ROOK AND RAVEN: The Celtic Kingdom Trilogy Book One Read Online Free PDF

men took lightly.
    Sebastian St Just merely eyed the two of them and then made himself at home on the damask covered chaise along one wall.  Negligently he lounged, long fingers playing with his quizzing glass.  God, but with that black hair and sinful mouth he really did look like the devil’s invitation to sin, Sean unconsciously licked his lips.  He collected himself and put a damper on his wayward thoughts.
    “Shall I remove him Jessy?” Sean asked.
    Jessy was tempted to see his lordship thrown out but was wise enough to know she had been properly cornered.  Large as Sean was, she had no doubts that Sebastian would not be leaving if he didn’t want to.  A scene involving her and the Earl would be on the lips of every drawing room gossip by breakfast, and that was the last thing she wanted. 
    “No Sean, I shall give his lordship a few moments of my time, I’m sure neither of us shall require more.” 
    “I shall be nearby if you need me my sweet,” Sean kissed her hand gently and made his way out the door.  She knew he would be as good as his word.  More to keep anyone from witnessing or eavesdropping on the visit than any fear for her safety.  Sean knew the ways of the beau monde too well. She also had a loaded pistol in her vanity drawer and could expertly use it.  Access to her dressing room, her safety and her reputation and been carefully guarded as her career blossomed.
    “To what do I owe this honor my lord Redsayle?  How do you find England after your absence? It must be six or more years since last we met.  I hope your mother is well?” Jessy asked with sweetness over the acid.  He was really here again, some small voice in her head kept repeating.  Maybe if it stopped she’d feel like she could breathe properly again.  Seven years she thought.  She’d know the months, days and minutes too if she allowed herself to think about it.  The last time she had seen him was clearer in her mind than her own image in the mirror.  He had climbed the tree outside her bedroom window, hair tousled, smiling, kissing her passionately, and making promises equally fervently.  Her portmanteau had been packed and hidden, and then left waiting, and waiting.
    Sebastian took a moment to answer.  To say he had every clear thought tossed from his head by the picture of her with her hair down wearing only her chemise was an understatement.  Like a man with no will of his own he had found himself walking back stage.  Confronted with her sensual beauty he felt so many conflicting emotions he wished he could just get up and walk out.  He really had to wonder about himself and his priorities.  
    Right now he was angry at himself for coming in here and angry at her for being so damned desirable.  He wasn’t sure what he had expected, but certainly not this unreasonable thirst to lay his hands on her.  From the moment she had walked on the stage it had been like all the air had been sucked from the theater.   Damn her for not waiting for him. Damn her for being an actress of all things.  Everyone knew what that meant.
    “ Mrs. Powers you don’t give a damn about my mother and do you make it a habit to let men undress you after your performances?  Oh yes, silly me, you’re an actress.  Of course you do.  Your life is very different from that of the gentlewoman you were raised to be. ” And he smiled that evil and old familiar smile she had hoped never to see directed at her.  He obviously thought the married name was the usual token handle so many actresses awarded themselves without the inconvenience of a husband.  She realized he was every bit as in the dark about her life in England as she was about his life in Celtica. Well, other than the salacious gossip that somehow made its way to London despite the embargo between the two countries.
    It cost her to match smile for smile before she turned her back on him, “I only let one man, at this moment undress me.  It’s a selective position.