The woman’s expressive eyes narrowed into almond slits, and she trembled. Her whole body tensed beneath his gaze. “Excuse me if my language is offensive, but I just woke up in a strange room, surrounded by strange people—one of whom has seen me naked—” His breath caught, “only to be verbally abused in an inquisition carried on by a man I don’t know. I’m entitled to a few colorful words.”
Despite the anger and unwelcome desire racing through him, his lips wanted to curve up in appreciation of her gumption and obvious intelligence. She was clever…and he hated that he admired that. He shouldn’t admire anything about her.
She was a criminal, and she had to pay for her crimes.
Dr. Blige stepped forward and cleared his throat, interrupting their heated sparring match before they could draw blood.
“If I may remind you, my lord, she is recovering from a rather nasty conk on the head. Rest and care are called for.”
Realizing he had indeed been badgering a woman he’d nearly killed, Logan inwardly cursed. “You’re right, doctor.” Turning to Mrs. Roomer in the corner, he continued, “Let her rest in herefor the night. Keep constant guard inside and out, and fetch me the minute she does anything untoward.” He glanced toward the Roma woman. “We will continue thisinquisitionin the morning.”
Having reached the end of his patience, and tired of the press of his mounting desire, he stalked from the room.
When the manstormed from the room, dragged air into her lungs. Battling back the heat boiling beneath her skin, she ground her teeth.
Gypsy? How in the hell did he come to that conclusion?
She had no idea. Maybe the way she’d been dressed would make him assume she was Roma. Her long black hair and olive skin were identical to Carlenna’s features.
Wait…Carlenna…the Carnal-Val…. What happened…?
Suddenly, a light bulb flickered on in her brain, and everything fell into place. She felt as if the cosmos bent down from its lofty perch and slapped her across the face.
The watch!
It had to have been the watch she’d stolen from Carlenna’s tent.
Where is it?
“I’ve got to find it.”
“Did you say something?” asked a mild male voice. She blushed, remembering the doctor was still in the room. Without waiting for an answer, he continued, his tone patronizing. “Before I go, I am going to give you something for the pain. This is laudanum.” He indicated the vial of medicine on the bedside table. “I will leave it with Mrs. Roomer. She will give you theappropriate dose. Once you’ve taken it, you should be able to sleep with little discomfort.”
She rolled her eyes, pleading for a sense of calm. Ignoring the still-strong ache in her head, she lay down, and gently placed her head on the pillow, thankful that at least she didn’t have a lack of shelter to add to her growing list of problems.
Chapter Ten
In the cold darkness beneath the swinging boughs of wind-caressed trees, a soft glow emanated from a patch of wet leaves and fallen needles. Blanketed by discarded clothing and accessories, the entity concealed within the golden pocket watch reached out, calling for the warm, passionate hand of the companion who held it only hours before.
Despite their disastrous meeting, they were inexplicably bound. One destiny foreordained to change the other.
A translucent, formless wisp rose skyward, drifting with purpose and intelligence, floating up into the crisp night air.
Searching.
Desperate.
Logan pacedbefore the roaring fire in his bedroom.
Who is this woman? What the hell am I supposed to do with her?
The questions did nothing to settle the battle raging within him. The more he thought about her, the more he wanted to runto her room, throw open the doors, and demand she tell him all he wanted to know—like why she seemed so achingly familiar.
He groaned. Her eyes would undo him. During their frustrating encounter, a jade flame ignited in her glare.
He’d never encountered a woman quite as stunning as her. True, he had met and even bedded his fair share of beauties, but none had the same impassioned, sensual energy bursting from their every pore. She was like a blazing fire burning everything in her path, and he was a parched wilderness, waiting to be immolated. How could one woman affect him so quickly?
He bit back a groan and downed a glass of brandy. As he shucked his jacket, he pictured the woman in the bed five rooms away.
