A Breath of Scandal by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online Page B

legally binding transpired between me and Lara. Once I leave, you are free to resume your relationship with her. If you will excuse me, I’ll continue my exercise.”
    Julian could feel Rondo’s hot gaze on him as he walked away. He didn’t blame Rondo. Julian was an interloper among people who did not easily accept strangers. If not for Lara, he felt sure he would have been left on the shore to die.
    Julian strolled back to camp. He was tired, and his wounds throbbed like the very devil, but at least he was mobile and gaining strength every day. Soon he would be well enough to return to London and continue his investigation.
    Julian saw little of Lara that day. She went along with some of the women to a nearby village to buy supplies for their journey to Lockerbie. Ramona changed his bandages later that afternoon, and he felt so drained he fell asleep soon afterward. He awakened when Lara returned to the wagon to call him to supper.
    “You will join us tonight, won’t you?” Lara asked. “My family would like it if you ate with them.”
    “Of course,” Julian replied. “I’d like to speak with Pietro about helping with the horses anyway. I can present the idea to him tonight during the meal.”
    “Are you sure you feel well enough?” Lara asked anxiously. “I wouldn’t want you to have a relapse.”
    “Don’t fret, Lara. I’m well aware of my limitations. Can you tell me how to get to the pool? I’d like to bathe before I eat.”
    Lara gave Julian directions, then left to help Ramona put the finishing touches on the meal.
    Ramona and Pietro seemed pleased to have Julian join them when he returned from the pool.
    “Do you have family somewhere who might be worrying about you?” Ramona inquired. “Perhaps you’d like to send word to them.”
    “I have a sister who is probably wondering why I’ve been away so long, but she’s accustomed to my extended absences. My brother lives in the Highlands with his family, and would have no reason for concern.”
    Ramona and Pietro exchanged speaking glances. “I told you Drago had no wife,” Ramona hissed into her husband’s ear. “I read his palm after he was brought to us, and I’ve studied the tea leaves in his cup on two separate occasions.”
    Paying little heed to the whisperings of the Gypsy couple, Julian stared at Lara instead. She looked exceptionally beautiful tonight. Her tousled ebony curls gleamed with reddish highlights in the moonlight, and the flickering flames from the campfire gilded her skin a creamy gold. Tiny pinpoints of light danced in the dark centers of her exotically slanted eyes, giving mute testimony to her volatile nature. There was little Julian did not admire about the tempting Gypsy, but she was not for him.
    “Dance for us, Lara!” someone shouted.
    Instruments were brought out and the strains of a vigorous Gypsy melody filled the air. The jingle of tambourines and the energy of fiddles soon had all of them clapping and stomping their feet.
    “Dance, Lara!” a chorus of voices urged.
    Julian frowned when Rondo bowed before Lara and held out his hand. After a quick glance at Julian, Lara took Rondo’s hand. Immediately he swung her into a spirited dance, whirling her round and round, her flashing skirts flying high to reveal shapely legs. Their bodies swayed and twisted together seductively, like passionate lovers swept up in an ancient mating ritual. Julian’s gaze was riveted on Lara’s lithe body as she leaped into the air and glided like a feather on the wind into Rondo’s arms. Never had he seen such gracefulness, such wanton abandon. Never had he been so utterly beguiled.
    Never had he felt such overwhelming jealousy.
    Hands clenched, teeth grinding together, Julian wanted to jump up and separate the dancers, but of course he didn’t. He no longer wondered whether Rondo and Lara were lovers. No one but intimate lovers could dance together in such a manner.
    Unable to stand the sight of Lara’s flashing thighs