To Tame A Texan by Georgina Gentry Read Free Book Online Page B

Purdy; you know, the one with the big . . .” He didn’t finish, and the others laughed knowingly. He looked Ace up and down. “I wager Durango’s dad forced him to bring the schoolmarm.”
    The Forresters and the Durangos were old enemies, and Ace frowned at the other man—a little too handsome and dressed in the latest styles from back east. “Forrester, you should be so lucky to get accepted as an escort for a smart girl like Lynnie. Why, she’s even graduated from college.”
    Forrester sneered. “And just how does that help in the bedroom?”
    The others laughed, but Ace grabbed Forrester’s arm. “Watch your mouth, hombre.”
    â€œAll right, all right.” The other threw up his hands in surrender. “I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just that knowing your reputation with the ladies, we’re all surprised to see you escorting that prim old maid.”
    His reputation was on the line. All four of the men looked at him. He almost weakened then and told them how his mother had forced him to bring Uncle Maverick’s spinster sister-in-law, but he looked across the floor at Lynnie, standing there by herself among the more beautiful girls, and for the first time in his life he almost pitied her. “I’m tired to death of brainless women who have nothin’ to offer but good looks and hot kisses.” He waited a moment to see if heaven would strike him down for his brazen lie, then breathed a sigh of relief when it didn’t happen.
    He waited until Forrester had walked away, then turned on the other three. “Miss McBride’s dance card probably isn’t full, if you three are wantin’ to hurry over and ask her.”
    Nobody moved.
    Ace frowned. “I said, she might have room on her dance card for three fellows that still owe me money from our last poker game.”
    They looked at him. Then they turned and looked toward Lynnie standing forlornly yet defiantly across the ballroom.
    â€œI might even forgive a gambling debt to a man who’d do the gentlemanly thing.”
    All three looked as if they were surveying a hangman’s noose. With a sigh, all three started across the floor toward Lynnie.
    Humming to himself with satisfaction, Ace got two cups of punch, tasted his, and grimaced. Well, maybe someone in the crowd had a bottle of bourbon; that would improve the flavor to a Texan’s taste. As he stood there watching his friends crowd around Lynnie, Emmalou Purdy minced across the floor and brushed up against him.
    â€œWhy, Ace Durango, mercy me,” she giggled. “I do hope you’re plannin’ on askin’ little old me to dance.”
    He bowed gallantly. “I do hope, Miss Purdy, you’ll save me a place on your dance card.” He relished the idea of rubbing up against those big bosoms, if only for a few minutes.
    â€œThat I’ll surely do.” She giggled again and floated across the floor toward Willis Forrester, who was frowning at Ace.
    Ace looked over the beauties on the dance floor with a sigh before sauntering back over to where Lynnie stood. “Enjoying yourself?”
    â€œYour friends came over and asked me to dance,” she said almost as if she couldn’t believe it.
    What he’d done made him feel good inside. He’d feel much better when he got to dance with some of the other girls during those three dances. “Uh, they all want a chance to dance with a smart girl, Lynnie. All these others have is looks.” He was looking down into the top of her ball gown and decided she wasn’t as flat-chested as he’d first thought.
    â€œStop staring at my bosom,” Lynnie snapped as she accepted the punch.
    He was startled that she was so straightforward. He’d never experienced such honesty from a girl. “I wasn’t staring.”
    â€œYes, you were. Besides, my corset top is stuffed with hankies. That’s what you’re