chapter three; when you sold your body
838 Words
When she dressed for the meeting the next day,she began early and allowed herself plenty of time to change her mind what she would wear. she tried on several things and finally chose a severely tailored dull-gold suit that made her look mature and serious, and this she teamed with a cream-colour silk shirt. The mute gold pick up the golden in my tawny hair and lightly tanned skin and she didn't realize the picture she made or she would have changed immediately. As it was , she looked like a golden statute come to life, with gleaming jewels for eyes.
she geared up for the meeting; when she walked into the outer office at two o'clockv,her heart was pounding in anticipation, her eyes were sparkling, and her cheeks were flushed.
At her entrance the Secretary jumped to his feet with an alacrity that told her some stinging comments had been made concerning his conduct. Though his eyes were distinctly hostile, he escorted her into the inner office immediately.
"Mrs Stanton, sir ," he said, and left the office closing the door behind him.
she move across the office with her proud grateful stride and the man behind the desk rose slowly to his feet as she approached.
He was tall, much taller than average Greek, and his shoulder strained against the expensive cloth of his dark gray suit.
He stood very still, watching her as she walked toward him, and his eyes narrowed to slits.
she reached the desk and help out her hand; slowly her fingers were taken, but instead of the handshake she had invited, her hand was lifted and the black head bent over it. Warm lips were pressed briefly to her fingers, then her hand was released and the black head lifted.
Almost bemused, she stared into eyes as black as night beneath brows that slashed across his face in a straight line.
An arrogant blade of nose, brutally hard cheekbones, a firm lip line, a squared and stubborn chin, A handsome devil indeed.
Charles had been right; this man was utterly ruthless, but she did not feel threatened. she felt exhilarated, as if she was in the room with tiger that she could control if she was very careful.
Her heartbeat increase and her eyes grew brighter, and to disguise her involuntary response, She smiled and murmured
"Are you trying to charm me into voting my share the way you want before your annihilation your majesty ?
Amazingly, a smile appeared in response. "What a woman, I always try charm first," he said in the deep tones that seemed even deeper than they had last night over thee phone .
"Really?" she asked in mock wonder. Does it usually work your majesty ?"
"Usually," he admitted, still smiling. "Why is it that I have the feeling, Mrs Stanton, that you 'll be an exception?"
"Perhaps because you're an unusually astute man, Prince William ," she countered.
He laughed aloud at that and indicated a chair set before his desk.
"Please sit down, Mrs Stanton. If we're to argue, let us at least be comfortable while we do it.
she sat down and said impulsively
"Your accent is American, isn't it ? Make me feel so much at home,"
"I learned to speak English on a Texas oil field," he said " I'm afraid that even Oxford couldn't erase the hint of Texas from my speech, though I believe it was thought by my instructor that my accent is Greek! Are you from Texas, Mrs Stanton?.
"No , but a Texas drawl is recognizable to any America! How long were you in Texas?"
"For three years. How long have you been in England, Mrs Stanton?"
"Since shortly before I married, a little over five years. "
Then you were little more than a child when you married," he said , an odd frown crossing his brow " I 'd assumed that you would be older, at least thirty, but I can see that's impossible."
Lifting her dainty chin, she said, "No, I was a precocious nineteen when I married. " she began to tense, sensing an attack of the type that she had endured so many times in the past five years.
"As I said, little more than a child. Though I suppose there are countless wives and mothers aged nineteen, it seems so much younger when the husband you choose was old enough to be your grandfather."
she drew back and said coldly, "I see no reason to discuss my marriage. I believe our business concern stock. your majesty "
He smiled again, but this time the smile was that of a predator, with nothing humorous in it.
"You're certainly correct about that," he allowed. "However, that issue should be solved rather easily, when you sold your body and your youth to an old man of seventy-two, you established the fact that the monetary gain rank high on your list of priorities. The only thing left to discuss is: how much ?"
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