Notorious by Virginia Henley Read Free Book Online Page A

Mortimer approached the castle he purposely focused his thoughts on Brianna. His mind searched about for where she would be on this warm afternoon. His keen intuition told him that she was outside the castle walls, and when Shadow loped off toward the river, Wolf knew where he would find her.
    He slid from the saddle, tethered his horse, and walked down toward the water. As he moved silently through the rushes, seeking his quarry, his senses became drenched with her.
    Brianna heard a rustle and glanced toward the riverbank. She saw nothing and thought it may have been a bird or a small animal. When she heard the rustle again she raised her eyes and scanned the rushes to see what was disturbing them. She shivered slightly as she experienced the sensation that someone was watching her.
    Her first emotion was not fear; it was anger. “You sniveling coward, sneaking about to spy on me. Show yourself instantly!”
    She watched the rushes move apart and saw two bright golden eyes staring at her; then the creature raised its head and gazed at her over the rushes.
    She laughed with relief. “Shadow! How on earth did you get here?” Brianna suddenly stiffened. If Shadow is here, Wolf Mortimer cannot be far behind. How prophetic that last night I dreamed the arrogant devil would return to Warwick.
    â€œYou skulking swine! I know exactly who it is, so you might as well stop hiding.” She waited for a drawn-out minute, her gaze riveted on the rushes, but they remained absolutely still. “Where the devil are you, Wolf Mortimer?”
    â€œI’m behind you.”
    Brianna gasped. The low murmur was directly in her ear. She spun about, startled and furious. Her foot slipped out from under her and she made a desperate grab for him so that she would not fall beneath the water.
    Wolf’s strong hands clasped her beneath her armpits and kept her head from going beneath the surface, and then he set her firmly back on her feet.
    Her breasts rose and fell with indignation at being handled in such an undignified manner. She stared, mesmerized, at the rippling muscles of his chest and arms. “You are naked!”
    â€œYou noticed,” he said dryly and waded toward the riverbank. He climbed out, careless of his nudity, yet fully aware that she was staring at his bare buttocks. He was a man who enjoyed being naked. He was totally at ease without his clothes, never feeling threatened or vulnerable as others did when they were bare. It was the animal side of him. It felt natural, and like most animals he was well furred. He flung his long, black, wet hair over his shoulder and picked up his linen shirt.
    â€œNo need to thank me, Mistress de Beauchamp.”
    â€œIt was your bloody fault! You sneaked up on purpose, just to startle me and amuse yourself.”
    â€œAlas, I was doomed to disappointment. It wasn’t the least amusing to see you flail about because you were afraid of getting your face wet.”
    â€œAfraid? Afraid of getting wet? You must be jesting! I am an accomplished swimmer, Welshman.”
    â€œThat sounds suspiciously like bravado. Can you swim across the river?”
    Her chin went up. “Of course I can.”
    â€œI’ll race you,” he challenged. He dropped the shirt and began to run, splashing through the shallow water until he reached her.
    â€œI shouldn’t…but I shall!” Brianna’s eyes widened. The bold devil has a dragon tattooed on his thigh! She blushed. I’ve never seen anything so shameful. Brianna turned quickly and dove beneath the water, heading toward the middle of the river where the tide ran more swiftly. She battled the current with long, strong strokes, thoroughly enjoying herself by showing off her prowess. They touched the other bank at almost the same time. Wolf Mortimer’s dark face threw her an insolent grin, and then he dove beneath the surface. When his head emerged, he was halfway across the river and her heart