Surrender to the Fury Read Online Free PDF Page B

history will judge the issue. I want you to know I don’t consider either you or your mother my enemy. Do you believe me?”
    Much of what Nick said was lost on Brand. But knowing that the tall captain hadn’t killed his papa made accepting him in the house mucheasier. He looked to his mother for guidance, but she was staring at Nick, and Brand couldn’t tell what she was thinking. He decided to reserve judgment until the blue-coated captain proved himself worthy of friendship.
    “I believe you didn’t shoot my papa, but I’m still not sure I like you.”
    “I can live with that.” Nick grinned, giving the child a quick squeeze before sending him on his way.
    As he watched Aimee and Brand leave, he made a solemn vow. He promised he’d find some way to earn the child’s trust and to teach him that not everyone in a blue uniform was bad. And Aimee? The mother was another story. He wanted Aimee. Her sizzling hatred was a challenge to his virility, one he couldn’t resist.

Chapter 2
     
    T here was more food on the table than Aimee and Brand had seen in months. Brand’s hazel eyes widened when Savannah carried a platter of roasted pork surrounded by browned potatoes and carrots from the kitchen and placed it in the center of the table. The fine china and silver had long since been sold or stolen, but the odd assortment of chipped earthenware made little difference to those assembled for the meal.
    Nick noted with compassion Brand’s eagerness to dig in to his food when a small portion was ladled onto his plate, as if it might be whisked away before he had his fill. Aimee’s appetite was more subdued, but Nick could tell by the way she concentrated on her food that it had been a long time since her hunger had been satisfied.
    His men had scoured the countryside and flushed out a wild boar. The fresh meat provided a welcome supplement to the dreary rations provided by quartermaster. Lieutenant Dill had informed Nick that a wagonload of rations as well as fresh beef and pork would arrive from quartermaster in a few days. Nudging Dill, Nick indicated that they were to eat sparingly of the food,leaving the bulk of it for the young widow, her son, and her servant. Dill understood Nick’s meaning immediately, setting his fork down and complaining that he had little appetite after a large noontime meal with the troops. Truth to tell, Nick felt as if he could have eaten the whole boar himself, but his pleasure at seeing Brand wolf down the food was reward enough for leaving the table hungry.
    The meal ended quickly, too quickly to suit Nick. He was as intrigued with Aimee today as he had been five years ago. Though Aimee was plainly dressed in a patched and faded gown, her hands rough from physical labor, her face honed fine and her body as slim and fragile as a wraith, Nick vividly recalled the torrid passion he unleashed in her during one perfect night of bliss. And he wanted to do it again; he craved it more than he’d ever craved anything in his life.
    Aimee sat back and sighed, full for the first time in a very long time. She smiled at Brand, who was just shoveling the last morsel of pork into his mouth. She hadn’t wanted to be beholden to Nick Drummond for anything, but seeing Brand’s smiling face now was worth more than her pride. From beneath lowered lids she gave Nick a covert glance and was flustered when she found his hooded gaze resting on her.
    Nick searched Aimee’s face, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. Her skin was pale pink; her lips full and rounded over even white teeth. When she smiled at Brand, he found himself wishing she would smile at him like that. But she despised him with an intensity that went beyond the color of his uniform and the place of his birth. Shehated him for reasons that puzzled him—he damn well couldn’t figure them out.
    Fidgeting beneath Nick’s avid scrutiny, Aimee rose stiffly to her feet. Nick and Lieutenant Dill both stood politely.
    “It’s Brand’s