The Gun Ketch

The Gun Ketch by Dewey Lambdin Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: The Gun Ketch by Dewey Lambdin Read Free Book Online
Authors: Dewey Lambdin
hitching litde sound that sounded like a sob, and threw her arms around his neck. Her cool lips pressed upon his, her breath warm and clean on his mouth, and he put his arms around her, lifting her off her feet to drape against him. She felt so light, so slim and completely encirclable in his arms, and Alan's head spun with the scent of clean hair and soap, of the light, citrony and balsamed tinge of the Hungary Water she had dabbed on.
    Burgess, forgive me, but I think I want to tup your sister! he thought. And what your family thinks of me after that, bedamned!The sound of hooves interrupted them, two sets of hooves at the least, of horses being urged up the hill to them, and he set her down and stood a little back from her, full of regret that the moment had passed. His groin was on fire, and his heart was pounding such as he had never experienced with common lust, or the fine edge of expectation before consummation. Caroline Chiswick made him dizzier and woozier to hold and kiss than anyone he had ever known!
    And I've had my share now, haven't I, so I ought to know, Alan told himself. Damme to hell, but I think I'm in love with her, not... not just afire to have her! Damme if I ain't been toyin' with the thought of her since '81!
    Caroline brushed his cheek with her gloved hands, and stepped forward for one last, too-brief, open-mouthed kiss, then took a few steps away, composing herself to see who was coming.
    "Have they sent someone after us?" he asked softly.
    "I don't know ... Heavens, it might be something wrong with Father! I can think of no other reason. Dear God, no! Alan, pray for him, a short prayer to spare him, now!" she commanded in a fret.
    Two riders topped the rise, and Alan, turning to look at her, could see the tension still in her pose, for it yet might be bad news of Mr. Sewallis Chiswick. But the light in her eyes, and the joy on her face that he had put there a minute before fell away like an extinguished sunset when she beheld who led the pair of horsemen.
    "My dearest Caroline!" the Hon. Harry Embleton exclaimed as he drew rein to lord over them from horseback. "Your uncle said he thought you might have come this way. Had you forgotten that he had given us permission to take a morning ride together this day?"
    "Good morrow, Mister Embleton," Caroline nodded coolly. "And good morrow to you, Mister Lane. You have met Mister Lewrie, I think."
    "Mister Embleton, sir," Alan grinned, touching the right side of his cocked hat in greeting like a casual salute to a deck-officer. "And I believe I met Mister Lane, Douglas Lane, is it, yesterday, at the Red Swan? Your gamekeeper, is he not, sir? Joy of the morning, sir."
    "Mister Lewrie," Harry Embleton replied, sounding a bit arch as he squinted his close-set eyes at him, then just as quickly lost interest and turned his gaze to Caroline. "Well, shall we have our ride, my dear?" he asked, turning almost cloyingly mild.
    "Mister Embleton, I do recall that my uncle did give us his permission, but I considered that was dependent upon whether I gave my consent to it," Caroline replied. "In fact, in the excitement of Mister Lewrie's arrival, I quite forgot it. Perhaps you should talk with Uncle Phineas, and me, for another time."
    God, the girl has steel in her backbone, Alan exulted!
    "Well, since we are all here, that is..." Harry suggested, looking extremely miffed and hunching down into his coat collar.
    Since there was no way to turn him down without being rude, she heaved a small sigh to show the slightest bit of exasperation at his intrusion, and allowed as how they might ride for a piece together.
    "If you would assist me, Alan?" she asked after he brought her mare to her. Embleton sprang down from his saddle to come to her side but Caroline was already taking Alan's offered hand to steady her as she put a booted foot in the stirrup and got aboard. "My thanks to you, Alan." Leaving Harry flicking reins on his boots foolishly.
    "Any time, Caroline." Lewrie

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