burning. "Never doubt that you please me very well."
Long after Rayven had left her, she could feel the heat of his lips, the urgent hardness of his body against hers. Though she had never known a man, she was not totally ignorant in the ways of men and women, but she had never dreamed that such pleasure was part of it. The women in the village whispered of putting up with a man's base nature, of enduring the hardship of the marriage bed. They had never mentioned the wonder of it, the fluttery feeling in one's stomach.
Earlier, he had listened to her play, dismissing her mistakes with a wave of his hand. It had been an easy piece; normally, she would have played it without hesitation. But she couldn't forget his touch, couldn't keep her hands from trembling with the memory of being in his arms, of touching him. Even now, it seemed as if the imprint of his long lean body had been burned into hers.
It seemed an effort to move, yet at the same time she seemed to be floating over the floor, up the stairs.
In her room, she removed her shoes and stockings, dropped her gown over the back of a chair, and slipped into bed.
She dreamed of him that night, dreamed that he was there, in her room, sitting beside her on the bed, his dark cloak floating over her like a shroud as he bent his head toward her. In the uncertain light of her room, his eyes seemed to glow like smoldering coals. She felt his hands grip her shoulders, felt his lips at her throat, felt the familiar lassitude steal over her as his teeth grazed the tender skin of her neck. Sensual pleasure mingled with pain. She moaned softly as his hands tightened on her arms. And then his voice, whispering in her ear.
"Only a dream, sweet Rhianna," he murmured, his voice hypnotizing her with its power. "Only a dream..."
Her eyelids fluttered down, but not before she saw him rise from her bed like a dark mist. She blinked once, and he was gone, as if he'd never been there.
But, of course, it was only a dream.
Chapter Six
Her touch has rendered me helpless,
her trust weakens the chains of the past.
Dare I believe in the love she offers?
Have I found an end to this darkness at last?
Rhianna's eyes widened as she stepped into the opera house. Except for the occasions when Bevins had taken her shopping in the neighboring town, it was the first time she had been out of the sheltered valley where she had been born, the first time she had been to the city. She couldn't help staring at the women, as beautiful as butterflies in their flamboyantly colored gowns of silk and satin.
She lifted her chin defiantly, trying to pretend she was one of them, that she belonged there. Her gown was just as fashionable, just as costly. The sapphires at her throat were fit for a queen. But, try as she might, she couldn't help feeling like a serving girl playing dress up in her mistress's clothes.
Once her initial awe wore off, she realized people were staring at Rayven. She heard snatches of conversation as Rayven escorted her up the stairs to his private box.
"It's Rayven..."
"Haven't seen him here in years..."
"... a new mistress..."
"... so young..."
"She's lovely..."
"... odd... he never changes..."
She was certain her cheeks were red with embarrassment by the time they reached their box. Sitting there, she hid her face behind her fan.
"Pay them no mind, sweet Rhianna," Rayven said. Taking the seat beside her, he settled back in his chair, a bored look on his face.
"They're talking about us."
"Let them. Did I tell you how beautiful you look in that gown?" And indeed, she did. The deep blue velvet complemented the creamy smoothness of her skin and made her eyes seem darker.
Rhianna nodded, wishing she could just disappear. Never before had she been the object of so much discussion, so much speculation. She hadn't had to hear the words to know they thought she was Rayven's mistress.
She risked a glance at the box across from theirs, shrank back as she recognized the tall, blond man. He had been at Cotyer's the night her father auctioned her to the highest bidder.
He had seen her, too. Smiling, he inclined his head in her direction and then blew her a kiss.
She heard Rayven mutter something under his breath and then, to her relief, the curtain parted and the