Read Online Bella's Vineyard by Sally Quilford - Free Book Online Page A

stood aside, almost as if it were a relief. “Of course.”
    If it had been
possible for Bella to dance with Griffiths whilst standing in a separate field,
she would have done it. As such she kept as much distance as she could between
herself and him. “You look very beautiful tonight, Miss Tennyson. Or may I call
you Bella?” He did not wait for an answer. “Your brother has told me so much
about you. I wondered if I might call on you sometime?”
    “I’m very sorry,
Mister Griffiths. I don’t know what my brother has said, but I am not looking
for a husband.”
    “Really? The way
you were dancing with the marshal, folks might be forgiving for thinking
otherwise.”
    Bella pulled
away. “Thank you, Mister Griffiths, but I’m very tired. I’d like to go home
now.”
    “Then allow me
to escort you.”
    “That won’t be
necessary. My brother will…” Bella looked around for Andrew, and saw him far in
the distance, riding the buggy towards Milton. Which meant she had no means of
getting home.
    “I told him I
would see you home safely.”
    “Thank you, but
I can find my own way home.” Bella turned away, trying to look more resolute
than she felt. She walked to the corral, but most of the guests had started to
leave, and those that remained she did not know well enough to ask for
assistance.
    She sat down on
the edge of a water trough, and rested her head in her hands. She was miles
from home, and had no transport, but she was not going to be left at the mercy
of Arthur Griffiths. She could hardly believe Andrew would put her in such a
position. Did he really expect her to prostitute herself? She wondered exactly
what Griffiths had promised her brother in return for handing her over like a
bag of wheat from the supply store.
    “Bella? I saw
your brother leave. Is he coming back for you?" Vance’s deep tones came
from somewhere above her.  She looked up to see him astride his horse. He had
removed his jacket, his white shirt standing out like a beacon of light in the
darkness. She shook her head.
    “No, I don’t
think so. And Griffiths…” She shuddered.
    “Come on, I’ll
take you home.” She took the hand he offered without hesitation, and he pulled
her up so that she sat in front of him, sitting sideways.
    Neither said
anything for the first mile or so. He had his arms around her waist, holding
onto the reins. She could feel the heat of his skin beneath his shirt. She had
to fight the temptation to lay her head against his chest, but she was acutely
aware of his body brushing against the side of her breast. She shivered a
little but it was not an unpleasant feeling.
    “Are you cold,
Bella? You’re trembling.”
    How could she
tell him that he was the one making her tremble? The very nearness of him was
enough to send her senses into a tailspin. Andrew had said that he was sure she
would not do anything immoral, yet Bella knew that if Vance were to ask her,
she would do anything he wanted. As Miss Grant had said, Gloria was not here.
    “Do you like
Miss Grant?” asked Bella, trying to turn the conversation away from the way her
body was reacting to him. The annoyance Miss Grant caused to her was enough for
her to use it as a barrier between herself and Vance.
    “No, she’s a
little too vacuous for my tastes. Does it bother you to think I might?”
    “It’s really
none of my business,” said Bella. “Though I’m sure Gloria would …”
    Vance stopped
the horse and pulled Bella into his arms. He turned her face towards him,
covering her mouth with his. She should have fought him off. It would have been
the right thing to do. But all thoughts of right and wrong disappeared under
the urgency of his kiss, and the feel of his hands on her body. “Now tell me
how you feel about Miss Grant,” he muttered savagely, covering her neck with
kisses and tracing the curve of her breast with his fingertips. She moaned,
running her fingers through his thick hair, wanting his hands to cover every
part of