The next day proved more difficult to deal with than the heat and humidity. The work was hard, but the stable hands were joyful and happy for their inheritance. It was enough to make Daniel feel like choking the life out of someone. He had managed to avoid going into town to confront his partner until he had better control over his emotions. He knew Harold’s hands were tied and that he was only doing what he had to do, but it didn’t resolve the feeling of betrayal. If he had known what the old man had planned, he could have tried to talk him out of it, or at least warned Julia.

Two meals had passed him by and Daniel was thankful for the work that had to be done. Victor had purchased two new stallions the day before he died, and they arrived that morning, untamed and in desperate need of breaking. He was hungry and tired, and his muscles ached from his hours of trying to control the pair, but it did little to ease his frustrations. He would have to face Julia eventually and he wasn’t looking forward to it.

When the sun began to set, he could no longer find an excuse to stay at the stables. Several of the men were planning on going to town to celebrate the windfall Victor had left them and were eager to clean up and quit working. With a reluctant eye toward the house, Daniel slowly made his way back up to the old mansion.

He slipped quietly through the back door and up the kitchen stairs to his room before anyone could see him. He washed up in the porcelain basin then changed out of his soiled clothes, tossing them aside for Bridget to clean. He knew Louise would stall supper until everyone was there, it was her tradition for the family to be together at suppertime. Skipping breakfast and lunch was one thing, but the evening meal was the only time the family could spend together, and she was determined to keep order in her household.

Daniel ran a comb through his long hair, silently vowing to cut it and turned with a start as a soft knock sounded at the door. Daniel was certain Thompson would be standing outside to inform him supper was ready, but to his surprise, it wasn’t the old dark man at all, but rather Jeremy who stood on the other side of the door. The look on the younger man’s face was stern and set, much like that of his father’s, though Daniel would never have mentioned it.

“Mother said dinner will be ready in a few minutes,” Jeremy said, receiving only a nod from the taller man. “Could I speak with you for a moment?”

Daniel should have anticipated this, as he stepped aside and waved entrance to his visitor. He was certain the time had come for the boy to stand up to him as the man of the family and order him out of the house and away from his sister, neither of which he could, or would do.

Jeremy stepped over the threshold and waited for Daniel to close the door before turning to look at the man through the dimly lit room. He had grown to think of Daniel as a friend and still thought of him as an honest person, but there were some questions that had been eating at him since the contents of his father’s will had been revealed.

“How much of the will did you really know about?” Jeremy asked straight out.

“I knew about the money Victor left the staff and I knew he was planning on leaving half of the stables to me,” Daniel answered honestly. “I believed him when he said you and Julia didn’t want the place. He asked me to keep it running until you two either chose to take over or until Louise passed on. At that point, he hoped fate would take a stand and there would be an heir to take his place.”

“You didn’t know about that condition he put on Julia?”

“No, I didn’t,” Daniel growled. “If I had, I would never have agreed to help him in the first place. I honestly believed him about you and Julia. He was a very convincing man.”

“Among other things,” Jeremy said bitterly. “What are your feelings toward my sister?”

“I’m not sure how to answer that.”

“I was under the impression, before the will was read, that you had feelings toward her that had nothing to do with the stables. Was I wrong?”

“No,” Daniel answered. “I do care for her, greatly. But I doubt there’s any chance of ever convincing her of that now.”

“My sister is stubborn and temperamental, but eventually she will start to see reason. She’s just very confused right now.”

“Aren’t we all?” Daniel asked, watching the smile cross the young man’s face.

“He was right about one thing,” Jeremy said. “I don’t want this place, but for reasons he made me see. I won’t have this monster interfering in my family, the way it did his. I don’t hold a grudge against you, Daniel. I know how convincing the old man was and I believe that you didn’t have anything to do with his decisions. Just be patient with the rest of the family. She’ll come around sooner or later.”

Daniel smiled as the boy turned and left the room without another word. At least there was hope for a relationship with one of the Turner brats, he thought, even if it wasn’t the one he wanted.

