Miss Simpkins School: Flora Read Online Free

adjourn elsewhere for a while?” He opened the door next to them, and propelled her forward along a short corridor toward an exit at the far end. “Through here.”
    Once more Flora found her arm held in an iron grip as he opened this door, walked them into a small and comfortably furnished parlor, and turned the key in the lock. “It’s to be hoped no one else has the same ideas, but at least they won’t come in and surprise us.” He walked to the windows, checked the bolts, and drew the curtains. The room was in shadow, but Flora could see enough to watch him light the lamp and adjust the wick so a soft glow bathed the area.
    Even though it had been her intention to end up in the spot they occupied, Flora’s hands were clammy. What on earth made her think she could seduce a man of such experience?
    “Now, where were we?” He leaned against the wall and looked at her. “Did you say something, my dear?”
    She shook her head. “Nothing at all. Why are we here? Won’t we be missed?” She couldn’t do it. Fraser was so worldly, so blatantly male, and such a virile looking man that her mouth was dry. She wanted him, and wished she did have the courage to act. What if he laughed, and turned her offers down? What then? Flora didn’t think she’d be able to bear it.
    “Who knows?” He shrugged. “We’re about to be wed, people will talk until something else takes their attention. As you won’t be in London that often, it matters little. Tonnish news doesn’t hold much sway at Kilfron, and the Glasgow assemblies are not that inspiring to make me desire to attend. So, my dear, I dare you to finish what you almost started.”
    His almost uninterested indifference stung, as did his blatant words saying she wouldn’t be in the capital often, but didn’t say the same thing about himself.
    “That is just what is not going to happen,” she said with a snap. “Not in my marriage.” Flora paced across the room. “I want it all.” She stopped in front of Fraser, who was staring at her as if she had sprouted horns. “What?” she said abruptly, amazed at her temerity. Being open and forthright wasn’t something she had practiced with him before. “Why are you staring at me?”
    He grinned. “You make no sense, my dear. What isn’t going to happen? That we live in Kilfron? Of course it will. It’s my family seat, somewhere we both know and love. Somewhere for our children to grow up and learn their heritage. You’ll be happy there, and I won’t worry about you.”
    He sounded so definite that Flora’s ire increased. How dare he? Yes, it may be the way of their world, but she couldn’t accept it. Now she had to try and show Fraser that. However he hadn’t finished. Before she had a chance to comment he continued.
    “Or do you mean that you won’t finish what you started? Such a pity, I never knew you had fire in your blood. I wonder how it will show itself, or if it had been doused at the first hint of a challenge?” His eyes sparkled and mocked her, and he smiled in a way designed to make her itch to slap him.
    She balled her hands into fists and bit her tongue. It wasn’t the time to act like a fishwife, but really, she could shout and scream at his attitude. All of a sudden Flora decided enough was enough. He spoke as if everything was cut and dried. Not to her it wasn’t.
    “Oh never that, my lord, never that. You really have no idea of who I am, do you? I will not be dismissed to molder in Scotland whilst you live the high life in other places. I have no taste for cast offs, and if your cock is welcomed elsewhere, it will not then return to me to plant its seed. I’m worth more than that.” She was on a roll now; proud of how she hadn’t stumbled or stuttered over the crude expression, and gloried in the feeling of freedom as she spoke. Who knew that to utter such words could be so liberating? “I’ve discovered I don’t back away from a challenge, but do you know? I have also discovered