His Mistress Read Online Free PDF Page A

powerless.”
    “You are wrong, Jane,” Angélique said softly. “Love is about trust. Just as one must trust one’s partner in La Maison des Plaisirs Sombres , one must trust one’s heart. Love is a willingness to please someone you cherish and hold most dear.”
    “Where affairs of the heart are concerned, you are a romantic Angélique,” Jane said with a cynical laugh. “You believe in happy endings.”
    “I suppose I do,” the Frenchwoman said as a faraway look crossed her face.
    As she studied Angélique in silence, Jane realized her friend was still in love with the Earl of Mancroft. Jane knew little about Angélique’s relationship with the earl, except that five years had not diminished her friend’s love for the man. Jane understood what it was to yearn for a man she could never have. It was a sensation she had experienced a long time ago and never intended to subject herself to again. She could only hope her friend did not suffer from a broken heart for as long as she had. A surge of protective anger for her friend welled inside Jane.
    “Mancroft isn’t good enough for you,” she said fiercely. Angélique jumped as her gaze met Jane’s. The Frenchwoman offered a slight shrug.
    “Caleb is a wonderful, yet complex, man, ma chérie . There are demons inside him that he must conquer. But I shall not, how do you say it, pine away for him.” Angélique’s fragile look disappeared as she smiled at Jane. “So you see, I might be a romantic at heart, but I am practical as well.”
    “And practicality is all a woman can really afford in a world dominated by men,” Jane bit out, as an image of her father filled her head. “At least at La Maison des Plaisirs Sombres I am not forced to submit to a man’s whim. They submit to me, and I choose what pleasure to offer them.”
    “You do not need to confine your strength to the club.” Angélique’s eyes narrowed as she studied Jane. “Perhaps you should consider bending Tobias to your will.”
    Jane shook her head as she remembered Tobias facing her in the salon yesterday. He possessed a dark intensity that made it impossible to believe he would ever submit to anyone’s will, especially a woman. The power radiating off of him only reinforced that belief. What had been even more alarming was how he’d set her senses on fire until a stark need had pulsed its way through her.
    Almost as disturbing as her intense physical reaction was the confusion she’d experienced when Tobias had so readily agreed to her demands. He’d not protested either of the stipulations she’d outlined. His casual acceptance of her demands was ill-matched with his inscrutable sensuality and strength.
    The power emanating off him had been more potent than anything she’d ever experienced with any man. Even more surprising was that she hadn’t felt threatened or powerless in his presence. Any other man would have used his strength to suppress her rebellious attitude, but Tobias had shown no desire to control her.
    At least, not until he’d added that earth-shattering addendum to their agreement. Her reaction had been immediate and visceral, and the sheer strength of it had terrified her. The dark, sensual sound of his voice echoed in her head again as she remembered how politely he’d agreed to her conditions provided she consented to his. Her clothing had been an easy accommodation to make, but the other requirement…one night in his bed.
    The provision had created a firestorm of emotion inside her as her body and mind warred for control. In the end, desire won the battle. Jane’s stomach fluttered as she remembered the excitement that had streaked through her the moment she’d agreed to share his bed for one night. What had he meant by saying she would have command of her own pleasure? No doubt her idea of dominance and Tobias’ were vastly different. She discarded the thought as she remembered the strength and power that flowed out of her future husband. The idea of him