Read The Ice Seduction (Ice Romance) for Free Online Page B

months in my car e, she stopped doing it. God, I hope she’s okay. So far, the Carmichael girls have been conveniently out whenever I’ve called. It breaks my heart to think I might never talk to them again.
    ‘But what if that child pushed you to your limits?’ said Patrick.
    ‘Children don’t push adults to their limits, Mr Mansfield,’ I say. ‘It’s the adults who have the wrong limits. When children are difficult, it’s usually their way of asking for help.’
    Mrs Calder’s mouth drops open. Eventually she closes it again. ‘Speak when you’re spoken to, Miss Harper,’ she says.
    Patrick swings his chair around to face me. He watches me for a moment. Then he turns to Agnes. ‘Mrs Calder, you can leave us now.’
    ‘But Mr Mansfield —’
    ‘You can leave us,’ says Patrick.
    Mrs Calder glances at me. ‘Very well. Um. Mr Mansfield, just to remind you. Bertie has his tuition later. With Margaret. Seraphina will need to make sure Bertie is in the castle after supper. She needs to be aware of that.’
    ‘Well ,’ says Patrick. ‘Now she’s aware.’
    ‘ Um … well yes,’ says Mrs Calder. She hesitates for a moment, then slides around the door and closes it behind her.
    The room feels very silent now she’s gone. Too silent.
    Patrick watches me, and I feel kind of naked under those cool eyes.
    He picks up a roll of fishing line that was weighing down a bunch of papers and taps it against the desk. Then, finally, he speaks.
    ‘ You’re not afraid of me,’ he says.
    It’s not a question. He’s just stating a fact.
    ‘Afraid of you?’ I say, trying to hold his gaze without blushing.
    ‘ Most people … women , I should say, are afraid of me. Not many of them talk back, like you just did. Which tells me that you’re not afraid.’
    ‘ I didn’t think I was …’ I swallow. ‘I … I speak my mind, that’s all. I mean, if you care for children, you’ve got to have a mind of your own.’
    ‘ As long as you understand that I’m in charge.’
    I swallow. ‘Maybe in charge of the castle. But if I’m the nanny here, I’ll be in charge of your nephew.’
    Patrick smiles. ‘You really are different from the others, aren’t you? But I like a challenge myself. And something tells me I’m going to enjoy keeping you in line. This castle can be a dangerous place. You’ll soon learn to follow my rules and do what I tell you. No more midnight walks.’
    ‘Look, if you’re just going to humiliate me …’
    ‘Humiliate you?’ Patrick’s eyebrows pull into a frown.
    ‘Mr Mansfield, I’m a good nanny. I promise I am. And if your nephew, Bertie, is as troubled as he sounds, then he needs me.’
    Pa trick’s lips twitch. ‘Maybe we all do.’
    I redden.
    What on earth does that mean?’
    ‘ I’ve never met anyone like you in my life.’ Patrick’s eyes are fixed on mine now.
    ‘Is that a good thing or a bad thing?’ I hear myself ask.
    ‘Good .’ Patrick is still watching me, his eyes just a little bit amused.
    I swallow again, as I watch his strong wrists cross over each other on the walnut desk.
    He stands up suddenly, and my head follows him up and up.
    Good god , he’s tall. My head is pretty much chest-height with him, and I have to tilt it to see his face.
    Such a handsome face, too. All smooth skin and strong features, but it’s rugged and tough, with those bright white tiger scars and those eyes that strip me naked.
    ‘But no matter how interesting I find your lack of fear, in this castle you still have to do as I say. Do you understand that, Miss Harper?’
    ‘Yes and no .’
    ‘Yes and … no ?’ His lips curve into a dangerous smile.
    ‘ Sometimes rules should be a little flexible. Especially where children are concerned.’
    ‘Not here ,’ says Patrick, his voice suddenly low and growling. The smile leaves his face. ‘And the first rule is, no more exploring the castle at night. It’s not safe.’
    ‘Okay ,’ I say.
    ‘Rule two. You stay out of the deep