An Accidental Seduction by Lois Greiman Read Free Book Online Page B

refrained from raising his brows. He also refrained from kissing her. Suffering saints, he was the very picture of decorum. “I don’t think it seemly for me to take such liberties, me lady.”
    She scowled, perhaps wondering about his previous behavior. But he could hardly be blamed for kissing her wrist. It was irresistible.
    “Aye, well, I’m not thrilled about being stranded out here in the dark with an Irishman with too many hands.”
    He managed to remain absolutely sober. “I assure you, my lady, I have the usual number of hands. I was simply trying to—”
    “Get on the horse,” she ordered.
    “Perhaps I should help you mount first, then climb up behind.”
    She gave him one raised brow. “I’ll be sitting behind, Shortwick,” she said. “Where I can keep an eye on you.”
    No fool, she. “Expecting me to swoon, are you, Lady A?”
    “Only if I hit you on the head.”
    Containing his laughter was becoming more difficult. “I’d feel much safer if you were in front.”
    “You’d probably feel a lot of things,” she countered briskly. “Now hurry or I shall leave you behind.”
    He glanced toward the farmstead. It was a good five miles to Knollcrest.
    Daisy stood patiently as he mounted, and in a matter of moments he was aboard. He glanced down at the baroness. She looked peeved and a little thoughtful, but finally shifted the stirrup toward the animal’s rump and put her foot in the U-shaped leather. He reached for her hand and she took it regretfully.
    Helping her mount was simple enough, but not because she was particularly light. It was either because she was unusually strong or notably agile. He couldn’t quite decide which, and it made him wonder, but in a second she was perched behind the saddle’s high cantle.
    Her breasts brushed his back. His penis shifted against the pommel.
    “You’d best hold onto me,” he said.
    “I think I can stay aloft on this fiery steed,” she said,and in that moment he couldn’t quite help but tap his heels against the chestnut’s flanks.
    Well trained and deceptively responsive after nearly two decades of life, Daisy leapt forward.
    As for the baroness, she snagged his waist with sudden zeal. Her breasts pressed tight and firm to his back, and though it took some discipline, he refrained from closing his eyes to the euphoric feelings.
    “If this little mare is too much for you, I could take the reins,” she gritted, her lips near his ear.
    He managed not to laugh as he slowed the chestnut to a more sedate pace. “You wish to change places, me lady?”
    “Just try to control her,” she ordered.
    He glanced over his shoulder at her, trying to appear somber. “Certainly, me lady. Me apologies, Me Lady. But Daisy here is really quite a spirited steed.”
    His passenger snorted softly. Her huff of disbelief brushed the nape of his neck, doing foolishly erotic things to certain parts of his suddenly hard anatomy.
    But he only shrugged, casual to a fault. “Believe what you will, lass, but not everything is as it appears,” he said, and tried to ignore the discomfort of his ridiculous desire for her.

Chapter 4
    S avaana sat alone in Clarette’s bedchamber, once again studying her reflection. Her persona was firmly back in place.
    Perhaps it had not been particularly wise for her to ride on the previous night. But at least she’d learned that the Irishman was attracted to her. It was a good piece of information to possess, though she could hardly be surprised. She was, after all, a beautiful woman. As for Gallagher, he was not entirely lacking in charm. He was handsome enough, she supposed, and some might say his smile was…alluring.
    But that meant nothing to her, she reminded herself quickly. After all, she was a married woman. Happily married. Her entire job was to remain here. To be faithful. To bear an heir. Hardly a difficult task. After all, she had plenty to eat. She had servants to attend to her every whim. She had warm fires on chilly