Alexander-Fyn-Sanguinarian

His smooth, hairless chest was at her eye level.
    “I have no idea. I might have stowed away in one of those carriages outside. Or I might have died and perhaps that would have been better than being here with you.”
    “Get on the bed,” he ordered.
    “No,” she said.
    Raven seized her and lifted her off the ground, carrying her swiftly across the tower and putting her on the bed.
    He removed her gown and petticoats so quickly that despite her struggles she could do nothing to prevent him. Not bothering to Sanguinarian 139
    unhook the buttons, he simple tore them apart, swiftly disrobing her while her panic and horror rose incrementally with each piece of clothing he threw aside. When he reached her lace-edged pantaloons he grasped the front firmly at the waist band and ripped them free in one movement. Evangeline began to scream. She felt for her little gold cross but it was gone, the chain broken in the scuffle.
    “You were warned, Miss Rutledge. I told you what would happen if you tried my patience again.”
    She fought to cover herself, using first her hands, then grabbing at the bed covers, but all in vain.
    Raven fell on top of her, pinning her to the bed. Somehow amid the struggle he managed to remove his boots and trousers. His naked flesh, cool against hers, induced frightening sensations. Raven’s skin was completely hairless and very smooth. His torso was boney and angular, his long limbs wrapped about her so that she could not move.
    Her legs were trapped, making Mrs. Brackett’s trick impossible to repeat.
    In fear and panic she sank her teeth into his shoulder, feeling a moment’s satisfaction when he threw back his head and howled. He raised a hand to strike her then swore and drew his hand back. “This situation is bad enough without me losing my temper as well.”
    “Is that worse than what you are doing now?” It was difficult to speak with his weight upon her. “How is it worse? Strike me if you will, but do not ruin me for pity’s sake.”
    Raven went still. His eyes bored into hers, filled with anger and sudden uncertainty. “But I warned you,” he said through his teeth. “I told you what I would do if you tried my patience again. You knew I meant what I said, didn’t you?”
    “Yes, I knew.” She spoke very quietly. “I took the risk anyway.”
    “Do you hate me so very much, Miss Rutledge?”
    “Yes, I despise you. If I am to have a husband, I would prefer he be of my own choosing and that he be a man of natural tastes.”
    “An ordinary mortal?”

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    Fyn Alexander
    “That is what I would prefer, yes. Now would you please be good enough to remove yourself, my lord.”
    “I have tried to be kind,” he said quietly, his anger seeming to have fled. “I have made this room comfortable. I gave you access to your funds. What have I done that is so bad?”
    “You are forcing me to marry you simply because of your inheritance.”
    “Many marriages are based on inheritance.” He sounded quite reasonable and she knew it was true.
    “You bought me,” she whispered.
    “Yes,” he agreed. “That was not the best start, I admit.” Raven climbed off her and stood beside the bed. “Give me the key.” He sounded only weary now. “I will lock you in and go back to my people. We will talk again in the morning. I am not such a cad as you want to think me, Evangeline.”
    “You will find it in the pocket of my gown, sir,” she said.
    Raven looked about him and seeing the discarded garment, he bent to pick it up.
    Without a moment’s pause to reconsider her actions, Evangeline grabbed the candlestick from where it stood on the floor beside the bed and brought it crashing down onto Raven’s back. Though not particularly strong, she threw all her small weight behind the heavy silver object and was both relieved and horrified when she heard his heavy cry. He fell full length to the floor while Evangeline grabbed her nightgown and began to push the heavy chair out of the way.
    Flooded with adrenalin, she moved it easily and ran naked into the corridor, scarcely noticing the cold, and struggling as she did so to cover herself.
    “Where are you going? What have you done?” Munk stood before her, blocking her path. In the same instant she felt Raven behind her.
    “My Lord, are you hurt?” Munk asked in horror, seeing her master naked, moving his shoulder up and down awkwardly.
    “Not as hurt as she will be by the time I am done with her.” He Sanguinarian 141
    took