Read Online Celine by Kathleen Bittner Roth - Free Book Online Page B

stay barely lasted a few weeks before my father shipped him back to New Orleans.”
    â€œOh, dear. You must have done quite a bit of making up for lost time once Trevor returned to England permanently.”
    Cameron curled his fingers and studied them in mock boredom. “The Parisians revoked our keys to the city that first month. And the whole of Italy won’t have a thing to do with us.” He shrugged. “I suppose if it weren’t for the wealth we provided to some well-placed Asians, a few ports in the Orient wouldn’t have us either.”
    â€œOh, and aren’t you full of yourself though.”
    He grew quiet, merriment lingering in his eyes.
    She settled a smile on him. “You’re a good man, sir. A lady would be fortunate to have you, should you ever decide to settle down.”
    Cameron leaned forward over his knee and took her hand in his. “Then marry me, Celine. We’ll sail the world over. My wealth shall be yours, my wishes your command.”
    He flipped his hand in the air. “Or is it your wish would be my command? Oh, some such drivel.”
    Celine laughed softly. “Why, Cameron, you’ve only recently met me.”
    â€œWho cares?” He winked playfully. “Think of the interesting time we’d have getting to know one another.” He leaned over and planted a gentleman’s kiss on her forehead.
    â€œSweet. Real sweet, Cousin,” Trevor said dryly.
    Celine jumped and twisted around to catch Trevor’s indolent gaze. “How in the world did you find us clear out here?” Her heart skipped beats at the sight of him sitting casually on that magnificent horse she’d spied earlier in the barn. It was a European Friesian, the stable master had said, and its name was Panther. What a stunning creature with its black coat shimmering in the sun, and a thick curling mane that fell nearly to its knees. Leave it to Trevor to own a horse so striking it turned heads. He sat with one leg hitched over the front of the saddle. He appeared bored, but his dark eyes held fire.
    Cameron simply tilted his head backward, peering at his cousin. “Greetings, Trev, old boy. Didn’t hear you approach, I was so busy. On your way home from the Widow Beaudrée’s?”
    Trevor snorted as he swung down from the huge black beast he rode with the same ease and grace as when he’d climbed out of the carriage the day before. He removed his coat and tossed it over the saddle. He was left wearing a white lawn shirt open at the neck and tan buckskin breeches tucked into his boots. A quick glance at his jacket and Celine caught sight of a white stock tie peeking out of the pocket.
    Dear Lord, no waistcoat? He didn’t even have the decency to finish dressing.
    She was appalled at her body’s crude response to the thick muscles rippling beneath his thin cambric shirt. She willed herself not to glance at his tight breeches, her stomach knotting. The roar of blood in her ears sounded more like a howling wind. She didn’t know if what was happening to her was from the sight of him, and the ever-present sensuousness that clung to him like a musky fog, or if it was because of where she was sure he’d just been. She tried not to think of him and Mrs. Beaudrée wrapped in each other’s arms.
    Indecent!
    Cameron lifted his legs over the branch and switched positions so he faced Trevor. Celine walked around rather than climb over. She moved closer to Cameron, which did little to ease her discomfort. Drat.
    Trevor picked up a blade of grass and slipped it between those lush lips of his before he sat down in front of them. He rested an arm on one cocked knee.
    Cameron broke into a thick British accent. “I do say, Celine, I think the old boy is about to rudely impose upon us.”
    â€œJust keeping an eye on you, Cam.” Trevor cocked his head toward Celine. “Has no one told you he has a terrible reputation with regard