The Duke's Gamble Read Online Free

shook.
    The immense urge to drag her into his arms and hold her was unexpected. He hesitated then decided to forge ahead. “While you are here, I require you to abide by my rules.”
    She stiffened. “Rules?”
    “Yes. Rule one. You will do everything that I order you to do.”
    Her mouth fell open. “Everything? But—”
    Castor held out his hand and she closed her mouth. Her eyes, however, shot daggers at him, and he felt a smile tug at his mouth. “Rule two. I will neither entertain any objections nor enter into any discussions about the first rule.”
    Arabella’s mouth opened again and he arched a brow. She pressed her lips together but her appearance was decidedly mulish. A chuckle threatened to break free but he managed to maintain an inscrutable countenance. His little prisoner clearly had a backbone. It was a pleasing discovery.  
    “You will refer to me as Castor.”
    She blinked, clearly not expecting this. Her brows drew together but it appeared as if she was concentrating. “Castor? As in the twins Castor and Pollux?”
    A shaft of pain pierced his heart, stealing his breath. He could not remember the last time he had heard his brother’s name spoken aloud. He steeled himself. “And I will call you Arabella.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “I suppose I have no say about that either.”
    He didn’t bother to reply but he was perturbed at finding her resistance captivating instead of exasperating. “You have no cause to fear me. I will not hurt you, Arabella. I have no desire to cause you any pain or discomfort. So you are to tell me at once if you experience any of these.”
    Her chin lifted a fraction more. “And what about the pain I am feeling at being forced into this situation, Your Grace? I do not suppose you intend to do anything about that?”
    Castor ignored the twinge of regret that prodded at his conscience. “I’m afraid I am unable to assuage your feelings in this matter. But you are most welcome to leave if you choose to,” he said, lying through his teeth. “But if you remain, you should know that I expect you to be in my bed.”
    She blanched. And then her jaw firmed. “I expected nothing less,” she replied, her voice steady. His admiration of her grew.
    “And in return, I will give you more pleasure than you ever thought possible.” He paused, looking intently into her eyes. “I promise you will lack for nothing here.” When she said nothing more he held out his hand. “Come, your supper is getting cold.”
    She hesitated for such a long moment that he felt a tendril of uncertainty form. When she finally placed her soft hand in his, relief poured through him.

Chapter 4

    Bella sat in the bathtub, her hands cradling a teacup as she kept her eyes trained on Avalon who was standing by the door, speaking with his valet. Castor. She had to remember that she was to call him Castor. Supper had seemed interminably long. Tray after tray had been brought in until the table in the corner of her bedchamber fairly groaned under the weight of the dishes. She had stared at the food, unable to hide her amazement at the number of dishes which surrounded her. There was a leg of pork large enough to feed two families, fish, fowl, soup, pies and an assortment of cakes. She had consumed very small quantities of the exquisitely cooked food, her exhaustion from her journey and her anxiety about the coming night robbing her of what little appetite she had. Avalon, no, Castor, had done nothing to put her at ease. He had said very little, merely regarded her with his dark, enigmatic eyes. It was impossible to say whether he found her desirable or wanting but the way he studied her had made her feel slightly embarrassed and yet oddly restless.
    Despite the hot water that surrounded her, she was huddled over in an effort to hide her nakedness. Why she persisted in preserving her modesty, she didn’t know. He had already seen everything. Bella’s cheeks burned as she remembered the way his eyes had