Dinner was served at six o’clock as usual, yet those seated around the table hardly noticed the offering. Too many thoughts were consuming their attention like demons riding their backs. It just didn't seem possible that the past forty-eight hours had existed, let alone taken the turn they had.

Louise glanced around the table and tried hard to put into perspective all that occurred the night before. She understood her husband’s reasons for what he had done, although she could hardly agree with them. She didn't like the idea of her children being hurt, and try as she might, she just couldn't accept that any of this was going to prove harmful. She knew there was a strong attraction between Daniel and Julia and she was certain given time, they would be able to sort through the problems and find that attraction again.

She considered whether or not to postpone her trip to Europe, knowing full well she really didn't want to leave Kentucky. This place was her home, it was where she met and fell in love and married her husband, gave birth to her children, and now buried her beloved soulmate. This place had grown on her over the years and she didn't feel right leaving it behind.

Jeremy tried to concentrate on Malinda and their upcoming wedding. He considered where they would live once they said their vows. He had always loved West Virginia, and South Carolina was recovering from the attacks of the Civil War at an astonishing rate. With the money he inherited, he'd be able to make a good life for himself and his new bride. They would never need a thing, now or in the future, but his thoughts kept traveling back to his sister. He loved Julia as no brother ever had, she had been his best friend growing up, his confidant, and his companion through the dark times of their father’s nocturnal acts. Yet he couldn’t help but accuse the old man of instigating this whole event. The great Victor Turner never could accept the fact that his children didn't need him or want his interference. They wanted to live their own lives, without his meddling.

A glance in Daniel's direction brought a frown to his thick brows. Jeremy truly liked the man and honestly felt that he would be good to his sister. But he didn't feel it was right that she should have to marry a man, just to be rid of what she had never wanted in the first place. He knew Julia would be a great wife and together she and Daniel would find happiness that span the boundaries of time and space, but first, she had to open up and talk to him, not an easy task for the woman.

Daniel watched Julia intently when she wasn’t looking, then dropped his eyes when she saw him staring. He could see the emotions wash over her features and prayed she would calm down enough to listen to reason. He never wanted anything to do with Turner's land in the first place and if he had known Julia before, he would never have agreed to Victor leaving him the stables. He thought of all the things she could do with her life, all the things she could become, and the only thing that brought peace to his own mind was taking her as his wife. He admitted silently, he had been upset with that condition at first, but as the hours of the day had passed by, the thought had taken hold and seemed to find a place in his heart.

He felt a pang of guilt when he looked at her again, Julia was too beautiful and too caring of a woman to be put through any of this, especially by her own father. Daniel just couldn't believe Victor had intended to do any serious harm. He knew how much he adored his daughter and that was the crazy thing about all of this, he knew her father never intended to hurt her. Daniel didn’t think his friend would do anything to cause harm to either of them, but he couldn’t help wondering what was behind his motives. He knew they could contest the will, but it would take time, perhaps years and by then God only knew what would happen to the stables. All of this happened because of them, by the time the courts made a decision, the reputation that had been built over a period of a hundred years would be ruined.

Daniel thought of Julia and tried to understand what she was feeling. She was young, vibrant, and more sensuous than any three women he'd ever known, although she was stubborn and strong-willed, two traits he normally didn’t like in women. He considered what married life with her would be like and had to smile as the visions began to dance before him.

He could see Julia, swollen with his child growing inside her, he thought of the long endless sessions of lovemaking that would bring about the event and even the arguments that would end in hours of playing. He wanted Julia to be with him when he fell asleep at night and he wanted her in his arms when he woke up. He didn't know if this feeling he had for her was love since he had no emotional experience to base his analysis, but he did know he cared for her beyond all else. There was nothing he wouldn't do to make her happy, except let her go. He knew she wanted to leave Kentucky and would, given the chance, but he just didn't know how he would exist without her if she left.

