Golden Roses Read Online Free PDF Page A

“when I say it is best to stay out of his way. Valdis is what he is, and even I do not cross him. Why, I was not even allowed to take your father’s name when we married!”
    “Did my father ever stand up to Valdis?” Amber asked bluntly, feeling a terrible need to know. When Allegra dropped her gaze and kept silent, Amber persisted. “Did he? Please tell me. Did they get along?”
    She had to strain to hear Allegra’s miserable whisper, “Like me, he knew his place.”
    “That is absurd!” Amber exploded, leaping to her feet. “This is your ranch! You should be in charge here.”
    “I think you forget your place, señorita!”
    Both women jumped, startled by Valdis’s cold voice. He stepped out from behind the foyer curtains, where he had obviously been eavesdropping. Allegra fell back upon the bed, shrinking before his rage. She scrambled to pull the covers up tightly to her chin.
    Amber, quickly regaining her composure, stiffened and lifted her chin in defiance. “Begging your pardon, sir, but I do not have a place here at all. I shall take my leave as soon as possible.”
    He grinned, slowly, and the sight of his lips curled back over shining white teeth caused Amber to cringe. She determined not to show it.
    “You are going nowhere, my little sister.” He stood before her, boldly eyeing her from head to toe. “This is your home. It is my duty to my late stepfather to give his daughter shelter.”
    “That’s very noble of you, I’m sure,” Amber snapped, “but unnecessary.” She turned to Allegra. “Thank you for visiting with me. I shall start packing my things now. Surely someone will take me to the train depot in Suevlo.”
    Valdis’s fingers snaked out to wrap around her arm, squeezing painfully. Ignoring her cry, he pronounced, “No one will disobey me. Including you. Now go to your room and stay there until I say you may come out. You need some time for mourning—and to realize that you have no choice but to do as I say.”
    Amber screamed, struggling in his grasp as Allegra looked on in horror. “You aren’t going to make me do anything, Valdis. I will find my way to Suevlo if I have to walk. Now, let go of me!”
    He squeezed harder. The pain was excruciating. Despite her will to fight back, Amber was forced to stop struggling lest he break her arm. She stood limply, anguished tears streaking her face, and he continued to hold her as he spoke from between gritted teeth. “Hear me, little one, or I will make you curse the day you were born. You are going nowhere. You are staying here. In my home. For I find you extremely…desirable. You will live like a queen. But first, you must learn your place. If I have to leave my mark upon your lovely flesh, I will not hesitate to do so. Do you understand me?” He shook her. Amber could only nod.
    “Good!” He released her, laughing as her knees buckled and she fell to the floor, rubbing at the angry red welts on her arm. “Besides,” he taunted, “you have no money to take you anywhere. Be grateful that I am so generous as to welcome you into my home.”
    Amber would still not be cowed. “ Your home?” she challenged, ignoring Allegra’s whispered pleas. “This is Allegra’s home. And Maretta’s. And my father’s, before he died. What right do you have to claim sole ownership of everything?”
    His nostrils flared ominously and his fists opened and closed at his sides. “Not that it is your concern, foolish child, but Allegra deeded everything to me many years ago.”
    “I can’t believe my father knew that,” Amber murmured.
    Valdis threw back his head and laughed. Allegra began to sob, and Valdis looked at her with a gloating expression and chuckled. “He found out quickly enough after he married her. I was in Spain, buying new breeding stock, when Allegra led your father to believe this was her empire. When I returned, he found out the truth.” He pointed an accusing finger at Allegra, who was now sobbing wildly. “She