Wild and Wanton Read Online Free PDF Page B

awareness of her own power, the potency of her own appeal, shy and hesitant, hovering on the brink. Not racing toward it at a breakneck pace! Get out of here and take her with you. You’re stupid. I have no more patience left.’
    â€˜Now, Luisa, the doctor said you mustn’t get too excited.’
    â€˜How can I help it when the one person I’ve put my trust in to make the load lighter in my few remaining years turns out to be an imbecile?’
    â€˜Luisa,’ he reproved gently.
    She gave a sulky sniff. ‘Go!’ she said.
    Lindsay had already shuffled off the bed and was on her feet, ready for flight.
    â€˜You may come again, child,’ Luisa Delmar informed her in the manner of royalty granting an audience. ‘In spite of everything, I find you quite charming. I am not so petty-minded that I would hold your natural feminine inclinations against you. I well remember being twenty-two myself. Sometimes the distant past is more vivid to me than the events of yesterday. You’re not suitable for what we have in mind, but at another time I know I could enjoy your company. So you may come again.’
    â€˜Thank you, Madame,’ Lindsay said awkwardly, hoping she would be allowed to leave quickly, yet knowing from the set of Nick Farraday’s jaw that she still had a few more uncomfortable moments to suffer through.
    â€˜Lindsay is absolutely right for what we want. You’ll come round to admitting it.’
    â€˜I won’t,’ said Luisa.
    â€˜You will, because you’re a wise woman and you won’t spite yourself to prove me wrong. Lindsay will come again. You two can look forward to seeing much, much more of one another. So much that you’ll possibly end up being screamingly bored with each other, because I’m relying on your help to guide and groom her.’
    Lindsay had almost begun to feel sorry for Nick Farraday, on the receiving end of his grandmother’s sharp tongue as he was. But the situation was redressed as he issued the softly spoken rebuke. If Luisa Delmar were the queen of wisdom, then Nick Farraday was the prince of guile. The admonition was wrapped in a compliment. Because you’re a wise woman . . . And then he’d trotted out a plea for assistance. I’m relying on your help to guide and groom Lindsay . . .
    What woman could resist such adept handling? Even Luisa Delmar wasn’t impervious to it, as shown by the softening of her expression.
    Nick Farraday went on to demonstrate the full capacity of his talent for subtlety and shrewdness by taking immediate advantage of the ground he had gained to deliver his parting shot. ‘Just one more thing—a misconception to clear up. You have an excellent memory for both past and present events. You know that you have been intolerably rude to Lindsay both in your manner and the directness of your questions, and in your cunning you’re trying to gain her sympathy. Don’t do it again. Now we will go. Come!’
    Luisa Delmar’s throaty chuckle told Lindsay that this verbal sparring was a regular happening, one that she thoroughly enjoyed.
    As she scrambled after Nick Farraday, Lindsay’s most fervent wish was to avoid having to go back to the party. ‘I would like to go home,’ she said.
    â€˜Precisely where I’m taking you,’ she was informed.
    â€˜That’s not necessary. I came in a cab, and I see no reason why I shouldn’t go home the same way.’
    â€˜Reason? What do women know of reason? I have enough with one impossible woman to deal with, so I’ll thank you not to make life more difficult than it already is. I’m taking you home, so no more arguments, please.’
    â€˜Don’t I have any say in the matter?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜I think you are the most arrogant, overbearing—’
    â€˜Enough! You’re not even original I’ve heard it all before.’
    He snapped his fingers, issued a