Julia could feel Daniel's eyes watching her but chose to ignore him at all costs. Deep down, she knew he wasn't to blame for her father's actions, but since Victor wasn't there to yell at, Daniel would have to be a suitable substitute. She felt as though the whole world had collapsed around her and she was trapped beneath the debris. She just couldn't understand what her father had been thinking when he made those ridiculous conditions. He claimed to have loved this land, but if he cared so much for it, why didn't he leave it to someone he knew would want it? Why her?

Thompson stepped into the room, feeling the tension and anxieties swelling up around him. He cleared the dinner away and sighed at the amount of food left on each plate. He placed the chocolate cake Mrs. Lester had made, in the middle of the table, but found the offering as noticeable as he was. Hell, he could have sprouted horns and a forked tail, and nobody would have noticed him - or the cake.

The old grandfather clock ticked by the seconds, causing the tension to mount even higher. Julia felt like running and locking herself away in her room, never to emerge again. The silence was so consuming that it was no surprise when a heavy step fell outside in the hall, startling those who were suffering from the silence.

Rally Overton turned the corner of the dining room, his sun worn hat held tight in his hand, his boots caked with horse dung and the smell of sweat and dirt filled the air. He searched out the faces of those around him until he, at last, came to the emerald eyes of his new employer. He opened his mouth to speak, but when she rose to confront him, he forgot what he was going to say. He felt a sudden tightening in his breeches, as he admired the woman's beauty openly. Julia's tiny waist was accented with perfection, in her amber gown. Her well-developed breasts rose and fell at a steady rate beneath the lace trim of the collar. Rally could hardly breathe, as his eyes traveled up and caught her staring at him.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Overton?" Julia asked, her soft tone made the bulge in the man's breeches, even more unbearable.

"We's got a problem at the stables, ma'am," he began, receiving a soft grunt from Daniel.

Why did everything to this man, have to be a problem?

"What is it, Mr. Overton?"

"Well ma'am...," he stuttered, uncertain how to explain his reason for being here. "Ya see, it's like this... the fellers used some of the money Mr. Turner done left 'em and bought some whiskey. I wouldn't have mentioned it, if'n it weren't fer the...well um...I mean they brought some...well, what I mean is..."

"Out with it Overton," Daniel snapped, stepping forward to divert the man's attention from Julia.

Rally grew in confidence, having a man to speak with now, rather than having to report to a woman.

"Whores, Mr. Brownin'," he announced boldly.

Louise gasped, Jeremy choked on his coffee and Daniel hid his laughter as best he could, while Julia only grunted disapprovingly.

"Am I to understand," Julia began, forcing control in her posture, "that there are concubines on our property?"

"Yes ma'am, that's it right 'nough. We's got whores in the bunkhouse."

Daniel could no longer contain his laughter. He and Jeremy hooted with amusement at the man's words. Jeremy tried desperately to contain his laughter, but when his chair tipped over backwards sending him sprawling across the floor, he gave up the effort. Julia and Louise stared at each other in amazement. If word was to get out that there were prostitutes at Turner Stables, it could cost the entire success of the sales.

"You're a big help, Browning," Julia snorted, punching Daniel in the arm so hard it knocked him off balance as she hurried to the door.

She was determined to put a stop to this nonsense once and for all, even if her new partner wasn't. She was nearly to the back door, when a hand caught hold of her arm, pulling her to a halt.

"And just where do you think you're going?" Daniel asked, his face flushed from his recent bout of good humor.

"I'm going to put a stop to this escapade and have those hussies thrown off my property."

"Ya can't go there, ma'am," Rally insisted, hurrying behind Daniel. "Ya don't know what them fellers are capable of, 'specially with a purty little filly like yourself 'round. They ain't 'zactly in a respectable mood."

"He's right Julia," Daniel insisted, his face taking on a serious look. "Do you have any idea what those men would do if you went barging in there?"

"I don't see that it's any of your concern, Mr. Browning, and if Mr. Overton was doing his job, those women wouldn't be here in the first place."

