Steven’s patience had been taxed to the limits. He’d never in his life laid a hand on a female in anger, but he was sorely tempted to haul this one off to the woodshed and blister her backside.
Steven raised himself on an elbow, plucked a daisy, and put it through Emma’s loose braid. He continued until a trail of white flowers paraded from her scalp to the place beneath her breast where her...
Steven longed to comfort her, but he didn’t dare. After all, he’d practically called her a prostitute earlier, albeit by mistake, and despite the sponge bath he figured he most likely smelled like a m...
So you’ll be leaving now, I suppose, the banker said, breaking the strained silence. I don’t imagine a man like you cares to stay in one place too long. Steven folded his arms. Until just a few minute...
She yanked open the door, and her smile faded. The same Indian who had wanted to trade two horses for her was standing on the apple crate that served as a front step, his black hair dripping with wate...
She came into the room, carrying a kerosene lantern this time, and Steven couldn’t help cringing when he thought of the damage that could do. But
Mrs. Tibbet, the colonel’s wife, was always looking for a housekeeper. Every time she hired one the lady would marry a soldier departing for home and leave the Tibbets’ employ. A slow grin spread acro...
Mind you don’t fall in love with him, Emma. I’ve got Fairfax pegged for a good man, but I suspect you’re right in thinking he’s in some kind of trouble. I won’t have you caught in the middle of somebo...
If I wanted a plaything, Miss Emma, he said hoarsely, I’d go over to the Stardust and lay my money on the bar. Emma scrambled to her feet and began pulling on her petticoats, her back turned to Steven...
I resent your insinuation that Fulton is a coward, she said. He’s a very fine man. Suddenly, Steven stopped right in the middle of the trail. Emma, who had just built up a good head of steam, collided...
I hate you, Caleb Halliday, she vowed. He kissed her lightly, and she caught the spicy female scent of her own body. Of course you do, darling, he said, propelling her toward the Tibbets’ front gate....
Her fatigue was gone; she felt vital and strong, like a tree coming back to life in the springtime, vibrant with sap, ready to put out buds and then blossoms.
He was a scoundrel, and he deserved whatever happened to him. But for just one shining, magical night Lily would pretend he was a prince.
He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose, one hand resting lightly on her naked hip. It’s time this old house saw some joy again, don’t you think? Emma nodded. Your father and Macon’s mother—were they...
He sat up in bed, wishing Lily was there. He wouldn’t even have needed to touch her, just watching her sleep would have soothed him. Caleb shoved the splayed fingers of his right hand through his hair...
He must love you, Bianca went on brokenly, if he’d follow you all this way. Lily shook her head. She couldn’t bear for Bianca’s words to be true, or for them to be a lie. She wished she’d never met Ca...
He grinned at her, and although he was in dire need of a shave and his hair was rumpled, Emma’s heart gave a little lurch.
He caught her left hand in his and lifted it so that the diamond sparkled in the firelight. I see you haven’t cut off your finger yet. Lily smiled sleepily. That would have hurt too much.
Good night, Major, she said. Just when she would have turned and run inside he caught hold of her hand. Tell me why your brother let you come all this way by yourself. The words had the tone of an ord...
Gently, and without thinking, Emma reached out to touch his forehead. His hand rose and closed around her wrist, and his fingers were at once strong and gentle. Come here, he said gruffly. He was like...