Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

R E D E E M I N G L O V E
A Chinese servant came in to strip the bed and put on fresh linens.
Angel sat sedately in the high-back chair, her hands resting lightly on the
arms, her heart beating violently. Duke had not moved or said anything, but
she knew that look, and fear grew like a knot in her belly. What retribution
was he planning?
“Bring the tub up,” he ordered, and the Chinese man bowed. “Make sure
she has plenty of warm water.” The Celestial bowed again and backed out of
the room. Duke’s eyes narrowed as he studied her face for a long moment.
“I’ll send someone to attend you.” He turned and left.
Surprised, she let out her breath. He had been disturbed by her manner.
She had never been able to fool him before. But then it had been almost
three years since she had last seen him. Perhaps he had forgotten her ruse.
And perhaps that would only make matters worse.
A young girl came in to help her undress. She was no more than thirteen.
Angel knew she wasn’t Duke’s mistress, though she might very well
have been at one time. She was pretty enough. But Angel knew that as long
as a girl was Duke’s exclusively, her face was clean, she wore pastels, braids,
and hair ribbons. This girl’s cheeks and lips were reddened, and her hair was
spilling in a curly mass over thin shoulders. She had that look of having
come through hell.
Full of pity, she smiled at the young girl. “What’s your name?”
“Cherry,” the girl said, dumping Angel’s gingham dress and underthings
beside the door.
“I’d like to have those things back once they’re washed.”
“Duke said to throw them away.”
“And one must always obey Duke.” She didn’t want to get the girl in
trouble. “Did he bring you to California with him?”
“Me and three other girls,” she said as she tested the water. “It’s not too
hot. You can bathe now.”
Angel removed her worn underclothing. Lowering herself into the warm
water, she sighed. Whatever happened, she would be clean when it came.
On the outside, at least. “How long have you been here?”
“Eight months,” the girl answered.
Angel frowned. She had been living within blocks of Duke all this time
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