"Now ya hold on there just one goddam minute - beg pardon - but I was doin' my job. Hell ma'am - beg pardon - you should be happy them women is out there. Them fellers reckoned to yer daddy real well and his death sort of left them feelin' blue. If it weren't fer them, whores, them fellers might just have come up here, lookin' fer a little 'fection. Hell - beg pardon - I wouldn't have mentioned it at all, if'n I were wantin' them fellers to get a ridin'."

“Then why did you come up here, Mr. Overton? Looking for a handout from the main house? Something to tide your men over until those tramps had time for them?"

"If'n I were to look, ma'am," the man snarled with venom, "it sure's hell wouldn't be at a spoiled lil’ brat like herself."

“That's quite enough Overton," Daniel insisted, taking up Julia's defense.

"Y’sir," the man said, staring down at his feet.

Daniel was certain the man's anger and grief had gotten the better of him, or else he would never have overstepped his limits. Julia thought about what Rally had said in silence, ignoring his rude comments. It was the idea of having women like that on her land that proved to be a heavier demon to deal with.

Without warning, Julia turned on her heel and continued her march towards the bunkhouse. Her actions caught Daniel and Rally so off guard, they had to run to catch up to her. Daniel grabbed Julia around the waist and ordered Rally to get to his men and keep them quiet. Tossing Julia over his shoulder like a sack of feed, he carried her back in the house. He assured Louise and Jeremy that she was fine and ordered them to stay out, as he carried a kicking, screaming Julia into the sitting room. He shut the door behind them so hard, several small books fell from the shelves behind the wooden barrier. He tossed Julia into a chair near the fireplace, pinning her into it with an arm on either side of her.

"How dare you treat me like a..."

"Yes, like what Julia? A spoiled selfish little brat?"

"You have no right speaking to me like that," she snapped, struggling to push the arms that pinned her in the chair aside.

"Are you so damned reckless, that you didn't even hear what you were being warned against?" Daniel had always prided himself on his control, but this woman had a way of blowing whatever restraint he had all to hell.

"I'm not a child, Browning. I know exactly what would have happened."

"Then tell me. Spell it out for me, so I know."

"I would have witnessed the scenes of a brothel. Those women would have no doubt been naked and the men would have invited me to stay, and I'm quite certain I would have heard a great deal of vulgarity when I refuse."

"Close, Little Princess, but not exactly true. You would have seen those women naked, there's no doubt of that and the men would have been more than eager to accept their invitations. At least two of them, more depending on the women’s experience, since Overton said they brought only two back with them. The rest would have been very hard to control. They would have seen you enter and assumed you were with the other two since most of them have never seen you before. There would be no asking on their part. You would have been raped and beaten when you tried to fight.

"There are twenty-seven men out there, Julia. Each and every one of them would have had a piece of you. They would have taken great pleasure in relieving you of your virginity and your reputation without regard to you or who you are. When they were finished, they would continue drinking until the urge to start over hit them, then the whole nightmare would repeat itself. You would have been lucky if you escaped with just a few bruises to show for your ordeal."

When Daniel finished speaking, Julia was as white as a linen sheet. His words had done their job and the visions that passed before her eyes were less than appealing, leaving her feeling nauseated and disgusted. Seeing the fear echo through her eyes, he sighed deeply, gently pulling her from the chair and into his arms. His heart was beating rhythmically under her ear, as she laid her head against the warm wall of his chest. She didn’t resist him, she needed the security he offered in order to hide from the thoughts of all he told her.

They stood in each other’s arms for several long minutes until he, at last, tipped her chin up and looked at her pale face. Her eyes were misty with emotion and visions of his tale still danced before her.

"No matter how angry I get with you, I will never allow anything like that to happen. I don’t know what I’d do if another man touched you."

He bent his head down and kissed her trembling lips. His need to comfort and to be comforted outweighed his logic and warning of resistance. He pulled her closer to him until her breasts were pressed tightly against him, feeling the searing heat through his shirt. He wanted her, he needed her, and he didn't care about the consequences.

Julia's arms slid around his neck without her conscience thought as his tongue invaded her mouth. She held onto Daniel's broad shoulders for dear life. She couldn't help but be frightened when he had painted such a dramatic picture for her, but to feel this kind of gentleness, this kind of passion was just too real to keep the memories of his story alive.

