Whirlwind Wedding by Jacquie D'Alessandro Read Free Book Online Page A

fingers into the bowl of salve. "This may sting a bit at first, but only for a moment."
    He eyed the creamy concoction dubiously. "What possible good can that do?"
    "You'll see. May I proceed?"
    When he hesitated she raised her brows, her eyes dancing with mischief.
    "Surely you're not afraid of a bit of salve, your grace."
    "Of course not," he all but huffed irked that she would suggest such a thing, even in jest. "By all means, apply the salve."
    She leaned forward and gently rubbed her cream into his injured cheek.
    It stung like the very devil and he forced himself not to pull away and wipe off her ridiculous remedy.
    In an effort to distract himself from his fiery skin, he turned his attention to her. An expression of concern puckered her brow as she dabbed on more of the salve. Streaks of early morning sunlight dappled through the trees, shooting her hair with red and gold highlights. For the first time he noticed the smattering of tiny freckles on her nose.
    "Just a bit more, your grace. I'm nearly done."
    Her warm breath touched his face. His gaze dropped to her mouth, and his throat tightened. Damn it, she possessed the most incredible mouth he'd ever seen. He suddenly realized that not only did his cheek no longer sting, but her gentle touch was sending ripples of pleasure streaking through him.
    His entire body pulsed to life. The desire to kiss her, to feel those amazing lips crushed beneath his own, to touch his tongue to hers, slammed into him, overwhelming him. If he leaned forward just a tiny bit. . .
    She abruptly leaned back. "Does it still sting?"
    He blinked feeling dazed. And unkissed. "Ah, no. Why do you ask?"
    "You moaned. Or perhaps it was more like a groan."
    Annoyance, at both her and himself, surged through him. Here he was, fantasizing about kissing her, his trousers growing increasingly uncomfortable, moaning—or was it groaning?—and she wanted to know if she was hurting him.
    She was damn near killing him.
    He was truly losing his mind. He needed to focus on the matters at hand, but it was damn hard to do with her so tantalizingly close. Concentrate on William. The blackmail note. What she might know about them.
    "Thank you, Miss Matthews. It feels much better. Are you finished?"
    She frowned then nodded while wiping her fingers on a square of cloth.
    He wondered what she was thinking, his curiosity aroused by her silence and troubled expression.
    "Is something wrong, Miss Matthews?"
    "I'm not certain. May I . . . touch your hand?"
    Heat snaked down his spine at her request. Without a word, he lifted his hand.
    She pressed it tightly between her palms and closed her eyes. After what seemed like an eternity, her eyes slowly opened. There was no mistaking the fear and concern shadowing them.
    "Is something amiss?"
    "I'm afraid so, your grace."
    "Did you, er, see William again?"
    "No. I saw . . . you."
    "Me?"
    She nodded looking worried. "I saw you. I felt it." "What did you feel?"
    "Danger, your grace. I fear you're in grave danger."

Chapter 4
    Austin stared at her. Clearly she was suffering from delusions, but the fearful expression in her eyes chilled him. Hell, if I don't take care, she'll have me convinced goblins lurk behind every tree. He tried gently to extricate his hand but she clasped it tightly between her own.
    "Soon," she whispered. "I see trees, moonlight. You're on horseback, in a forest. Rain is on the way. I wish I knew more, but that's all I saw. I cannot tell you what form this danger will take, but I swear the threat to you is genuine. And imminent." Her voice turned into a desperate plea. "You must not ride in the forest after dark, in the rain."
    Disgusted with himself for feeling slightly unnerved Austin pulled his hand from between hers. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Miss Matthews. Do not concern yourself."
    Frustration flickered in her eyes. "I am concerned your grace, and you should be as well. While I can understand your skepticism, I assure you