Kit Black Read Online Free PDF Page A

I’m not in the habit of that. You just felt different. And there’s blood on the sheets. Kita, please.”
    I sat up and tugged the sheet from the bed, wrapping it around me. I just managed to waylay the arm that shot out to grab mine. I had left him quite naked. He didn’t seem to mind at all. Of course, the sight of all that tanned hard flesh on the white sheet he lay on took my breath away, but I told myself that I was angry and insulted. Truth to be told, though, I was also flattered by his interest. That he felt enough for me after having had me twice to offer carte blanche . A home of my own. A carriage. Servants. It was nice to know that if I were so inclined I would not end up like my mother. Well I would end up that way, just a higher paid version. A whore is a whore. What if I was to have children? What would they be? Bastards like me? Sandrine’s children would bear his name. And if I got old or unattractive would he leave me in the streets? I knew he would. There would be younger ones wanting him. He would only become more attractive as he aged. Oh, no. I was not going to be beholding to any man. I was not going to take this man’s money. Now, or ever. I had made a terrible mistake.
    I jerked away from him and left the bed. I lifted my chin high as I searched for my clothes. I planned to refund him his damned coins, too. So much for the new boots. It was no great loss, really, and he had done me the favor of satisfying my curiosity. Oh, God, he’d satisfied it so well. I knew no man was ever going to measure up to him.
    â€œKita…come back to bed,” he beseeched.
    â€œNo, thank you.”
    â€œWe had a bargain. I think I lived up to my end of it.”
    â€œAye, you did. But I don’t need your money.” I found my chemise on the floor where he had tossed it and slipped it over my head. Then I stepped into my skirt. I still couldn’t find my bodice. If it came down to it, I’d wear the shawl home. “And don’t think you are so wonderful, Armand Dupuis. You’re not. You’re too old for me.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYes. I feel quite sorry for your Sandrine.”
    â€œWhat are you doing?” He was genuinely worried now. He rose from the bed and walked to the chair naked.
    No. The man prowled. How does a man walk naked the same as he does with clothes? With the same regal bearing and the same haughty pride. My God, he was splendid. I just watched him stupefied, my heart thudding against my ribs. I couldn’t take my eyes off his smooth rounded rear, white beneath the tanned line where his breeches had stopped the sun from kissing his skin. He slipped on a robe; jade silk with Chinese characters. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had chosen it because it made his eyes look even more attractive.
    â€œI won’t need the money. My mother is dying, she hasn’t got long. After that I’m going to sea.”
    â€œYou can’t be serious. You’re going to put that silly disguise back on and pretend to be a man so you can go to sea?” He laughed at me again like it was all some big joke.
    â€œI hate you for laughing. It’s not funny. You’re the first man who has ever seen through my disguise. The first, Armand Dupuis. I am taller than most men, and equally as smart. I can make my voice quite deep, and I can use a sword. I can read and cipher, I can read maps of all kinds. I know all about the stars and changes in the weather. Roger taught me. I can learn to be a buccaneer just like my daddy. Damned if I can’t. I will have more gold one day than you’ll ever offer me.”
    He shook his head, and I wanted to punch him. Instead, I turned and picked up his sword. “I could fight you.”
    He sighed and held up his hands. “I believe you. At least take the gold coins.”
    â€œI don’t want them.”
    â€œYou said you needed boots. I want you to have