She felt his tongue trace the soft flesh of her bottom lip, tugging and nibbling until she couldn't breathe. She heard a soft warning sounding in her head, ordering her to push him away. He was the enemy, the traitor, he was the reason she couldn't think or breathe. He was...incredible. He was doing such wicked things to her, that she could no longer think of anything except his arms and his lips.

Daniel tilted her head a little further in order to deepen their kiss as his tongue burned to life the flames of desire that ran along her spine, traveling lower to her most hidden regions. God, he was magnificent. She had never known that wanting someone and hating them at the same time, could feel so wonderful.

The urge to touch her was overwhelming, controlling his actions. He had to feel her and taste every inch of her delicate body. He pulled the top of her bodice down, tugging her petticoat along with it until her full round breasts were exposed to his eager fingers. She gasped against his lips, as he massaged the tender flesh, playing with the pebble hard nipple that begged for his attention.

His tongue began to play havoc with her senses, thrusting in her mouth with an alarming rhythm that made her knees weaken and her head spin. His touch left her panting for air against his mouth as he slowly moved his lips across her neck to her collarbone then quickly clamped over one erect nipple. The feeling was pure pleasure as her veins turned to molten lava. She wanted to know more, she needed to feel…what? She had never gone this far with a man before.

A soft knock at the door brought the couple slowly out of the stupor they had sunk into, bringing with it a distance that was unwanted. Daniel stood there watching Julia, his eyes smoldering with desire, devouring her beauty. He didn't know what had caused them to separate, all he knew was the woman in front of him was looking at him with a hunger he hadn’t seen in many long years. She was begging to him, alive with need and he desperately wanted to answer her calling. His desire for her had gone far beyond wanting, he had to have her, all of her and he didn't care what the outcome would be.

Louise pushed the door open slowly but seeing the two embraced and hearing her daughter's soft moans of passion, made her back out of the room quietly. She pulled the door closed, praying they hadn't heard or seen her, then tiptoed quietly to her room, a maternal smile creasing her aging features. She knew they needed to be alone, and she knew they probably didn't notice that they had been spied on. She only hoped they would continue what they were doing until they were both lost in each other’s love to notice how far they had gone.

Daniel and Julia stood for a long time, just staring at each other. They had heard a noise but hadn't bothered investigating its source, it didn't seem important at the moment. The heat of their kiss had generated a number of fantasies and daydreams they couldn't walk away from.

As he slowly began to pull her to him again, anxious to resume the passion and turn those dreams into reality, Julia found the strength to push away. She couldn't think clearly, she could barely breathe beyond short pants. All she could feel was a tingling sensation that seemed to control her mind and heart, but the warning signals in her brain were going off at an alarming rate. She needed some distance between them, she needed to put this man as far away from her as possible, so she could regain her composure.

Slowly she paced her way to the doors that opened out onto the veranda. Her legs shook, and her head was swimming as she leaned against the wooden framework. It took a few moments for the cool evening air to register the state of her attire and she quickly pulled the top of her dress back up where it belonged, hiding her embarrassment in the shadows of the room.

Daniel stared at her as she stood with her back toward him. He didn't attempt to follow her or to speak. He knew they both needed a few moments to collect their thoughts and rein in their emotions. He couldn’t help but worry that she was regretting her loss of control, as he mentally scolded himself for going so far.

Julia, on the other hand, was certain it was just the images of his warning of what was happening in the bunkhouse, that controlled her actions and made her feel like her head was in a fog. But he had a talent that was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. His tongue was a dangerous weapon and he knew exactly how to use it to slice through her resistance.

"I think maybe we should talk," she heard him say, though his words were barely above a husky whisper.

His voice was deep and shook slightly with emotion, his tone filled with such sincerity that she found herself turning to face him. Julia saw a mixture of emotions dance across his face, passion, desire, regret, fear, it made her frown as she thought about what had just happened.

