The Enchanted Land by Jude Deveraux Read Free Book Online Page B

quickly moved from him and ran for the safety of the house.

Chapter Three
    “M ORGAN .” Seth’s voice was close to her ear. “Get dressed and let’s go. It’s nearly sunup.” He paused and looked at her drowsy face. “Better yet, don’t get dressed. I like you that way.”
    Morgan opened her eyes and smiled up at him. His voice, his always-teasing manner, and his open, generous smile were becoming very familiar to her. They had been married only four days, and had known one another for only five, but already the sight of him was familiar. She wondered how she could ever have been afraid of men. Seth was reasonable, kind, and considerate. The next year would be a pleasant one if their friendship continued to grow.
    “Well?”
    “I’m getting up.” She went into the adjoining dressing room and quickly put on the large green riding habit that had once been Jennifer’s. Her hair was still flowing down her back as she returned to the bedroom and crossed to the mirror. She started brushing it in preparation of pulling it back into its tight little knot at the nape of her neck.
    “Don’t.” Seth’s voice startled her as his large hand loosely clasped her wrist. “Leave it down. I like to see it.” She opened her mouth to protest, but he placed two warm fingers over her lips. “Don’t give me a lecture about how your hair doesn’t matter. Just leave it loose. Please.”
    Morgan didn’t want to start the day with an argument, so she dropped her hands and left her hair to curl softly past her waist. As they left the room to tiptoe downstairs to the kitchen, she could still feel Seth’s fingers on her lips.
    “It’s even earlier than I thought, if Cook, that old tiger, isn’t up,” Seth whispered as they entered the large, still-dark kitchen.
    “She was very nice to me when I was in here yesterday afternoon, preparing the picnic basket.”
    “Nice? Cook nice to a lady? She doesn’t think a lady is worth a handful of salt.”
    “Maybe she doesn’t consider me a lady. After all, I was cooking. I don’t believe cooking is a ladylike occupation.”
    “Oh, yes. I had forgotten that my little wife cooks. I don’t guess there is a lady in five counties that can cook. Wife!”
    Morgan was startled at his exclamation.
    “Where’s my breakfast?”
    Morgan bristled at his tone. “I cook only when I want to. No man commands me to do anything.”
    Seth groaned and turned his eyes upward. “Oh God! Am I going to be cursed with a year of this? A woman without a sense of humor? If I tell her hair is pretty, she tells me it is none of my business. If I tell her I need food, she tells me she doesn’t take orders. Tell me, Lord, what is this poor man to do?” Seth tilted his head down slightly till he could see Morgan out of one eye. She had her hand over her mouth, trying to hide her smile.
    Thus encouraged, Seth returned to his prayer. “What’s that? You think the lass needs some persuasion? A what? A kiss? Ah, yes, that could bring her ’round. Thanks, Lord.”
    Seth bent toward Morgan, who now stood staring at him, eyes wide. “Seth—”
    “You heard Him. I have nothing to do with it.” He began walking purposefully toward her.
    Morgan ran quickly to the other side of the big oak table. “Seth … don’t.” As she went to one side of the table and as he pursued her, they both began to laugh.
    “I have orders to kiss the cook—to gentle her into making my breakfast.” His smile was infectious.
    “I’ll make breakfast. I don’t need persuasion,” Morgan said between peals of laughter.
    “Enough of this play, lass.” Seth leaped up and bounded across the top of the table toward Morgan. She stopped where she was, stunned by the sight of his massive body leaping with such agility.
    Before she had regained her senses, his arms were around her. “Now,” he began, still laughing. But as his lips moved towards her, all at once both of them were serious.
    “What is this? Sounds like the old bull