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Chapter One

ENGLAND

1815

“Oh, there you are, Jason,” the raven-haired beauty said to her husband’s reflection in the aze slid warily over his tall, rugged frame as he came toward her; then she returned her attention to the open jewel cases spread out before her A nervous treht as she removed a spectacular diamond choker from a case and held it out to him “Help me fasten this, will you?”

Her husband’s face tightened with distaste as he looked at the necklaces of glittering rubies andbreasts above the daring bodice of her gown “Isn’t your display of flesh and jewels a little vulgar for a worand lady?”

“What would you know about vulgarity?” Melissa Fielding retorted contehtily she added, “Baron Lacroix likes it very well He specifically asked ht”

“No doubt he doesn’t want to be troubled with too many fasteners when he takes it off you,” her husband returned sarcastically

“Exactly He’s French—and terribly impetuous”

“Unfortunately, he’s also penniless”

“He thinks I’ to shake with pent-up loathing

“He’s right” Jason Fielding’s sardonic gaze swept over her lovely face with its alabaster skin, slightly tilted green eyes, and full red lips, then dropped to her voluptuous breasts tre neckline of her scarlet velvet gown “You are a beautiful, areedybitch”

Turning on his heel, he started froed with iht to our son Jamie is too little to understand what a bitch you are, and hefor Scotland within the hour”

“Jamie!” she hissed wrathfully “He’s all you care about—” Without bothering to deny it, her husband walked toward the door, and Melissa’s anger ignited “When you come back from Scotland, I won’t be here!” she threatened

“Good,” he said without stopping

“You bastard!” she spat, her voice shaking with suppressed rage “I’oing to leave you I’ll never come back Never!”

With his hand on the door handle, Jason turned, his features a hard, contemptuous mask “You’ll come back,” he sneered “You’ll come back, just as soon as you run out of money”