Read In Bed With the Devil for Free Online

return home so late? And to immediately assume that a woman such as she was there for carnal purposes? Only the worst of blackguards would view women in such a way. Catherine wasn’t a trollop. She was chaste and pure and proper. Although after tasting his kiss, she realized her life was rather dull. Still, his actions had resulted in her finally comprehending why ladies were discouraged from experiencing such intimacies until they were wed. Did all men hold such power over women—to make them burn with desire? Or wasit only those like Claybourne, who loitered at the gates of hell?
    â€œWinnie, you’ve been married for five years now.”
    She’d attracted the Duke of Avendale’s attention their very first Season and had married him at Christmas that same year.
    Winnie furrowed her brow. “Is that a question?”
    â€œNo, it’s an observation that I felt compelled to make before asking: Does he kiss you?”
    â€œThat’s an odd question.”
    â€œI’m a maiden and I have no mother to ask about the questions that cause me curiosity, and so I must turn to my married friend for the answers. Does he kiss you?”
    Winnie sipped her tea as though mulling over her answer. “On occasion.”
    â€œDoes it leave you wanting?”
    â€œWanting what?”
    Catherine almost laughed. If she had to explain it, well, then he wasn’t kissing as Claybourne did. But Avendale had been born a gentleman, while Claybourne was little more than a scoundrel dressed in lord’s clothing.
    She watched as Winnie leaned forward ever so slightly to pour them more tea. It was ironic that such beauty as found in this garden surrounded a house where incredible ugliness lurked. Her movements explained so much about her unnecessary worry over the invitations. “He’s beaten you again, hasn’t he, Winnie?”
    â€œDon’t be silly.”
    Reaching out, Catherine placed her hand over her friend’s, stilling her actions. “I see howgingerly you move—as though the smallest of movements causes you the greatest of pain. You can confide in me. I won’t tell a soul. You know that.”
    Tears welled in Winnie’s expressive eyes. “He came home late last night in a fit of temper. I’m not sure what I did wrong—”
    â€œI doubt you did anything wrong, and even if you did, he has no right to strike you.”
    â€œThe law disagrees.”
    â€œDamn the law.”
    Gasping, Winnie widened her eyes. “Catherine, your language.”
    â€œYou chastise me for my language and yet I wager you take his beatings in silence.”
    â€œI’m his wife, his property. The law gives him leave to do with me as he pleases, even force his attentions on me when I might not want them. A day will come when you’ll learn the truth of marriage.”
    â€œI doubt I shall ever marry. But if I should, I’ll not give a man control over me.”
    â€œYou’ve only managed to escape marriage because your father is infirmed and your brother traipses over the continents. Once he returns and settles into his responsibilities, including those toward you, everything will change.”
    No, it wouldn’t. Catherine was stronger than Winnie. Although she had to readily admit she’d grown more independent after Sterling left. Her father had begun to teach her things, for fear that her wanderlust brother might not return from his travels. Since her father had fallen ill, she’d taken it upon herself to step into his shoes as much aspossible. She knew her forceful nature no doubt intimidated some and was whispered about by others. But she’d not let her father’s legacy fall into decay or disarray.
    â€œI’m all of two and twenty, Winnie, and no man has indicated an interest in having me as a wife.”
    â€œIt’s because of the way the Devil Earl looked at you that night as though he was singling you out—and