountain stream, and his knees went weak. He was drowning in their colorful depths. "If this charade may save grandmother from many sleepless nights, I am only too happy to assist you," he assured her, his voice raspy with desire.
      " Merci ." Rozalyn smiled beneath his warm regard, but she removed herself from the circle of his arms before the odd sensations trickling down her spine clouded her thoughts. This stranger's neatness aroused her and she could not fathom why. After all, she knew nothing about him.
      Sweet merc i ful heavens! The color seeped from her flushed cheeks when she realized the blunder she had very nearly made. She had come dangerously close to dragging this man into the house without asking his name! Lenore would have seen through her scheme immediately, and would have been furious when she realized Rozalyn had purposely set out to deceive her.
      "What is your name, monsieur ? I cannot expect to convince Grand’mere that we are hopelessly in love if I cannot even call you by your given name." Wide eyes focused on him, pleading with him to supply his name.
      Dominic stepped away, and sweeping his top hat from his head, he bowed elegantly before her. Then he struck a sophisticated pose and flashed her a wide smile that displayed even white teeth. "Dominic Baudelair at your service, mademoiselle ."
      A thoughtful frown settled onto her exquisite features. Baudelair . . . The name echoed at the back of her mind. It was well known in St. Louis, just as DuBois was. But her father had permitted no one to voice it in his home. Although Aubrey refused to discuss the matter, Rozalyn knew he had some kind of grudge against the Baudelair family. He would not approve of her associating with anyone by that name, but Dominic was the only man she'd found who would suit her purposes. Besides, Aubrey would never learn of this incident.
      "And by what name shall I address such a lovely vision as you, my beloved?" Dominic inquired, his eyes hungrily devouring her.
      "My name is Rozalyn DuBois." She curtsied primly before him. Then, spinning on her heels, she sailed up the marble steps.
      "Du—" Dominic swallowed quickly and almost choked. His eyes bulged as he stared incredulously after the saucy chit who was gracefully floating up to the entrance. DuBois! The name rang in his ears like a clanging bell.
      The taverns on the waterfront were abuzz with tales of Rozalyn DuBois. So this was the elusive ice maiden, the sought-after heiress of a fur empire. It was rumored that she had cast aside more eligible bachelors than the ocean had fish, and she was said to be as wild and impulsive as the wind. It would take a strong man to bring this feisty hellion to heel. Dominic had listened to a half-dozen men spin yarns about this free-spirited sprite. She traveled in such diverse social circles that neither gentleman nor thief would dare