Faithfully Yours by Jo Ann Ferguson Read Free Book Online

fingers had brushed her nape. “Thank you, Major.”
    â€œMaybe now you will accept that I am not intending to harm you.”
    Faith flinched at his insight. This major was no witless despot like that barbaric captain, even though he demanded respect from his men. “If I gave you that impression, Major Kendrick, I must apologize.”
    â€œIt is clear that your experiences have led you to believe that you have reason to distrust the intentions of my fellow soldiers.” He glanced again at his men. “Words and actions are two different things.”
    â€œAre they?”
    His dark eyes focused directly on her. “You have confused me again, Mistress Faith.”
    â€œIf you had been in Pennsylvania for the past three or four years, you would know that words can create situations as dangerous as any weapons. All of this talk of independence was once just talk.” She looked toward the south. “Now it is so much more. Maybe if King George’s ministers had taken heed of the words, this war might never have begun.”
    He stepped closer. “The words spoken and written here were discussed endlessly in London. There are many on both sides of the Atlantic who believe that this war is wrong.”
    â€œThere are those who support the rebels in England?”
    He smiled as he brushed a strand of her hair back over her shoulder. “I suppose there must be, but I was speaking of those like you, who wish there could have been a peaceful end to the debate.”
    â€œThat will never be possible if the French become involved.”
    â€œYou have listened well to the tidings from Philadelphia and beyond.”
    She could not miss the way his eyes narrowed as he spoke the last two words. “Is this yet another test of my loyalty, Major Kendrick? If I said yes to your comment, you could label me a traitor for having information that does not come from the British army in Philadelphia.”
    â€œYou mistake my words.”
    â€œI don’t think so.”
    Lifting another tress from the ones that the breeze had flung around her face, he stroked it gently. “Ah, honesty at long last.”
    â€œI have not lied to you.”
    â€œMuch.”
    â€œMuch,” she agreed with a taut smile. “If you will excuse me, Major, I must—”
    He tightened his hold on her hair. “You have not shown me any other landmarks.” He closed the distance between them until he stood as near as he had in the barn, when only the low wall had been between them. “If you do not show me the way, I will have to explore by myself.”
    â€œDo you think I fear what you will find?”
    â€œNo.” His voice took on a raspy edge that sent unfamiliar sensations whirling through her. “I think you would fancy the exploration as much as I would. Just think of the unexpected treasures we might find on such an intimate journey.”
    Her hair tickled her cheek, but she barely noticed as his fingers, still holding it, caressed the curve of her jaw. His gaze held hers, and she suspected he was trying to tell her something, but she could not discern what the strong emotions were that filled his eyes. Slowly his thumb rose over her chin to graze her bottom lip. The taste of his rough skin was delicious and dangerous. Was this the flavor of treachery, or of temptation?
    A throat was cleared behind her. When Faith looked over her shoulder to see Lieutenant Osborne’s face, heat seared her cheeks as scarlet as his.
    â€œPardon me, Major Kendrick,” he said, gulping over every word. “I would like to speak with you, if I may.”
    â€œOf course. If you will excuse us, Mistress Faith.”
    She was not certain whether she was more irritated that Major Kendrick had lured her into this embarrassing situation or that—if his voice was a gauge of his emotions—he was utterly unmoved by the way his words had tempted her to forget herself in his arms. “I