Frigid Waters (Ladies of Loomcroft) Read Online Free Page B

she detested him.
     
    George swallowed, for the first time he began to think that maybe he had bit off a bit more than he could chew when it came to this game he was playing with her.  She turned and stalked a few paced.  Suddenly her back straightened and her step slowed.  He could almost lay money that her fake smile had returned.
     
    True to her command, he arrived twenty minutes later to a library in which she was already waiting.  She paced like a caged tigress.  When he came in he shut the door and locked it to be safe.  When he turned around she was crowding him.
     
    He could almost see her internal floodgates open.  “How dare you, George Livery!  If you ever touch my sister again...I'll...I'll...”
     
    He smiled, “You will do what, Miss Loomcroft?”
     
    She stilled and leveled her gaze with his.  “I will take my father up on his offer to help my him with his businesses and do everything in my power to destroy your shipping ventures.”
     
    His eyes narrowed.  “Miss Loomcroft, you had better watch your threats.  I know you are angry, but that is not a threat you should make.”
     
    “Do not discount it, Mr. Livery.  If you bring her to ruin, you will be following her as closely as the hounds of hell surely follow you.”  She growled and pushed a finger into his chest.
     
    He grabbed her hand and immediately regretted it.  She wasn't cold like he expected, he almost burned when he touched her.  “I do not lead children to ruin.”  He ground out.
     
    She glared at him and tried to pull her hand out of his.  “Then what exactly were you doing on the terrace?  Anyone could have seen you.”
     
    He turned her hand over and kissed her palm.  “I only expected one person to follow us.”
     
    She paled, reading his meaning perfectly.  “What exactly do you want from me, Mr. Livery?”  
     
    “Your given name and leave to use it.  So...we may be friends.  You are singular among your gender, Miss Loomcroft.”  He said and let go of her hand.  Unfortunately he also realized he meant it.  It was a rare thing for a woman turn him down or get angry with him.  George was beginning to think he liked the candor she possessed when she chose to share it.
     
    She stepped away from him and he saw her put on her mask once again.  “My name is Belladonna.”  She shoved past and went to the door.  Before she opened it she turned.  “If you lay your lips upon me again, Mr. Livery, I will break your nose.  As a friendly gesture, of course.”
     
    She left him there in he library staring at the door with a smile on his face.  Belladonna.  A fitting name for a woman like herself.  George knew that he should be plotting his next move to repay her for the embarrassment she had caused him, but he was more interested in figuring out the puzzle that was Belladonna Loomcroft.  Was she the demure, uninterested lady or the fiery, passionate woman?  He wasn't sure, but George suspected he was going to enjoy finding out.
     
    ###
     
    The next morning began like any other.  Belladonna cared for her little sisters.  She had banished Cara into the schoolroom once both sets of twins were crying.  The poor woman looked ready to break down in tears herself.
     
    She was exhausted herself as she faced her tasks.  Her sleep was plagued by fantasies of a kiss that started on her palm traveling much farther.  It was not the fault of George Livery that she obvious lusted after him her dreams.  Still, she would have liked for him to be soundly beaten for it and for him to never return to her slumber.
     
    About a half an hour after she got all of the infants settled down a very confused maid found her in the library.  “Miss, you have a caller.  He is waiting in the downstairs sitting room.”
     
    She sat down a book and looked at the woman. “Are you sure that the gentleman is looking for me?”  She asked tentatively.
     
    “Quite sure, Miss.”  Belladonna nodded and made her