Read Online Bride of the Night by Heather Graham - Free Book Online Page B

runner. For that, you will answer to the government of the United States of America.”
    His eyes glowed so darkly that they almost appeared to be red fire in the night. His features might have been chiseled for a great warrior statue, and he seemed to have the ego and arrogance of a god to go with the hard-wrought classicism of his face. She felt the urge to takea step back, but, of course, she would never do so. She wouldn’t lose.
    â€œI am not a citizen of the United States of America, sir, and therefore, I will not answer to any government other than my own.”
    He stared at her without speaking, and then shook his head sadly. “You people would prolong this war forever. You would watch thousands and thousands more die.”
    â€œI am not fond of war!” she snapped back sharply. “But, sadly, I am not in charge of the state of affairs, and to my knowledge, the war still exists.”
    She felt a strange chill; it was what she believed, and she so wanted it to be over. Every day was futile now; every day was just more loss of life.
    â€œI have no intention of discussing my feelings regarding this war—or anything, for that matter—with you, sir.” She set her hands on her hips, trying for some form of dignity, which was actually quite ridiculous under the circumstances. Had someone called her bedraggled at that moment, it would have surely been a compliment.
    He didn’t take a step toward her, but, hands folded behind his back, he took a step around her, making her far more uneasy than she wanted to admit.
    â€œWhat is your name, and where are your accomplices?”
    â€œI don’t have accomplices,” she replied.
    â€œYou were sailing that ship on your own?”
    â€œI didn’t come off that ship. I live here.”
    â€œYou didn’t come off the ship, yet you’re caked with sand and seawater.”
    â€œIf I choose to take a dip at night, it’s no one’s concern.”
    â€œThe water just about has frost in it,” he said dryly.
    â€œI am from here. I am accustomed to bathing through the year. One can become quite adept at the water in the islands,” she assured him.
    â€œInteresting. I last saw you in Gettysburg. Stalking the president.”
    â€œI was not stalking the president,” she said.
    â€œI suggest that you tell me about your companions—or hang alone,” he said agreeably.
    â€œYou are an arrogant and extremely rude person, and I know your countrymen far too well to believe that many share your total lack of courtesy. I am guilty of nothing, and I suggest you leave me be, or the fate that awaits you will be far worse than hanging.”
    He laughed, and for a moment she was, despite the circumstances, struck by just how appealing his dark good looks were.
    Except, of course, he was an ass.
    â€œI weary of this. Leave me be, and no harm will come to you.”
    He shook his head, still smiling, and amused that she would dare to threaten him.
    â€œYou’ll excuse me?” she said, her tone equally modulated, as if they were in a fine drawing room.
    He didn’t move. She stepped toward him, took one hand and set it on his chest, and pushed.
    She had expected that he would go flying. He did not; she took him by surprise again, but he barely budged. His movement, however, did give her the escape she needed. With the foot and half that lay between them, she turned, and burst back through the brush and trees.
    Where to go? Oh, God, where to go? She couldn’t lead him back to Richard…?.
    Had Richard awakened to consciousness yet?
    She tried leading the tall stranger deep into the trees, and far from the eastern spit of beach where Richard lay covered in the sheet of branches. To the northwest…that was the way she had to go. Again, she ran, swift as sound and the darkness.
    But she could sense her pursuer at every turn.
    She burst into another copse, aware that her strength was