Innocent Fire by Brenda Joyce Read Free Book Online Page A

Miranda said, and Lady Holcombe nodded tiredly. Miranda followed in the direction he had gone, out of the dining room and into a front room where there was a desk for registry, a sofa and chairs and table, and a few lounging occupants. They were all male, and they eyed her with blatant interest. She flushed, feeling disgraced at being seen looking so ill-kempt, and wondered where Bragg was. She inquired at the desk. The clerk told her that he had gone back outside and she headed off in that direction.
    The team and wagon and Bragg’s horse were gone, and she wandered into the stable. It was very quiet inside, except for the sound of the animals moving, snorting and eating. She thought she recognized their team of mules, although she wasn’t sure. There was a lit lantern hangingon one wall, so she knew that someone was still in the barn. She was about to give up when she heard a noise. Staring down to the farthest end of the barn, she thought she saw the white mane of Bragg’s stallion. She started down the hay-strewn corridor, and soon Bragg’s broad back came into view.
    Miranda heard his husky murmur just before she saw the woman. Bragg must have heard her because he turned abruptly, and his features softened as he came toward her. Miranda looked past him at the woman, wondering what they were doing there alone, feeling something like jealousy rise up in her. The woman smiled, pulling straw out of her hair and smoothing down her skirts. Miranda had the uncharitable thought that she was quite fat.
    “Are you looking for me?”
    Miranda’s gaze moved back to Bragg, and she noticed that his eyes were bright, his shirt unbuttoned, his chest massive and glistening. She flushed. For a moment she couldn’t remember why she had come—she could only stare.
    “Y-yes, Captain. My aunt and I are tired. We’ll be dining in our room tonight.”
    Bragg smiled. Then he said something, but she was already hurrying away, running. She reached the safety of the courtyard and breathed in deep lungfuls of air, unbuttoning the top three buttons at her throat. She was trembling. What had they been doing, alone like that?
    And why did she care?
    A moment later she heard him right behind her. “Miranda, wait.” She grabbed her skirts and fled.

Chapter 7
    “Miranda, what’s wrong?”
    Miranda forced a smile. “Nothing, Aunt Elizabeth.” Stop thinking about that fat woman, she admonished herself.
    “Dear, you’re out of breath and flushed.”
    Miranda turned away, testing the bathwater.
    “Are you ill?” Elizabeth asked, with concern.
    “No, I’m fine.”
    “Did you find the captain?”
    Miranda felt the heat rising in her cheeks, and her aunt didn’t miss it. “Miranda?”
    “Yes, I did. In the barn,” she mumbled. Then it burst out. “He was in there with a woman, Aunt, alone with a woman.” Elizabeth pursed her mouth in a severe line.
    That night, Miranda had the most awful dream. Bragg had her in his arms, and he was stroking her body, her breasts. She was afraid, but didn’t have a voice with which to cry out. She wanted to struggle, but her limbs wouldn’t move. His touch made her body throb in the most peculiar way. She awoke in a sweat, a bittersweet ache between her thighs in her most intimate place. It took her a long time to fall back to sleep, and still she did not understand—not any of it.
     
    Miranda and her aunt were eating a breakfast of hotcakes and sweet syrup when she felt his eyes upon her. She felt her face flaming but didn’t look up. How can I look at himafter dreaming about him last night? she asked herself desperately. She looked at her plate and concentrated on eating every last bite. She wasn’t hungry at all, but it gave her something to do.
    “Good morning, ladies,” Bragg drawled lazily.
    “Captain Bragg.” Elizabeth rose. “I would like a word with you in private.”
    Bragg stared at the top of Miranda’s bowed head. He had an inane thought. How long was her hair? He realized