Teton Splendor by Peggy L Henderson Read Free Book Online Page A

was expected of her in the marriage bed?
    “How about I give you a ride back to town, since your man decided to leave you stranded out here on the road. But first I think you should button up your dress before someone else comes along and gets the wrong idea about us.”
    Joseph’s lips twitched, and there was no mistaking the sparkle in his eyes. He was enjoying her predicament. Sophia whirled around, and fumbled with the buttons on her dress. The nerve of him! It was his fault that Andrew had fled.
    “I have to apologize to him,” she mumbled.
    “Pardon me?” Joseph stepped to her side, and angled his face, his eyebrows scrunched in disbelief. “Apologize for what?”
    “For your behavior, Mr. Walker,” she replied heatedly, and turned toward the road. She had to salvage this somehow. Her day couldn’t possibly get any worse. Because of Joseph Walker, she had learned that she wasn’t truly Byron Yancey’s daughter, and now he had hurt her fiancé. Before she had a chance to move away, Joseph caught her arm.
    Sophia spun around, yanking free of his grip. “Why are you following me? Why are you so intent on ruining my life?” Her face flushed in anger, and she drew in a deep breath. The muscles along his jaw tightened.
    “I’m not here to ruin your life,” he said. “I made a promise to your grandfather. I had no idea you didn’t know about your real parents.”
    “I have a father who raised me and who loves me. I don’t need to know anything about them. I have my life here. I’m getting married to a prominent man in New York Society. I won’t allow you to jeopardize my future.”
    Joseph’s jaw muscles clenched and unclenched with each word she spoke. He released her arm. “Well, if that’s what’s important to you, Princess, then by all means. I’ll take you back to that important man of yours, and you can grovel at his feet. I just hope your high society life is worth the price you’re paying.”
    He turned and headed for his horse. Good. Maybe she was rid of him now. Sophia picked up her skirts and followed the gravel road that led back to Boston. Moments later, Joseph appeared by her side, leading his horse. Sophia gritted her teeth.
    “My offer still stands. You can’t walk all the way back to town,” he said, moving in front of her. His horse effectively blocked her way.
    “I’m not dressed for riding,” she said, refusing to look at him.
     “You are now.” Without warning, his hands reached for her waist, and he lifted her onto his horse’s back. He swung up behind her before she could even object. “Keep those skirts tucked under your legs so you don’t spook my horse.”
    She scrambled to hook her knee over the cumbersome saddle horn to simulate a side-saddle, and grabbed hold of a fistful of mane for fear of losing her balance. The nerve of that man!
    Shivers ran down Sophia’s spine at his deep voice and warm breath next to her ear. He reached around her and picked up the reins. Unless she wanted to fall from the animal’s back, she had no choice but to sit still. Heat seeped through her clothes from behind. Joseph’s solid chest pressed up against her back, and his arm brushed along her waist. The same jolt she’d felt earlier, and this morning when he touched her, raced through her now. She bit her lower lip, and tried to keep her breathing even.
    “I’ll take you to the edge of town. You can walk from there. I know your precious reputation is at stake if anyone sees you with the likes of me.” He sounded angry. For fear of provoking him further, Sophia remained quiet, trying to keep her back straight so it wouldn’t constantly brush up against his chest. By the time they reached the outskirts of the city, she feared her spine might snap in two.
    ****
     
    Joseph had kept his word and let her off his horse just before they reached town. He hadn’t followed her, at least not that she was aware. She’d hailed a cab, and gave the driver directions to the Preston