The Good Sister: Part Two by London Saint James Page B

Jacqueline,’ I told her. “ ‘You are causing a scene. I do not wish this. You need to leave.’”
    “ ‘No. Tell me why you are being so cruel, Ashton.’”
    “ ‘Go, Jacqueline. You will find nothing but pain here. I have nothing to offer you.’”
    “I watched as she ran out the doors, out into the night. I wanted to go after her, but my brother stopped me, saying if father found out, Jacqueline’s father would lose his employment. Gavin assured me he would take care of her, take her home. He grabbed two bottles of wine on his way out. He caught up to her, soothed her, offered her a drink, of which she partook. He took other things that night as well. Once she was inebriated, he took her virginity as his own.”
    “Gavin was the father, wasn’t he?” I asked, knowing the answer.
    “Yes. Jacqueline wrote me the letter you brought to me. Of course my brother read it. He read every letter we ever wrote to each other. The night I was to meet her was her fifteenth birthday.  Fifteen is too young to be with child. I was going to meet her, help if I could; however, my brother had other plans. Gavin drugged me. He slipped something into my food. I slept while he went to meet Jacqueline, here in these stables. He beat her, raped her, hurt her so badly she was hospitalized for weeks. She lost the baby.” Ashton closed his eyes. “She lost the ability to have children. Gavin took so much from Jacqueline, and he almost took her life. For a time, I believe she wished he had.”
    I reached up to touch the deep scowls upon Ashton’s forehead.
    “You know it’s not your fault, Ashton.”
    “I should have done more, explained my actions. I should not have cowered to my father, but I thought I was helping by staying away. I should have never trusted my brother,” Ashton said in a rush.
    “Should haves do us no good, Ashton. Trust me, I know.”
    “You sound just like Jacqueline.”
    “You did what you thought was right. You didn’t want to cause Jacqueline pain or embarrassment. You were trying to keep her father employed. You could not believe your brother whom you loved would betray you or hurt Jacqueline. It was not your fault, Ashton.”
    “I know,” Ashton said brushing the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. “You are a wise woman. Has anyone ever told you?”
    “Alec told me once, but he was just being nice. I’ve done some very unwise things in my life.”
    Ashton smiled. “Ah … yes,” Ashton said in a teasing tone, “I imagine you have in all the long life you have lived.”
    “Are you saying I’m too young?”
    “You are young as well as a tiny bit,” Ashton said tapping my nose.
    “So not only am I too young, but I’m too small!”
    “And stubborn, do not forget stubborn,” Ashton added.
    I jumped up from his lap, my arms crossed and my chin set.
    “So you think I am a tiny, stubborn child! You are trying to piss me off?”
    “Is it working?”
    “No,” I lied, turning on my heels. “I will not give you the satisfaction, Lord Archer.”
    Ashton sprung to his feet in one live move, up and off the lounger. He snatched me up within his arms and began kissing my neck. 
    “Then, may I give the satisfaction?” Ashton kissed my jaw, then bit that spot which sends pleasure through me. “So we are without misunderstanding, I do not believe you to be a child.  You are amazing, wise beyond your years, and invigorating. The fire within you calls to me, entices me, and your body is sheer perfection. You must know how I burn for you, Trinity.”
    I had a man who really did burn for me as well as love me. I found what I wanted, what I needed. I didn’t need any other man’s attention, nor did I require it as I once thought. I only needed one man, this man. 
    “So you were trying to make me mad?”
    “I love to see the fire that blazes within you. It blazes when you are mad,” he kissed my cheek softly, “and it blazes when we make love.”
    Ashton kissed me. I moaned, and forgot