Touch the Sun by Cynthia Wright Read Free Book Online Page B

her dinner with Lion Hampshire and had no wish for a repeat performance to further arouse his curiosity. Her performance that night had been unskilled; she had committed the blunder of dropping her guard and showing him herself. She knew that he had been intrigued by her and now she was panicky at the thought of getting herself in any deeper. So she played the role of lady's maid to the hilt, staying out of Lion's way and dropping her eyes when he came near. She could feel his mocking smile as he watched her, and her cheeks burned with the indignity of her position. But she refused to let down her guard again. If he discovered the truth, he might send her home to Virginia in his anger.
    When she wasn't preoccupied with Lion or Priscilla, Meagan found herself actually enjoying the long hours of travel. The country was new to her and she longed to see it in the rich verdant garb of spring. Baltimore was a lovely surprise. Half the size of Philadelphia, it was a quaint, charming town perched on a hill that sloped down to Chesapeake Bay. Meagan tried to visualize the spacious streets under blue skies and sunshine, with the numerous dovecotes filled with singing birds. Lion told them that the townspeople believed the doves and swallows would bring prosperity, but none were in evidence as the carriage clattered down the sleet-swept streets.
    Maryland's rolling countryside charmed Meagan even as it frustrated her. The roads were poor, seeming to grow muddier with every mile. Each hill became a frightening challenge as the horses struggled to bring the yellow post-chariot to the summit. Through the rain, Meagan could see the farmhouses and stone barns standing desolate under the frozen gray sky. Flocks of sheep huddled together, nibbling at the dry, brown stubble that poked through the frosty ground. She consoled herself with the knowledge that soon enough the fields would be moist and warm and filled with flax, with the sheep happily roaming the lush hillsides.
    Luck favored them the day they ferried the Susquehanna River, for though it was dangerously swollen, the weather was unusually mild. There were no frightening winds or sudden lurches during the crossing, and Meagan managed to keep Priscilla calm.
    The next few days took them across the head of the Elk River and on into Delaware. The journey to Newcastle, which was usually accomplished in one day, took them two. Meagan could see that Lion was becoming less tense, however, as they neared the Pennsylvania border. The next day they left Newcastle and followed the majestic three-mile-wide Delaware River northward.
    When they drew up outside a remote tavern that evening, Lion helped the girls down with an irresistible grin. "Ladies, this is our last stop, God willing. This time tomorrow night I hope to be sampling a bottle of Bingham's brandy!"
    Meagan felt herself smile back at him, caught in his high spirits and her own excited anticipation of the future.
    Priscilla, on the other hand, managed to sniff loudly while looking the other way. "I must say, it is about time! I can't imagine enduring a more terrible ordeal than the last fortnight has been for me. My upbringing certainly did not prepare me—"
    Lion's eyes hardened as he regarded her with distaste. "It is evident that your upbringing neglected to prepare you for anything worthwhile."
    Priscilla's lower lip trembled with rage as she sought a retort. Failing that, she turned and flounced into the inn.
    Shrugging tiredly, Meagan started after her, Lion at her side. She ventured a tentative glance in his direction, expecting rage and finding instead an expression of rueful amusement. One side of his mouth curved cynically as he rolled his eyes at her, and for a moment Meagan feared he might chuckle aloud.
    Once upstairs in their tiny chamber, Priscilla calmed herself with a glass of wine. Two more were consumed before their supper arrived, by which time Priscilla was stretched out across the narrow bed in her chemise. While