Forbidden (Scandalous Sirens) Read Online Free PDF Page A

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    She ran a trembling hand down her face. The last thing in this whole world she wanted was to be dependent upon a man. Her solitary life at Greenwood Manor in Perthshire, the only estate Roger’s family hadn’t taken from her, had been one of contentment. Raymond had also loved the little hunting lodge that at one time had served as a playground for Scotland’s aristocracy. It was her solace, but she had no money with which to maintain it.
    Now she had the chance to live in the country again and though it was not the small manor in Perthshire, it was shelter away from people and the society that had banished her. And she would get Raymond back. Rufus’ reassurances were enough to keep the hope and excitement alive in her. Oh, how she missed Raymond! He would be ten years old next month and this would be the sixth birthday they had not celebrated together.
    With a quick motion, she wiped at the tears that stung her eyes and sent a plea to God that he might assist Rufus and deliver her son to her soon.
    She knew sleep would not come easily tonight. Vaughn’s arrival had upset her predictable world and now her thoughts were chasing each other endlessly in her mind.
    A book might pass the time until sleep arrived. One of the untouched old volumes in Rufus’ pristine library would allow her to escape to other fantastic worlds, living adventures vicariously through the characters.
    She rose to her feet and slipped silently from her room. There was no danger of meeting anyone. At this time of night everyone else would be tucked into their beds in the servants’ quarters, or asleep on the other side of the house. She could slip down to the library and back without being seen, if she was cautious and quick.
    The house was silent, the stone stairs cold under her bare feet. There was a lingering heat from the day in the still air which brushed against the silk of her peignoir like a breeze as she hurried across the foyer to the gallery. The wide gallery gave access to a number of rooms, including the library at the far end of the house, in the same wing as her bedroom. She slipped into the room and stood still for a moment, blinking, until her eyes adjusted to the darkness.
    There were tall, stately windows on three sides of the room and from most of them poured milky, glowing moonlight. It spilled on the floral patterned carpet and across the high-backed reading chairs and side tables. Typically, there was not a single book out of place anywhere in the room. Rufus was not an avid reader.
    She moved towards the bookcases, but the ghostly light beckoned her and she drifted over to the window instead, drawn by the alien landscape the full moon painted beyond the glass. She rested her hand against the pane, staring out.
    “My god, look at you!” The low curse was uttered from close by.
    Elisa whirled, startled, her heart leaping hard and hot, her hand at her mouth to smother the shriek she gave.
    Vaughn was rising from the depths of one of the chairs, his eyes riveted on her, sweeping her from head to toe.
    She tried to calm her heart by taking a deep, steady breath, but it continued to patter on restlessly.   Vaughn in the moonlight was a dreamlike being that might have stepped straight from the pages of the books she favored.
    He had obviously been sitting in the dark, staring out the window. His tie had been removed and lay over the back of a nearby chair. He’d taken off his jacket and waistcoat and the shirt was loosened. Even the top two or three buttons had been undone, revealing the powerful muscles and tendons of his upper chest, which she could see flex as he lifted himself to his feet. His skin in the moonlight was smooth, tanned and looked like it would be velvety to touch. The pants were form fitting, revealing strong thigh muscles that bunched as he stepped towards her.
    She swallowed. No, her heart was not about to slow down.
    “So this is what the real Elisa looks like,” he added softly, as he came