Owning Arabella

"Investment," Arabella gulped. Truly frightened now. Taking another step backward, she wondered now how wise it had been not to take her chance to run. Only she could not ignore her nature, and her nature did not allow her to leave a person, any person, in pain if she could help it.

"Do not take another step away," Darth suddenly ordered and clearly Arabella understood that he meant her faltering retreat. "My investment of now owning you," he finished.

Arabella's heart froze as Darth's words hung heavily in the room, although, his Lordship did not seem to feel that way. He looked satisfied. "There has been a mistake, your Lordship," she whispered.

"Darth."

"Darth, then. There has been a terrible mistake."

"I see none, but the paper right here, which states quite clearly that one Arabella Ormonde belongs to me. Tis even dated."

Arabella wanted to scream at him, to tell him that she was from a good and decent family. She was no slave that he seemed more than willing to accept her as. But suddenly, she remembered Victor's last words to her as she fought with him in the hallway of the inn. "Keep your mouth shut or Nicholas dies!" Arabella felt tears forming as she fought them back.

Sweet Mary, what was she to do, standing with only a linen to cover her beneath Lord Peregrine's indomitable presence, and he believed he owned her and she could not tell him differently. She would not risk Nicholas' life.

"I am a healer and I can cook or work at any labor. I would work very hard for my release," Arabella stated, lifting her chin.

At her statement, the indomitable Earl merely stood and looked down at her. Evil incarnate. The entire motion making Arabella want to turn and flee, but even she with her less than worldly ways realized there was nowhere she could hope to escape a powerful Lord such as Darth was.

"That is accommodating, Arabella, but not helpful to me. I have more intimate duties in mind for you and incidentally there is no clause stated in these papers for release. Tis lifetime enslavement."

Enslavement! Arabella stumbled backward at the word . . . At the intentions. Darth's hand snaked forward, grabbing the edge of the linen between Arabella's breasts.

"I told you not to step backward again," he uttered, pulling Arabella and the linen closer. Darth realized that he had to prove his dominance early on if he hoped to mold Arabella. And, he did. With each moment he was close to her, he found himself more determined . . . if not crazed

"You are afraid of me?" he asked flatly looking down at her.

Arabella jerked her gaze away from Darth's impaling gray eyes. "Of you, not your scar." Arabella wondered with feverish thoughts why she had thought to clarify. Perhaps it was some inner self preservation which read Darth's diabolical intentions and she sought to soften the blow upon herself.

Darth was staggered at Arabella's response. It was true that she was afraid, he could see it. He expected it. However, she did not seem in anyway appalled by his visage. And that excited him." That is proper, Arabella. It is just the way I would have it in fact."

Darth pulled Arabella closer still, taking her chin firmly in his wide hand, pressing upward, until she had no choice but to look at him. "Are you a virgin, Arabella?"

Arabella's eyes widened at the implication as trembling fear coursed her belly and both of Darth's hands tighten around what they were holding, as if anticipating her flight. She would not tell him! If he intended rape, well then, he would have to live with the consequences. Because it would be rape. She would fight him with all her power, so he knew it for what it was. Sweet Mary, she had no hope of winning against his strength, if that were his intentions, and why else would he ask her?

"I cannot abide stubbornness from my property, Arabella. Tell me at once or I will be forced to punish you!"

Arabella was petrified, yet she would not let Darth see her fear as she stared up at him with defiance. "Rape me if you will, you beast."

Oh my God, why had she said that? Darth flinched. Arabella knew her last word had hit its mark and she was surprised that she did not feel more satisfaction at hurting him as he was intent on ravishing her.

Darth pulled once forcefully with the hand that held the edge of the bed linen between her breasts, ripping it away without warning.

Arabella was so stunned, she did not even scream as he grabbed up both of her wrists and placed them together in one of his broad hands. Clamping his fingers around them tightly he began to pull her along behind him. "Rape, Arabella? There will never be rape between us. You will be willing, I can assure you!"