Master of Her Virtue - By Miranda Lee Page 0,38

was Joy knocking on her door.

‘Violet, are you alive or dead in there, girl? Answer me or I’m coming in.’

‘I’m alive,’ she called back. ‘Just not very awake.’

‘Well, it’s going on eleven-thirty, so I think you’ve slept in long enough. I’ve just made a pot of tea, so how about getting up and telling me all about your night?’

Violet smothered a groan as vivid memories from her night with Leo flashed into her mind. Had that really been her doing all those things, things which she had thrilled to at the time but which now seemed incredible? Whatever Leo had wanted her to do, she’d done. Willingly.

But her willingness to please him had little to do with love, Violet now accepted. Not even remotely. Leo had been right. It hadn’t been love which had driven her to obey his every command and demand. It had been need, the need to once again climb that tantalising mountain of sexual tension, to wallow in the breathless and sometimes torturous moments as one balanced on the edge before falling off into the glorious abyss.

If truth be told, she still would have been there, in that hotel-room bed, if Leo hadn’t called a halt around two in the morning. Initially Violet had argued with him, saying she didn’t have to go yet. But he had taken no notice of her, ordering her to get dressed pronto if she wanted him to drive her home. Which of course she had. But it had proved an awkward drive, any conversation confined to Leo asking for directions and Violet answering him.

She hadn’t been able to believe the change in him. Where was the warm and passionate lover she’d been with for the past few hours? Suddenly, he’d been cold. Cold and uncommunicative. When they’d parked outside Joy’s place and he’d turned off the engine, there’d been no kiss goodnight, just a stiff, ‘Good bye, Violet.’ At which point Violet had totally lost it, telling him he was acting like some heartless cad, even though she knew he was nothing of the kind.

Which was when she’d guessed what his problem was.

‘There’s absolutely no need for you to feel guilty!’ she stormed at him. ‘What we did tonight was wonderful. I loved every moment of it. I refuse to let you fly off back to London believing that you’ve done something wicked. Because you haven’t. I wanted to lose my virginity, and I wanted to lose it with you. I’ll remember tonight for the rest of my life!’

‘That’s very sweet of you to say so, Violet. Thank you,’ he added. ‘Now it’s time you went in. It’s very late. I’ll call you tomorrow before my flight takes off.’

‘You promise?’ She practically begged him, which in hindsight was not a wise way to act. Leo had already expressed concern over her falling in love with him.

But he just nodded and said yes, he promised.

Violet went to sleep, feeling happy with his promise. Now she wished that she hadn’t sounded so desperate to hear from him. Nothing good ever came out of desperation. No doubt he would be regretting his promise this morning. Maybe he’d already decided not to call.

Part of her hoped he still would call—that rosy-eyed, romantic part that clung to the fantasy of being in love with the man. But the new eyes-wide-open Violet knew that, even if Leo did ring today, it would just be out of politeness.

So don’t start reading anything into it, she lectured herself. It’s over. If and when he rings, say goodbye then get on with your life!

‘I’ll just be a minute or two,’ she called out to Joy.

‘Fine. See you in the kitchen shortly.’

* * *

‘Lord, but you look wrecked,’ were Joy’s first words when Violet made an appearance five minutes later. ‘What time did you finally get in?’

‘Not sure,’ Violet said with a yawn as she sat down at the small wooden table. ‘After midnight.’ It was not a lie. It had been after midnight. Well after.

‘So, what was Priscilla like?’ Joy asked as she poured Violet a cup of tea. Joy was one of the old school who liked her tea from a pot. ‘I read in the paper that it’s a fabulous show.’

‘Well, yes, yes; it was very good. The costumes were simply amazing and the dancing was great.’

‘And your date? Was he great as well?’

Violet’s indifferent shrug was a masterpiece of deception.

‘You don’t sound too impressed. I suppose you’d hardly have much in common with someone of his