Read To Tame a Rogue for Free Online

will be a marriage in name only.” He paused. “Unless, at some point, you find you cannot resist. Women tend to leave my bed heartily satisfied.”
    Camille felt the hot blush on her cheeks deepening. “How noble of you, sir. But let me assure you, I have no desire to…I would never find pleasure in your bed.”
    Camille had never been with a man, so she didn’t really know what pleasures were to be had, but he didn’t have to know that. She’d heard enough tales from her best friend Meagan, who also worked at the tavern, to know that it was generally the man who found pleasure, not the woman. And she hadn’t even known his father, so why would he wish the match between them? None of it made any sense. How had her uncle known this arrogant man’s father?
    Camille thought of her childhood dreams, the lavish wedding she’d always wanted, a doting husband, small children to love and cherish...saw them all slipping away the same way so many other things in her life had slipped away.
    “That is most fortunate,” he finally said, “for I have no desire to sleep with a common tavern maid who’s been pawed by more men than she can count on both hands.”
    Dear God, but he was crude, and his words stung. She felt tears brimming but thrust her chin up. Well, what could she expect? Her uncle had always told her that no well-bred gentleman would ever desire her, not even as a mistress. Mistresses were exotic, sultry, and much desired. And she wasn't about to correct his assumption about her morals.
    “Fortunate indeed,” she said, “for I have no desire to sleep with a horse’s ass. Tavern maids and horses’ asses do not make a good match.”
    In the darkness, she did not see the sensual smile tugging at his lips.
        “Touché, madame. We understand each other. We are completely unsuited. I prefer a more sophisticated lady and you, I imagine, dream of a gentleman with higher ideals, one who is quite out of your reach. You are obviously not sophisticated and I am by no means a gentleman with higher ideals. Nor will I ever be.”
    Camille did not raise her eyes to look at him.
    “Yes,” she said quietly, thinking of how he had carelessly tossed her in the river to get his way. “We understand each other. But I haven’t consented to this match. Why should I marry you?”
    “Because, my dear, you have no choice.” The pair turned, startled, to see Penley Hardison filling out the doorway to the study like a crude blob of jelly. He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. Nicholas wondered just how long he had been eavesdropping.
    “I came as soon as I heard you’d left for Legacy Oaks, my dear.” He shook his fat finger at Camille. “Meagan told me what you were about.” Camille couldn’t believe Meagan had betrayed her trust. She stared suspiciously at Penley.
    The rain and wind had played havoc with his appearance. His single strand of limp gray hair was wrapped around his bald head in a most unbecoming manner; his garish clothes were wrinkled and stretched tautly across his ample paunch. Gaudy, gold rings danced clumsily on his fingers, catching the light from the fire in the hearth.
    “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.” Nicholas’ acerbic tone was lost on the man.
    Penley walked over to Nicholas and extended his hand. Nicholas’ arms remained crossed over his chest, his eyes hard and unyielding.
    “Penley Hardison. I knew your father quite well, quite well indeed.”
    Nicholas looked at him with disdain. “I can’t imagine what you and Caindale had in common, though I can guess it had something to do with gambling. My father had a penchant for that sort of thing. And I’m sure you were eager to take his coin.” Penley drew up his short frame.
    “I came to make sure you would honor your word, sir. ”
    “I fully intend to honor my word—for the sole purpose of fulfilling my father’s last wishes.”
    Penley’s boldness returned. “See that you do.”
    The look that