He was slightly flushed, and she knew she looked to be in a similar state, and as she glanced at him leaning against the edge of the desk, the evidence of his arousal made her flush hotter. She turned her head quickly avoiding the eyes that were studying her with just as much interest. If only she could look at something that was just as interesting, but all she could think of was the length of his legs, the breadth of his chest, the blue of his eyes. There was no denying it any longer, the man was the master of her heartstrings and he played them with a tune that made her weak with desire.

"I owe you an apology," she heard herself saying, although the voice was shaky and didn't sound at all like her own. "I seem to have acted irrationally and I'm sorry."

"You don't have anything to apologize for, Princess," he told her, trying not to touch her as he walked to where she stood. "I'm the one who acted like a love-starved alley cat."

Several seconds ticked by before either of them spoke again. The urge to hold her was so powerful, Daniel was forced to tuck his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching out to her.

"Um," she began, glancing around the room.

'Think of something to say, Julia', she cursed herself, but nothing would come to mind. Being this close to the man, made her pulse race and her body long for things she couldn’t understand.

"Right," he said, aware of the awkwardness. "We need to make some decisions."

He knew of only one way to break this spell between them. He had to make her angry, he had to make her boiling mad with him, that would keep him at bay for the rest of the evening. It was the only way to bring a sense of order to their current condition.

"What do you mean?"

Julia was certain he was going to ask her if she wanted to go to his room or if she preferred him in hers. Either way would be fine with her, but the next words out of his mouth took her completely off guard.

"Your father left me half of this land and I've decided I want it all," he lied, knowing he was on the verge of causing her to explode. "The only way I can get what I want is for you to give it to me."

"You what?" she asked, her temper waking with a start as she blinked her eyes repeatedly to comprehend what he had said.

"Look, Julia, I know you don't want the stables and you can't wait to get rid of it. I want what you have," he told her boldly, nearly adding exactly what it was he did want. "I can't have it unless you consent to give it to me."

"And just how the hell do you suggest I do that, Mr. Browning?"

'Oh God', he thought, she was calling him Mr. Browning again. Maybe he went too far with his attempt to break their spell, he thought, but it was too late to turn back now.

"The only way you can give me your share of the land - according to your father's will - is to marry me."

Julia's mouth dropped open in disbelief and her eyes grew as round as saucers. Several moments passed before she closed her mouth, her jaw tightening as she ground her teeth together in frustration, her fists clenched at her sides.

"You arrogant, self-center, egotistical..."

"Watch it, Princess," he warned in a deep voice. "Don't say anything, I'll have to make you regret."

"Bastard!"

That did it. Now Daniel knew he had accomplished his task. The spell was broken, and she was back to being the pig-headed, stubborn woman he knew he could never resist. Better now before he took her to his bed, then suffer the regret and embarrassment come morning.

"Listen to me," he began, staring at her full-faced, no longer feeling the need to avoid looking directly at her. "You don't want anything to do with this land, right?"

"So?"

"So, by marrying me, you wouldn't have to worry about it. It would be my concern. I'd have the headaches that went along with it, not you. You could do whatever it is your heart desires."

"Does your proposal also include my returning to Boston?"

"No," Daniel said quickly, warning himself to think fast. He couldn't let her go once they were married and he knew it. He had to come up with some reason to keep her at his side. "If the news that you had moved to Boston without me, ever got out, it would be grounds for any number of people to contest the will. We could lose it all, and the stables would be in probate for years to come."

Julia thought for a few minutes. He did make sense, but damn it, she wanted to go back to Boston! She wanted as far away from this insufferable man as possible, even if it meant losing everything she inherited. At least her mother and brother would still have their inheritance.

As though able to read her mind, Daniel quickly added, "Your whole family would lose, Julia. The entire contents of your father's will could be jeopardized. You'd be responsible for your mother and brother being destitute, the servants, the stables, your extended family and relatives. Are you willing to risk that?"

"No," she admitted after a moment to mull his question over.

