reasons with her father? Likely, but to have that level of anger show on his face at the mere mention of taking her from him, no, it was more than that.
Sabine was exceptionally beautiful, innocent even as she preformed the most erotic of acts with him and Faith. She gave off an air of chaste inquisitiveness, wanting always to learn, willing to do whatever he said, whatever gave her pleasure.
She was a rare creature.
Had Reddick sensed that as well?
“She's the woman I plan to marry,” Reddick said shortly, “and I've no intention of dismissing that contract. At what point did you develop an interest in my fair little Sabine?”
Curling his hands into fists, Severn controlled his temper. What liberties did Reddick take with her…and what did she allow?
“She's quite charming,” he said with a quick and easy smile, clasping his hands behind his back. “I've been quite taken with her since the picnic last week.”
Slowly nodding, Reddick walked a wide circle around Severn. Keeping a bland look on his face, he offered a bored look to the man. He knew the game Reddick played and wouldn't lose. Not to one such as him.
“She is quite charming at first sight,” Reddick allowed. “But you, the established bachelor, I'm surprised your tastes would run to one so innocent.”
He laughed, short, amused, unconcerned. “I've decided it's time to take a wife and my interests were piqued by her. She's changed my views on marriage.”
“My congratulations,” Reddick said with a slight mocking bow, “to you and your future bride. However, this one is taken. I find her too sweet a treasure to relinquish.”
“You haven't heard my proposal,” Severn said confidently.
“At any price,” Reddick interrupted.
Severn studied the shorter man, noted the implacable look in Reddick's eye. He wouldn't budge on this, but the larger question was why. Refusing to allow Reddick's resistance to the idea to stop him, Severn tried another tactic.
He didn't just want Sabine. He had to have her.
Wanted to be the one to taste her innocence yet expose her to all there was in the world. In his bed. He wanted to be the one to teach her; he wanted to be the one to instruct her in all the ways to pleasure him—and herself.
Selfishness consumed him when it came to her, and he refused to lose her.
“Perhaps her father,” he said with a nod, “has a price. I came to you as a courtesy.”
The smug smile was not lost on Severn. “Stanton's price has been paid; he's indebted to me . And that is not likely to change.”
Intrigued, Severn nodded. Reddick knew who he was and that he was much wealthier. Had more connections—hell, possessed a title! What would Reddick have over Stanton?
“Then the two of you have bartered her flesh,” he shot back. “There are many things I can barter with.” He bowed to the other man in farewell. “Many that would strangle your business, many that would destroy Stanton's.”
“By the time you destroy Stanton, she will be mine.”
“And you? The systematic destruction of all you know? Do you think,” he demanded, “I cannot do it? That I won't? I have done more for less of an insult. She is a possession I desire and there will be very little I won't do to acquire her.”
Severn left the room then, enjoying the arrested look on Reddick's face. He withstood the impulse to see Sabine and left the manor. Every word he said to Reddick was true. He'd destroy that man if he didn't relinquish Sabine.
* * * *
Reddick stalked back into the front parlor. Sabine looked up at him calmly, but Faith jumped up and offered him a glass of port. Dismissing her with a curt wave, he stared at Sabine for several long moments.
“You”—he pointed at a wide-eyed Faith—”stay here. Sabine.” His voice became silken, and he saw her gaze change from curiosity to concern. Good. “Sabine, come with me.”
He took her back to the east parlor, shutting the door quietly behind him. In the instant before the door
Sabine was exceptionally beautiful, innocent even as she preformed the most erotic of acts with him and Faith. She gave off an air of chaste inquisitiveness, wanting always to learn, willing to do whatever he said, whatever gave her pleasure.
She was a rare creature.
Had Reddick sensed that as well?
“She's the woman I plan to marry,” Reddick said shortly, “and I've no intention of dismissing that contract. At what point did you develop an interest in my fair little Sabine?”
Curling his hands into fists, Severn controlled his temper. What liberties did Reddick take with her…and what did she allow?
“She's quite charming,” he said with a quick and easy smile, clasping his hands behind his back. “I've been quite taken with her since the picnic last week.”
Slowly nodding, Reddick walked a wide circle around Severn. Keeping a bland look on his face, he offered a bored look to the man. He knew the game Reddick played and wouldn't lose. Not to one such as him.
“She is quite charming at first sight,” Reddick allowed. “But you, the established bachelor, I'm surprised your tastes would run to one so innocent.”
He laughed, short, amused, unconcerned. “I've decided it's time to take a wife and my interests were piqued by her. She's changed my views on marriage.”
“My congratulations,” Reddick said with a slight mocking bow, “to you and your future bride. However, this one is taken. I find her too sweet a treasure to relinquish.”
“You haven't heard my proposal,” Severn said confidently.
“At any price,” Reddick interrupted.
Severn studied the shorter man, noted the implacable look in Reddick's eye. He wouldn't budge on this, but the larger question was why. Refusing to allow Reddick's resistance to the idea to stop him, Severn tried another tactic.
He didn't just want Sabine. He had to have her.
Wanted to be the one to taste her innocence yet expose her to all there was in the world. In his bed. He wanted to be the one to teach her; he wanted to be the one to instruct her in all the ways to pleasure him—and herself.
Selfishness consumed him when it came to her, and he refused to lose her.
“Perhaps her father,” he said with a nod, “has a price. I came to you as a courtesy.”
The smug smile was not lost on Severn. “Stanton's price has been paid; he's indebted to me . And that is not likely to change.”
Intrigued, Severn nodded. Reddick knew who he was and that he was much wealthier. Had more connections—hell, possessed a title! What would Reddick have over Stanton?
“Then the two of you have bartered her flesh,” he shot back. “There are many things I can barter with.” He bowed to the other man in farewell. “Many that would strangle your business, many that would destroy Stanton's.”
“By the time you destroy Stanton, she will be mine.”
“And you? The systematic destruction of all you know? Do you think,” he demanded, “I cannot do it? That I won't? I have done more for less of an insult. She is a possession I desire and there will be very little I won't do to acquire her.”
Severn left the room then, enjoying the arrested look on Reddick's face. He withstood the impulse to see Sabine and left the manor. Every word he said to Reddick was true. He'd destroy that man if he didn't relinquish Sabine.
* * * *
Reddick stalked back into the front parlor. Sabine looked up at him calmly, but Faith jumped up and offered him a glass of port. Dismissing her with a curt wave, he stared at Sabine for several long moments.
“You”—he pointed at a wide-eyed Faith—”stay here. Sabine.” His voice became silken, and he saw her gaze change from curiosity to concern. Good. “Sabine, come with me.”
He took her back to the east parlor, shutting the door quietly behind him. In the instant before the door
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