The Gift-Wrapped Groom Read Online Free PDF Page B

asked.
    â€œI believe your granddaughter would like my assurance that as a man of honor I shall never raise my hand against her, no matter what I might consider the provocation.”
    A surprised rush of relief blew the trapped breath from Noel’s lungs. She blinked and stared at Nicholas Baranov, as though she were seeing him for the first time.
    â€œThat’s what she wrote on that paper?” Winsome asked, his own surprise showing.
    Nicholas passed the sheet of paper in front of Winsome’s face. “Perhaps you wish to read it?”
    Winsome squinted at the sheet and felt in his shirt pocket for his glasses. When he didn’t find them, he turned to Noel.
    â€œYou think I didn’t have Nicholas checked out on things like that? You think I would have let the man I selected for you be a potential wife beater?”
    Noel paused to take a deep breath, trying very hard not to betray her surprise or overwhelming relief.
    â€œHe said he hasn’t been married before, Grandfather. How could you make certain he would not abuse a spouse?”
    â€œHmmph. There are other ways of finding out such things, other—” he paused and cast a quick glance at Nicholas “—indications. You should know I overlook nothing.”
    Noel straightened. “Neither do I.”
    Her grandfather’s eyes studied her a moment. Something that sounded like new suspicion entered his voice.
    â€œI don’t understand why you couldn’t just ask Nicholas that out loud. What was the point of writing it down and passing it to him as though you were trying to hide it from me?”
    â€œAnd if I was trying to hide it from you, Grandfather...? Is it so hard for you to understand that I might want to keep some of my life private?”
    The substance of her counterattack wasn’t exactly logical, but it proved logistically sound enough, as evidenced by the flash of chagrin in her grandfather’s eyes. Noel returned her attention to the man sitting so quietly, observantly, before her. He was folding the piece of paper she had passed to him. She watched as he slipped it into his pocket.
    His face was still a stone mask. His voice carried the deep growling timbre of a bear, but his words were scrupulously polite, their stiff correctness clearly acquired from classroom study, not the idiomatic usage that marked English as a primary tongue. He leaned back in his chair. His powerful body, his quick effortless movements, all absolute servants to the acute commands sent out by that complicated mind.
    Only those diamond black eyes studying her so intently betrayed him. She’d felt the angry force of those powerful eyes more than once tonight. Noel flinched under their intense scrutiny, battling the conflicting feelings of being incredibly intimidated and intrigued by this strange, foreign man.
    Why had he so adroitly misled her grandfather? What was he thinking? She reminded herself she didn’t have time to speculate about his motives or machinations. Between them lay a simple business matter to be settled. And it was time she settled it.
    â€œDr. Baranov, I asked you a question before we were interrupted. May I have your answer?”
    He didn’t respond immediately. She would have given a lot to know what was going on behind those eyes. Finally, after what seemed like a very long time, he spoke.
    â€œThe answer to your written question is yes, Miss Winsome. You have my word as a man of honor.”
    Noel exhaled a very relieved breath and rose. She leaned over the desk, extending her hand. “Thank you, Dr. Baranov. That’s all I wanted to ask. I’m satisfied.”
    Nicholas did not rise. He made no attempt to take her hand. “I am not satisfied, Miss Winsome. I have a few questions.”
    Noel dropped her outstretched hand in some surprise and not a small amount of annoyance.
    â€œYou have questions for me? What questions?”
    Nicholas gestured toward her