Read Online A Christmas Keepsake by Janice Bennett - Free Book Online Page B

developed yet, of that she felt certain. But did that mean months—or just weeks?
    “You don’t remember the date on which you set sail?”
    Christy managed what she hoped was a convincing laugh. “It was postponed so many times. Our departure, I mean. The weather was bad.”
    He stiffened. “Indeed?”
    Bad answer. She bit her lip. “There was something about the cargo not arriving on time, and the captain refusing to sail without it.” That had a better sound to it. Most occurrences in life seemed to be motivated by finances.
    She returned her attention to the passersby, hoping he’d accept her hazy responses for abstraction rather than evasiveness. Everything did enthrall her, after all; it was so very different from the world she knew. She leaned out to watch a huddled figure with a scarf wrapped about her head, who sat before a cart on which a small fire burned beneath a huge urn. The woman poured a cup of steaming liquid and handed it to a boy in exchange for a coin.
    Christy craned her neck to look back, and out of the corner of her eye caught sight of a horseman pulling up short and turning away.
    “That’s the third time that same man has done that!” she exclaimed.
    “What?” Major Holborn glanced at her, a frown creasing his brow.
    She told him. “He’s about half a block back, now, but he’s been with us for some time. I don’t think I’d have paid any attention to him if he didn’t keep turning away like that.”
    “Indeed.” He sounded grim. “Kepp, did you hear the lady?”
    “Yes, sir,” came the response from the groom.
    “Will you keep an eye out for him? And can you contrive it so he doesn’t know you’re watching him?”
    “That I will, sir.”
    They started forward once more. The major swung left at the first corner, then again at the next. After a fourth jaunt down a side street, he pulled out of the flow of traffic and brought his pair to a halt.
    “Well, Kepp?”
    The groom swung down. “He’s still with us, sir. Begging your pardon, but it might prove mighty interesting if n I was to have a word or two with him. Mighty interesting, indeed.”
    “No.” A gleam lit the major’s marvelously dark eyes. “That is a pleasure I intend to reserve for myself. I’m tired of being followed about.” He inclined his head toward Christy. “If you will excuse me, Miss Campbell?” He tossed the reins to his groom, swung down from the carriage, and set off with a rapid, determined stride.

 
    CHAPTER SIX
    “What’s he doing?” Christy demanded of the frowning groom. “He’s not going to tackle that man alone, is he? What if he’s dangerous?”
    “The major can take care of hisself, miss.” Still, the groom directed an uneasy glance over his shoulder.
    Christy sprang to her feet, setting the carriage rocking. “He may need help.”
    “If you please, miss?” Kepp steadied the horses. “He’d rather you didn’t go getting yourself involved, like.”
    “Tough.” Christy cast him a scathing look and jumped to the ground, only to trip in the unfamiliar long, narrow skirt. With a muttered oath, she hiked it up and set off at a run after Major Holborn. Already, he was far ahead with his long, swinging stride. His height, though, made it easy for her to spot him. He was a very striking figure, she realized.
    And far too easy to follow. That thought left an uncomfortable sensation in the pit of her stomach.
    She hurried on, jostling through the crowd. People stared at her, she suddenly realized. Apparently, ladies weren’t supposed to run through the streets.
    Standing on tiptoe, she tried to catch another glimpse of the major, but he’d vanished. Probably he’d rounded the corner.
    She increased her speed, reached the end of the block, and collided with him.
    He grabbed her and steadied her against his chest. For one breathless moment, she stared into his dark eyes, and the sheer power of the man slammed into her. Everything but the strength of his hands on her arms