She couldn't allow her family to live on the streets just because she was stubborn and selfish, but the thought of Daniel being homeless didn't discourage her much, or at least she told herself it didn't.

"I won't marry you, Mr. Browning," she told him firmly. "There has to be some other way out of this mess."

"If there were, Harold would have mentioned it. Trouble is, it's a completely legal agreement. Your father made it very clear there would be no way out of the situation short of marriage...or death. And I'm not about to die just to accommodate you."

"Nor will I give you the same consideration. But could you agree to have a platonic marriage, Mr. Browning?" she asked, pleased with herself for thinking so quickly.

The look on Daniel's face was priceless. He hadn't counted on her coming up with a condition of her own.

"By platonic, you mean we wouldn't share the same room?" he asked, feeling as though his plans were starting to backfire in his face.

"I mean, Mr. Browning, that we wouldn't be sharing the same bed. The marriage would go unconsummated and unchallenged. Can you agree to that?"

"You're asking a great deal, Princess. I could divorce you for refusing to share our marriage bed, or I could always just take what was legally mine."

"But you won’t.” She had him there. “If you can't agree to my condition, Mr. Browning, then I can't agree to marry you. Also, even if we should marry, I keep my portion of the stables. I have equal say in the business and equal share in the profits. Agreed?"

She had him, she knew she did. He would never agree to marry her now, or for that matter, ever ask her again. Hell, he'd probably avoid her like the plague from now on.

"I thought you didn't want this land?" he asked with a narrowing of his blue eyes.

"I don't, but as long as I have to stay here, I want to know what's going on and make certain you're not milking every cent out of my half of the inheritance."

"You don't give me much credit for integrity, Princess."

"I haven't seen much of a display of it to judge whether you even know the meaning of the word."

Daniel eyed the woman for a long moment, considering what she had said. If he were to force the issue and take her to his bed, there would be no way she could refuse. A wife would have no charge against her husband for taking what was rightfully his, but he knew he couldn't force her either. Not consciously at least, yet the thought was tempting, especially now. She looked so smug and proud for thinking up a scheme she was certain would work, but he was a man of many talents and even more surprises. A little wooing, a few whispered words of passion at just the right moment and presto! She'd be tethered to his headboard in nothing flat. A prospect that proved an intriguing pursuit.

The only real drawback was he honestly didn't want her portion of the land. Hell, he didn't want his own for that matter. He was a lawyer, that was his life and what he lived for, but he couldn’t allow Julia to worry about the financial end of the stables. The urge to possess and protect her was too overwhelming for sane thought. He couldn't say no, regardless of the rules she made.

"I agree to your conditions, Princess," he told her, relishing in the look of utter shock on her beautiful features.

She hadn’t expected him to agree, and for that, he was pleased.

"I'll have your mother make the necessary arrangements in the morning, and Harold can draw up the papers to keep you as half owner of the stables. We should be married by the time the week is over."

“What?” Julia gasped, certain he would have refused her conditions.

“Is there a problem?” Daniel nearly laughed at the expression on the young woman’s face. “You made the conditions, I agreed to it. That’s called negotiations. Did you want to alter the parameters?”

“No, I just thought….”

“Yes?” he asked, edging closer to her, forcing her to back up against the doorframe as she tried to escape him.

Julia didn’t answer, she could barely breathe.

Daniel smiled a crooked grin at her, anticipating being married to this woman. The pleasure he was going to derive from crumbling her restraints was going to be as much fun as the conquer itself.

“I’ll make you one promise, Princess,” he said barely above a whisper, a long finger gently tracing the outline of her jaw. “You and I are going to be very close, very soon. We will be partners and will have to spend many long, hot hours together. By the end of summer, I will have you begging me to make love to you. I’m making that my utmost goal.”

Julia swallowed hard, her lips suddenly dry, her heart pounding wildly between her ears.

Without another word, Daniel turned and walked away from her, leaving her to deal with the array of emotions twisting in her stomach. If he was serious about keeping his promise, she was either going to be totally insane within a month or completely satisfied. Neither idea did much to relieve her raging nerves.