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Without question, she knew exactly who had executed this plan, who'd evacuated the
house right under her nose. Trembling with fury, she returned to her chamber. Why not
take advantage and luxuriate in bed for once? First she fluffed the pillow but then decided
to give it a good pounding, until feathers burst from its seams. She settled back on the
now flattened pillow, but finding rest in her agitated state proved impossible. With a
scream of vexation, she kicked the covers to the floor then with a muttered oath stooped
to retrieve the blanket. She had yet to explore Mrs. Smith's room. Determined to thwart
the fiendish earl, Tess lit a candle and ascended the servants' stairs. The flame fluttered
eerily in the narrow hallway. Muttering a plea for fortune to turn in her favor, she entered
the low-ceilinged room. The doors on the small wardrobe were agape, and the barren
interior that greeted her seemed a purposeful taunt. Not even a blasted apron remained.
Sparked by another idea, she raced downstairs to see if the mudroom that adjoined
the kitchen held at least a rain cloak. The hooks were empty. The bastard had been
ruthlessly thorough. If he wanted rid of her so badly, why hadn't he left her some
clothing? Clearly, he wished to see her completely humiliated.
She stomped through the empty house. In the parlor, she clutched at the faded
damask drapery thinking to yank the curtains from the wall, but the curtain rod was too
heavy and well-seated. She would have to take scissors to the fabric. It was an inspiration
with little chance of success. Her skills as a seamstress were negligible. Besides, it would
take her forever to create a garment. She glanced out the window at the stables. Though
the house was somewhat isolated, certain angles of the yard could be spied from the road,
and Tess did not have the courage to go outside mantled only in a blanket. When night
fell, she'd fetch the ladder from the barn. She would explore the attic for moth-eaten
garments. Surely there had to be remnants of other generations stored. Unable to occupy
her mind with reading or anything remotely productive, she curled up on the settee to
wait for dusk.
The sky was just starting to gray, the gloomy veil of night dropping, when the front
door slammed. Tess flew off the settee and raced into the entrance hall, her bare feet
skidding on the slick marble, to find the devil himself, with the two huge mastiffs at his
heels. He gave her a placid smile as he pulled off his leather gloves. What was he up to?
She didn t trust a hair on his black head.
W-What is going on? Where is everyone? she stammered, completely flustered by
the idea of being alone with him.
They left early, just before the sun. I had the cook accompany Lady Stadwell in the
carriage so that people would think you d left with her.
She eyed him suspiciously. Why would you do that? Her voice rose to a hysterical
pitch and he immediately pressed his fingers to his temples.
Though he appeared stone cold sober, he was suffering the aftereffects of a week of
imbibing. His skin was paler than usual and in stark contrast to his black hair. Because
people talk. And since we are just beginning this venture, I felt there was no need to stir
up rumors.
Tess pulled the wool blanket tighter, scratching her bare skin. She had never felt so
vulnerable. She blinked up in confusion at the most intimidating man she d ever known.
She was at his mercy. Lady Stadwell had abandoned her.
Is there some reason With effort, she squelched the urge to rain curses down on
him why I have nothing to wear? Her voice vibrated with fury.
He shrugged. The dressmaker will have some of your wardrobe completed by the
week s end. In the meantime, you won t need any clothing.
I suppose I m to lock myself in my room naked until she arrives?
No, I expect you to stay in my room naked for the week.
She couldn t have understood him correctly. Pardon?
If I m to hire you for my aunt s dubious scheme, I d like to see just how capable
you are.
Exactly what does that mean?
I intend to fuck you, Miss Calloway.
Lord Marcliffe was studying her a little too carefully. She suspected he was
expecting she d lose her nerve. He casually combed back his windblown hair with his
fingers. How on earth could someone be that handsome and that cruel? I detest you!
One woman, two men the choice of a lifetime and the chance for a perfect future.
Perfecting Amanda
© 2007 Bonnie Dee
When Amanda McCormick heads west as to create a home of her own and begin a
perfect marriage with a man she s never met, gambler Spencer Teague intercepts her.
Pretending to be her fiancé, he tricks her into surrendering her virginity.
Amanda hides the misguided affair and forges a relationship with her young
husband, Travis. But her secret haunts her when she learns she s pregnant. Meanwhile,
Spencer is haunted by visions of a little girl who demands he find and help Amanda.
Their lives entwine as the three come together in an unexpected relationship that
touches and tortures them all. Amanda questions whether perfection is attainable and
if it s possible to love two very different kinds of men.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Perfecting Amanda:
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