Kiss of a Tyrant - Margaret Pargeter - Chapter One - Stacy Weldon Meets Sloan Maddison

Aug 6, 2026

A dismissed department-store worker, Stacy Weldon, tries to keep her composure as she greets two guests at the Thorn Farm guesthouse, despite her lingering emotional numbness after a traumatic past. Her antagonistic first impression is challenged when the younger, dominant son demands the best room and the best treatment for his mother. As Stacy struggles to uphold her promise to her mother while navigating contempt and conflict, the encounter escalates into a tense power struggle that tests her ability to respond without resentment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages178

Reading Time4 h 34 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter One

Stacy Weldon answers the door

Thorn Farm guesthouse accommodation request

Confrontation and demands from Sloan Maddison

KISS OF A TYRANT BY MARGARET PARGETER Sloan thought she was a cheap seductress! Stacy Weldon had been through a bad experience that had shaken her faith in men. What she didn't need right now was to contend with the antagonistic Sloan Maddison. She had agreed to help his mother refurnish their home, however, and she would stick to her word. But she must find some way to change Sloan's opinion of her; and his despicable treatment. How could she love a man like that? CHAPTER ONE STACY WELDON rose with a sigh of resignation from her seat by the kitchen stove, speaking to her sister sharply. 'It's all right, June. For goodness' sake stop worrying! I'll go and answer the door. You can feel free to carry on with what you're doing.' She knew she must sound truculent and she didn't mean to, just as for all she hugged the kitchen stove she didn't really feel the cold. The trouble was she didn't really feel anything these days; the shock which had partly numbed her ever since she had been unfairly dismissed from the large department store where she had worked was still with her. Of that and Basil Bradley, the man responsible, she tried to think as little as possible. 'I'm sorry, June, I'm on my way.' She made an effort to speak more patiently asthe doorbell rang again and June, rubbing a floury finger over her nose, stared at her anxiously. Pausing only to run a comb carelessly through her long silky hair, Stacy walked steadily towards the front door, which was usually kept closed at this time of year. Opening it, she found two people standing on the doorstep. Looking at them without any real interest, she saw a slim, middle-aged woman of around sixty and a much younger man. He was tall with wide shoulders and a lean, hard body, and she thought he might be the woman's son. She wouldn't like to have taken a bet on it, but there did seem to be some slight resemblance. Because the man appeared the much more dominant personality, it was to him that Stacy turned enquiringly, noting how his eyes seemed to flicker as he met her cool stare. It came to her suddenly that he was not used to being studied with such marked indifference as she displayed. Not by anyone! 'Good morning,' she said slowly, forgetting it was already afternoon. Neither acknowledged her obviously reluctant greeting , immediately, although the woman frowned. After a slight pause the man said curtly, 'This is the Thorn Farm guesthouse, I take it?' 'Yes, that's right.' Stacy didn't feel so much as one small stirring of curiosity. What she did feel, as the man's appraising eyes flicked over her, was too vague to put a name to. The woman put in quickly, as if sensing her companion's impatience, 'We wished to enquire about accommodation.' 'Then you'd better come in,' Stacy suggested, as though it mattered little to her whether they did or not. She noticed the man's mouth tighten, as if he restrained himself with difficulty from turning and walking away. Let him think what he liked, she thought irritably, she wasn't answerable to him or any man-not now. She stared back at him defiantly. They were halfway across the hall before she remembered it was not her own livelihood she might be jeopardising but her mother's, if she antagonised two prospective guests. And, if her own image didn't matter any more, she owed her mother too much to repay her like this. Guiding them into the small office, which served as a reception desk as well as everything else, she managed a pleasant smile while asking politely, 'I suppose you are looking for rooms?' 'We could be,' said the man, uncompromisingly. Stacy's small but haughty chin lifted at least two inches in unconscious reaction before she checked. Drawing a self-admonitory breath, she tried to explain. 'My mother, Mrs Weldon, usually sees to this sort of thing, but I'm afraid she's out, but if you could tell me exactly what you want, and for how long, I might be able to help you.' 'Indeed?' the m

FAQs

Why is Stacy emotionally guarded in Chapter One?

Stacy carries shock from being unfairly dismissed from a department store, and she tries to think as little as possible about what happened and the man responsible.

What do the guests want when Stacy opens the door?

They want accommodation at the Thorn Farm guesthouse—his mother a room for about a month, with the son expecting to stay no longer than a week.

How does the son, Sloan Maddison, treat Stacy during the booking?

He questions her attitude, warns her that she will offer the best treatment, and reacts with cold impatience toward her seemingly indifferent demeanor.

Aug 6, 2026

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