Read Online Merline Lovelace by The Horse Soldier - Free Book Online Page B

objections. Unfortunately, it also led to a near brawl.
    No strong spirits were allowed at these company hops, but so many soldiers slipped outside for a nip of the coffin varnish that passed for whiskey in these parts that the stuffy air inside soon took on a flavor of its own. Usually, Andrew and the seasoned noncommissioned officers in attendance could judge to a nicety when to call a halt to the festivities and escort the ladies home. Tonight, matters reached flash point far sooner than Andrew could have anticipated. He should have expected Julia would provide the spark that set it off.
    Laughing and begging for a rest, she retreated to the sidelines to fan herself after a lively reel with Private Rafferty. Her solicitous partner tried to helpby snatching off his neckerchief and waving it energetically. In the process, he thumped the trooper waiting to claim the next dance square in the chest.
    “Hey, watch yer bony elbows, man!”
    “Watch ’em yerself, Hansen.”
    With a hearty shove, the second trooper tried to oust Rafferty from his position. Julia’s kerchief-waving gallant refused to budge.
    “Mind yer manners,” the Schnell’s brawny striker growled. “Can’t you see the leddy’s too hot and tired to dance with the likes of you?”
    “She let you stomp all over her feet. A jackass would’a done less damage to her toes.”
    The private’s jaw squared. The look of the Irish blazed in his eyes. “I told you t’mind yer manners, you rubber-jawed whiskey soak. Or are you wantin’ me to pound some into you with me fists?”
    “Gentlemen, please.” With a placating smile, Julia intervened. “It’s too hot to dance or exchange words like this. Would one of you be so kind as to fetch me a cup of lemonade?”
    “I’ll get it,” the newcomer said, aiming a belligerent glare at his rival. “We’ll take our turn about the floor after you’ve had a sip or two, ma’am.”
    Rafferty bristled. “The hell you will.”
    “Please,” Julia pleaded, “I—”
    “I’m ranking you both, gentlemen.”
    The deep voice behind her stilled the argument instantly.
    “The next dance is mine…if the lady permits.”
    “Yes, sir!” the two men chorused, retreating.
    Willing the smile not to slide right off her face, Julia made a slow turn. Every eye in the room was on them, she saw, from Victoria McKinney’s pouting frown to Mary Donovan’s keen glance. She pulled her gaze from the fascinated audience to Andrew standing square-shouldered in front of her. She could not— would not —walk into his arms. Not again.
    “Thank you,” she said, her voice as even as she could manage given the fact that she was the center of so many speculative gazes. “But I find I’m quite fatigued. I don’t care to dance any more tonight.”
    “Then I’ll escort you home.”
    Andrew held out his arm. Julia kept hers at her sides.
    “Take my arm,” he ordered softly. “You’re leaving. I won’t have you causing a brawl.”
    The unfairness of his remark raised a sting of heat in her cheeks. She came within a hair of turning on her heel and walking away. The cool, hard look in his eyes warned her not to embarrass either him or herself by such blatant rudeness.
    Hiding her anger, she laid her fingers on his sleeve. Beneath the cloth, his muscles felt as hard as steel and every bit as unyielding. Head high, she allowed him to escort her out into the night.
    As soon as they were outside, Julia snatched her fingers away. “You embarrass me and abuse your authority with such heavy-handed tactics, major.”
    “You brought the embarrassment upon yourself.”
    Anger flashed in her eyes. “By dancing?”
    He reined in his own temper with a visible effort. “I suggest we discuss the matter at your quarters instead of in the middle of the parade ground.”
    Picking up her skirts, Julia stalked off. A full moon illuminated the way across the post to Officers’ Row. The sentries’ call as they marched their watch formed a