Moon Dreams by Patricia Rice Read Free Book Online Page B

tapped it
warningly. “You look like a protective gargoyle, but there is no need. The cad
is quite willing to marry me now that I am an heiress, but I will not have him.
So you see, love does not matter either. I shall choose to be single.”
    Rory’s gut refused to let him quit the subject. How far had
the other man gone with her innocence? What kind of bloody parasite would hurt
a priceless angel? If he had his hands around the cad’s neck right now, he’d
strangle him. “What of passion?” he ground out between clenched teeth. “Did
your lover teach you that too? If so, you must be a coldhearted wench to abjure
it for all time.”
    Alyson stared at him in astonishment. Apparently displeased
with his tone, she gathered her skirts and tried to escape around the obstacle
of his chair. Rory’s grabbed her wrist. Rising, he towered over her and waited
for a reply.
    “Let go of me, Maclean.”
    “Tell me his name, Alyson.”
    “It is no business of yours.” She tugged at his hold, but he
was relentless.
    “Tell me it is only your heart he has touched.”
    “What difference does it make?” she demanded. “Do I ask you
how many women you have kissed? It is naught to me.”
    She had him there. He was making a complete fool of himself.
Taking a deep breath, Rory released her arm, but caressed her shoulder to keep
her from running away. “I am that sorry, lass. Forgive me. But I feel
responsible for you somehow, and before I sail, I would like to know that you
are happy. It is not so very easy to stop loving as you try to pretend.”
    She shrugged again. “I put his name on the guest list, but
he did not accept the invitation. I will survive. Are you sailing soon?”
    Rory wanted to crush her shoulders in frustration. “Diversionary
tactics work only once, lass. You will answer my question before I answer
yours. If the man has taken you in lust, he must be made to accept the
responsibility. I think old Farnley would be clever enough to tie up your
wealth so he cannot squander it.”
    “I do not understand you, my lord. What responsibility is
involved in exchanging a few kisses and vows of love? Alan promised to love me.
He said nothing of marriage. That was only my foolish daydreaming.”
    Rory wanted to hug her in relief. He wanted to pick her up
by that tiny waist and smother her in kisses. He wanted to find this Alan and
tell him what a bloody fool he was. He did none of those things.
    Alyson looked sophisticated in the costume Deirdre had
disguised her in, but she was still the untouched country lass beneath, and he
would not be the one to sully perfection.
    He grazed her cheek with his knuckle and gave her room to
pass. “Perhaps I better have Deirdre explain these things to you. Just do not
let another gentleman touch those ruby lips of yours without a promise of
marriage. Agreed?”
    “No kissing?” Alyson stared at him in wonder. “But kissing is
so very pleasant. Why should anyone be denied it?”
    “Not until you are betrothed,” Rory answered, putting his
hand to her waist and escorting her back to the ballroom.
    “You are no fun at all. I shall be glad when you sail.” Like
some spoiled child, she picked up her skirts and swept away from him, leaving
him chuckling in the hallway.
    Only when he spied Deirdre watching him did Rory narrow his
eyes and bear down on her. “Did Alyson ask you to invite anyone in particular
to this little crush of yours tonight?”
    Deirdre touched the patch at the corner of her mouth and
tilted her head. “I believe she asked that some of her Cornish neighbors be
invited. Why?”
    “Their names?” Rory refused to indulge his aunt’s curiosity.
    “Tremaine, I believe. Sir Thomas and Lady Tremaine. And
their son, I think. Now, let me think, what was his name?” She wrinkled up her
delicate brow in deep thought, bouncing her fan off Rory’s chest as she
considered.
    Impatiently he caught the fan. “Would it be Alan, by any
chance?”
    Her face brightened with