Wages of Sin Read Online Free Page A

throat as every stroke stoked the fire burning inside her. Her hips arched to meet each thrust, her legs twining round him, pulling him even deeper.
    He moved faster and the tormenting sensations in the pit of her stomach built to an unbearable pitch. Finally he bucked and spasmed and a scream of animal pleasure burst from her throat as she sagged back in relief and satisfaction.
    They must have slept then, curled up against one another like a pair of healthy young animals, because when Jane became conscious of time again the sun was already high in the sky. With an exclamation of dismay she sat up, disturbing Robin, who stretched, yawned hugely, then gaped in horror as the realisation of what he’d done struck home.
    â€˜Mistress Jane, I...’
    She laid a finger against his lips. ‘Hush, sweet Robin,’ she smiled. ‘You did no more than I wished you to.’ Her forehead creased in a worried frown. ‘But if my stepfather ever found out your life would not be worth a farthing.’ Her face cleared. ‘They must be looking for me by this time. You must ride back alone and say you searched but could not find me.’ He opened his mouth to protest, but she silenced him with a final kiss. A servant could not afford to be chivalrous and she had no desire to see the body that had given her so much pleasure whipped and broken.
    â€˜Go,’ she ordered. Reluctantly, he pulled his clothes on and did as he was bid.
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    It was mid-afternoon before she returned to the house, her belly quivering with hunger and nerves. Concealing her unease with an innocent smile, she rode back into the stable yard and swung down from Alex’s back. Robin cast a quick, sympathetic glance in her direction, then bent his head over the lame leg of the horse he was working on. Angry footsteps clattered on the cobbles behind her and a hard hand gripped her upper arm and swung her round.
    â€˜How dare you disobey me?’ snarled her stepfather, spittle spraying from his lips with rage. He lifted his other hand to strike her but her mother caught his wrist in frantic hands.
    â€˜Please, Thomas, please,’ she begged. ‘She’s only a girl,’ she searched for an argument more likely to appeal to his sense of propriety, ‘and the servants are watching.’
    He shook her off, but his first rage was blunted. Jane threw her a quick smile of gratitude.
    â€˜Get to your chamber,’ he hissed. ‘I shall speak to you in private.’ She stalked off, head held high and he followed her. Her mother watched, wringing her hands with anxiety.
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    â€˜Well?’ he demanded as the door banged shut behind him.
    Jane stared at him defiantly. ‘Well what?’ she taunted.
    â€˜You know very well,’ he snarled. ‘Have you come to your senses yet?’ He forced a smile. ‘Come girl,’ he muttered gruffly, ‘cease this damned foolishness and marry Sir Harry. He won’t wait forever.’
    â€˜If Sir Harry wants a virgin bride he may wait till hell freezes over,’ she jeered maliciously. ‘He’s too late.’
    The colour drained from her stepfather’s face. ‘What do you mean?’ he said stiffly, his lips white.
    â€˜I mean, dear stepfather,’ she smiled, ‘that if he planned on deflowering me, he’s going to be disappointed. That pleasure has gone to another.’
    The blow nearly knocked her from her feet. She staggered and fell against the wall. White-faced, she pulled herself erect, then recoiled from the hatred in his eyes.
    â€˜You’d better be lying, you little bitch,’ he said softly, in a tone that was somehow more terrifying than any rage could have been. He walked away, opened her chamber door and smiled coldly over his shoulder. ‘Or you’ll regret it for the rest of your days.’
    A pang of terror ran through her and she buried her face in her hands. For the first time she was truly afraid of