Stranger in My Arms(17)

For belonging somewhere.”

He paused, staring into her eyes. “For you.”

“But how long will that last?” she asked quietly.

“You’ll become bored with this place and the people in it, and me, as you did before.”

I’ll want you forever, came a nagging, yearning voice from inside, startling Hunter with its insistence. He wanted this. He wanted her.

He would take his place here and fight for it as long as he had breath left.

“Believe me,” he said gruffly, “I could spend ten thousand nights in your arms and never grow bored.”

She shot him a glance that was both uncomfortable and skeptical, and smiled. “After a year of cellbacy, my lord, I think any woman would seem alluring to you.”

She wandered to the dressing table and began to plait her hair, slender fingers combing through the smooth river of silk. It was a subtle signal for him to leave, but Hunter ignored it. Following her, he braced his shoulder against the wall and watched her. “Celibacy is an admired virtue among the Hindus,” he remarked.

“Is it?” she responded with deliberate coolness.

“It demonstrates a man’s mastery over himself and his environment, and brings him closer to true spiritual awareness.

The Hindus practice self-control by covering their temples with erotic art. Visiting the temples is a test of faith and discipline. Only the most devout can view them without becoming aroused.”

Lara concentrated on braiding her hair with scrupulous care. “Did you visit one of those places?”

“Naturally. I’m afraid I wasn’t numbered among the devout.”

“How surprising,” Lara said in a gently acerbic tone that made him grin.

“I was informed by my companions that mine was the typical English response. The Hindus are far superior at mastering the limits of pleasure and pain, until they attain supreme control over their minds and bodies.”

“Heathens,” Lara said, finishing the braid.

“Oh, indeed. They worship many gods, including Shiva, Lord of Beasts and God of Fertility. I was informed that he has devised millions of sexual positions, although he’s only told his followers of a few thousand.”

“M-millions of…” Lara was sufficiently startled to turn toward him.

“But there’s only the one…”

She stared at him, openly perplexed.

Hunter’s enjoyment at teasing her faded, and he was suddenly at a loss for words, regarding her with an expression that must have matched her own. So that was what it had been like for her, a joyless, perfunctory act.

No wonder she had welcomed him back with such reluctance.

“Lara,” he said gently, “there were things I never showed you… things I should have done” “It’s all right,” she said uncomfortably. “Please, I don’t wish to discuss our past, especially that part.

I would like to go to sleep now. I’m very tired.” She folded back the covers and linens, her small hands smoothing over the embroidered fabric.

Hunter knew he ought to leave then, but something impelled him to move forward and catch one of those slender hands. He brought it to his mouth, pressing her fingers over the contours of his mouth and chin, forcing her to accept the ardent kiss he placed in her palm. She quivered-he felt the vibrations that extended along her arm, but she didn’t try to pull away.

“Someday you’ll make a place for me beside you,” he muttered, looking from her wide green eyes to the empty side of the bed. He released her slowly, and she rubbed her hand as if it were sore. “Did I hurt you?” he asked, frowning in concern.

“No, it’s just… no.” She held her hands to her sides, staring at him oddly.

Awareness caused a sharp pang inside him, and he shook his head with a rueful smile. He left the room at once, knowing that if he stayed a moment longer, he wouldn’t be able to keep himself from taking her. As he closed the door behind him, he glimpsed her briefly as she stood without moving, her face a lovely mask.

Chapter 5

To LARA’S CONSTERNatiON, the crowd of visitors they had received the previous day was nothing compared to the deluge that now overwhelmed Hawksworth Hall. It seemed that every one of the mansion’s seventy-four rooms was filled to overflowing. Local political figures, gentry, and townspeople came to call, driven by curiosity and excitement over Hawksworth’s return.

Equipages with teams of four and six lined the long drive, while the servants’ hall was filled with footmen and postilions in various shades of livery.

“Shall I turn them away?” Lara had asked Hunter in the morning, when the flood of guests was just begining. “Mrs. Gorst can tell everyone that you are indisposed “Send them in.” He sat back in the library armchair with an air of anticipation. “I’d like to see some familiar faces from the past.”

“But Dr. Slade prescribed rest and privacy for the next few days, until you adjust to being back home-” “I’ve had months of rest and privacy.”

Lara stared at him in bewilderment. Hunter, always protective of the family dignity, must be aware that it was only decent to keep themselves in seclusion for a few days and organize his reentry into society in a circumspect manner.

“It will be a circus,” she managed to say. “You can’t let them all in at once.”