Whirlwind Wedding by Jacquie D'Alessandro Read Free Book Online

fishing together; explaining to William the intricacies of where babies come from, then laughing uproariously at the expression of horror on his face. Then, years later, sharing a meal at their club, or a laugh at the faro table, or a race on horseback. So many moments shared . . . moments that were gone forever.
    God, how I miss you, William.
    "I'm finished."
    The soft words broke through Austin's reverie. "I beg your pardon?"
    "I said I'm finished with your sketch." She held the tablet out to him.
    "Would you like to see it?"
    Austin took the sketch and studied the picture intently It depicted him as he was not used to seeing himself. The man in the picture appeared completely relaxed leaning back against the tree trunk, one leg drawn up, his fingers casually linked around his raised knee. His eyes held a mischievous gleam, and a small smile played around the corners of his lips, as if he were thinking of something amusing and happy.
    "Do you like it?" she asked, leaning over his shoulder to study her handiwork.
    Her light lilac fragrance again assailed his senses. Shiny hair lay in wild disarray around her lovely face. One long auburn curl brushed his upper arm and he stared at it, a slash of dark red against his white sleeve, and he fought the almost irresistible urge to reach out and touch it.
    He cleared his throat. "Yes. I like it very much. You captured my mood perfectly."
    "You mentioned a younger brother named Robert."
    "Yes. He's away, traveling on the Continent."
    She studied him intently. "And William—you love him very much."
    A lump lodged in his throat. "Yes."
    He didn't comment on her use of the present tense. God yes, he'd loved William. Even at the end when he'd claimed he didn't . . . when he'd witnessed with his own disbelieving ears and eyes his brother's unthinkable treason.
    "Yes. I loved him." He handed her back the tablet. Her gaze riveted on his cheek. "Does your injury pain you?"
    "It stings a bit."
    "Then I insist on preparing you a salve." She pulled a satchel from her knapsack.
    "What is that you have?"
    "My medical bag."
    "You brought a medical bag on a walk?"
    She nodded. "Whenever I walk or ride. As a child I constantly skinned my elbows and knees." A teasing gleam entered her eyes. "As you already know my fondness for crawling about in the bushes, I'm sure this doesn't surprise you. Papa finally fashioned a bag for me to bring along whenever I left the house. I've pared the supplies down to the bare minimum and the bag isn't heavy."
    "How did you manage to skin your knees? Didn't your skirts protect you?"
    A blush washed over her cheeks. "I'm afraid I tended to, er, hike my skirts up a bit." His surprise obviously showed because she quickly added "But only when I climbed trees."
    "Climbed trees?" A picture of her, long limbed and laughing, her skirts hiked up to her thighs, flashed in his mind leaving a trail of heat in its wake.
    She shot him a teasing smile. "Have no fear, your grace. I stopped climbing trees several weeks ago. But I still bring my bag with me. You never know when you may run across a handsome gentleman in need of medical aid. I find it best to always be prepared."
    "I suppose that's true," Austin murmured oddly pleased she thought him handsome, yet surprised that her words did not strike him as flirtatious— merely friendly.
    He watched with interest as she removed several pouches and small wooden bowls from the satchel. Excusing herself, she walked to the lake, returning with a container of water. After setting her supplies around her, she set to work, her face a study in concentration.
    "What are you mixing?" Austin asked fascinated by her unusual actions.
    "Nothing more than dried herbs, roots, and water."
    He didn't see how a few herbs and water could help his stinging cheek, but he remained silent and simply watched her, reminding himself that the more he observed her, the more he would learn about her.
    When she finished she knelt in front of him, then dipped her